Mounted Games Class (open)

[lottii]

Marie went and tacked up her three little ponies, Midge was the largest of the three, 13.2hh and the most sensible. Cassie is 12.2hh and rather sane is the best way to describe. A speedy, cheeky little pony, Marie was sure someone without a suitable pony would love to ride her in class. Marie went and tacked up the last little pony of hers, Gizmo. The cheekiest, quirkiest little pony she has known, Marie still didn't know whether to trust Gizmo with a student. It would have to be someone exceptional, despite Gizmo's issues, he was one of the most talented Mounted Games ponies Marie had ever seen.

Marie swiftly led the ponies out of the stable, and vaulted onto Midge, leading the other two from her, grabbing a handful of halters and ropes on the way. When she got to the field they were using for the class, she hopped off. Haltering the ponies over the top of the bridles, she tied them just loose enough to the fence. She made a little fuss of each of them, and wondered again what her students would be like.

Marie glanced at her watch, 15 minutes until her students should start arriving, although she expected a couple would be early. Just enough time to set out the equipment. Placing out two rows of bending poles, she started deciding the order of the races they would practice. Deciding on the order, Marie made her way towards the gate, collecting up a pile of Mounted Games rule books and a sheet of paper. The paper would be stuck on the fence, with a list of available ponies for anyone who wished to take part but didn't have a suitable pony themselves.

Marie wrote:

Anybody who does not have a pony which is under 14.2hh is more than welcome to take part in classes on a pony either of mine, or the Academy's. There are a number of horses available, and there is a little bit of detail on them below. Just let me know which horse you would like, and we can have a trial run and see if you are well suited.
Midget Gem (Midge). Midge is one of my ponies, she is a 13.2hh Connemara. She is fully trained in MG and would suit someone who wants a reliable mount who knows what to do when they are unsure.
Cassandra May (Cassie). Cassie is another of my ponies, a 12.2hh Welsh pony. She is well trained in MG and has competed with me to a high level. If given correct instructions she is a talented pony, she would be suited to anyone used to the cheekiness of ponies. She is forward going.
Comical Reference (Cosmo). Cosmo is owned by the Academy and is trained in dressage, not MG. He is an unpredictable ride, and I would prefer for him to not be used, although if we have lots of students without suitable ponies, an experienced rider with special consideration will be allowed to use him.
Jupiter's Comet (Zeus) is owned by the Academy and is an 11hh Dartmoor. He is trained in jumping, not MG and would suit anyone who can control little ponies with a mind of their own!
Jelly Bean (Oliver) is another Academy pony, he is primarily a pony for young children, but has a fair speed the odd time I have tried Mounted Games with him. He is tiny at 10.2hh.
Rip Van Winkle (Ripple) is an experienced 13.1hh MG pony who can be cheeky and take advantage of beginner riders. He would suit someone experienced with little ponies and intermediate with MG as he is very speedy. He is owned by the Academy.
Rocketed Forces (Rocker) a very speedy 12.3hh owned by the Academy. Not often suited to novice riders as he can get very over excited, for an intermediate rider he will teach them all the ways of MG.
Fallen Blossom (Yoko) is an experienced MG pony owned by the Academy. She is perfect for beginners as she has the speed there, but will take care of people. 13.2hh this mare is a dab hand at MG.

and stuck it carefully on the gate. Marie went back to her ponies and made a fuss of them, whilst waiting for her first students to arrive.

Marie didn't have many rules for the class. Just that students were courteous and respectful of the ponies. Marie expected the students to dress smartly, but simple was ok. As long as you were wearing clean jodhpurs and a plain colored top, she didn't have any objections.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara was standing in the aisle of Red Willow barn, the dapple grey Fell gelding in cross-ties in front of her as she polished his coat around the saddle with a cloth. She stepped back and admired the glossy look of his coat. "You're looking good." She told the pony and laughed as he flattened his ears and scrapped at the floor with his front hoof. She walked around him, looking at the long mane and tail that flowed free of tangles - yeah that had taken about the hours to accomplish.

She left the pony as she went into the tack room to retrieve the helmet she had left in there when she got his tack. Placing it on her head, she grabbed his rope halter in case it would be needed at some point and walked back out to the pony. "Come on Whistler." She said as she removed the ties and led him from the barn and down to the field that they were using.

