A Start

[Midnight]

Rachel Copeland lead her horse towards the barn. She stopped in front of the door. She took a deep breath. It was a new kind of life. She wanted it, and now she had it. She stepped though the door. She felt nervous all over. What was the point? She should be happy she was now here. She breathed a couple deep breaths relaxing herself.

No one was in the barn, not yet. She looked stared at the stalls as she passed them. The horses were all gorgeous. Even her horse, Hunter's Pride, was looking at his new friends. He neighed at a couple. Some neighed back. She came to an empty stall. She lead her horse in and slipped his halter off. Pride smelled his new home. He grunted as he shook his head. He was already settling in. Rachel pat her bay gelding.

"This home now, for a while. A fresh start to a better future." She looked at him smell his new feed bin. "At least you seem to be settling in better then I am."

She went out of the stall and hanged his halter on a rope with his leadrope. She leaned on the stall and watched her horse. He was handsome. She wanted to ride him and explore the new areas. But first she had to wait for him to get use to all this, his new life.

She sighed. She wanted to meet the new people. At the same time she was afraid. She felt someone tug at her hair. She turned around and smiled at her horse. "You naughty boy, I thought I taught her better then that."

The bay gelding only stared at her. He stuck his nose through the bars. She pat his nose. He breathed her scent. Seconds later he brought his nose back to himself and turned around. He looked out the window staring at the life outside. Rachel just stood there. When she would feel she was brave enough she would go out into this new life.


Total of words: 341

[huntersgotstyle]

word count;; 559
I walked into the barn, my legs feeling crammed into my tall boots and even into my loosely fitted breeches. Jeans were just so much more comfortable if you ask me, though Bridget disagreed. But she was also a girl, and girls had a tendency to like tight pants a lot more then guys. I looked to see Callie munching on her hay and Princeton half asleep in the corner. I smiled at the bay mare, Callie was such a good girl. I had to ride her today to, but I didn’t really feel like it. I wasn’t going to lie riding a four year old over a million small, being 2’6ish, fences wasn’t near as fun as riding challenging courses. I stopped at her stall and tried to get her to come over, but she just turned her butt to me and pretended I didn’t exist. How nice. I took a few steps and stared into Princeton’s stall, the paint stood half asleep and looked incredible. Amazing considering I’d forgot to put his sheet on last night. For once he hadn’t rolled in manure. I shook my head at the two of them and walked towards the tack room, I had to grab all my crap. I wandered to each stall, looking in on each of the horses that looked so expensive and perfect. It was weird, not knowing anybody or any horses. Just me, my horses, my sister and her horses. I didn’t like having no friends, it was weird. I wanted to be able to go to the park and play soccer with my friends and work out with a group of people. Heck even going to the chic flick of the year beat nothing. Though chic flicks aren’t really that bad, it’s just that every girl seems to need to cry through the whole damn movie. I felt like such a loner, I hated that word but it was true. The guy who hung out with his little sister. I silently laughed at myself, I was turning into a walking male version of Bridget. The thought of Bridget reminded me about how she’d laughed at me this morning, with my burgundy hoodie and white tee shirt underneath. But I was 24, I was allowed to dress down to the barn. Not that she didn’t, but apparently the sweater from when I competed at some horse show a year or so ago was too much. I didn’t see why, but girls were weird. Then again I could look fine and Bridget was screwing with me-who knows.

I looked up to see a girl standing in the isle way. She looked pretty young, maybe 15 or 16. I though about walking past her, but I didn’t want to be rude. Then again she was like 8 years younger then me probably. I decided on introducing myself, it’s not like I was hitting on her. Besides she might have an older brother or sister. Probably not, but might as well give it a shot. Hey, I’m Brad” I said with a nod and looked past her and at her horse, studying it. A nice bay, looked like a hunter gelding. I didn’t notice till I was touching the horse’s nose that I had stepped past her and towards the stall. “Nice horse. Hunter?” I asked, wondering.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

She heard someone come inside the barn. She ignored it believing she was hearing things. The footsteps got nearer and nearer. Rachel raised her head when she heard someone speak up. She blushed when she noticed the man was talking to her. She tried putting on a brave face so she wouldn't look uneasy to his eyes. Just to be polite, like she was taught properly by her parents, she said. "Hey, my name's Rachel."

