Cross Country 2.I (Students)

[Kendall Salenk]

Kendall tacked up Pompeii with the gelding's worn tack. She didn't want to ride Ash, because Casey still had permission to bring the mare to lessons, and Kendall hoped she would do so for today. They would be doing some exercises that she would prefer not having totally new horses on the course for, but if it did happen, she would find an alternate assignment for those students.

When she had finished tacking up the gelding, Kendall hung Pompeii's halter over his stall door, ready to be used when they came back from class. Since the halter was embroidered with the gelding's name and Kendall's own name, there was little chance of it being stolen, and this wasn't the kind of place to worry about that anyway.

The cross country teacher led her gelding outside, limping slightly, but not quite as pronounced as it could get. She led the horse to the mounting block, something she had scorned at before. If only her coach could see her now! She scoffed at the idea and heaved herself aboard Pompeii, settling into the stirrups. Her leg ached slightly, but it wasn't too bad... Now. She rubbed her arms to ward off the slight chill from the wind. Despite her long-sleeved jacket, the cold wind was chilling, and as she looked up at the sky, she could see dark clouds gathering. Hopefully, she mused, the rain would hold off for their lesson, but that remained to be seen.

She tapped her left heel into Pompeii's side, and they moved off towards the intermediate Cross Country course at a trot. Pompeii had a comfortable trot to sit to, so the gait was easy for Kendall. She pulled the horse to a stop in the center of the field that was their classroom and waited patiently for her students to arrive. It was the same pattern as every week, but it was calming, and she couldn't wait for the class to begin. She had gotten a few barn hands to help her check the course earlier, and today, they would be doing something fun, just for the sake of it.

[daine2]

Bronwyn grinned in delight as she haltered and led her gelding to the crossties and started grooming his blue-black coat. It didn't take long before the girl had the horse sleek and shiny, though his winter coat was beginning to come in and he was beginning to get a little fluffy. Bronwyn didn't are, though, and simply patted his side as she swung the english saddle onto his back and affixed the bridle and bit in his mouth.

She unclipped the crossties and led the horse to the mounting block, stepping up and swinging over his sixteen hand frame easily. The horse started to move off immediately, energetically, but Bronwyn stopped him and quickly situated herself. She wore a fitted long-sleeved shirt with a polo t-shirt on over it and jods with tall boots. For the girl, doubling shirts was warm enough without requiring a jacket, though the wind was a little chilly when it came from the north. She was wearing fingerless gloves, though.

Phantom eagerly started off at a trot, which was soon moved up into a medium-canter as they made their way to the cross-country course, using the short ride as their warm-up. Bronnie slowed back to a walk as the instructor became visible and she cued Phantom to stop a few feet away and loosed his reins, letting him stretch his neck. "Good afternoon."

[Becca Walsh]

Becca tacked Frye up quickly, glad that the gelding seemed to be in a good mood. She hadn't had a lot of time to train cross country with him lately, and this lesson was sure to be fun. Her arm still ached a bit from when he'd hurt her before the equestrian trials, but it was healing up nicely, though it was sure to leave a scar. She was dressed in a black fitted fleece and scarlet breeches. The unusually colored breeches had been a gift from Kaitlin, and they were some of Becca's favorites. She used a red trimmed saddle pad, knowing that Frye would look striking in it too.

The gelding was sure to be energetic with the weather getting cooler. Becca led him out when she was done tacking him up and mounted him from the ground, vaulting herself onto his back, her reins gathered close in her hands to discourage him from moving. She made her way down to the cross country courses, trotting him to warm him up a bit. The gelding's ground covering strides took them there easily, and Becca slowed him. The gelding threw his head indignantly, and sidestepped in protest as Becca tried to hold him in place before the instructor. She greeted her warmly despite Frye's antics, "Hello!" She moved him off quickly, knowing that he'd be on better behavior if she kept him moving.

[Avery Jacobs]

Black field boots made very pronounced clacks against the barn ground as the brunette entered. She had, of course ridden this new horse of hers before a few times just to try him out. It had turned out Dev was just as her grandmother had promised, a young but quite amazing mount. Just walking had caused the girl to be able to glow with excitement at his power. Avery walked up to the gelding’s stall, holding out a hand. They hadn’t known each other for too long and she knew he was just as new as she was in this school. It had already been her first day and she had already gotten shouted at by some lunch lady. Avery smirked at the memory before sliding the stall door open.

The girl led the horse out smoothly, taking her time to latch him in the cross ties and start grooming. She rubbed vigorously in small little circles with the curry comb, getting out all the patches of whatever he had rolled in last night. Being a ticklish youngster, Dev snorted at the girl moving side to side as she groomed him until she would give him a sharp word about it. Still, the girl couldn’t help but realize how funny the creature was. Avery actually chuckled a little as his head went up down as she flicked off dust from his tummy.

Finally after a nicely done grooming session, Dev’s dark coat shined beautifully. Avery stepped back to look over him before nodding to herself and grabbing his tack. She had only barely used tack that her grandmother had bought her from another time. It always was a mystery to her why her grandmother spent all her limitless money on her granddaughter instead of saving her son in law’s farm. She was still a bit pissed about this fact, but she did appreciate the many things she got from it.