She was dressed in a pair of beige jodhpurs, that looked as though they had only just been purchased even though she had owned them for a good year now, a pale blue polo shirt and her shiny black jodhpur boots. Her black hair was pulled back into a French braid and wound into a bun that sat neatly below her helmet. She was still trying to work out why she had signed up for mounted games, but it was too late to pull out now.

She jiggled the reins as the pony's steps slowed as he began to drag his feet, showing the girl what kind of mood he was in. "No you don't." The girl said as she moved to the gelding's shoulder and turned him in a circle. She shook her head as the dapple grey flattened his ears. There were two types of a day you could have with Whistler; he was either jumping out of his skin, ready to get going. Or, like today, he dragged his feet and didn't want to do anything.

They arrived at the field where the teacher was already waiting with a line of ponies tied to the fence. She smooched at Zeus who was tied up and almost wished that she had been assigned him for the day. "Sorry." She whispered to Whistler as she instantly felt guilty for her thoughts as she rubbed his forehead. They waited at the gate until they were given entrance.

[lottii]

Marie looked up from making a fuss of Gizmo when she heard soft footfalls approaching the paddocks. She spotted the dapple gray Fell pony she had been admiring in the stables earlier. It didn't take her long to recall the pony was Whistler and today a girl called Cara-Jean was riding him.

"Hello, please come in", Marie said quietly, looking at the slight girl hovering outside the gate with a Fell pony. "That must be Whistler, so are you Cara-Jean?" Marie said, opening the gate wide to let the pair through. "I think you are a little early, but that's ok, just warm up slowly and let Whistler have a look at everything". Marie stepped back, and admired Whistler's mane, he had a typical long mane of a Fell, it was beautifully combed. Care-Jean was certainly someone who was dedicated.

Marie was intrigued to watch the girl, she seemed to have a way around horses that was quite rare in someone so young.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara bowed her head respectfully as the woman opened the gate for them and welcomed them in. "Thank you, Ma'am." She said softly, her clipped English accent strong. "I am she."

She led the Fell into the field and once he was a good distance away from the ponies that were tied up, the girl pulled the stirrups down and crossed them in front of the pommel, she lifted the flap of the saddle and tightened the girth - since she had only put the buckles through the first hole when she's put the saddle on in the barn. She shook her head when he blew out his stomach and she tickled just behind the girth and he let it out in a rush. She pulled the girth tight before she lowered the flap, put the reins over his head, grabbed a handful of mane and vaulted her tiny frame into the saddle.

She sat tall for a moment before she lowered the stirrups and slid her feet into them before she squeezed him forward with her legs. "Walk up." She said softly when he refused to move. She felt his back tense up as she squeezed again and she sat deep, getting ready for what was going to come next. Though, rather than the fit that she expected, he just kicked out with a hand leg before he moved forward in a sluggish walk. "Walk up." The girl repeated again, her voice soft but the tone bright. She smiled and loosened her legs as the gelding's ears flickered back toward her and then went forward as he picked up a nicely paced walk. all of this accomplished without the young rider loosing her temper or the pony getting hit.

They worked their way around the field, the girl working the gelding through his paces now that he had decided that he was going to listen after all - anyway, he knew his rider well enough to know he wasn't going to get away doing nothing.

[lottii]

Marie stood quietly by the gate, one eye watching for any approaching students, the other watching Cara-Jean and Whistler. Cara-Jean seemed comfortable around horses, she noted almost straight away. The girl performed a light and easy vault onto the pony, no issues there then. The lightness was something which could only be achieved by practice, and often one of the hardest things to teach. As the girl started riding the horse, Marie felt a moment of frustration she did not know the horse's usual response as she watch Cara-Jean start warming him up. It seemed like he often had issues starting work, although the girl seemed to work over this happily, without the slightest bit of tension showing though. In fact, Cara-Jean appeared completely nonplussed about it. The gelding had lovely paces, but he didn't seem to show there was hidden speed in there. Marie almost found herself wishing the gelding would act up, just so she could see the girl's response. The only downside might be Cara-Jean having to change horse.

