A Start

[huntersgotstyle]

Brad slipped Callie back into her stall who gave him a disgusted look as if saying ‘how dare you wake me up.’ He led Princeton to the arena and mounted effortlessly. “I’m just going to warm him up and school a few courses then I’ll let you get on and ride him. Feel free to make him work hard.” said Brad as the gelding took off at a springy walk. The geldings head moved from side to side, his eyes glancing at all the pretty poles and standards that were already set up. Somebody must have been jumping already today, as most of the people that came for lessons took down their courses. Boarders didn’t always have the decency to. But he had left jumps up before, especially if he knew other people would be jumping later. Though he did try to leave the rail open so that any dressage riders could at least school on the rail. The jumps were set about 3’6-4’. He eyed a few of the oxers that were pretty big, and some real tough looking singles. Whoever had been riding had really been riding a talented horse. “Can you knock the one single on the rail down to an X so that we can warm up over it later” said Brad as he pushed Princeton into a nice, smooth, flowing trot. The geldings legs reached forward, almost extending at the trot. Princeton was such an athletic horse, Brad still had a hard time getting over it.

He warmed up fairly quickly not wanting to do much more flat work then needed since it was boring to watch. He cantered over the X a few times each way before slowing to a walk and planning his course. Brad picked up the canter, circled, and headed for a vertical. Princeton knocked the top bar but Brad rode as if it didn’t happen. The pair made a sharp turn to the left and jumped another vertical. Three, two, one, go. Brad counted in his head as he headed towards a oxer. He felt Princeton go long and clear it by a good foot. He collected the gelding up a bit, making him focus. He brought him to a Swedish oxer and Princeton took off perfectly. Brad patted him a stride out of the jump and then did a roll back and jumped a vertical. He finished we an oxer, a line, a bounce and finished with a plain vertical on the quarter line. “So high do you jump? And do you want me to ride him over another course or two for you?” asked Brad easily as he dropped his stirrups and let the gelding walk on a loose rein to catch his breath. They hadn’t done that big of course in a couple of weeks.

word count;;471

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

Rachel followed Brad with his gelding to the arena. The sight completely amazed her. She kept her gasp to herself seeing all those jumps. Some were a little higher then she normally jumped. That wasn't really what caught her attention. The color and fancy jump structure. The sight looked weird to her eyes. She eyed them all wondering which one her horse would jump. Rachel walked to a oxer and looked it over. Not only was this one high it was also very colorful. I'll be flying over this one riding Pride. She stroked the bar. The hard plastic felt weird under her fingers. She was use to wooden bars. She lifted her head and did what Brad asked for without any hesitation. Lowering one more bar she moved away to a spot she believed she would be out of the way. She watched as they started their course. Both horse and rider made one. Brad turned towards an oxer. She took a deep breath thinking Princeton would refuse. She shook her head. He's going to make it, he's going to make it... The gelding jumped cleared. Rachel's face fell. Of course she was jealous. Brad had made it to the other side with his horse. And she hadn't. He finished on an oxer. Rachel grunted. His horse was good, well more then awesome.

Brad slowed his horse and paid her attention once more. "I jump... about this high," she placed her hand to her upper ribs. "about three feet and more, I guess. That's only with Pride since he's, like huge." She stared back up at Brad. She probably should get her own horse so they would both ride together. She grimaced at the thought. On the other hand, it might be better if she left Pride in his stall for the day. "Ride him all you want. He's your horse after all. I don't mind not riding, I quite like watching you two jump. This time jump this wall. The only I ever saw one of these was in a national course."

