Mounted Games 3.0

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Bruce stepped back as he surveyed the arena. Lanes 1, 3 and 6 were ready to go. Today he was going to split the class into three teams of three and they were going to play a version of the Tack Shop race. Each lane had a money box - a shallow bowl - secured to the top of the first pole, there was an upturned barrel after the last pole with a plastic grooming trug, and a couple of meters after the change over line was another barrel, and on this one were four items: a dandy brush, sponge, tail bandage and a small tin of saddle soap.

Since he had a class of eleven riders and ponies, he would have the two youngest members sit out of the race, allowing Adrianna and Aurora a chance to just observe the others and possibly pick up a trick or while the race went on.

He walked over to the yards where the ponies stood waiting for their riders to arrive and give them some attention - not that any of them were starved of attention. "Hey Dolly." He greeted the Ragdoll cat who stood on the railing of Mo's yard. "I'll make sure Florence leaves Mo's blanket so that you can next in it." Each of the horses had on their rugs to keep them warm while they waited in the chilly air.

[Cara-Jean Kitchi]

Wearing her winter-weight jodhpurs, a long sleeved polo and a sleeveless jacket, Cara carried her Charles Owen helmet under her arm as she headed out toward the mounted games arena. She enjoyed the freedom of the mounted games lessons and it also gave her a chance to work with a different mount than her own.

Arriving at the arena, she bowed her head toward Mr Ropata before she slipped over to the yard that contained Bonnie, the flaxen chestnut New Forest pony that she had been assigned. "Hello, beautiful." She greeted as she closed her hand around the grooming bucket as she ducked under the gate and straightened up to stand beside the pony.

She arched an eyebrow as Bonnie flattened her ears. "I know, it's cold and there's possibly going to be a bit of mud." She told the mare as she undid the straps of the rug and folded it back to expose the front half of the mare. "But you will behave yourself and do as you are asked." She set to work brushing the mare, first the front half and then pulling the rug back into place, she folded it the other way and groomed the mare's hind quarters. Finally pulling the rug off all together, she folded it neatly over the back fence of the yard and got to work getting the mare dust free and tacked up.

Once the mare was ready, Cara put her helmet into place and then led the mare toward the arena, wanting to get Bonnie relaxed and settled before the arena had more riders. Vaulting onto the mare's back, she closed her legs around Bonnie's girth as the mare tried to slip out from under her before she pushed her feet into the stirrups and squeezed the mare forward.

[Becca Walsh]

Becca, as usual, was rather excited for her Mounted Games class. She'd been having a lot of fun with it, and really enjoyed working with Chris. The New Forest was large for a pony, but much smaller than Frye, at his mighty height of 17 hands. She'd grabbed her GPA before heading down to the mounted games arena, already wearing her winter riding boots which kept her feet warm during the winter. They'd been of more use when she'd lived in Vermont, but it still got cold here, and she was grateful for them.

She smiled at Mr. Ropata when she arrived before finding Chris in his yard and greeting him, rubbing his nose affectionately. The chestnut overo immediately reached out his nose to try and detect if Becca had any treats on her, and looked a little disappointed when he found none. She got his brushes and took his blanket off, folding it carefully and placing it over the fence as she'd seen Cara had done. "I'll be quick," she promised the pony, knowing that he'd be a little chilly until they started working. She groomed him thoroughly, which didn't take long, and tacked him up just as quickly. Putting on her helmet, she bridled the gelding and led him out into the arena.

Mounting him from the ground, Becca pat his neck before moving him out to the rail. She felt safe and sturdy on the pony, which was something she was grateful for. The gelding was brave and aimed to please, which made riding him very pleasant, especially in comparison to Frye.

[Leonardo Jacobs]

Leo was actually rather excited for his first mounted games lesson from winter break. It had been a while since he’d seen the pony he was assigned to, and he was eager to get back to work. The last lesson had simply been one of learning and this time, the boy was quite ready to do his best for a beginner. Walking in his calm, large strides, the brunette reached the mounted games area and caught sight of his instructor. He offered the man his respectful, and shy smile “Hello Mr. Ropota.” his greeting was quiet as usual before he moved onto to the yard that held Joe.

The boy whistled a soft tune to himself as he entered carrying a grooming kit, coming up to the pony gently. He didn’t know the animal well enough to call him to him. Raising his head from his current searching for food, Joe gave the boy a slightly annoyed look before turning around and continuing his search for food. Leo chuckled at the sight of the horse’s signaling hindquarters. “Come on Joe, I know it’s been long, but we have to get to work.” he explained softly, but firmly to the horse.