[Sync]

Alisha walked with another girl that she had befriended at the academy into the barn. Although Scarlett wasn't riding, she couldn't anymore, not for nine months, she was allowing Alisha to borrow Desire as her gelding was too big for the mounted games class. Scar said nothing as she walked along beside Alisha, wrapped up in her own thoughts. The came to a stop outside Desire's stall, and Scar told her that she would be back after her class to put away Desire. Alisha nodded and waited for the girl to leave the barn, and then turned to the cheeky Appaloosa. Desire looked slightly dejected that Scar hadn't stopped to give her attention, but soon got over it when Alisha ruffled her forelock. She then turned to go and collect Desire's tack. When she entered the tack room, she came face to face with another girl. She smiled warmly. You going to the mounted games class too? she asked the red head. El' nodded, returning the girls friendly smile. Yup, riding my pony Hank. I'm so glad they finally hired someone. I've been working alone for the past few months. El' had no trouble meeting new people, and Alisha was already warming to the bubbly female. It's my first time at the academy, I usually just trick ride. But, this just seems like so much fun. I did it on and off for a while. she grinned, and then told El' she'd see her in the arena, as they both needed to go and tack up their horses.

El' passed another student heading to the mounted games class. Hey Jay. she chuckled at her rhyme. Jay grinned back at the girl, he was actually quite fond of her. You okay, El'? Using Hank in the class, yeah? He knew El's pony well, the little paint was situated right beside Question. Both had become quite pally. El' nodded, entering Hank's stall, pausing to pat Question's pink muzzle as he stretched out toward her. Both youngsters set on tacking up the equines, doing so quickly. Both geldings seemed to want to go out and be worked, bored of being cooped up in the stalls. El' and Jay were on their way toward the arena in no time, meeting Alisha as she just left Desire's stall in front of them. Desire too had wanted to get out her stall, and had behaved for Alisha. Scar had warned her that she may play up, obviously Alisha had caught the mare on a good day. Question snorted a greeting to the spotted mare, who nickered back. Hank opted for the more exaggerated greeting, an almost deafening whinny leaving him. The three teenagers flinched, but laughed. They seemed astounded that a sound so loud had left the tiny 11HH beast.

They entered the arena one after another, Alisha first, then Jay and El' bring up the rear. The three instantly tried to cover their ears as Hank let out another one of his special greetings to the other ponies in the arena. Question and Desire gave soft nickers when Hank's greeting stopped, then stood patiently as the humans introduced themselves to the instructor. Jay took it upon himself to start. Hello Ms. I'm Jamie Robinson, please call me Jay, and this is Question. he told the woman, smiling brightly and indicating to the Welsh pony. El's turn next. Hi! I'm El' and this is Hank. Please excuse his exuberant greeting, he's just very excited to join your class. The three students chuckled and then it was Alisha's turn to introduce herself and Desire. Hello, I'm Alisha Fidelia. And this is Desire. She's not mine, I'm borrowing her from a friend.

[/b] her words weren't as confident as the other two, but she smiled brightly at the woman. Any particular order you would like us to stand in?[/b] Jay asked what the other two had been thinking. They all had their eyes on the woman, not even sure of her name. The three had also noticed that Cara was in the arena with them, Alisha flashed her a smile, and El' waved. Jay didn't make an acknowledgement, knowing he probably wouldn't get a reaction back anyways.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

Words: 698
Tagged: MG class
Notes: Meh, will get better [/font]

[sepia]

"Now, you're going to be a good boy, okay? No pulling poles out of the ground when we're bending around them, and no barging into people because you're bored, okay?" Pel eyed her pony sternly, but dissolved into giggles - rather ruining the effect - as Grit paused halfway through his mouthful of hay, aware that he was being told something important, managing to look utterly ridiculous with hay sticking out of his mouth every which way. Giving his now laughing rider a rather baffled look, he heaved a sigh and went back to his food.

Not that he got long to enjoy it, because Pel was soon yanking his head up - with some difficulty - putting on a headcollar and grooming him. As she ran the body brush over his black coat with firm, sure strokes, she hoped that Miss Kane would allow her to ride her pony, given that he was exactly 14.2hh and very solid. Not that she'd mind riding any of the other ponies - some of them looked really good fun! - but Grit would probably get jealous and then he'd be a pain, and he could be enough of a pain even with provocation. Well, she'd have to see, she concluded, as she dropped her brushes back into their box and began to tack the Dales Pony up, ignoring the face he made when she tightened his girth.

Shortly afterward, the pair were leaving the barn, Pel attired in black jodhpurs, a pale green shirt and her customary black boots and chaps, while Grit was in his customary GP saddle and snaffle bridle. "We're out in some field somewhere, aren't we?" she idly said aloud as she prevented Grit from charging off into a bush with an almost casual digging-in of her heels, and luckily seeing the figures of three ponies vanishing off - ah-hah! They looked like they knew where they were going, and so Pel fell in behind them, stifling a laugh as one of the ponies let out a whinny more suited to a Shire.