Word Count: 366

[huntersgotstyle]

word count: 356 kind of short and bad but i wanted to post because if your anything like me you cant stand waiting lol

“Whatever you say” said Brad with a smile and Pride picked up a canter instantly. This time they were really riding this thing like a jumper course. He started with a vertical, pushing him forward to almost a near hand gallop. Princeton rounded his head and jumped the oxer effortlessly, enjoying the change in pace and being able to extend his stride. The gelding was so sure footed it amazed Brad. He turned left one stride out and jumped the big oxer, probably 3’ between the poles. He made a sharp right to the wall, collecting the gelding slightly. He felt Princeton suck back slightly, it’d been awhile since he’d jumped a wall. Brad sunk his heels down and nudged slightly. He kept both legs on, giving the gelding no out but over the fence. Princeton added a half a stride to the wall and leaped over it. They cleared it but Brad was well aware it hadn’t looked pretty- at all. Brad pushed the gelding over a bounce and brought him back towards the wall. Princeton’s approach totally changed, now relaxed and knowing. The gelding took off at the perfect point and Brad couldn’t help but let a large smile escape onto his face. He pulled the gelding to a walk, deciding that that was a good enough note to hand the gelding over on. He patted Princeton and dismounted in one quick, swift motion.

“Take as long as you want, I enjoy watching the gelding go” said Brad still kind of amazed that he was schooling over this nice of jumps. He’d shown over this quality of jumps plenty of times but to just ride over this picture perfect jumps for the fun of it was so-weird. He was usually schooling over hunter jumps as well, since that’s what his old barn did a lot of. It was weird having all these colours and fun jumps. Brad was way to used to jumping coops, gates and flower boxes. But it worked well since riding with a hunter coach ensured he looked nice doing the course- he just went faster and cut corners.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

Rachel was amazed. She could have imagined she was in the nationals. They were good, too good. They jumped over the wall. It wasn't as pretty. The second time they jumped was much prettier then the first. She especially liked the smile on Brad's face. It showed he liked riding, and jumping.

Brad offered her to ride this time. "Just a second." She turned around. She already had the jumps she wanted to go over. She lowered the jumps around three feet. It's been a while she hadn't rode and now she was riding a different horse. Satisfied with the couple jumps she lowered, she returned to Brad. She fastened her riding helmet on. She took the reins and stuck her foot in the stirrup. At last, she could reach the stirrup, no need climbing up a fence to mount this time. She settled down in the saddle. She stroked Princeton's neck. "Hey guy."

She urged him to a trot. She went around the arena doing circles and such to get to know the horse a little. This horse didn't take much to ask. She cantered a bit. He seemed ready, no she was. She walked a bit letting to catch his breath if he had to. Rachel started getting a little stressed. This was all new to her. I can do it. She took a deep breath and they were off.

She focused on a simple jump to start with. The jump was getting closer. Princeton started going a little faster. Get ready... Now! She leaned down. The gelding jumped. But he could have gone for one more stride. A pole dropped to the ground. Rachel stared over her shoulder. She clenched her teeth. This isn't Pride. Focus Rachel. She turned Princeton to another simple jump she lowered. She focused on the jump. Princeton jumped over. Rachel did better on this one. She went for another simple jump. She did okay on that one too. She turned towards an oxer. It was a low little the others ones she jumped. Now she was getting a bit scared. The memory of flying over the oxer by herself stabbed her. She had to jump it. Princeton was hesitating underneath her, he wasn't sure she was ready to jump. Rachel tightened her legs urging him to do so. He went a little faster till hesitating. The oxer was getting closer. She leaned forward. Too early. The gelding kicked the ground. He hopped into the air. It wasn't pretty. A pole fell behind them as they landed. Princeton stumbled a little. She had enough. She slowed Princeton to a walk and headed to Brad.

She slide off the horse ripping her helmet off. She handed over the reins. She looked at the ground so she wouldn't have to stare at him. "I can't. I don't want to hurt your horse. I probably looked like a kid who couldn't ride out there. I'm sorry, but it will take a while getting use to all this."

[huntersgotstyle]

“ Look, I wouldn’t let you touch my horse if I didn’t think you knew what you were doing. Yes that course looked fairly ugly- but you know how ugly some of my courses with Princeton look? We’ve went into timed rounds and had to trot 3’3 courses because we just couldn’t get it. Pride isn’t a push button horse, but he will take you over anything. Just push your leg on and go, don’t worry about him. Pride knows his job, he may look at something but I guarantee he won’t refuse. Grab mane if you have to, right now you need to focus on relaxing and just riding, leave every mistake behind you like you’ve left ever jerk that walked into your life. Forget about it, it’s not worth it. I know I sound like a guidance counsellor but it’s what you need right now. I don’t think you’ve had somebody truly believe in you for a long time” said Brad easily, patting the paint on the neck.

