Hunter/Jumper 2.1

[Cora Addison]

Cora strode into the arena, feeling pretty confident about teaching her first class. She had a plan for her students for the day, but they wouldn’t be doing anything too difficult. She’d have to appraise their skills before asking them to do anything more challenging, as she didn’t want to overwhelm any students if they weren’t up to par with what Cora expected their experience to be. She was dressed in her normal black breeches and field boots, as well as a powder blue quilted riding jacket. She wore this on most days, and planned on riding Remi later, after the lesson.

She carefully set up a line of ground poles on one side of the arena, and a line of two small verticals on the other side. The verticals were quite small, and she suspected that most students would find them to be very simple, and any ponies in the class would not have a problem with them either. The ground poles were set so that an average sized horse could take them, and she could change them if needed for any ponies. She left enough room between each line and the rail for the students to be able to work their horses on the rail, and use the inside track if needed. They would start with the basics today, and hopefully have a more advanced lesson the next time. Perhaps, if they proved to be good enough and the small verticals proved too simple, she could set them higher of put up another jump or two near the end of class, but she did not plan on it.

Standing in the center, she waited for her students to arrive. She hoped that they would be prompt, as she knew that this was not their first class for the year, and she was replacing the other teacher. As the students entered, she introduced herself, “My name is Ms. Addison, and I will be your new teacher. Please mount and begin to warm your horse up to begin, though stay at the walk or trot.” She’d have the students canter as a group soon for a bit before they started working with the ground poles.

[Rose Hoff]

Rose walked down to the White Oak barn, quite thrilled for her Hunter/Jumper lesson. It was her strongest discipline, and she had quite enjoyed the lessons so far, though she’d heard there was a new teacher and was a bit nervous. She had considered using Eleanor for today, but decided against it, since she wanted to make a good impression on the teacher, and the mare would need a bit more work first. Besides, Vintage was well trained in the discipline, and Eleanor only knew jumping from eventing.

She entered Vintage’s stall and brushed her down, though the light grey mare was already quite clean. After picking her hooves and combing out her mane and tail, Rose got Vintage’s leather jumping boots and fastened them onto the mare. Afterwards, she brought her tack to the stall and began to tack her up. She used Vintage’s navy saddle pad and her sheepskin half pad, as well as her jumping saddle. She gave Vintage a pat on the neck before putting on her bridle and fastening on her Charles Owen helmet.

She slipped her riding gloves on, and led Vintage out to the showjumping ring. Once inside, she greeted the new instructor, “Hello Ms. Addison, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She then mounted Vintage and checked her girth before moving the mare out to the rail. She walked her around once before asking the warmblood mare for a trot, which she took up nicely. Rose continued to work her around the ring, paying attention to all the little things that would matter in the hunter ring.

clothes

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri made her way smoothly down to the White Oak barn, happy to realize she had gotten there without even thinking about it. She had gotten used to her schedule for being at BRRA for nearly a month now and slowly, the brunette was beginning to adapt from her earlier home schooling experience. A small smile lit her face as she stepped into the barn, happy to see two faces sticking out of the stalls. She had been working with Cisco over time and the horse had actually been improving quite nicely. Henri gave the gelding a pat before stepping toward Hutch, chuckling as he immediately stuck his nose into her chest in his signature mood. “Hi.” she said, giving him a kiss and grabbing his halter.

If she had heard correct, they had a new instructor and while she was sad to see the old one go, she was excited to meet the new woman on the job. Anything to do with hunter/jumper always excited her and she wondered what the lesson held in store for her. Hutch seemed to realize her optimistic mood as usual and perked his ears up as she groomed him. Coat gleaming as usual, the horse drifted to the left and right, even after several scolds from Henri she simply chuckled at her ticklish horse.

