dressage lesson one [students]

[chase]

He had settled in well, the haul with his horses long but worth it – this new job was going to be just the thing to get him out of his funk and focused on the up and up. He had done some coaching for Steffen and taught multiple lessons but this would be his first lesson at the academy. Chase wasn’t the kind of person who got nervous, for some reason he just didn’t really have that problem. Perhaps when he showed but it was a good nervous, one that kept him on his toes. He had been down at the barns for hours; lessons happened after school so he had hand walked both his geldings earlier and decided he would probably ride Calvin later if the class didn’t run too late. Calvin settled in way quicker than Donny did, the gelding was a seasoned show horse that was used to going to work quickly. Donny was getting better at settling but one more day would make the world of difference in his first ride. He finished the little time he had before the lesson wrapping his geldings legs, he did them all in the cross ties – it was easier as he could pull up a stool and sit as his back only handled so many legs before he needed some advil. With both horses in their stalls he stopped in the tack room and pulled his half chaps on over his ankle boots, he didn’t think he would have to get on a horse but it always did good to be prepared. He also stuck a pair of gloves in his pocket; he always rode with gloves to protect his feel.

Striding to the Benedict arena where he had posted the lesson would be held he looked around; the place was clear – just as he liked it. He didn’t want to complicate things, he had brought a clipboard with him and intended on down the attendance as students arrived. He had asked all the students to come in full seat breeches, appropriate clean tack and snaffles. He would deal with things like spurs, whips and martingales when people arrived. There were situations where each aid was needed, but he liked to start from the basics without artificial aids and add after, to see where everyone was and then he would progress individuals accordingly from there. Looking down over a brief lesson plan he didn’t really have much more than seeing everyone’s level and potentially setting up different levels of lessons, for now he wanted to see who needed to be where and that started with the basics. It was good for everyone to do the basics, picking a spot in the middle of the arena he pulled out his phone and sent a few text messages before checking his email. He put it away at the sounds of hooves though, he waited patiently for the students to gather at the middle of the arena around him – he didn’t take kindly to lateness.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara stood in the bathroom of the Red Willow barn. For dressage class she was going to ride Silver Fire, the silver dun Academy owned Welsh cross. She placed her hands on her stomach as it tied itself in knots and it felt like a rabble of butterflies were trying to fight their way out. She bent over slightly as she forced down the wave of nausea. She straightened up again and brushed down the Ariat, Laurel vest and beige Equetech junior full seat breeches she was wearing. Walking out of the bathroom in just her boot sock, she headed into the tack room where she slid her feet into her Heritage Select field boots and placed the Charles Owen helmet over the hairnet that kept her obsidian coloured hair out of her face, even though it was already in a french braid and a bun. She then walked out to where Ember was patiently waiting for her in a set of cross-ties.

She had tacked the mare up before she had gone to get ready and had left the mare dozing quietly. "Wake up." She said softly as she reached the mare and picked up her very simple snaffle bridle and carefully slipped the bit into her mouth before she put the bridle into place and did it up. She paused before she tightened the girth.

She normally only ever felt like this before a show, and wondered if her nauseousness had anything to do with the fact that she knew that she was going to meet a new instructor, and the fact that this instructor was a man. "Let's go, girl." She whispered as she tightened the girth, removed the cross-ties, led the mare out of the and down toward the indoor arena.

Arriving at the arena, she paused at the gateway, bowed her head toward the man in the middle, led the mare over the threshold and walked her to the centre to await the other students. She was careful to keep the mare between her and the male.

[Luka Ingersleben]

Luka buckled the strap of his helmet, then turned back to Neb, whom he was going to be riding this afternoon. He had already groomed the gelding, although he hadn't braided the gelding's dark mane for today's class. The gelding's tack shone, however, and was, apart from his mane and tail, nearly perfect for a show. Luka picked up his crop and then took the gelding's reins and led him towards the indoor arena, where their class was going to be held. He walked into the arena and closed the gate behind him, looking at the silver dun mare with the petite girl, whom he knew from a class, although he couldn't remember which one it was. The teacher, he hadn't seen around campus before, although he knew his name from the posted notice about the class.