She turned back looking at her horse so he wouldn't see her face. She felt uneasy. She clenched her teeth together. She always felt this way around people, only this time it was a little different as he passed her to see her horse. She didn't understand herself clearly. She wished she did. She wanted to be one of those out going girl. As if it were ever going to happen, she thought to herself. She watched as Pride sniffed his new visitor and nickered playfully. He already liked Brad, of course. Pride liked any horse, any human. The bay gelding pulled his black nice back and looked over his new friend.

"No, he's a thoroughbred. I named Hunter's Pride after a great horse that went in the nationals. I call him Pride for short. His handsome, but sometimes he can be a pain each time he sees anything he thinks is weird. I was told his parents were good jumpers and well-behaved horses, he sure doesn't show his heritage right. I still love my Pride, no matter what he does."

She watched as Brad pat her horse. The idea having Brad making friends with Pride bothered her. She knew she couldn't be jealous. She wasn't use seeing others with her horse and was being selfish in the inside. She knew Brad wouldn't mean to do anything to bother her. She let her jealousy drop and turned around to a view of the other horses in the barn. Rachel crossed her arms and leaned down on the bars of her gelding's new home. On the other hand, she was glad Brad had come up to her and actually talked with her a little. She didn't want him to leave just yet. She played questions in her head trying to find the right one to ask. One popped in her head. Curious she asked, "Which one's your horses?"

Word Count: 408

[huntersgotstyle]

Ooc; yes I am now writing in third person, if it annoys you just tell me but some days I write better in third, some times in first.

“What do you do with Pride? Besides spoil him” Brad asked as he played with the horse’s nose. He had decided not to correct her that by hunter he wasn’t meaning a breed. That or her answer confused him, but it didn’t matter it was easier to shut up and not make either of them look retarded. He felt a weird vibe in the air, but he couldn’t place a finger to it. The girl wasn’t sure of something, or maybe he was just imagining things. That happened a lot- a side effect of living with your sister. He took a step away from the stall and let his eyes settle on a horse behind her, not wanting to make eye contact. He found eye contact made people nervous, scared them.

“Princeton and Callie” Brad said easily and walked back towards them. He motioned for her to follow, but he didn’t make it overly obvious. He was pretty much providing an out for the conversation. She seemed kind of different, so if she didn’t like him he was ok if she left. Not everybody enjoyed his presence. Brad opened the stall door and slipped into Princeton’s stall, leaving the door open. He hadn’t even looked back to see if she’d followed. “hey Princeton” he said softly, scratching the large, athletic gelding on the withers. Princeton’s ears pricked forward and he nuzzled brad looking for treats. The gelding’s markings were very flashy, white on all four legs and the majority of his other white being in the front half of his body. He petted the gelding on the nose and walked back out of the stall, wandering over to Callie’s stall. “This is Callie, or Shez Got Chex to Cash. She’s four” said Brad, introducing the bay mare. She was a lot smaller then Princeton, two hands to be exact. The 15.2 mare was very kind though and most importantly willing to learn. He scratched the white star on her forehead as she drank from her water bucket, well played in her water bucket. Brad turned around to talk to talk to Rachel but before he could even speak Callie’s had drenched him with water. Apparently for once, she wanted attention. “Thanks Cal. Love you to” said Brad rolling his eyes at the mare and walking out of the stall. Brad pulled the sweater over his head, revealing his some how clean white tee shirt. Obviously Bridget has done laundry yesterday.

Princeton-http://mayoinc.net/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Windwalker_at_Thunderbird.33793519.jpg

word count:442

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

OOC: I don't mind. I'm not that great either.

She turned her head slightly watching Brad amusing Pride. "I jump him which he loves. We use to do cross country back home since there were only trees everywhere. He fell in love with jumping. Rather then that I sometimes ride him on lands to explore new areas. Seeing new places with wild life and such always has fascinated me..." She shut her mouth before she could babbler on farther. She turned her head back to the horses in stables. He'd probably not want to know her life story, as if hers were interesting. He never met her gaze. She bit her lip. He probably didn't like her. Well, on the other hand she wasn't any better.