After a few more flicks of a soft brush, Hutch’s coat was flawless. Hooves picked and polished in a daily grooming routine, Henri tacked him up quickly, warming up the cold bit from the recent freezing weather. An Ariat Bristol jacket kept most of her body heat in, but the girl was honestly still shivering. Finally, the brunette clipped the buckle on her Charles Owen riding helmet and moved to mounting block. She got settled in the saddle and moved excitedly off to the show jumping ring. Already, there was the new instructor and Rose there. Giving her team member a friendly grin, Henri nodded toward her before focusing her gaze on Ms. Addison as she was told. “Hello Ms. Addison. Nice to meet you. I’m Henri.” she smiled slightly before moving off to walk Hutch around. Henri flexed the animal on both sides as she went, beginning a trot after one lap. Those private dressage lessons had seriously helped her transitions and Hutch picked up a nice, balanced trot pretty quickly.

[Olivia Cheyenne Kwinn]

Olivia went out to find Blue in the pasture. She haltered the mare and then led her back towards the barn, where she clipped her into cross ties and started brushing her. After a few minutes, she had the black pony groomed and was working on tacking her up. The mare was as stubborn as always, taking in a big breath of air as Olivie went to tighten the girth, but Olivia was used to it, and she poked the mare's stomach to make her breathe out.

After another fight, this time about the bit, Olivia had finally saddled Blue up. She unclipped the cross ties and picked up her helmet. She walked towards the show jumping arena. There was already a woman in the arena, without a horse. She paused outside of the gate to put on and buckle her helmet, then walked into the arena, giving the teacher a small smile, "Good morning." She smiled at the woman's instructions, glad that she could keep her pony moving. The mare didn't stand still all too well, too many things to do, to see, to explore. She asked the mare for a walk around the arena, switching sides and repeating the pattern, before they moved up to a trot.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Cara felt a tingle of nerves running through her as she got Ella ready for the Hunter Jumper class. There was a new teacher for the class, which meant a whole new set of skills to work up to. It wasn't that she was afraid of not making the grade, she just stressed a little about the expectations of the adult.

Once the mare had been groomed within an inch of her life. Her mane - which was finally long enough to do anything with - braided on the right side of the neck with yarn to match the color of the mane - black at the top, white down the rest. The braids were small, neat, and tight. The mare white patches gleamed and the black shone like marble. Her white tail was pulled into a neat french braid. Due to her being the girl's Team mount, The mare was neatly clipped, which meant; the whiskers around the muzzle, the hair in and around the ears, the bridle path, and lower jaw. The legs were also trimmed, removing all fetlock hair and feathering, and trimming the pasterns and coronet. As winter was closing in on them, she was planning on giving the mare a full clip, removing all the body hair, to give her a neater appearance in the show ring.

The girl left the mare in the cross-ties as she headed to the tackroom to gather the mare's gear; her black close contact saddle, shaped saddle pad, cavesson bridle with snaffle bit, and her tendon boots, she headed out to tack the mare up and then polished her hooves before once again leaving her as she headed back to the tack room to shed the tracksuit she was wearing to reveal her riding clothes; beige breeches and a white shirt. She then took out a garment bag from her locker and unzipped it revealing a hunter green hunt coat, which she slipped her arms into. She then took her Ariat Field boots out of her locker and slipped her feet into them. Taking her gloves out of her locker, she tucked them into the waistband of the breeches and slipping the Charles Owen helmet onto her head and clipping it under her chin, she went back to the mare.

After wiping Ella over with a damp cloth once more to remove any lingering dust, she removed the cross-ties and led the mare out of the barn. She tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and using the mounting block to give herself some extra height, she vaulted into the saddle. She then pulled the gloves onto her hands and carefully pushed them into place before she squeezed the mare forward. She saw the other leading their horses, but she knew that Ella performed better in lesson if she was ridden to the arena.

Leaning down and opening the gate, she nudged the mare forward and closed the gate behind them. At the instructors words, she dropped her right hand from the reins and gave a dressage salute before she squeezed the mare forward again and onto the track where she began to warm the mare up at a walk and then a trot when she felt the mare was ready. Asking her to extend and collect her stride while flexing with a good contact on the bit.