In response came a snort. Leo felt a grin pull onto his lips before he gently unclipped the clips on Joe’s thick blanket. Surely, the gelding would be cold if he pulled the whole thing off completely, though after witnessing Cara and her pony, Leo figured he might as well try the same thing. Back home in Napa, he hadn’t used much blankets as they weren’t needed as much. Opening a small bit, Leo began to work the brush over the gelding’s coat before switching to a soft brush and continuing. He worked vigorously around where the blanket hadn’t covered, as the pony had gotten quite muddy before pulling it off and getting everything he’d missed.

Finally, Joe stood clean and ready to be tacked. Leo grabbed the blanket and pulled it on with ease. It still was a bit different than Avi’s usual taller back, but he enjoyed being able to see where everything went. As usual, he received Joe’s flattening ears as he tightened up the girth and then his attempt to nip him. Leo smacked the gelding before he got a chance, scolding him softly. “No Joe.” Voice firm, but not angry were the horse’s punishments. He was young still and didn’t know much better.

Leo adjusted his helmet properly on his head, and pushed his brown hair out of his blue eyes. They were ready. He brought Joe into the arena quite contently, and the gelding followed in the same suit. Now fully awake, Joe was rather excited to get to run. Mounting up quite easily onto the small horse, Leo held Joe still as the pony attempted to go before he was situated. “Hold on.” Leo grinned at the gelding’s eagerness before finally letting him walk forward.

[William//Adrianna Gibbson]

Ria literally ran out of the White Ribbon house, giggling and shrieking as she tried to avoid her uncle. At the door to the dorms, William stopped, smiling slightly as he watched, the girl's purple jacket still hanging from his hand. Ria was wearing a thin sweatshirt, all that she claimed she needed, and the thick down jacket had become something of a running joke between the pair of them. Since she had grown up in the far north, in Alaska, William was more inclined to let her make her own choices, even at seven.

Panting rather heavily, Ria slowed down as soon as she was out of sight of the dorm buildings. She zipped up her snug sweatshirt, then started skipping towards the mounted games arena, her hair tousled and windblown. She arrived with her breath calmer, so when she approached the teacher, she could smile broadly again, "Hi Mr. Ropata!" She turned and walked to Gloria's stall, climbing over the fence instead of taking the more-conventional route through the gate. She glanced around and saw Cara with only half of her pony uncovered. Doing her best to copy the older girl's method, she clumsily unbuckled Gloria's blanket, then roughly pulled it back to reveal the mare's front. Gloria turned her head and sidestepped slightly, but then settled down again as the girl grabbed her brush.

After finishing her brushing, Ria started saddling up the pony. After buckling the bridle, she took the mare's reins, then led her out of the yard, taking the gate this time, and walked her to the arena. She buckled on her helmet, then ungraciously pulled herself up into the saddle, without the use of the mounting block. She straightened, then, smiling, asked Gloria for a walk around the edge of the arena.

[John Ahearne]

John pulled his grey sweatshirt tighter around his muscular frame as he made his way towards the mounted games arena. He enjoyed the class, which gave him a chance to keep his promise to his mother, and the horse that he had been assigned to, Rocky, was a change in pace from Lilja, his own Western-trained mount. As he approached the yards, he saw that he wasn't the first to arrive, but he wasn't late for the class, either. He let himself into Rocky's yard and held out a hand to the gelding.

After the gelding had reassured himself that John hadn't magically changed in essence during the winter break, he came right up to him, showing his friendly side. John pulled the gelding's blanket off fully, draping it over the fence of the pony's yard, then set to grooming the Connemara.

After he had tacked up the gelding, John buckled his helmet on, then took Rocky's reins and lead him into the arena. He mounted up, noting Rocky's excitement already and making sure to remind the gelding that he was there, and that he needed to be focused. He nudged the gelding onto the rail, falling into the pattern that the other students had started, as he snuck glances at the lanes, wondering what they would be doing for the day.

[Micheal 'Mike' Guiliford]

Mike blew little puffs of white clouds while the crunch of snow grazed ground under his feet sang. Today was his first day with Dazzle from bbireak and he was happy to see the Arabian cross. Not only had be been glad to see her, he had grown attracted to the mare. It was a rather nice break from the geldings of his, though he would never give them up.

His winter riding boots finally quieted when he neared the ponies yards where his multicolored mount stuck out, even with her blanket. Mike smiled softly and began towards Dazzle's yard, before reaching it he offered the instructor a quick greeting. AsMike approached the horse saw him and gave him a soft greeting. "Hey beautiful." He grinned softly as he entered the yard and removed her blanket, setting it on the fence of the yard. Quickly he began his routine for prepping his assigned Arabian/Thoroughbred cross.

Once she was all tacked up Mike led Dazzle out of the yard and began towards the arena, buckling his helmet as they walked along. Mike quickly stopped the horse before vaulting himself into the saddle. Dazzle, as usual was on her happy-go-lucky streak and ready to get going. Mike went with the flow, following the other students as they warmed up their own mounts.