She uncrossed her arms when he mentioned her to follow, not as if he cared if she did so or not. She walked after him feeling uneasy for some reason. Why couldn't she act natural? It bothered her at times, like it was bothering her now. He never stared her way as he went inside his horse's stall. He sighed quietly pretending nothing ever happened. If she did nothing like speaking up or doing anything, he might as well never talk to her again. She stared over inside the stall putting a sweet face hoping she would look unbothered in a way. Brad sure had a pretty chestnut pinto. She wanted to reach out his horse to pet the chestnut. Before she could even touch the gelding Brad was already out of the stall and was walking towards another. Rachel stared after Brad and back at his horse. She sighed and caught up with him at a small jog.

The sight of the mare made her relax a little. She seemed sweet and loving. His mare was a one pretty mare. Rachel leaned on the stall and watch both horse and owner. They sure seemed to be a prefect match. She chuckled softly as his mare splashed water on Brad and she smiled. For the first time since she left her home she was smiling without forcing it. She stared up at Brad. Her eyes were shining with hope and happiness. She felt better, more comfortable. It showed on her face and how her muscles were now loosened. Noticing she was smiling up at him she turned and focus on Callie. Her smile didn't leave her lips. She reached out to the mare and let her sniff her hand over. "You've got nice horses. Taught her any other tricks like that one?" She forced to stare up at him, still leaning on the stall. She smile stayed on her face.

Word Count: 448

[huntersgotstyle]

ooc; your actually pretty good

“Sadly she doesn’t do tricks on command- just when she feels it’s a good time” Brad said with a laugh, smiling at the girl. He could almost feel the atmosphere lighten as she smiled, she was a very pretty girl. “You want to ride her? I’ve got to ride Princeton and you’d be doing me a huge favour if you did.. She schools anywhere from 2’6”-3’ courses. But lately I’ve just been doing 2’6” singles because well, I’m not a big fan of riding her English- Princeton is just so much more appealing! You can even ride Princeton over a course or two if you want, if you get bored of doing the 2’6” jumps” Brad babbled on and felt kind of odd about it, he usually talked a lot but more on pointless topics. But it was really nice to talk to somebody besides Bridget.

“Do you like soccer? Me and my sister do a lot of soccer and running and stuff, so if you are ever bored and enjoy physical torture, I might be able to slow down enough for you” Brad smiled at the last part, completely teasing. He wasn’t a girl who though women couldn’t be as good as a guy- Bridget was a girl, and she kicked his ass at everything. “Sorry about talking so much- It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything with anybody but my sister- or horses. And lets just say Callie doesn’t exactly enjoy long talks” He said, having to add the sarcastic comment for his own reassurance. He always found if he could make somebody smile or laugh, he didn’t get nervous about what he was saying it worked out really well. Brad walked over and slipped onto Callie’s back, the heat of her back seeping into his legs. “Want me to show you around? I‘ll show you my sister‘s horses” asked Brad, flashing a soft smile and offering a hand to help her up. That was one thing about Callie, she was extremely laid back-especially for her age. Brad left one hand on her mane. She was so used to going for bareback rides it was like having a halter put on to her. Him and Ashley, his ex girlfriend had went out galloping across fields randomly all the time. When they broke up he hadn’t been able to stop enjoying random gallops or hacks, so usually Bridget or a random person from the barn would tag along. But lately Bridget had been so focused on getting everything perfect, she’d been to busy. He was probably going to be a bit busier soon to, since he was going to apply as a riding instructor. He needed the money and more importantly enjoyed it.

word count;; 459

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

OOC: You're good too. Rachel has to love soccer since I'm a soccer freak

Rachel felt more comfortable now that he was looking at her, happy, and that he was actually talking to her. She didn't feel left out for once. She chuckled a little when he spoke about his mare. "I wouldn't mind riding her. I the only one I ever rode was my own horse, well except once or twice when I rode a friend's horse. Though it is always interesting to ride a different horse. I wouldn't mind to ride your horse, she seems good enough. But I have to warn you, I might not be that great riding her."