Brad patted her leg lightly. “I’ve been teaching for awhile. A lot of riders need the encouragement. Many high class instructors forget that inside us all there is a small part of us that needs to be told were good, that needs to be told we can do it. As we get older people expect so much of us and we start to blame ourselves for things we can’t fix. And it transfers into riding, top riders say they have to focus, though they don’t mention how many times they ride where they can’t focus. It’s all in trusting that the horse underneath you will tell you that you’re amazing and not let you down. I know half of that probably doesn’t make sense, but it’s all in trusting your horse. Yes you just met Princeton, but seriously has he ever done anything to try and hurt you? Now is the prime time for trust, just allow yourself to let your souls combine.” Brad spoke softly, half to himself. He gave himself the same speech almost every time he rode. And at shows he sung to himself in warm up, to allow himself to relax. Bridget could just get on and ride, no problem. He needed to focus, on a new horse anyways. He was amazed by how thoughtful he was today, usually he was more outgoing. But then he always found himself adapting to the person, maybe for some reason she needed this thoughtful version of him right now. Maybe he himself needed it. Who knew, whatever it was it was nice to feel the whole relaxing effect and talking about real stuff.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

OOC: just wondering. What's your your gelding's nickname?

She breathed in easily as he spoke. Brad was right. She stared up at him with her eyes shining. He made her feel more comfortable and more trusting towards herself. She breathed in her last breath and turned around facing Princeton. He pricked his ears as she pulled the reins over his head. She hopped onto his back. She loved Princeton's height. She should get a horse this height. She turned Princeton around facing the mutiy color jumps. She cantered him slowly around the jumps planning her course. She focused on one simple jump. Her heart seemed to have less pressure pulling it down. She was more spirited then before. Rachel tightened her legs and Princeton cantered a bit faster. she leaned forward. The gelding jumped. She heard his hooves touch the pole. Darn, too early. She took the jump again. She sat back in the saddle now waiting Princeton to jump. He raised in the air. Rachel went along with him. That was much better. She turned to an oxer. She bit her lip. She was going over. She sat back in the saddle since it was helping her a lot to stay patient. They went flying over the oxer. She couldn't keep from smiling. The wall was next. Rachel didn't feel scared anymore. Over they went. It went well for couple more jumps. She turned towards a higher jump just cause she felt like jumping higher. Princeton jumped, but not well. She sighed and redid it again. She sat back in the saddle and waited. Princeton jumped and it was way better.

She slowed the horse down. He hung his head a little to catch his breath. Rachel slipped her feet from the stirrups. She led the gelding to Brad. Her smile still stayed glued to her face. "Not that bad." She dismounted. She liked, no she loved it. She felt proud of herself finally getting to jump real jumps. She stroked the gelding's neck. Without thinking, she lowered her head and planted a kiss on Princeton's nose.

[huntersgotstyle]

“Much nicer. Though if you learned to sit up and wait without sitting on his back you’d not only look better, but Princeton would be happier. But the geldings smart, he would much rather have you on his back then catching him in the mouth. Next time I’m out I’ll try and get my sister to agree to riding Pride and you can ride Princeton or one of her horses. That way I can ride with you.” said Brad. Brad mounted the gelding effortlessly and slipped his feet into the stirrups. He moved his leg out of the way and adjusted them quickly. He pushed Princeton off to a walk. Princeton was a fairly laid back gelding and new when he needed to just do it. Brad collected his reins but let the gelding walk still, figuring out which jumps needed to be schooled. He picked up a canter and took the gelding towards a bounce, with another vertical two strides out. The gelding wanted to rush to the fence, but Brad held him back softly. He waited and let the gelding go. Princeton exploded off the ground, clearing the large jump by at least a foot. The gelding obviously wasn’t that tired. The over jump was going to set him far to close to the second jump, but there was no room to pull out. Brad sunk his heels way down and just grabbed mane. This was going to be interesting. Princeton exploded over the next jump, making Brad extremely happy he’d decided to grab mane. Brad collected the gelding and pulled out of the combination, circled and finished the vertical nicely.