As he stepped into the center of the arena, he smiled at the other two people around and quietly moved to tighten Neb's girth. The gelding stood still, and after finishing, Luka rubbed his neck, "Mein guter." He regripped the gelding's reins and stood quietly, waiting for the teacher's instructions.

[Nina Joel Dobrev]

Nina was thinking about taking Hope to dresssage class today. The mare needed to learn some dressage. She lead the mare to cross ties and started to take her time grooming her mane. As she carefully untangled the knots in the mare's mane, Hope whinnied and bobbed her head. She rolled her eyes playfully and laughed softly to herself before combing her mane softly.

She closed her grooming kit and went to work on Hope's tack. She slipped on the saddle pad and aligned it neatly onto the mare's dark brown back. She threw on the saddle and set the notch up to a three. She let out a suspicious sigh. "I might have to feed you less treats.." She said refering to the mare's weight. She teased before grabbing the matching bridle. It took two tries before the mare finally accepted the bit. Hope let out a annoyed whicker, and Nina let out an annoyed breathe. Hope may not look like Nina's favorite horse, yet she loves the mare anyways.

She untied the cross ties and lead the mare out of the barn. When they passed the entrance, she halted the mare. She trusted Hope to stay still as she put her right foot on the stirrup, lifted her body off the ground and mounted up onto the horse. She felt the mare flinch slightly as Nina got hold of the reins. She patted the mare's neck and squeezed her legs, moving her forward towards the arena where the class was held.

As she opened the gate and lead Hope forward. She saw that two other students have already arrived before her. She shut the gate silently as possible behind her. With no luck, the gate squeaked as she tried to close it. She sighed and just walked Hope over next to Cara. Keeping a reasonable distance between them. She nodded her head towards the man in hello and gave a small grin towards Cara as well. She didn't know the other student very well, maybe eventually she'll get to meet him.

[chase]

Chase surveyed those that entered the arena, the first girl was tiny and quiet – she didn’t say two words to him and he exchanged the favor, he wasn’t about to bear down on someone who looked slightly unnerved. Instead he addressed his attention to her mount; the pony was petite standing around 14hh. Chase noted the presentation of the pony was up to par, she was well groomed and tacked appropriately with no spurs or other aids in sight. He nodded to the small girl who was equally well turned out, though looked like she was taking things rather seriously. He was content with such an attitude though did get caught up in his own intensity while schooling sometimes, he loved a committed student and someone that knew it took discipline to succeed – but smiling was good too sometimes. He figured he would wait for more students to arrive and only give his introduction once, if he was lucky.

Eyes caught the next pair that entered the arena, on time still the pair was of another untraditional color but Chase didn’t let it throw him too much. The buckskin horse that the boy was leading was 16hh and looked like he was muscled more like a schooled dressage horse. It made Chase hopeful that dressage wasn’t totally lost among jumping and cross country, he nodded to the boy and his gelding and considered speaking once more but held his breath. Looking to his watch he caught glimpse of one more student and figured he could start with three, he didn’t want to waste too much time waiting on late people – if there was going to be any at all that was. When the girl with the stock horse nodded to Chase he returned the gesture with a warm smile and took it as his cue to begin.

“You guys are a loud bunch now aren’t you?”

He smirked evidently joking as no –one had muttered a single word, and Chase was a loser that way.

“Anyways, down to business. I am Chase Mathies, the new dressage coach – please just call me Chase.”

Another pause to check his watch one last time.

“Thank you three for being on time, and even though I despise lateness I hope a few more people do join us.
But for now let’s get started. I would like everyone on the rail tracking left at a medium walk, please don’t worry about your horse frame let’s get them stepping up and muscles warm first.”

He strode over to the boy with the buckskin and held out his hand, his face was warm as he requested one more thing.

“Do you mind giving me your crop to start? I would like to see how you do without first.”

He waited for the group to follow through with his instruction and spoke one last time before allowing silence.

“Once everyone is moving we will go in order and introduce ourselves, our mount and our experience in the dressage arena.”

ooc - okay folks you know the drill, this is a lesson the more you give me to "critique the better" and if I "assume" something you don't like, PM me so I can edit, but I assume most things with some knowledge of dressage and hints in posts.
clothes

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara was impressed with how nicely Ember stood while they waited in the arena for the rest of the class to arrive. She didn't react physically, but she noted the arrival of the next person, and without the need to look, she knew that it was Luka from his use of German with his horse.