Rachel listened to Brad's every word, she didn't miss any. She glared at him when Brad said his little joke. Rachel was good soccer player and sometimes she wasn't. She played with her attitude, when she is happy she is good and when she is depressed or something opposite of happy she sucks. She use to play soccer only during summer time. It's been a long while since she hadn't played, now that her habits changed shifting her life a little. She wasn't sure what to say. She'd probably be rusty and look like some kind of freak on the field. "I... I guess it wouldn't hurt to play soccer. Other then riding, soccer is my second favorite sport. And don't worry if you talk to much. I do too when I don't think about it. Compared to your pretty mare, Pride likes long talks. He'll listen to every word you say even if he doesn't understand one darn thing." She turned her head to Callie. She touched the mare's nose and turned back to face Brad. His expression didn't change. Maybe she saw laughter in his eyes. It didn't matter. He wasn't going to do anything to make her feel done. Neither would she, though it would be hard to make him feel bad since she didn't really know how. But that wasn't going to happen. She liked this guy. He was nice and all. She wouldn't want him to turn on her, that was for sure.

Rachel watched as Brad slip himself onto his mare's back. She stepped back so he could walk her wherever and she wouldn't be in the way. She face brightened up in amusement he was offering her to mount as well. "Yeah, that sounds good." She didn't hesitate taking his hand. He helped her get on. At least the mare wasn't extremely tall like her horse. She always had to climb on a fence or something to get on Pride's back. Callie stood shorter then Pride which she liked. Maybe she should get herself a nice Quarter Horse. She shook her head thinking it wasn't the time to think about getting a new horse. Once she was well settled she didn't know where to hold on. Yeah, she did hold with her legs. Se shrugged trying not to think about it. She would just end up holding on something with her arms. "Show me around, Brad."

Word Count: 540

[huntersgotstyle]

“We’ll start at the back and work our way forward” said Brad with a smirk as he nudged lightly with his legs and moved the mare out of the stall and into the isle. Callie wandered easily down the isle way, she was the least spooky horse Brad had ever owned or worked with- She just didn’t care. He’d actually had her eyes checked and her hearing just to make sure that wasn’t the reason, but according to many vets she was in tip top shape. “You might want to hang on-She gallops smooth but not that smooth” he said with a laugh as they exited the barn. He stopped to enjoy the view, and give Rachel time to find a place to hang on. There wasn’t really anywhere to hang on, so he assumed she’d be putting her hands around his waste. “Don’t worry I don’t bite- and I’ve done this with six year olds who grip so hard I though my lower and upper body were going to detach from each other.” said Brad teasingly, his smile broadening slightly. He felt her adjust and pushed the mare into a full out gallop, not that it was hard she was a barrel racer-as well as a jumper and a western pleasure horse. Yeah the mare was a pretty laid back, whatever you want kind of horse.

“Oh I neglected to mention, she won the NBHA championships last year- so she knows how to go!” Brad said loudly, feeling the wind tear at his shaggy dirt blonde hair and pulling his tee shirt tight to his muscled chest. “Whoa” said Brad fairly soft and the mare heard him immediately, slowing down fairly quickly but not doing a reiner stop- Brad hated reining. He wasn’t really sure why, maybe it was just that every reiner he met thought they were amazing- or maybe it was just how he’d seen some reiners treat their horses. Whatever it was he hated reining.

