hunter jumper lesson one [open to HJ students]

[bizz]

Henry started his survey of the barns at the White Oak barn, then circled around threw the pastures then entered the Red Willow barn, and so on and so on. He moved slowly, examining each part of the barn. When he had started the pockets of his jeans had been bulging with horse treats, now only the crumbs were left. As he walked back along the isle ways horses poked out to see if the man had any other tasty snakes hidden away. The tips of Henry's fingers met each muzzle momentarily as he walked by. His sauntering step stopped as he came to the staff room of the Red Willow Barn. He nodded to the occopents of the room, then made himself familiar with the lesson book. He sat down on the pleather couch and pulled the mammoth sized white binder onto his lap. Henry flipped through school horse bios, lesson assessments, cogins, horse assessments, lesson verification sheets, and class lists. He found his name on a tab in the back. The computer generated list of his hunter jumper class was up first was it was scheduled first thing on this crisp saturday morning.

Henry looked over the list, and began flipping though ideas. He wanted to get to know these riders-- see what they were really made of. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. Take them back to the basics-- yes. For the more advanced students he would learn how much control they had over the concert structure of hunt seat and for his beginners he would show them how connected they needed to be with their horses if they ever wanted to reach a higher level. Now-- he just needed to get the ring set up. Henry detached his lesson form, and a few sheets of paper and clipped them onto one of the provided clip boards then high tailed it to the ring.

Half and hour, and three stable hands later, Henry had moved all of the jump standards and poles into the upper left hand corner of the ring. After he had created his massive stock pile Henry grabbed eight white ground poles and piled them in the center of the ring so that he could easily access them. He also pulled two three foot standards and put them next to the poles. He surveyed his work, obviously pleased with himself for coming up with this idea.

Henry walked to the gate, and picked up the clipboard that he had jung from a nail in the fence. He looked over the list, the flipped the list back to jot down the names of his students. He left space between the names so that he could take notes as they rode. He put down the clip board again so he could look himself over before his students arrived. His leather shoes were dusted over with the pale yellow arena sand, the hem of his jeans were noticeably lighter. Henry bent to vainly brush them off. As he straightened up Henry readjusted his dark brown belt and brushed off his white polo. Finally upright again a hand nervously brushed his hair back, over and over again until he forced himself to pick up the clipboard again. He was nervous, ridiculously nervous. This was his first time teaching in four years. What if he didn't have anything to tell them? What if he couldn't get them to follow directions? Doubts bounded around as he waited at the gate for his first group lesson to show up.

It was five minutes till and Henry could see the first of his riders starting to make their way to the ring. As the horse and rider pair got bigger and bigger Henry turned his examining eye on them. He had seen the boy rider before, and he did know the horse's name. Hearing it over and over on the loud speakers had helped. Henry figured he would know a few riders from the circuit. As the teen got to the gate he offered his hand.

"Hello Mr. Williams"
"Henry"
"... Henry..."
"Mr. Henry"
"... Mr. Henry... I'm Vincent Rochester"

As the two shook hands Fortunado took a step towards Henry, checking him out for more treats.

"Sorry bud, you for the last of them."

He offered the horse his empty hand which the gelding sniffed before giving up. Now henry moved to examine the horse and tack. The saddle had slid back in the walk over, and lifting up the flap he saw that the girth was only on one on both sides. Vincent had wrapped the polos properly and his horse was well groomed. As he circled the animal he ran his hand along the horse's side and legs, then up and down his neck. He checked the bridle, then turned to look over the rider. Vincent's boots were a mess, but other than that he was dressed nicely with is blue polo tucked in properly.

"Mount up. Don't forget to move your saddle forward, and clean your boots before our next lesson."

Vincent looked down at his boots and nodded. They were covered in dust and mud splatters from running through the field earlier this morning. He gathered his reins and began to walk towards the mounting block, a hurried yes sir thrown over his shoulder as he went.

