There's nothing like it (Zeke, open)

[daine6]

Chris had been dying to get out on the Cross-country courses since he'd arrived at Blue ridge a few days prior. Cross-country was his and Steele's best event, and, to make matters even better, the academy had several different levels of the course to choose from... everything from easy to Grand Prix level!

The teen had chosen to ride the advanced course instead of the 'national level' one, as he knew that the easier courses would be boring for his gelding, and he wanted to check out the other, more advanced course before really trying it with Steele. The advanced courses had always provided a challenging, yet fairly simple ride, so Chris would stay with what he knew at the moment.

He smiled when he felt the horse he rode prance in place, eager to do what he did best, run and jump. The teen petted Steele's blue-black neck gently, leaning over and looking at the protective boots on his legs to make sure they were in their proper place. They were. Christopher sat back slightly, stretching his legs out for a moment. The teen knew he and Steele looked show-fit at the moment. He wore a pair of white riding breeches and a dark blue long-sleeved polo shirt with a black protective vest on over it. His Troxel helmet was fitted snugly on his head and his field boots were polished to a black shine. Likewise, Steele's blue-black coat gleamed and his snow-white socks and blazed face seemed to almost glow, thanks to the usage of baby-powder. His black saddle and bridle were clean and polished, though the tack was just schooling tack, and the white quilted pad he wore was unblemished. Chris took pride in his and Steele's appearances, even when it was just for schooling.

Steele tossed his head eagerly when Chris's fingers finally closed down on the reins, tugging gently at the 3-ring gag in the tall horses mouth. "Steady..." Chris whispered softly to the horse, waiting patiently. He wouldn't let the huge horse go, wouldn't give him the command to run, until Steele stood patiently for a few moments without any head-tossing or eager movements. Chris liked for his gelding to know and mind his manners. The teen was only planning on running the first five jumps in the course at first (a Triple-Brush Arrowhead, a Combination, a Corner, a Trakehner, and a Drop-Fence), but he still wanted the horse to behave.

[warrie2]

Zeke walked into the barn wearing his white breeches, white button down black jacket and black boots his outfit looked quite expensive. He headed straight to his handsome gelding Basile Ignace who bobbed his head and whinnied. He patted the geldings neck before clipping the lead rope onto his halter and leading him out of his stall and tying him on the cross ties before going and grabbing Basile's tack and grooming kit. He set the take on the stall door then set the grooming kit at his feet before beginning to groom the black and white tobiano, friesian and paint cross.

Everyone including Zeke found the gelding really handsome and charming be the way he liked to cuddle but getting to know him better one would learn he is quite a handful.After he finished grooming Basile he put on the english saddle pad then saddle and bridle. The tack looked expensive just like Zeke's clothing but Zeke payed little attention to the coast and more attention on how it made him and his horse feel. Once Basile was tacked and his girth and everything was tightened and in place Zeke bent down and wrapped the geldings legs. He then walked Basile out of the stables put on his helmet then mounted up and walking him toward the cross country course.

Basile knew it was just for play so the gelding decided he wouldn't listen as he trotted toward the course doing little buck and hops before Zeke forced him into a canter so he had no choice but to listen for at least a little. Zeke pulled him to a walk when he saw another guy on a blue-black gelding who he seemed to be keeping till until he learned his manners. Zeke was still working on Basile's manners because the friesian and paint cross, had had very little training when Zeke's parents saved him from slaughter and ever since Zeke has been working hard on training him right. Zeke himself had trained Basile to ride. Zeke stopped a few feet away and smiled slightly. "Hello, I'm Zeke." He said his French Accent filling the mainly silent air, it was also full of Basile's impatient snorts and whinnies. Zeke hoped that the other guy wouldn't mind him interrupting his work with his handsome gelding.

[daine6]

Chris was focused on the course and on his gelding. Steele was slowly calming down and getting still, which was a good thing. The horse knew what he had to do, but he sometimes just got iffy. He never attempted a buck or anything, he just got very 'wiggly'. The boy was so focused on his horse and the cross-country course that he didn't hear the other rider approach, even with the other horse snorting and all, and Steele either didn't notice or chose to ignore the newcomers as he settled completely down.

Chris held him still for a few extra seconds, then let the reins slip through his fingers. The big, bold horse took the initiative and took off at a fact canter... for all of three strides. The teen had let the horse take of right ass the other rider, whom he hd somehow managed to not notice, spoke, and the welcome from the other guy took Chris by surprise. The boy pulled Steele's head around, causing the big horse to put up a fight when his forwards momentum was stolen. Steele leapt in the air to keep his balance, front legs splayed before landing; Chris leaned forwards over his thick neck as he spun in a half-circle, and when the horse landed, the boy slowly pushed himself back up. The wild stop hadn't fazed the teen; Chris was used to doing things like that... but still, he felt maybe a little annoyed...

The annoyance didn't last long, though, as Chris looke upon the face of the newcomer, quickly realizing that he didn't know the guy. Chris was adaptable and the irritation slipped off his face in a heartbeat, his usual confident grin falling back into place. "Hi." The boy said after a moment. "I'm Chris. Uh, nice to meet you." Steele snorted his annoyance and ducked his head.