As the mare settled to a walk he spoke normally again, “Don’t worry about your skills at soccer, trust me unless I’m playing a game I pretty much look like crap. And for the first five minutes of the game, I need somebody to do the job of pissing me off in order to play good. I’m weird like that, but I guess it just makes me feel better for the bruises they have by the end of the game”. Brad laughed at the end part, he wasn’t that mean, though he did use his elbows a lot. He patted the mare softly and she wandered over to the fence, as if reading Brad’s mind. “The grey one, that’s my sisters gelding Cruise Control. The bay beside him is Marital Status, but we just call him Echo. I’m not sure where the barn name came from and Bridget is too stubborn to tell me why she chose it.” said Brad introducing the two geldings who didn’t even raise their heads. Both were too content grazing happily.

word count;; 512

[Midnight]

Rachel was amazed how the mare was calm. Callie was about a years younger then Pride. She gave no signs of being scared. She stared around counting the things her horse would have been scared of. After counting to ten she shook her head and decided to stop. She and her horse were certainly had no experience in the social world. When Brad spoke, Rachel blushed. She bite her bottom lip and slipped her arms around his waist and held herself onto him. Her face was still red. She wasn't use holding herself onto a boy. And they were off. She was glad she was holding him or she would have fallen off a while ago. She held on him. She felt herself slipping back and brought herself closer to him afraid she would fall. This mare sure didn't have Pride's form. Apart from all her fear, she quite liked it. She grinned big happy he had asked her to come with him. When the mare slowed Rachel took a deep breath and moved a back a little giving Brad some space. Reliving from the great pleasure she answered his say, "Jeez, it sure does look like it. No wonder she won."

She looked around enjoying her new surroundings. She liked it here, already. She thought it would take weeks until she would ever settle down here. She wouldn't be homesick. She liked this new life, already. She had her hands behind her, on the mare's rump. She stayed like that while the mare walked. When Brad spoke up again she jerked her head his way. She stared at his back since he was facing forward. She looked over him. Desperate his messy hair, she kind of liked it that way. "I'm sure you are like ten times better then me. And don't you dare bruise me up. I don't want to feel all banged up by tomorrow." She pulled her hand off the mare's rump and punched Brad's shoulder lightly. "I'll be jumping Pride a little so he gets use to the jumps. I guess I'll have to practice on the oxers since he doesn't like them much."

She watched as the horses appeared in view. They sure were pretty. She listened to Brad as he talked about them. She nodded trying to keep everything he said in her head. Rachel stared at them. They were gazing there happily ignoring their visitors. She got off the mare without thinking. She went to the fence and leaned on it. She held out her hand far in front of her. She whistled to them. "Come here yo beauties." She looked like some kind of five year old kid asking for the horses' attention. It wasn't her fault. She always been like that, always interested in meeting new horses.

Word Count: 489

[huntersgotstyle]

“I won’t need to bruise you- I can just tickle you to death” said Brad teasingly and his sides felt kind of cold now that her arms had moved. It was normal for him though, he seemed to heat up whenever somebody physically contacted him. It was weird, but it happened. Nobody ever seemed to notice though, just him. “You make oxers sound so horrible- I’ll have to let you ride Princeton over a course now. Trust me, you’ll love oxers after that. Though he is a jumper, so speed is his thing. But don’t worry he’s really balanced and he can slow down.. Though he’s more fun the faster he is. But then again that’s coming from the barrel racer in me.” ,said Brad scratching Callie as he watched the horses graze effortlessly. He felt her slip off the horse, but his eyes never moved of the herd. Another reason he wasn’t a big hit with the ladies, he could care less about them if their were horses around. It was a natural thing and he couldn’t help but feel bad when people got offended. Heck Bridget even got offended sometimes- and she was related to him. Brad felt Callie turn around so her but was now facing the paddock, because the grass was greener over here you know. Brad didn’t even bother moving her he just turned himself around so that he was now riding backwards. Callie had found grass, she wouldn’t be moving for a long time.

Brad watched as the horses looked at her but never moved. “These horses all big dogs” Brad said with a laugh before letting out a loud whistle. All the heads in the field poked up and Cruise immediately trotted over. The others sluggishly followed, but only because they thought it meant food. Brad knew the trick from watching a couple of the stable hands, they all whistled at feeding time to call the horses in. And as for Cruise, all you had to do was distract him from food and he’d happily come to you. Brad watched the herd of geldings and just shook his head, they were so gorgeous. Brad slid off Callie’s butt effortlessly and walked over to the fence, standing beside Rachel. “Which one’s your favourite?” Brad asked as he rubbed some chestnut geldings face, though he was unaware of it’s name. He climbed onto the fence and perched himself on the top rail. “I love to come out here and think, just watch the horses, y’know?” said Brad, half talking to himself as a couple other geldings came to him to see if he had food, though they all seemed distracted by Rachel. “I think the geldings think you look hot- they swarm to you like hawks” said Brad jokingly, though it was true the hole herd has pretty much came over and checked out Rachel in some way or another.