“Not everybody has good rounds all the time, even with nice horses” said Brad with a smile though really it was annoying him that it had been that bad. He knew he’d rode it well and Princeton hadn’t needed to explode over the first jump as he’d been set up perfectly, But Brad still figured it was his fault. Brad pushed the gelding on towards the same line. This time he felt the gelding speed up and yanked slightly with the outside rein. The geldings tail swished but he slowed down. Brad set him up perfectly again, this time really holding him. The gelding jumped smoothly this time and the second jump was done nicely as well. Brad moved him up slightly for the vertical but kept the gelding in his hands. They jumped the vertical easily. “Good Boy” Brad muttered, but really he wasn’t that impressed with the gelding. Brad took him to the line again and Princeton once again tried to race to. He circled and then took him towards the fence. He felt Princeton once again speed up. This time he circled the other way, forcing Princeton to think and do a lead change. He did three more figure eights and then took him towards the fence. The gelding still wanted to grab and go so he once again pulled on the inside rein. He hated doing it, but Princeton obviously was needing a slightly severe disciplinary action. Princeton slowed but still pulled so Brad did a tight circle and brought him right to the base of the jump, not giving the gelding time to think. Princeton jumped the first vertical not amazingly pretty but the best so far. Brad forced the gelding to take a half stride in the bounce, just to get his attention back. The gelding jumped easily and was now listening. They third jump came easily and then he turned and did another line, all one strides. He held the gelding, and in between the first and second jumped made the gelding shorten his stride and do two. Then he let Princeton do his natural one stride to finish. The line was decent so he slowed the gelding to a walk and allowed him to cool out.

ooc: He doesnt have a diffrent abrn name. It's Princeton for both home and shows.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

OOC: ok, cause sometimes you wrote Pride and it confused me at first

Rachel watched Brad mount up. She watched him go. Instead of watching she raced inside the barn. She had made a decision. Maybe a bad one, but what the heck. She stop at her gelding's stall and opened it. He raised his head. He nickered taking a step forward. She gave him a quick brush since she already brushed before coming here. He was fairly clean. On went his equipment. She fastened her helmet on. Pride took the bit in his mouth as she quickly bridled him. She walked out of the stall. Pride walked out alert more then before. He glanced around observing the new things. Rachel guided her gelding in the arena. Pride stopped and stared at the jumps, of course. They were flashing colors. It surprised her he didn't notice the other horse first. That was a bad sign to her. She shrugged and climbed the white fence. Then she was on.

She started with a trot collecting his head as a dressage horse. This always worked helping him to focus better. He grunted. The first bright jump passed them, Pride skidded to the side. Rachel rolled her eyes. She stopped and let him sniff the jumps. He did. He seemed fine and he seem to be scared of them. She did the rest of her warm up. From up on Pride the jumps she lowered seemed low. But she was going to them first for Pride's sake. He took the white obstacle nice. Rachel didn't have to sit back with him. She took it several times from both ways. Then it was a two color jump. More hesitating on that one. He jumped it clear and pretty. She took a higher white jump. It was below 4 feet but Pride preferred that height. The wall was next. Perfect on that one. Now the rainbow simple jump. Now she sat back. She didn't have much of a choice, she couldn't trust him on new things. Smelling them was a much different compared to jumping over them in his head. Now it showed he was frighten. He felt stressed out beneath her. He zigzagged towards it. Rachel tried keeping Pride facing the jump. After the last stride she didn't lean forward. As expected he refused. She clenched her teeth. He could have jumped it. They jumped over the white high jump. Then towards the rainbow. He zigzagged again. She sat back in case he refused. Last stride he felt a kick in his sides. Over he went, not pretty. He had jumped the obstacle like it was 5 feet up. She was out of balance landing on his neck. None of it mattered. She slowed him down and patted him. "Good boy!"
She laid down on him giving him a hug still in saddle. "You made it baby! You jumped over the big monster! You see he looks like the other white monster. The only difference is the color."