Entering the paddock shortly after them, and noticing that the girl from the stable the other day - Cara - was already on, Pel introduced herself to the instructor lurking by the gate. "Hi! I'm Pel, and this is Grit." She smiled at everyone present, wondering whether this whole Mounted Games team thing would allow her to actually get to know some people at the Academy, and waited for further instructions, even as Grit attempted to wrench his head down to get to the grass.

Next to turn up was Jessica, leading Acorn, the Connemara stepping out surely as they entered the field, eying up the other ponies with a calm expression, seemingly deciding that he'd just have to show everyone how to do this properly. Looking around at the gathered students, Jess was glad to see that she at least knew one person, and unsurprised to discover that that one person was Cara. Her getting involved in mounted games had to be a good thing, right, a sign that she was beginning to cheer up?

She hoped so, anyway, and gave Cara a wave that she wasn't sure was going to get any response, as she waited for a chance to introduce herself. As Pel finished speaking and engaged in a little tussle with her pony about whether or not he was going to eat any grass, Jess jumped in to the gap. "Hello; Jessica Brown and Acorn... I hope we're not late?" She was assuming not, given that everyone but Cara seemed to be standing around introducing themselves, but her customary worry about anything new demanded an outlet some way, and worrying about being late was a good a reason to worry as any.

Neatly attired in their customary gear, both Acorn and Jess looked ready for business, even if the girl was looking at the bending pole set-up with rather more apprehension than her horse. In this partnership, it was definitely Acorn that had the experience, Jess being the one that learned, both from instructors, and her own pony, who had the delightful skill of being able to view almost anything complacently, no matter how nervy his rider was.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara sat in the saddle as Whistler cantered down the far end of the field. "Easy!" She said as the pony's head shot up and he turned toward the centre of the field and facing the gate where there was a small gathering a students and ponies. "Come on, get it together." She told the pony as he shook his head, trying to fight her control over him.

She sat deep as she turned him back to the outside of the field, what she was using as a track. "Now, you decide to pull the defiant pony act." She muttered as the pony hunched his back, dropping his head and throwing up his back legs.

The teen pushed her backside into the saddle, allowing her body to move with the gelding, as this kind of behaviour was nothing new to her. When he had four feet on the ground, she pulled his head up and turned him around. However, all this did was work the gelding up even more as he spun around on his haunches, showing that even though he was stocky, he could turn on a dime with the finesse of a finer boned animal.

Cara pressed her tongue against the top of her mouth as she thought about her next move. The gelding was just being rude now, and she knew that one way to get him out of it was to give him a blast.

While the others were still on the outside of the field and she was still down the far end, she knew that there was no chance of the gelding running into anyone.

As Whistler gave another very neat turn on his haunches, she pressed her lips together. She would just to face any repercussions for her actions. Once the gelding was on the fence line again, she moved her hands forward and put her heels against his side. And, as expected, the gelding shot forward with his ears flattened against his head to keep the wind out of them.

They galloped down the long side before she girl collected him, asking for a canter and performed a figure of eight which the gelding did as happily as a well trained dressage horse, even throwing in the precise flying change when it was required. Bringing him back down to a trot and then a walk, Cara kept him moving while they waited for what was going to happen next.

[lottii]

Marie turned her attention to the group of students and horses walking towards the gate. Letting them in, she listened carefully to their introductions. "Welcome to my class, El', Jay and Alisha. What beautiful ponies you all have. I'm Marie Kane, but please call me Marie. If you all want to hop up on your ponies, vaulting if you can, and then start warming up while we wait for the last few people."

Marie glanced her experienced eye over the three new ponies. Hank seemed like a MG pony through and through, a wonderful little size. She recalled from the sign up that the horse had a few months experience at MG. Hank's rider El' had the most MG experience out of the group. The other small pony had no experience MG, and neither did his rider. The largest pony of the three, was called Desire, Marie remembered. Her rider had some experience, although the pony was borrowed and had not done MG before.

Marie was interrupted from her assessments of the ponies by another rider entering the field. Once the girl had introduced herself - she was Pel and the pony Grit - Marie repeated a similar introduction as before, "Welcome, I'm Marie Kane, please call me Marie though." Marie continued after a quick look at the gelding. "Grit is quite on the large side for a Mounted Games, isn't he? But if he has the speed and agility for it, so long as he measures up at 14.2 he can do it! Just hop on once your ready, please vault if you can, but don't worry if you can't, and join the others warming up. I think there are only one or two more people to come and then we can get started properly".