wprd count;; 491

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

"Don't you dare. I'll just end up punching your nose off your face." She turned around and faced Brad. "I like oxers, Pride doesn't. I have longed to try one out. The last time I tried jumping Pride over a oxer ended up I was the only one flying over the jump. I almost broke my ankle. Pride simply doesn't like oxers for one reason or another. If I try going fast on your horse, I'll probably be out of the saddle before I ever jump one obstacle with your horse..."

Brad's whistle startled her. She gave him one glance and stared back towards the other horses. To Rachel's eyes they were all great horses bred to be champions. A palomino gelding caught her eyes. His golden coat shone under the sun making him look more then just handsome. He looked like a dressage horse by the look of his well built muscles. "I like that palomino. Too bad he's a gelding, he would have made a perfect sire." She rubbed the palomino's forehead. He grunted and rubbed his read on her shoulder. Rachel pinned herself to the ground so he wouldn't be pushing her off her feet. She stroked his pretty neck. More horses were gathering around her. She stared at Brad who had the lease of attention. She giggled a bit when he gave his reason why the horses were all for her. "And after all men did take away their freedom away from them, not women, men."

"I know I shouldn't do this, but what the heck." She slipped under the fence now being park of the herd. Some geldings surrounded her. She felt a couple of nudges on her back and some smelling her. Maybe she was new here. Or maybe it was her smell of pine trees still caught on her clothes. Either or she didn't care much. She just liked being part of them. Then, out of no where, a horse comes pushing his way through the little crowd. A fine pretty horse that had a draft horse breed flowing in his blood. He was massive, bigger then the horses here. He blew through his big nostrils smelling Rachel in a distance. He took a step forward. His step forward might have been a little to wide. His heavy hoof smashed down on her right foot, her good side. She gasped. Her first reaction was pushing the gelding off her foot. The horse just stared at her wondering what was the matter. The massive horse shifted his weight forward placing his nose on her shoulder. Rachel kept from screaming not wanting to scare the horses or prove Brad is was a sissy. From all horses in the pasture, this stubborn half draft horse had to step on her foot. She kept pushing him and trying to pull her foot from under him. He ended up moving. She fell back onto the palomino. Her hands held her foot swearing to herself. Tears were ready to leak down her face. She blinked them back hoping she wouldn't cry. The palomino stayed calm as she stayed there leaning on him even though the crowd still surrounded her. "Why does everything happen to me? Stupid me," she hissed through her teeth in pain.

Word Count: 559

[huntersgotstyle]

“You doubt yourself too much, you just rode a top barrel racer at full speed bareback! Yeah you had to hang on, but the first time I rode her bareback I fell off. And I didn’t just fall off once, I fell off probably ten times. I’m not going to lie I was ready to call it quits and head back to the barn, no matter how much of a baby I looked. But I bit my mouth and did it. The poor mare’s mouth was so sore that it took me a week to get her to like being bridled again- but I learned from that, therefore why she never has a bridle when we go bareback anymore. And when we get back your getting your ass on my horse and jumping not just and oxer, a triple. You obviously haven’t had anybody think you were worth it and let you ride something of good quality, besides your own horse. A real jumper is always balanced, is exactly like a hunter just their pace increases and they cut their corners- but it’s all done tastefully.” said Brad, stopping only due to the fact he needed to breath, and the fact that he had just went on and on for way to long. You know you need to find more friends then your sister when. “Sorry for the long spiel, it’s just you keep telling me that your not that good and you’ll just screw up, but the truth is no good rider goes into the ring thinking they are the best. We’ll besides the snobby people, but besides that they always have doubts. They can ride the best course of their life and still find things wrong with it. Don’t worry, just ride.” said Brad with a soft smile towards her but he moved to pet Cruise, trying to stop himself from going on and on- again.