[madison]

Madison was excited for the lesson, Dillon had been schooling great since they arrived here; not that he was ever really bad. The gelding was her heart horse, they had been a team from the start. The gelding made her look good and she rode him the way he liked, it was a wonderful relationship. The softness between them was what gave them the extra edge above their competition. The gelding was the true definition of a hunter, his movement ideal and jump impeccable. Not to say that the pair was unbeatable or perfect, they had rides that were a mess and had lost their fair share of classes. Getting dressed after class she quickly pulled out a clean pair of tailored sportsman breeches, they were her favorite and the beige ones were perfect for lessons. Adding her name-plated belt she pulled a blouse out off a hanger, matched with a neck she folded the collar over around her neck and at each wrist. Black vest was zipped up over top as she hunted down some boot socks. Slipping her feet into her uggs she made the quick walk to the barn. The beauty of living so close to the barn was how much time she had between class and her lesson, she was going to groom the horse thoroughly and clean her saddle before the lesson. Realistically she should do some homework, she wasn’t doing so well in physics at the moment but Madison promised herself she would study before bed. Her breath was visible in the air, it was starting to get cold – she was glad her horses were already body clipped – cooling out in this weather could be hazardous and very time consuming.

“Dill Pickle!”

The barn was warm, much warmer than it was outside. She kissed the geldings velvet nose as she slipped into his stall – the shavings already gathering in her boots. Pulling off his stable blanket she ran her hands over his sleek coat – scratching his withers she smiled when he sighed. She pulled the cooler off the front of his stall and hung the stable blanket in its place. Slipping the leather halter over Dillon’s handsome head she led him to the tack stall. Happy to see they were empty she clipped him in and headed to the tack room to gather his stuff. His work bridle had a French link with a slow twist D-ring, it was his show bit which she didn’t school in all the time but it would be fine for today. His standing martingale was name-plated, she hung it over her shoulder while she grabbed a baby pad and half pad. The saddle she wanted to use for the lesson was in a bag, pulling it out she headed back to the horse and set the tack down, using a hook to hang the bridle and martingale. Returning to the tack room she grabbed a sponge and some polo’s and bell boots for the horse. Quickly wiping down the saddle and bridle she was happy with how clean she kept her stuff, made it easier to clean up for a lesson. Brushing the horse she pulled all the shavings from his mane and tail and set to work on wrapping his legs, blue polo’s on all four and a pair of bell boots on his front hooves. He was tall for her, so it was a reach to get the saddle on his back, almost forgetting his martingale she added it before doing his girth up loosely.

“Be right back buddy, just stand still.”

The horse wasn’t going to go anywhere, Madison returned to the tack room she put her long blonde hair in a ponytail, low on her head and pulled out her GPA and pulled it on. Grabbing her tall boots she pulled off the uggs and frowned at the sawdust left inside, she would dump them later. Pulling on the tall boots Madison grabbed her gloves and pulled them on as well, mostly covering her bracelet. Once back at Dillon she slipped on his bridle and did his girth up another hole before heading to the arena. His cooler was dropped outside on a bench and she used the block to get on then rode the gelding to the gate,

“gate”

It was a habit, a good one for safety as far as she was concerned. It was a real stretch on the horse to reach the gate but Madison managed thanks to Dillon’s patience. Moving the gelding to a walk she held the reins in one hand at the buckle, she pulled her pony tail down her back and held the reins in two hands once more. Catching the woman’s introduction Madison smiled and nodded, using her leg and seat to guide the gelding towards the rail she kept him at a walk riding an independent track. She kept the reins long, her leg encouraged the horse to stretch forward into a long sweeping walk. Her seat was light, equitation very correct – it was easy while walking. A touch of her spur reminded the horse to keep forwards and ahead of her leg.

ooc: done. clothes&tack

[Samantha 'Sam' Lawrence]

Sam made her way out of White Ribbon quickly since she was starting to run out of time. Her feet kicked gravel as she walked to Red Willow. The red jacket she was wearing pulled tightly over her, covering the white polo she had on underneath. Ariat gloves stuck out of the jodhpur pockets, waiting to be stolen by Popeye, or be put with his grooming supplies. She pulled them out as she reached the black gelding’s stall to greet the horse. ”Hey handsome.”