She sat back up walking Pride. She let him get over the stress. She stared at Pride. "You see he's just some scardy cat horse. A big suck in other words. But he is better over trees, fences and other stuff. He's not into fancy stuff."

[huntersgotstyle]

“He’s not scared, you are” said Brad after observing the pair. “ He might look at something, but you are what is holding him back. I can see it in your face. You look at a jump and decide it’s scary, he knows that. If you think it’s scary and he’s going to refuse- Why would he jump it? Despite what you think that gelding loves you with all his heart. But you have to trust him, you have to believe that he will go over for you. Whether it’s a two foot fence of a five foot oxer- you need to trust him over it.” Brad said trying to make what he said sound forceful but still incredibly soft. People’s feelings were hurt far to often just based on how people worded things. He tried to help out without stepping on anybody’s toes but sometimes he did out of habit. That was the sucky thing about being an instructor, realizing you could only tell people the advice they were willing to hear. Otherwise it went in one ear and out the other. “I had a gelding who was scared of all those pretty flowers in front of hunter jumps. But I trusted him to take me over the fence every time. He tried a few different things to not jump sometimes, but I just rode him to the fence. That gelding saved my ass so many times. He knew when I was ready for something and when I wasn’t. The gelding got scared but he trusted me back and together we kicked so many fifty thousand dollar horses asses. Simply because we trusted each other.” said Brad having a flash back to his earlier days of showing and jumping at a decent height.

Brad put Princeton back to work and the gelding tossed his head slightly in protest, obviously more happy to stand and watch the other gelding work. But as soon as Princeton felt Brad’s leg and the inside rein lift slightly his ears perked forward and he went into a nice canter. Brad held him back and took him to a line, five strides. Brad felt Princeton wiggle slightly and put his leg on and wiggled his reins. Princeton dropped his head easily into a nice hunter frame. The gelding took off easily and at landing Brad held slightly knowing Princeton would want to do the line in four. He counted in his head and managed to do a five stride line and it actually looked nice. He kept the gelding at a hunter pace and took him towards a vertical, probably four feet maybe four foot three. Princeton’s ear pricked forward but he stayed at his pace, knowing it was either behave or work way harder on boring stuff. Princeton waited and jumped nicely over it. Brad felt himself get slightly left behind and immediately went into his position to avoid knocking Princeton’s mouth. Luckily he had realised in time and the pair landed nicely. Brad slowed to a walk and gave the gelding a pat, he was being pretty good today.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

Rachel laughed a little. Brad was right. But not all horses were the same. She could trust Pride, but sometimes she had to guide him. She collected her reins and made sure her feet were properly in her stirrups. She smiled at Brad. "Alright sir, I'll trust him to get me over the jumps." She nodded once and they were off. Back on the rainbow simple jump. This time she didn't sit back. She gave Pride hos head. His strides were still hesitating and he felt stiff. He tried at some points to move out of the obstacle's way. Rachel kept him straight. The last stride was over, Rachel leaned forward keeping her reins a bit loose. He should have jumped. He didn't. Last minute he skidded to the side unbalancing his rider. Rachel held on. She glanced at Brad once then tried it again. This time she was already leaned forward giving his head. She kept him in a straight line. Pride wasn't sure of himself. He snorted. Then came the brakes. Rachel fell on his neck. She quickly got back in the saddle turning him around. She faced the same jump again. She cantered him collecting his head a bit and kept him facing the jump. She sat back in the saddle a little. "Come on Pride, you can do." Two strides left. "Good boy, don't let me down." Pride turned his head coming to the last stride. Rachel pulled his head back at the last second. He jumped. Not pretty. Two poles smashed down on the ground. Slowing him down she patted her horse's neck. "You see not that hard."