She placed a hand on Ember's nose as the mare side-stepped as another horse came up beside them, she nodded her head toward Nina, but didn't return the other student's smile.

She returned her attention to the teacher as he introduced himself, she made a mental note that he was one of those adults that though cracking jokes made them more approach-worthy, but no matter what the man said, there was no way her training would allow her to address him by his first name.

When they were given the word, she turned to her mount, tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and vaulted easily into the saddle. She adjusted her seat on the saddle before she slipped her feet into the stirrups. Standing up, she frowned as she lowered herself into the saddle and stood in the stirrups once more. Leaving her feet in the stirrups, she dropped the leathers down another hole before she was happy with them and then squeezed the pony forward.

Once she was on the track, she asked the mare to walk forward and then she closed her legs around the mare to encourage the hind legs to step more underneath the pony thereby increasing the length of stride, walking energetically, but calmly, with even and determined steps the hind feet touching the ground in front of the footprints of the fore feet. Her hands moved in sympathy with your horse’s head and neck. She kept back must be soft and supple moving with the walk and sitting straight. While the mare was moving with the freedom of the medium walk, she made sure that Ember remained on the bit. As instructed she didn't do anything to bring the mare into a nice frame, but she could feel that the mare was light and well rounded - and that had nothing to do what what she was asking.

[Luka Ingersleben]

Luka smiled at the teacher's attempt at a joke, noting the sarcasm as the class of three students hadn't said much of anything. As the teacher introduced himself, he nodded slightly, knowing he would remember this teacher's name. Perhaps he would actually enjoy this class, as it was something he was rather interested in. He listened to the man's instructions, nothing too hard at the moment, just a simple warmup, and nodded. He was about to move Neb after the petite girl on the pony when the man came up to him and asked for his crop. Luka nodded and reversed it in his hand, holding it out handle-first to the teacher. He knew that Neb would behave more or less the same without the crop, he just carried it out of habit.

After the teacher had taken the aid, Luka moved Neb towards the rail, falling into place behind the silver pony. He had to force himself not to collect Neb more as they walked, letting the gelding move as he would, although he could feel that the gelding was rather responsive anyway, and willing to do whatever they should want or need to. He was rather glad that he hadn't chosen to ride Xhevahire, who would probably be giving him much more trouble, or Quiz, who was still not as advanced as Neb in the finer points of dressage.

[bubbles2]

Bethany quickly rushed down to the barn, bringing her whip. Bethany always needed it for her pony. She hurriedly, but firmly brushed down Morgan. However, the rush had ceased as Morgan would accept the clean bit into her mouth. It had token a while, but the dark bay mare finally let the bit slide into her mouth. afterwards she had tacked her up fully, with her saddle. Before Bethany led her mare out, she stroked her mare happily because of her performance at the show jumping trails. Then, she led her mare in trot to the indoor arena before slowing her into walk, and entered the arena. "Sorry I'm late, Sir." Bethany said shamefully before shutting the gate. As Bethany saw another boy pass his whip over, Bethany moved over to pass her valuable whip handle- first to her dressage teacher. She tightened her girth, rolled her stirrups down and mounted her dark bay, little pony. She sighed very very quietly, but didn't care if anyone heard her. Bethany needed her whip on Morgan, the mare wouldn't move into a trot, let alone a canter, without a crop. She kicked her mare on firmly at the very behind the ride. The seventeen year-old girl knew her mare wouldn't be responsive.

[Leonardo Jacobs]

For the second time that day, Leo found himself rushing. He was somewhat annoyed with this fact, though he promised to make sure his schedule was made up before the next day. The boy couldn’t express enough how much he hated to be late; if he hated anything. Still, Leo managed to look relaxed as he paced into the barn, many different heads looking up and out of their stalls. The one the particularly caught his attention was the very antsy and wanting mare. Leo sighed, chuckling at his thoroughbred’s antics before going up and holding his hand out. Avi snorted acknowledging it before bobbing her giant head.