Marie reserved her judgments about Grit, he could come out and be a speedy little horse, but at least Pel had commented on her sign up that she wasn't perturbed to ride another horse. The last rider who had signed up entered the field, a slight young girl leading a gorgeous Connemara. As she made her introduction, Marie reassured her "Your still a little early, everybody seems to be very eager to start! I'm Marie, and we are just about to get started. Once your ready, please get on and give Acorn a little warm up, vaulting on if you know how."

Marie gave the newer arrivals a chance to get on and do a little warm up. Noting Whistler seemed to be acting up, Marie just caught sight of a buck, before Cara-Jean regained control of him, turning him beautifully and distracting him from the other horse's by letting him have a good gallop. Marie briefly wondered if the girl was a mind-reader, she has shown exactly the things that Marie had doubt abouts. Maybe not a mind-reader, Cara-Jean was certainly a talented rider. Marie called the group of six riders over to her, and vaulted on to Gizmo. "Ok, now you have all had a chance to warm up, we will just have a quick demonstration of the game which is always first up in Mounted Games competitions, Bending. The rules are fairly simple. You must bend through each of the poles, around the last pole and then weave again coming back. In a team race you will have a small baton which you must hand over to the next rider before they can start. If you miss a a pole, you need to circle right the way around it before continuing. Cara, would you be willing to a have a little race against me to demonstrate? After that you can all have a go on a range of ponies if you wish. At competitions you may ride different ponies in different races, so it is good to get some practice. But don't worry, I will make sure you are on a pony suited to you!" Marie finished her little speech and got better control of Giz, he realized already he was about to go. Marie waited on Cara's answer, while Giz had small hysterics, his silly little bucks 5" off the ground.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara rubbed her mount's neck and asked for a trot one more, smile as he tucked his head in and was nicely rounded with his hindquarters under him as he trotted around in the circle.

When they were called over, Cara kept him at the trot until they were three strides out and she asked for a walk, half expecting the slight argument about slowing down, but rubbed Whistler's neck as he dropped back down to a walk and moved in nicely beside the other ponies to watch the teacher on her pony. She was so glad that Whistler's temper was only ever pointed at his rider, and even when in a bad mood with the person on his back he didn't take it out on other horses around him.

Cara listened to the woman, and her eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "Certainly, Ma'am." She replied. However much she wanted to remain out of the spotlight, her training didn't allow her to refuse a request from an adult. She watched as Gizmo seemed to be having a pony-moment with his tiny bucks - something that showed eagerness to get started rather than a mood.

Squeezing the Fell pony forward, she stood behind the starting line - in line with her row of bending poles - and waited for the word before she pushed her backside into the saddle, leaned forward slightly and applied pressure with her legs. She grinned as the pony shot forward, one ear flat and the other pointed at his rider, listening to everything she had to say. As they approached the first pole, Cara was already leaning back and applying the smallest of pressure with the inside leg and rein as she found the key-point. The pair wove their way around each of the poles and performed a three pivot turn at the last pole before weaving their way back through the poles again.

Cara sat back in the saddle as they approached the starting line and eased the pony back to a walk. Laughing as he reared up, letting her know that he was happy to go again. "Not now you silly goose." She told him gently as she trotted him in a circle on the other side of the line and asked for a walk again.

[lottii]

Marie was pleased Cara-Jean agreed to help, although she wasn't quite sure if the girl actually wanted to be watched by the others. Gizmo moved more sensibly towards the start line, this was the only time before a race he could be calm! As the ponies set off down the poles together, they were fairly well matched. Cara-Jean controlled the Fell beautifully, giving him the best advantage to win. Gizmo raced down the poles, needing no touch to steer him, only the rider to move with him. Spinning easily around the end just a split second before Whistler, Marie suspected this was only Gizmo's experience that allowed him to pass the line a second or two before Cara.

"Well done," Marie laughed as the ponies slowed, Whistler rearing and Gizmo bucking in a burst of energy. "That was perfect Cara-Jean, with a bit more practice I think Whistler would have beaten us." Marie paused as she decided the two teams to split the riders into. "If Cara, Jess and Alisha make up one team, then we will have El', Jay and Pel on the other team. I would like you to go in that order, as I think it best suits your ponies", Marie passed a baton to Jess and El', "Remember you must have passed it over before the next rider can start. Once I have seen you all have a go, we will start changing ponies, so don't worry which team wins - I just want an indication of which pony you would be suited to."