Pride looked over his shoulder staring at Rachel. He grunted and shook his big head. She chuckled softly. She urged him back into a canter. She was going to try an oxer now, a two colored 3 feet high and about one foot apart oxer. She gave kept his head and didn't sit back in the saddle. Pride jerked his head in the air and his legs stiffen. "It's ok baby. It's not going to hurt you." He started cantering almost on the spot. Rachel urged him. He halted. Rachel sighed. "Alright then." She turned him around, letting the pressure off him. She stroked him hoping it would comfort him more. He relaxed lowering his head. He kept cantering peacefully like he were running on a cloud. She turned his head back on the oxer. She had to sit back this time. Pride threw his head in the air rearing halfway. "I'm still here." He came back on the ground eying the oxer. She urged him forward. He blasted towards it. He wasn't all that fast but faster then before. "You can do it." His legs still felt stiff, not as stiff this time. She prepared to accompany him over the jump not sitting back anymore. His legs stopped moving, sand sprayed from behind like they were doing reining. Rachel did though go over the jump. She stumbled down. Her sides smashed into pain. She didn't have any broken bones, luckily. She stood up spitting the sand out of her mouth. That was disgusting. Angry, she grabbed one pole and threw it to the side. Pride stepped back as the pole landed on the sand. She grabbed Pride and walked him to a fence and mounted. She settled down and cantered him to the jump that once was a oxer second ago. He jumped it. Perfectly.

She slowed him. She sighed. She looked over the jump. It had been easy. She walked her horse to Brad. Pride now realized there was another horse here. He nickered stepping closer to the paint. Rachel held him back. "It's the second time he faced an oxer and the second time I went over it alone. He just needs some getting use to, that's all. I might as well let try to make him jump without riding him some day. All he ever jumped a really jump simple verticals all one color. He doesn't like flashing color much. Other then that, trees, fences, low walls, rocks."

[huntersgotstyle]

“By trust him I don’t mean toss all your talent out the window and pray he goes over it! This isn’t short stirrup on the trillium circuit- these are big jumps! I don’t expect you to ride with a blind fold on just don’t expect him to refuse” Brad said with a smile, though he was shaking his head inside. He pushed pride into a canter and the gelding tossed his head not happy to be put back to work. “This is what you started out doing” said Brad heading fro a vertical. He looked at it and made himself nervous, it was too bright, too big, too scary, Princeton would never jump that. This was all so stupid he was just going to refuse anyways thought Brad to himself. Princeton slid to a stop even though Brad rode him nicely to the fence. “This is what you did when I said ‘trust your horse’ and you didn’t understand me fully” said Brad cantering towards the same time thinking about how amazing Princeton was and how he could jump the jump no problem. This time Brad used very minimal effective aides. The gelding jumped but knocked the top poll with not even a hope of clearing the thing. “This is what you need to do” said Brad with a smile. “Think happy thoughts but ride effectively” said Brad. He pushed his shoulders back, his heels down and picked up his hands. He held Princeton to the base and released naturally. Princeton jumped the fence nicely and looked so relieved that Brad was back to normal. Brad patted the gelding softly.

“It takes a long time to become a partner with your horse and truly understand them, so it’s totally normal to have iffy rides for awhile. Just make sure to smile” said Brad with a smile. He dropped his stirrups and rested his hands on the geldings neck. Princeton just sank his head slightly lower and rested his one hind. “ C’mon one more round- you never know how good it might be” said Brad with a grin, trying to encourage the girl. He really hoped the two had a light bulb moment soon so she wouldn’t be discouraged. But if not she had time to ride either Princeton or one of Bridget’s horses. Princeton was pretty picky though, so she’d probably end up on one of Bridget’s horses. Princeton was a jumper who was used to having certain rules- the gelding was known to take advantage if all the rules weren’t being used. So one of the other geldings, probably more of a hunter, would suit her a tad bit better. Though if her and Princeton really hit it off the gelding may never want him back. He mentally chuckled at the thought but knew stranger things had happened.

[Midnight]

Rachel nodded. She nudged Pride's side. He raised his head with his ears pointing forward. Each stride was graceful. He arched his neck beautifully at his own will. He snorted a couple of times spotting quite tall jumps. She smiled. She turned him towards a three colored vertical. Pride didn't feel hesitant towards this one. He jumped over it beautifully. The colors didn't matter much anymore, that was good. On the wall, Pride flew over it giving no signs he the wall frightened him. Over two more verticals. Then they faced a higher vertical. Pride swung his neck and added a snort. This meant he was more then happy. Rachel repositioned him so he would jump properly. He kicked the ground and landed on the other side. Rachel went for another wall, a different wall. Before they could get to it, one of the only few triple stood there. As they were about to pass Pride shied. He skidded to the side. Rachel held onto him not wanting to fall underneath his hooves. She jumped him from the other side of the wall. He jumped but shied when the triple stood close. She nudged him to the jump. He reared instead. This was all new to him, too different from what he was use to.