Tightening the girth before the mounting block and pulling her strips down, Avery climbed up the mounting block and held his reins in one hand. She quickly mounted up, cursing as the horse immediately walked forward as she was halfway in the saddle. Immediately making him back up, the brunette made him keep still at the mounting block for a few moment before softly nudging his sides and walking over to the cross country course. A smile played on her lips as the greenery hit her eyes, cross country was her favorite. It seemed to be Dev’s as well as the horse began to walk faster. Avery eased him smoothly and pushed him up to the small group of people already there. Her expression turned emotionless once more and she looked at the instructor, offering a fake smile. “Avery Jacobs. I’m new so I might not be on your list.” she said curtly before giving a nod to the two other girls in greeting. She wasn't in the mood to be all nice and sweet.

[oakley]

Don stood rock still for Hannah to dismount. He hadn't yet begun to sweat, but his body was obviously warm as steam wafted from his large liver chestnut frame. The gelding was of Canadian Hanoverian breeding and stood at 16.2 hands, a good size for his blood, but very tall in comparison to his petite mount, Hannah Greene. Donneroh Seven was a seasoned show horse, he had been trained to be exceptional at dressage, and d**n right he was. But today was his first eventing class, Cross Country. Sure, Don had been trained in jumping and hunter and what not, but Hannah knew this would be very different for him. Plus she was just downright excited. She had decided to warm him up early, as he often took a bit longer than the average horse to get limbered up, so as not to hold the class back.

Now, Hannah patted her mount before retracting the reins over his head and leading him from the indoor arena to his barn. She concentrated on walking him back and forth through the aisles to cool him down a bit. When Don's breathing went back to normal, Hannah remounted, without the aid of a mounting block. She was a lithe gymnast with very little weight to bare, making it look easy to mount such a tall animal. She stuck her foot in the iron, hopped then vaulted smoothly onto Don's broad back. After a moment, she reined him around and exited the barn.

The cross country course looked intimidating, larger than the one at her old school. There was already at least three students standing around or warming their mounts up. Determined to not be the last student to arrive, Hannah repositioned her weight to her toes a bit, lifting her hind end from her Italian dressage saddle ever so slightly, cuing for a canter. The bright copper gelding beneath her responded immediately, moving into a smooth, quiet canter, his strides long but collected. Hannah loosened her rein and allowed him to drop his neck and pick up an extended canter, sitting a bit more in her saddle after he reached what she thought was an appropriate rate. She didn't need people thinking she was a reckless rider. Don was limber at the moment anyway.

The pair slowed to a springy trot about fifty yards from the course and the other students, then a lively walk. Donner enjoyed jumping quite a bit, and he was good at it, but Hannah had stuck with what he had been based at training and mainly bred for, dressage. Now, he looked eagerly at the course laid out before him. You're ready to rock now, aren't you Don? Hannah said it with an adoring smile as she patted his sleek, hard neck. It was chilly out today, so Hannah had chosen her thicker riding breeches and a hoodie from her old high school in Tennessee, hair up in a sock bun under a fairly expensive looking riding helmet. Her and her mount approached the group quietly, hoping they weren't late.

[Erica Jane Morgan]

"Time for Cross Country" She muttered to herself to remind herself as she walked towards White Oak barn. She walked down the aisles of stalls before finally reaching Ace. The Fresian snorted as he popped his head out of his stall. She grinned and patted the gelding's neck. "Yeah, nice to see you too.." She teased as she brushed her hand down his neck before grabbing the halter and lead.

As she unlocked the stall and lead the gelding into cross ties, the black Fresian whinnied loudly and pawed the ground. 'That's some weird behavior from Ace..' The blonde thought to herself as she grabbed her grooming kit and ran a brush through Ace's coat. After finishing the daily grooming session before being ridden. She went to grab the tack.

She flapped on the saddle pad and brushed off any dust or wrinkles from the tack room. Yet she doubt that. She slid on the saddle and crouched down to the notch as it jangled from being latched into place. The bridle took a while. The gelding kept moving his muzzle away from the bit, which made Erica frustrated. She sighed and growled under breathe before finally getting the bit on him. She took a breathe of relief and went to put away the grooming kit before heading out.

As they passed the entrance of the barn, she swung the reins over the Fresian's perked up ears and started to mount the gelding up. She shivered slightly as a cold gust of wind went by them. Luckily she was wearing her warm pair of riding jeans, plaid long sleeve shirt, and a comfortable jean jacket. Ace neighed softly and shook his mane, making the reins jingle in Erica's hands. She clucked the gelding forward towards the Cross Country Courses, where the class was held.

The pair entered the area where there were already a few students that were there before she arrived. She grinned at anybody who looked over to see who was arriving to class next. She then walked Ace over to the group and halted. She then bowed her head towards the Cross Country instructor in respect. She looked around to see if she knew any of the students at all. Yet no luck. She sighed as she twirled her finger at a strand of hair in her black horse's mane, as she waited for the class to start. She doesn't think she's late.