Marie had made the teams as evenly matched as she could with the limited knowledge of the riders. She already had an instinct that Cara would suit Gizmo well - able to control him and get the best out of him, and Jess would be most comfortable on Midge or Yoko.

Note: Just post your riders run when you post, don't worry about waiting for the person who needs to go before you to have posted.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Rather than getting the gelding to halt, Cara walked him around and listened as Miss Kane split them into two teams, she smiled at Jessica who was on her team and rode Whistler close to the girl's gelding. "Trust Acorn. Ride him with confidence, but trust him to know what to do with the poles."

She took the proffered baton and they lined up. She rubbed her gelding's neck as he bounced up and down behind the start line - since he now knew what they were doing he couldn't wait to start. Cara gathered the reins and while putting weight in the seat of the saddle, she leaned forward, watching the teacher out of the corner of her eye.

"Go!" She whispered as soon as the signal was given and the gelding once again shot forward into a canter from standstill. As they approached the first pole, Cara collected the gelding just so that his rear end didn't end up sliding out from under him as he rounded the first pole. They weaved their way around the poles, did the three pivot turn and wound their way back through the poles again.

As they came around the last pole, the young rider moved into a two-point position and grabbed a handful of mane in her right hand that she was holding the reins with. Her left hand held the baton, which she stretched out toward Jessica, holding it so that their hand's would touch thumb to little finger as the younger girl closed her hand around the baton, when this happened she released the baton and rode the gelding over the line. Sitting back, she asked him to slow down. Rubbing his neck as he dropped back to a choppy trot and then a bouncy walk.

[lottii]

Mischief opened the gate almost silently, seeing that the students were obviously in the middle of a race. Tied up near the gate she saw several ponies tied up, she started making a fuss of a gray pony she guessed was just over 13hh. "Aren't you lovely", she whispered quietly to the horse.

Marie was avidly watching the racing, Cara-Jean had just had another amazing run on Whistler, when a movement near the gate caught her eye. Keeping a close watch on the students, she made her way over to the ponies tied up, where she found a girl stroking Ripple. "Hello, I'm Marie, the teacher of this lesson. You weren't on the sign up list, do you want to take part?"

Missy jumped as a woman started speaking just behind her, turning round she listened to what the woman was saying. "Hi, I'm Missy, no I have only just started. I have a fair bit of experience with Games, I have competed in it for two or three years until I had a two year break from riding, and would love to take part, but I have no pony".There were clearly spare ponies, so Mischief thought she might be able to join in. She smiled at Marie, hoping to impress her.

Marie grinned, she loved anyone with experience around horses, and that obvious desperation to get involved with anything horse-related. "Hi Missy, you are welcome to join in if you like. You seem to be getting on well with Rip Van Winkle there, but I would like to see you ride something else first. If you want to go and wait with the dun Connemara, Midget Gem, near the end, she is one of my ponies so I can assess you from her. Just wait until the others have finished, then we are all having a change around of ponies".

Missy smiled warmly. She thanked Marie, and made her way to Midget Gem, who looked like a real sweetie. Patience wasn't instinctively one of Mischief's talents, so she busied herself fussing with Midget whilst waiting for the others to finish.

[Onzyy]

Graeme walked in from the paddock. He was leading that bay gelding of his. The gelding's name was Johnny Jack, or Jack. Graeme had him since he was 11, so this year he would have had Jack 5 years already. When he left for the Academy, Jack came along, and for the the first time there was a course that catered for the pony. Mounted Games as it was called was just perfect for the pony who had bundles of energy. The only problem...Jack was a trained show jumper and dressage pony.

Graeme quickly saddled Jack and led him to the arena that appeared to hold the Games class. He panicked when he saw that the class had already started, but waited by the gate until the demonstration was over. He opened the gate and entered the class. He spotted the teacher by a string of ponies. he nodded towards the girl that she was with, and introduced himself. Hello ma'am. I'm Graeme Donovan and this Jack.

[lottii]

Marie noticed the boy waiting by the gate, and watched as he let himself in. "Welcome, I'm Marie Kane, but please call me Marie. That is a lovely pony you have! We have quite a few spare ponies, and we all have a go on lots of ponies, which is what we are just about to start, although I guess you should ride Jack whilst the others have their first swap. Do either of you have any experience in Mounted Games?"



Sorry, its horrifically short, but I am waiting for the others to post their runs at the bending.