Rachel slide off the saddle. She took his reins and try leading him to the triple. He started backing up instead dragging her with him. She sighed and decided to try on an oxer. He followed her. But when the oxer came in view he halted not wanting to move no more. At least he wasn't afraid of this one as much as the triple. Each step was hesitant towards it. Finally he stepped up to it sniffing it. Rachel went round showing him all angles. Satisfied she went back to the fence and climbed to mount back up. She cantered him towards that oxer. At the last minute he refused. She went back towards it urging him to jump. He did. Not pretty, but he did jump. Rachel smiled patting him on the neck. Taking pressure off his shoulders she went round another round, far from the triples. She would show him some other time. Jumping a wall last she slowed him down walking him.

"He just need some getting use to, that's all. Once he's use to see all those new jumps, he'll be one hell of amazing show jumper," she talked to Brad. Pride nickered out seeing Princeton. He tried trotting over. Rachel kept him still away from the other gelding. "You gotta keep in mind this little fellow, well big fellow isn't as good as yours." She chuckled. "Do you want a ride? Though just be careful on the oxers and don't try jumping over triples if you want a ride on him."

[huntersgotstyle]

“Much better!” said Brad attempting a clap well holding the reins still. The jumps were much better, other then the verticals and oxers. Brad hopped of Princeton and walked towards a triple and an oxer. He lowered the jumps so they were only about 2’6-2’9. He wandered back towards her and heard her say how Pride wasn’t as talented. “The horse has tons of talent, you and him just haven’t figured out how to pull it out and keep it out. You two are going to be unstoppable- well as long as I’m not showing” said Brad, teasing at the last part.

“Just let me grab my spurs” said Brad hopping off and running into the barn, Princeton trotting along beside him. He wanted to make a fast exit, too many people thought spurs meant beating the shit out of their horse. But he just wanted to get the gelding to at least go over an oxer- he’d even put the solid colour one down and the triple that wasn’t that scary. Brad quickly strapped the small spurs onto his boots and ran back. He glanced at Princeton who was looking around as if wondering where in the hell the people with the ribbons were. Brad chuckled softly at the gelding.

Brad mounted pride and walked him over to the oxer. The gelding hesitated and Brad nudged softly with the spurs. The gelding jumped forward and Brad patted him softly, assuring him it wasn’t that scary. Brad turned him away after a few seconds and picked up a trot. He pushed the gelding to stride out more using his calves and making sure not to use the spurs. He felt the geldings stride lengthen and his head frame up slightly more. Brad did some circles and once he knew the gelding was focused pushed him into a canter. His canter seemed slow compared to Princeton’s. Brad pushed the gelding on into a hand gallop. He felt the gelding toss his head excitedly and reached down with one hand to give him a quick pat. He did a few laps of that well keeping the gelding in an almost perfect frame. He slowed to a walk to let the gelding catch his breath. Brad could see part’s of Pride’s coat was glistening with sweat. He walked a few laps and then pushed him into a forward canter. Brad held the gelding as he approached a smaller vertical. The gelding slightly hesitated and Brad nudged with his calves, still not using the spurs. The gelding popped over it easily and Brad took him to a few more verticals. The gelding seemed to go over them effortlessly. Brad pointed him towards the small oxer. He nudged, still not suing the spurs. The gelding refused horribly and sent Brad onto his neck. Brad sat up quickly and pushed Pride into the canter. “Get up” hissed Brad as he turned back towards the oxer. He was almost sure the gelding was going to go, but he refused again. Brad took a breath and pushed the gelding back into a canter, this time doing a smaller circle. He felt the gelding hesitate and this time nudged the spurs into the side. The gelding leaped forward, flying over the oxer. Brad took him around to it again, this time nudging very softly on the approach. The gelding jumped without even a thought of stopping. Brad turned him for the triple, pushing his heels down. He laid the spurs softly on the geldings side a few strides out. The gelding shied slightly but ran into the spur. Pride flew over the triple and Brad gave him huge pats after the jump. Brad went back again, this time keeping the spurs off. The gelding went over it again, not the prettiest but much better then not going over it. “I’d start riding in spurs, he needs some more encouragement going to the oxers and triples. If you want I’ll school him for a couple of days if you’ll ride my mare” said Brad loosening the reins and dismounting the gelding effortlessly.