Leo grabbed the mare’s blue halter, rolling the door open. Immediately, the horse tossed her head, annoyed at being a new place with new noises, smells and sights. The seventeen year old sighed at his horse before looping the lead rope gently across her withers and slipping the halter on. He then proceeded to lead her out of her stall, taking care not let her backside hit the stall door and clipped her into the crossties. As the boy groomed the flighty creature, Avi snorted moving this way and that. Still, after working with her for over five years, Leo easily groomed her.

The boy soon had his horse tacked up in her somewhat used dressage saddle and bridle. They were his most precious and used pieces of tack, as well as the pretty blue saddle pad. He made sure to wash that at least once a week. Leo smiled at his mare, giving her a soft pat before grabbing his helmet and placing it over his usual messy style. Avi flattened her ears as the boy tightened her girth a bit before he mounted up, but he knew it was just because she was Avi. The horse wouldn’t dare to kick out or bite, though nips were normal occurrences.

Leo pushed the horse into a quick paced walk, on the verge of a trot as he made it to the indoor arena. Already there were a group of students working their horses. Leo cringed at the thought of becoming the spot of everyone’s eyes as he walked in. To his somewhat selfish relief, there was already another girl who seemed to have arrived late as well. The boy looked down at his mount before looking up at the dressage coach “Hello, I’m sorry I’m late sir. I just transferred here, Leonardo Jacobs, so I might not be on your list.” he said, explaining. He had already been through at least three of these confusions today.

[chase]

Chase moved himself to the center of the arena he was comfortable there, he had spent many hours there teaching, watching, learning and just hanging out. Wrapping his scarf a little tighter around his neck he pulled his jack closed a little more, it was chilly when you were standing still and not moving much but he was used to it so dressed accordingly. The students already out on the rail were doing as he asked, he watched each horse move for a moment – ingraining in his head what they were starting with and how they were going to better it. He hoped the riders had some sort of feel, because the first few lessons were actually often where he made the biggest difference. Only because the exercises improved things so greatly at first, then the progress would plateau and a few people might be discouraged. There was always the chance that the rider or horse really didn’t have the mind or schooling to accept what Chase had to offer in the first few lessons and he would have to adjust accordingly – he would cross that bridge when he got to it.

“Okay everyone; let’s make this a circle – in the center of the arena as big as we need to accommodate everyone safely but still a circle, keeping the bend through your horses body. Make sure they are stretching down and forward, increase the walk everyone. Breath and move with your horse – carry your own hands!”

He looked over the class to see if he needed to address anyone personally, then his attention was taken by the late students entering the arena now. He frowned slightly but reminded himself that it was day one, he didn’t want to make anyone dislike him too much. He also knew that the notice for the class resuming had been late, he would let it slide today and the students would know that. He took the whip and forced a smile, he watched the girl mount they bay mare and frowned when she instantly kicked her on – the sigh his student had previously exhaled was a sign, something he would deal with now.

“Don’t let it happen again. Also, why don’t you give your mare a chance to be good, ask with your seat and a squeeze before you kick – keep your hands soft, they override your other cues.”

He turned to the second student, his patience wearing thin but he drew in a deep breath and found them again. The boy sat in dressage tack, the mare black and pretty muscled more like a dressage horse and brought forth some excitement in the teacher. He was over the lateness, moving on to the boy his tone hit the air once more.

“Don’t worry too much Leo, I am handing out one time free passes – they expire today. Join everyone on the circle please.”

Taking a step back he observed the group once more – starting at the front of his circle he looked to the girl on the silver dun, then worked her way down the line. He had a good group, not everyone was equally experienced but it would do just fine. As the lateness escaped his mind and the group came to life on the circle around him an honest smile filled his features and the true Chase took over.

“Okay everyone, I am Chase your dressage coach. Let’s start with introductions, your name, your horse and why you are taking dressage. Let’s start off with getting everyone moving more forward and bigger at the walk, let your horse stretch down into the contact – the key to collection and balanced correct movement is an active hind end.”

ooc - real critique will start next post once he has names ;]
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[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara's attention shifted from the mare she was riding to the instructor. She knew that dressage would be a challenge for the mare, as jumping was her thing and lateral movement was the thing that the mare seemed to detest, at at least while working on the rail, Ember didn't think anything of it. As soon as they were asked to circle around the man in the centre of the arena, she knew that she was going to encounter some issues, but she was ready for anything, and at least at a walk the mare was less likely to buck.