He heard her comment about men taming horses and his expression shifted drastically, but he kept his head turned so he couldn’t see her. He bit his lip, not wanting to say anything. Sadly that didn’t work and he ended up mumbling “like you’ve never fucked something up in your life”. Brad felt bad and he hoped she hadn’t heard him, but he hated how girls always made guys seem like the bad guy. He had never done anything to hurt a horse other then stupid things, him just not knowing how to do something. He heard her speak and from the corner of her eye watched he crawl into the paddock. He had to kind of force a smile so that he could turn and watch, to ensure she didn’t get killed. She seemed like a smart girl, but horses were unpredictable. Though all the horses were well broke, besides the damn draft cross. He kind of hated that gelding ever since he seen his owner cantering him a three foot course and the gelding seriously trying to get the rider off. The gelding was just overly rude, a spoiled brat with a mares mind. HE hated to sue the whole mare thing, but mares usually didn’t have the same mind as geldings. Heck Callie had even been hard to break, but after that it’d been smooth sailing. He saw the draft come close to her and watched as it sniffed her, paying no attention to the geldings feet. Brad was about to give her a compliment when he saw the gelding step back and tears well up in her eyes. Before he knew it he had jumped off the fence and was standing beside her, an arm around her waste for support. “Are you ok? Do you think it’s broken? Do you need to sit?” asked Brad, speaking fast but amazed at how calm he was. He saw a tear fall down her cheek and wiped it away. “I was hoping you’d cry! God I would have felt like a complete wimp- I cried the last time some stupid gelding shifted his weight on my foot, damn horse broke my toe!” Brad smiled, attempting to make her smile. It was true he had shed a few tears for that one, but seriously it hurt like hell.
wordcount;; 711

[Midnight]

Rachel moaned softly to herself. Darn animal wouldn't want to get off her foot. It did hurt, like hell. She looked down at her shoe. A perfect hoof print marked her shoe. She grunted again and bared her teeth a little. She probably should have gotten to know the horses before ever getting inside the paddock. Brad was already at her side. She felt his warm arm snake around her waits for support. She felt better as she leaned down on him. His words ran through her ears. "...ok... think... broken... sit." She took a deep breath. Her mind was all on her pain. "I don't think it's broken." He started talking again. This time his words came out clear, more relaxed and more laughter to his voice. Her cheeks redden a bit, not that she was embarrass but the fact he tried making her feel better. "I... don't why I am not crying. Maybe because I wouldn't like that fact of crying in front of you. Don't worry, I always been like that. I end up keeping my tears for other useless things. Plus I don't think any of my toes detached my foot, so another reason not to cry." She brought a smile to her face even if pain stabbed her like hell.

She looked up at the horses. Some had parted and the others were just watching. She searched for the half draft horse. She couldn't see him. "Darn, where is he?" she whispered really softly to herself. Not that she really wanted to see him. She wanted to make sure there was a good distance separating them. A roan gelding walked away. Once he moved the draft cross was there chewing on grass. He lifted his head up staring up at them. Fear washed on Rachel's face. She tore from Brad's arms and hopped on one foot to the fence. She duked under and went the other side. Forgetting her sore foot, she stepped on it for balance. She shirked and fell to Callie's hooves. The mare lifted her head and just stared at her then went back to gazing. Rachel got herself off the ground. She put one hand on the mare to keep herself standing up. "It doesn't seem that bad. I think my foot is out of blood. That horse stepped right onto my foot. I'll be able to walk, well kind of. But that won't stop me from riding your pinto." Stubborn like she was, she wanted to prove Brad she could put weight on her foot. Her teeth clenched together, her foot settled down to the ground. Blood trickled back on her foot like she had ants beneath her skin. She forced a smile on her face. Her still good foot came off the ground. It was painful. It could have been worse.