[/blockquote]

[Midnight]

Rachel watched with her arms crossed. He chuckled at times. It sure was Pride on the course. "You cheated! You lowered the jumps and used spurs. He's not going to make much effort jumping low jumps compared to higher ones. Sorry to say but you looked like my father trying to get him into a canter, and man, he's a thoroughbred. By jumping triples, I don't want you to give my horse a heart attack poor guy. And thanks for th offer, but I have to refuse on that. Pride is the start of my riding and I'm improving better with him. Training horses makes you a better rider. I wouldn't use spurs with him. I have a bad feeling with that. I'd probably be using them to much for him to tolerate. He doesn't mind the crop though, and don't worry I never slap it on him, I just use it to let him know I'm still there by touching it on his shoulder."

She walked up to Brad and her horse. She took the reins. She stroked his sweaty neck. Pride rubbed his head on her shoulder. He had enough for a day. She planted a kiss on his forehead. "You'll be having one heck of a shower. You didn't just sweat from working, but being a little stress too." She kissed him once more and turned to Brad. "I must ask you, how the hell do you climcb up on him? I van't even reach the stirrup with my foot! Anyway I'm giving him a break. Maybe I'll send him in a pasture on his own. So if you're still jumping, I'll be back in a bit."

She headed inside the barn leading Pride straight to the shower.

[huntersgotstyle]

“I could have the horse jumping a fucking five foot course with oxers and triples in an hour. And don’t you dare tell me that I ride like shit, I could kick your ass any day. Sorry that I tried to be nice, you do have talent but not enough to be that big headed. Hell my sister is amazing at riding and she’s half as big headed as you” said Brad glaring at the girl. He walked over to the jumps and made them around five feet. He mounted Princeton easily and pushed him into a canter after a quick warm up and taking his spurs off. Brad held, waited, released, collected, extended and pushed on with ease as he flew around the course. Pure determination to prove himself, even if it was only to himself. He could feel Princeton working hard underneath him, but he needed the adrenaline rush to calm himself. He couldn’t always be the nice guy. Finally Brad slowed after about twenty perfect jumps. Princeton happily walked, tired from the hard work out. Brad dropped his stirrups and was about to start muttering to himself when he noticed a motion. A blonde figure coming towards him. His eyes focused, it was Bridget. “Hey Bridget, what’s up” Brad asked in a fairly flat tone, hiding his inner thoughts.

“Nothing, what the hell happened to you?” asked Bridget rolling her eyes at his attempt to hide it. She walked to Princeton who Brad had halted. Bridget slipped her foot into the stirrup and mounted so that she was sitting on Princeton’s back behind the saddle, leaning onto his rum slightly.

“Apparently I ride like shit” Brad muttered.

“You always think that” said Bridget as she eyed the jump height. She took in the colours and immediately wanted to go grab a horse and start jumping. It was just so fun doing big courses, she loved the talent, precision and adrenaline rush.

“I was told that” Brad hissed quietly.

“Well you’ll get over, the judges think you ride awesome and that’s all that matters. So suck it up buttercup, take it like a man” said Bridget laughing at herself. Brad was usually really calm so it did concern her slightly but there was no way she’d let him no that. He might act like this more often then. She could see his muscles were tense, brain working in over drive. She felt his eyes dart to the side and dart back, obviously avoiding eye contact, Bridget turned fully around and waved at the girl. “Hey I’m Bridget. Have you met my brother Brad?” called Bridget as Brad steered Princeton.