The first thing she did was move her inside rein slightly down and inside, then toward the pony's withers (without passing them of course). This would place and flex the neck, but not take it. And, with the outside rein, she controlled the amount of bend. Letting the outside rein become a little longer (an inch or so) to allow the neck to stretch itself on the outside. Though she made sure not move her hand forward, as she would loose collection.

Keeping her inside leg at the girth and applied pressure for a fraction of a second every time she feel tightening or stiffness on the inside. She controlled the haunches by moving her outside leg slightly back, to get the hindquarters to stay in place, and to stop them from escaping outside.

All the while, she kept her position picture perfect - even if she did flinch every time the man added emphasis to his words. She pressed her lips together as they were asked to introduce themselves. "I am cal... I am Cara and my mount is Ember. We are in this class because Ember struggles with lateral work." Her words were whisper soft, her clipped English accent still strong after so many years in the States. Even with so few words spoken, her heart was beating rapidly as though she had just completed an uneven bars routine.

She applied the slightest amount of pressure with both calves to encourage the mare to walk forward a little more boldly, but without losing her frame, the girl's eyes watched the arena ahead of them through the mare's flickering ears. It was when the ears stopped moving, one toward the front and the other directed at the girl, that Cara saw what she was waiting for; the mare gave a hint of a nod. Opening her hands - ever so slightly - she allowed the mare to stretch her head forward and into the contact, her stride not changing. At least it was a little proof that Cara's work on the mare was paying off.

[Taylor Westin]

---------------------------------

This wasn't like him to be late, but then funerals didn't happen everyday. He'd flown home and had been gone for at least two weeks and the jet-lag was kicking his butt. He'd checked his schedule early that morning and attempted to see what the day held in store for him and had noted that he had his first dressage class, but as the day had worn on, he'd climbed up into his room and plopped into his bed, when the thought suddenly hit him!

Dresaage Lesson! The stresses of life seemed to suddenly drop, he checked the time and swore. He was going to be late. There was no way he was going to show up the way he looked now, all bedraggled and unshaven. He bolted off his bed, jumped into the shower and shaved. He grabbed his tan dressage breeches and white shirt, patted Chey and bolted out the door. He'd jogged the whole way to the White Oak barn and had set about grooming the bay Hanoverian as quickly and efficiently as possible. He said a prayer of thanks, glad that he'd braided the gelding's mane the night before.

Drake shook his head, picking up on Taylor's excitement and hurried state of mind. Easy boy! He soothed the gelding and set about finishing tacking him up. He tightened the girth, fed Drake the snaffle and quickly led the gelding out to the arena.

He cursed when he saw exactly how late he was. He saw the students circled up with their mounts and he groaned. Drake tossed his head energetically, but Taylor kept the edgy bay in hand. He mounted and found his seat. He applied light pressure with his legs sending Drake forward at a smooth trot as they took the walk of shame as approaching the circle with nothing in hand except his gelding. He watched as the circle moved about at a walk and looked for the coach. Finding him in the middle of the circle he halted Drake a safe distance from the moving circle and waited till he could catch the coach's eye.

He had a look of complete embarrassment on his face. So sorry I'm late. I do apologize. He didn't offer an excuse because in his opinion it didn't matter, being late in itself was being extremely rude and no explanation could entirely excuse that. His mother would be red with anger if she'd seen this. He tried to smother his thick Aussie accent, but it clearly wasn't going to be easily hidden. Shall I join the circle?

He was dying on the inside. Being tardy was not his style and he could only imagine the frustration his coach must be thinking. Way to make a first impression Taylor.

[Leonardo Jacobs]

Leo nodded as the man announced he was handing out one time free passes. He made note to never have to need one of those again. Being late, as anyone else, wasn’t something he would be too happy about. The brunette eyed over his classmates, recognition hitting him as he realized his roommate was in this class as well. Leo offered the opposite blonde a soft smile before returning his attention to the man that was leading the lesson. He liked this teacher, someone firm, but fair. It occurred to him he would get a good lesson. Leo moved his hip to how fast he wanted her to go and the mare immediately responded.