She stared back at the geldings. The draft had come to the fence waiting for them. His massive hoof pawed the grass. He snorted and waited. She could already see him in her mind walking through the fence ignoring it was there in the first place. Rachel looked back at Brad. From all people she could have been with, she was happy it was him here with her. Though she had acted stupid not thinking what would happen to her. It was just her, getting all kinds strange troubles. "Sorry if I worried you and I promise it won't happen again. And don't worry about anything, I'll be fine."

Word Count: 617

[huntersgotstyle]

Ooc;; I hate to be a nag but in future posts make sure you don’t control my character. Ie. Brad walked over and was there for support. Yeah I probably would have but it’s still something I have to do. Ok? I don’t mind, but it gets annoying after awhile.

Brad held her still and shook his head at her. “Give it a rest- I’m not an idiot” said Brad rolling his eyes and grabbing her waste. He lifted her off the ground and tossed her on Callie’s back who didn’t move a muscle. Brad looked at her and shook his head, yet again. “Don’t argue, your foot needs some time to rest” said Brad starting to walk, Callie following easily. Brad wasn’t sure what to do, there was let the girl be stubborn and walk or force her to do something smart. He looked back at the barn and then at Callie, the mare looked half asleep as she walked beside him. He could tell by her eyes she knew that the girl on her was injured, she just had more of a calm about her- as if that was actually possible. Brad looked up at Rachel and smiled, “By the time we get back I’ll be the one with sore feet and you’ll be in prefect condition!”

When Brad got back to the barn he slipped Princeton’s leather halter on the geldings head. Princeton wasn’t as calm as Callie, but he was still pretty easy going. Though he picked up a lot under saddle, Callie just stayed the same slow pace until she got her queue, then she was gone. Brad grabbed a brush from the bucket and started running it over Princeton’s multicoloured coat. He looked to see Callie leaning on the cross ties, sleeping. She was such a funny mare. He was already planning his ride in his head, he’d let her ride Princeton after he’d schooled him over a few courses, just in case. Princeton was a calm jumped, but he wanted to make sure he’d behave since he’d had Bridget riding him the past few days. That meant he’d has some solid work, but he’d had two days off as well so he could be a tad excited. That and Brad just wanted to go over a few triples and big oxers, now that the topic had been brought up. Brad finished grooming and grabbed his close contact saddle and tossed it and the burgundy pad onto Princeton. He could tell Bridget had been using the saddle, she’d changed the saddle pad and the polos at the top of the box were all different colours. Brad just shook his head and finished tacking the gelding up. He slipped his helmet on and let a smirk enter his face. “Ready?” he asked with a laugh.

[Midnight]

OOC: I'm sorry, I guess I was distracted. I modified that part.

She didn't fight back when he lifted her on his horse. She had to give in. She sat there on the mare's back watching the wonderful view. Once they were back to the barn, she slipped off Callie. As Brad went to his gelding's stall, she decided to see her own. She opened his stall door. At least I know he won't be smashing my foot down. Pride's ears pricked up. He nickered softly. He was happy to see her, like always. "Hey guy." She smiled at her horse.

"I know someone who will be happy to go out in the pasture," she murmured in her horse's ear. His ears twitched catching every word. "Well, maybe you won't like one. I don't like him one bit. Keep away from his hooves. He's a draft mix. You'll understand better when you see him." Pride sniffed her pockets hoping she had some kind of treats for him. She chuckled softly. "Sorry boy, nothing this time." He kept searching finding nothing that pleased him. He stepped towards the door then looked back at her. She shook her head. "That would be the worse thing I can do right now. You will probably run off when you see anything that looks weird. Not today. Maybe. But not now." She held out her hand wanting Pride to turn to her. He nodded his head and stared out his stall. He whinnied loudly. Rachel sighed and rubbed the gelding's forehead. He calmed and stayed the level of her arms.

"Ready?" A voice called out. It startled her. She didn't know Brad had stayed in the barn. She thought he would have left when she was in Pride's stall. She kissed Pride's cheek and stepped out the stall. She locked the door in place. Brad had his pinto all saddled up. She couldn't help from smiling at him. "Yeah, I'm ready to get jealous while you jump those pretty oxers."

Word Count: 353