[Taylor Westin]

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CROSS COUNTRY! Taylor was excited. An eventer at heart, he was a true lover of the cross country portion and it was an event that Drake excelled at too. The bold gelding didn't refuse often, but Taylor was less experienced than his mount and the pair was learning a tremendous amount from each other. After three years of solidly competing together in eventing competitions as a team, the two had a solid working relationship.

Taylor strolled down the White Oak Barn aisle, confident and excited until he reached Belvedere's stall. The bay gelding stuck his head over the door and tossed it in excited recognition. Smiling Taylor walked over to the bay and rubbed his head affectionately. How's my gorgeous boy doing today? Ready to have some fun on the cross country course?? Yeah me too... He chuckled as he grabbed his lead line which was hanging outside his stall door, clipped it on and opened the stall door, leading the tall gelding out and over to the cross-ties. He clipped the gelding in and walked quickly over to the tack room and grabbed a grooming kit and half of the required tack. He returned placed the gear down and jogged back, gathering the remaining gear. Drake tried to turn his head at Taylor's approach and shifted his weight in impatience.

Yeah..yeah...chill out Drake...you'll get your beauty treatment. He dropped the gear and picked up the kit as he set about doing the grooming ritual. Drake seemed to mellow out under Taylor's firm strokes and currying. He quickly cleaned out Drake's feet and then slapped on the saddle pad. Drake's head bobbed suddenly, up and down as Taylor finished up the saddle. Tightening the girth, Drake tried to puff himself out more, but Taylor knew the trick and adequately had the girth in the right notch. Nice try bud. He chuckled as he fed the gelding the bit, with a little bit if trying. He finished tightening the bridle and gathered the reins. Slipping off the halter underneath and un-clipping it from the cross-ties, Taylor led the gelding out into the open air. It was cold and nippy out today. He zipped up his slicker, glad to have it, and mounted the gelding. He pointed the bay to the course and they moved at a nice and animated, but easy pace. Both horse and boy were glad to be out and about and Drake seemed to grow even more bold as he saw the jumps of the cross country course begin to appear.

Taylor quickly spotted the gathering class and guided Drake with ease towards the group. He smiled and kept the animated Drake in check. Hello there guys. His voice was a chipper and his smile contagious. This was a class that he was actually excited about and he couldn't wait to begin.

[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 in his helmet then mounted up and walking him toward the cross country course. Basile did as he was asked without fighting it as if he knew he was headed into a place he needed to look and act his best. Zeke turned Basile toward instructor knowing he would have to introduce himself. "Hello, I am Zeke Warrick i'm new here." He said his french accent was strong showing he was from France. Zeke turned Basile before walking him around the area staying where he could hear the instructor. Basile did more of a handsome prance then walk but he was being good so Zeke let him do it knowing he would top when class began.

[Kendall Salenk]

Kendall smiled as her first student came up to her, "Good afternoon." Pompeii shifted under her, and she used a subtle twitch of the reins to still him. She saw her next student arrive, on a rather hot-headed gelding, it seemed, and grinned, "Hello." She didn't say anything as the girl moved her horse off to keep him moving, glad that she didn't ask the horse to quiet down just yet. The next girl, she gave a subtle nod to, "I haven't glanced at my list since this morning, Avery, so I don't know if you're on it, but I'll mark you as present." She smiled encouragingly, then turned to the next three students, who arrived in quick succession. As the time hit 'class' time, she smiled at the last student to arrive, "Welcome, Zeke."

She cued Pompeii to stop again, noting the absence of a few students, and smiled at the group, "Just for the new people, welcome to Blue Ridge, you can call me Kendall, or Ms. Salenk, whichever you prefer." She looked around, including the girl who was walking her mount around, "I'm going to give you guys ten minutes to warm up your mounts, because we'll be jumping right into the lesson after that." She glanced around, "Before we start, is anyone here not comfortable with cross country yet, where they would rather work on the 'how' than the fine tuning?" If they were, she would have to think of something for them to do instead, but she would wait for that to happen. After she had gotten her response, she made a shooing gesture with her hands, "Go ahead and get warmed up, then." She moved Pompeii over to the side of the field, so she could watch her students.

[Westin Bryer]

Rushing now from one of his earlier classes to the next, Westin was relieved that he hadn't made it so late to Cross Country; rather than his experience at Show Jumping class.

Already mounted up onto his horse, KNight and him were ready to go, and as they makde there way down the small slope to the arena; Westin thought that it wasn't as bad as London's schooling system. Not at all, or even close to it. Unlatching the gate, while calling it, Wess rode in with Knight; hurrying to avoid being ran over by a horse and rider himself.

Making his way into the middle, he saw the instrutor plain as day, and he was happy whenever he was actually able to read in class, as horsemankship was the best way to do so. Hello sir, by names Westin Bryer, I just transferred. I like to go by Wess though.

Knight then again lowered his head, wanting a scartch behind his ears or a pat on the neck. Now tired of his horrible behavior, Wess apologized for his horse's behavior, and hoped that it wasn't taken as the wrong way.