They had been doing dressage together for a very long time, so it was only normal that Leo and she worked well together. The brunette nodded shyly to the man as he asked the group to circle and introduce himself. The boy held back a cringe at the thought of speaking aloud to over two people. His limit was two. Still, he realized he had to do it if he wanted to obey his instructor. Sighing, Leo turned his attention to the equally shy seeming girl who introduced herself as Cara.

Figuring it was his turn, the boy looked awkwardly outwards, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. “Um… I’m Leo and this is Avi. I’m in this class because I want to learn how to relax my seat and my horse more as well as improve my dressage lesson in general.” he explained, before switching his attention to the new student that had just ridden up. Leo gave the other boy a shy sympathetic look before letting Avi stretch into the contact and noticed the difference in her gait almost immediately. Already, nearly automatically around the circle, the mare had a nice flex to the circle and she wasn’t acting up too much.

[oakley]

Hannah Greene

Late. That was the only word that flashed through Hannah's mind on her second day of school. Late. late late late late... She had been in the barn five minutes before looking at the class schedule hanging in the tack room, simply glancing while idling by. She had entirely forgotten about her first dressage lesson. It was to start in ten minutes in the indoor arena with the new instructor, a man Hannah had seen around the barn but never really spoken to. She had never been a social girl, so she had promptly went back to brushing the crap out of Donner. Thank God she had, he shimmered like a new penny now. Perfect for her first impression on her instructor and peers.

Hannah had been dressed, to a T of course, as she hardly dressed otherwise, ready to take Don out for a training session in the outdoor arena. Assessing her outfit now, she found she had luckily worn the requirements the instructor had asked. With an exasperated puff, Hannah made her way to Donneroh Seven's stall, her clipped strides echoing in the empty corridors of the barn. Peaking into the seventh stall, Hannah found her large dressage bred mount standing dead center, dozing and swishing his tail at the few flies mounted upon his thick rump. She didn't have time to admire his peacefulness though, and upon entering watched him come to life again. With a snort, he accepted the leather halter, dipping his head through the silver plated noseband, the words "Donneroh Seven engraved across it.

Within six or so minutes, Donner was tacked up in his normal beach sand white pad, coal Selleria Equipe dressage saddle and matching bridle set, as well as his white leg wraps and bells. He looked very handsome, as his mane had been braided the morning before, a nervous habit Hannah had acquired years before. It was only the pair's second day at Blue Ridge Academy, but Hannah had memorized every crevice of the school and knew exactly where she was going as she led her mount to the indoor arena. They were around five minutes late when they approached the gates.

The center of the arena was filled with about four or five other students and their horses, all different sizes and qualities. Hannah didn't think any of the horses were as large, let alone seasoned, as Donner, with the exception of perhaps one or two, but she didn't let her confidence in her show horse cross borderline arrogance. She was late and didn't think the instructor would understand too well, there were no excuses, first day or not.

Hannah didn't speak up, just stood there with her dressage horse at the gates. She was hoping someone would notice her, as she didn't want to interrupt the lesson, they seemed on a role out there. Watching them ride and learn and try and improve made Hannah itch to mount up and be assessed. But still, she stood patiently watching, waiting for permission to be punished.

ooc- I hope it's okay to join in... ._.

[Peter Holden]

Peter rushed down to the barn after changing into riding clothes. It seemed as if he'd been rushing to get to classes on time all day, and it looked as if he was going to be late to yet another class. Unfortunately, this one meant a bit more to him than the others, since it was his first equestrian class: dressage.

He found Thimble's stall easily and brushed her over quickly, as she was already very clean, before tacking her up in his dressage saddle and a burgundy pad. The mare nosed at his arm insistently, and he pushed her back, knowing that she was just asking for treats. He put on his helmet and bridled her before leading her out of her stall.

He walked the tall sport horse to the dressage ring at a brisk pace and immediately saw a girl stopped outside of the. He stopped beside her, assuming that she was late as well, and waited beside her, his hand on Thimble's neck. Had he gotten there first, he probably would have entered and addressed the instructor, but he didn't want to go ahead of the girl. While waiting, he quickly tightened Thimble's girth and pulled down her stirrups so he could mount quickly once they entered the ring.