She clipped the gelding’s lead rope to his halter and brought him out to a free set of cross ties, then began grooming the Hanoverian. Quickly, but thoroughly Sam finished cleaning him. She retreated to the tack room to grab the orange saddle pad, along with her black saddle and matching bridle. After she tacked up her horse she led him out of the stables in the direction of the jumping arena. She planned on asking if the instructor was okay with changing from mount to mount every so often for the class.

Once the pair approached the gate, Sam called out to the group, warning them of her opening the gate. They entered the arena with the six other women. The class was to be taught by yet another new instructor, which was slightly annoying, but Sam sucked it up. At Mrs. Addison’s words, Sam mounted the black horse, and brought him over to the rail at a slow walk. They warmed up, alternating between a walk and trot, and collected and extended gaits.

Outfit

[Cora Addison]

Cora watched her students enter, a bit surprised that there were only five. She’d been expecting more, but she hoped that this was her class, and that no students were late. She preferred smaller classes, as she got to focus on her students more, and they could get more done. She greeted the first three girls when they entered, and nodded to the last two. She assessed their horses quickly. Four of the five had horses, and there was only one pony, which she’d have to take into consideration for later lessons. Once all the girls had entered and started working their horses on the rail she called out from the center. ”Okay girls. Please bring your horses into the center and line up. I’d like you to introduce yourself and your horse before we begin.”

After all the girls lined up in the center, she began by introducing herself, ”I’ve already told you that my name is Ms. Addison, but I’ll let you know a little more about myself. I competed in the hunter and jumper disciplines for many years, and more recently I’ve been teaching. I own two horses named Fin and Remi who are here with me. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to give you private lessons as well. I look forward to seeing all of you succeed in the discipline.” She paused, propping her hand on her hip, ”This class will be focusing on skills for both hunter over fences and hunter under saddle. We’ll be working on flat work frequently, so that you’ll be just as prepared for hunter under saddle classes should you choose to enter them. Once all of you have introduced yourselves, please move your horse back to the rail and trot once around the ring. When you reach C, please pick up the canter and keep it for two laps around the ring before down-transitioning back to the trot. Then, please take the diagonal from H to F and pick up the canter at A, cantering another two laps and then back to the trot again.” She finished, and gestured to the first rider, who was a blonde on a light grey warmblood.

[Rose Hoff]

Rose continued to trot Vintage at the rail until Ms. Addison called them into the center. The mare had been working nicely, though she definitely had a bit more power than usual. Bringing her back to a walk, Rose loosened her reins a bit and moved Vintage to the center, though still kept the mare on it bit. She stopped her square, lining up with the other girls in the center. Listening to the instructor give a brief history and explain about her horses, Rose considered setting up a private lesson with the new instructor. It would be good to learn more about what the instructor expected, and get some individual feedback. When Ms. Addison finished and gestured to Rose, she spoke briefly, and just loud enough for them to be able to hear, "My name is Rose Hoff, and this is Vintage." She rubbed the mare's withers fondly. She was familiar with most of the girls in the class, but she didn't know some of the horses as well, and listened as they were introduced.

Once all of the other students had finished speaking, Rose walked Vintage back to the rail as instructed and asked her to trot. After completing her lap around the ring, she asked Vintage for the canter at C. The make struck off strongly, and Rose collected her a bit, though still kept her strong enough. Staying in her hunt seat position, she made her movements subtle and managed to keep Vintage looking clean as well. The second time around at the canter, Vintage threw her head a bit and flicked her tail irritably. Closing her knees snugger, Rose collected her a bit more, trying to keep the mare moving nicely at the bit. Trotting her when they reached C for the second time, she trotted her down the diagonal at H, sitting for two strides in the center and continuing strongly to F. Once she reached A, she asked Vintage for the canter again, and the two made it around the ring twice without any fuss. Rose had found that as long as she could keep Vintage occupied and interested, the mare was more likely to comply. Trotting her again at A, she continued, waiting for further instructions.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri was a bit surprised with the overall outcome with the number of students. Still, she preferred to have less new faces to memorize. She had after all learnt with a tutor back home for the majority of her life. While she may have preferred BRRA now, the brunette did miss he one on one time with the tutors. Of course, there had been no friends there or any competition; something to make her feel like being the best other than the force of her demanding father. Escaping her thoughts, the brunette watched the woman closely, her ears catching every word intently.

She always tried her best in this class, due to her rather large liking of it and wanted to pay attention to make sure she was doing everything perfectly. Of course, Henri had her problems with perfection, but she got as close as she could to it. Sometimes, at her rather happy moments, the girl felt as she could manage to slightly brush it. Henri nodded slightly at the woman’s instructions, mainly based on her old habits. She had to respond no matter what as she’d done in her private lessons. Turning Hutch with her leg and seat, as the horse didn’t like to get pulled around, Henri easily steered him into the line.

She left enough space between her and other horses as she did, not wanting to cause any kind of ruckus on the woman’s first day on the job. The last thing she needed was to get on her favorite class’s instructor’s bad side. Henri smiled slightly as the woman spoke about private lessons. Due to her upbringing, she tended to do particularly well with those. Noting it down in her mind, the girl decided she would go and ask her about it when class ended. She returned her attention back to the woman as her voice began again.

Henri raised a brow as Ms. Addison went on about hunter under saddle classes. Those actually sounded quite interesting, and it seemed as if Hutch would benefit from that. Nodding once more and stopping halfway as she heard Rose introduce herself and her pretty mount, Henri realized it was her turn. Giving the class a bit of shy smile, she began quietly “I’m Henri, and this is Hutch.” she turned her head as she proceeded to go down the fence at the trot. Hutch snorted, trotting nicely for her however and already knowing by her body movement and shortening of the reins they were going to canter at C. Half halting him into the gait, the gelding picked up on the right lead and Henri had him collected and balanced by the end of the second lap.

She brought the horse back to trot, in which he protested a bit before coming down to a trot. Hutch got excited quite easily, but she crossed the diagonal, sitting for a beat to change her diagonal and continuing onto A. She again half halted the horse and sat deeply, pushing the horse into a nicer canter than the first. He completed the lap with little to no problems, not quite pushed up to the bit but relaxed enough to be collected. Finally at A, Henri brought the gelding back down to a trot and waited for more directions.

[Kate Holden]

Kate was most excited for her first hunter/jumper class. This was her discipline, and she was eager to meet her instructor and see how the classes would play out. She could have used Poet or Cailin for the class, but decided on Poet. It would be her first lesson using him as her horse. Before, she'd leased him and his owner had always been staring over her shoulder, but Kate's parents had bought him for her to come to Blue Ridge. The owner hadn't been thrilled to see Poet go, but had finally agreed. Kate now found Poet in his stall, happy to see the name plate read

Philosophical Whim
Owned by Kate Holden

She led him out to the cross ties outside of his stall and groomed him quickly. The gelding was already pretty clean, as he'd had his rug on, and she only needed to really brush around his legs and pick his hooves. Once happy with the dark bay's appearance, she grabbed his tack, using his sage saddle pad and her jumping saddle. Pulling on her Charles Owen and gloves, she bridled him and led him out to the jumping ring. Calling out "Gate!" and entering, she checked his girth and mounted, vaulting up from the ground. The rest of the students were warming up, so she did the same, and lined up with the rest of the girls when the instructor said to, smiling apologetically for her lateness. She listened closely to Ms. Addison, and introduced herself when it came time, "My name is Kate, and I'm riding Poet."

Moving Poet out to the rail again, she asked him for a trot, which he picked up immediately. She posted to his long, flowing trot once around, as instructed, and picked up the canter smoothly. They cantered twice around, Kate being sure to keep her legs still and hands together, before down transitioning to the trot and taking the diagonal. She sat twice in the center to change her diagonal and then asked for the canter at A. She felt herself getting a little sloppy with her signals, just assuming that Poet would be perfect, and the gelding was not having it, so he kept the trot. Asking again more clearly, Kate cantered Poet twice around before trotting him again at A, patting his neck. God bless the gelding for keeping her aware and on her toes. She should never forget to be clear with him, for the gelding knew his signals well, but would not deal with any sloppiness.