As Henry's first rider began to get on he resumed his place at the gate and picked back ups his clipboard. He checked Vincent off the attendance sheet then flipped to the page he had written Vincent's name. Didn't clean boots, presentation nice besides that. Horse looks athletic, good conformation. he slid the pen back between the top of the clip and the board and leaned against the fence, ready to greet the rest of his early morning group.

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[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara stood in the girl's changing room in the barn, a towel wrapped around her fragile body a tooth brush scrubbing her teeth clean. It had become the norm that she threw up every time she come into the barn, and since she had a lesson today she had come prepared.

Once her teeth were clean, she dressed into her khaki breeches and blue polo shirt and pushed her feet into her paddock boots - she would put her field boots on just before she left the barn so that they would stay clean. Next, she ran a brush through her long obsidian coloured hair. With nimble fingers, she pulled it back into a speedy, but religiously neat, French braid which was then folded over and over again before it was held into place with the net that sat under the black and golden velvet bow she wore, clipped onto the braid at the nape of her neck.

Leaving the changing room, she went to the Gypsy Vanner's stall to find the mare crunching away on something. "Has someone been spoiling you?" She asked as she entered the stall. "No!" She said as she drew her energy levels up as she mare tried to push into her to see if she had anymore treats.

After slipping the halter over the mare's brown nose, she clipped the lead on and led her out to a set of cross-ties. After grooming the mare's coat until she shone, Cara took the time to braid her mane and tail to that it all sat neatly. Rather than using the hunter braids, Cara pulled the mare's two toned mane into a very neat French braid and then put her tail into a French braid, allowing the skirt of the tail to flow freely.

Once the mare looked like she was worth a million dollars and was fully tacked up, Cara put her Charles Owen helmet onto her head and went to find her field boots. She led the mare outside in socked feet before she halted the mare and slipped her feet into the tall boots. She liked the way the boots hugged her toned calf muscles. She then walked the mare toward the arena where the class was to be held, hoping that the teacher wasn't someone who was likely to recognize her from a past show - as she'd been in enough of them in the past - and ask where her palomino mare was.

Outfit

[freebird]

Tessa rolled over quickly when she heard her alarm going off, and slammed the button off forcefully. She was beginning to feel the effects of getting up so early everyday, and her instinct wanted to roll over and go back to sleep. Suddenly, she remembered she had her class this morning, and she jumped out of bed. Looking into the mirror,she groaned loudly and began to pull a brush through her blond hair. She had gone to sleep last night with her hair wet, and now the blond strands were sticking every which way. Sighing, she quickly pulled it into a pony tail and began to get dressed for the class. Pulling on her breeches, she sat down on the bed briefly to consider which shoes she should wear. She was intending on wearing her tall boots to the class, but she did not want to risk them getting dirty.

Pulling on her regular sneakers, she stood and placed the boots by her door. She quickly grabbed the first shirt she saw out of her dresser, put it on and grabbed her lightweight coat as well. She was sure it was freezing this morning, and she zipped it up. Tessa grabbed her helmet, boots and walked out of the dorm room.

As she opened the door, her worst fears were confirmed when it was freezing and she rushed to the Red Willow Barn. Horses were in their stalls, munching on their breakfast and Tessa hurried, stopping in front of Rain's stall. Inside, stood a dun colored Irish Sport Horse. He was unusually colored, and that was what had drawn her into the gelding. Her other gelding, Fly, was a bright chestnut. Smiling, she slid the door open and walked in to take the halter of the gelding. Rain continued to munch on some of the breakfast, but otherwise followed Tessa into the stable aisle.

Tessa quickly clipped him to cross ties and gathered his brushes, starting to groom his coat. Once his coat was completely clean, she placed the white saddle pad on his back, followed by the close contact saddle she had recently purchased. She unclipped the cross ties and slid the halter off his face, but replaced it with his new bridle. Rain eagerly accepted the bit and Tess quickly buckled all the straps. Looping the reins over her arm, she pulled off the sneakers and replaced them with her tall boots, tucking her breeches in. Once she was content, she clucked to the gelding and led him out of the barn, and towards the arena the class was being conducted in.

Once there, she spied a girl arriving around the same time as she was, along with a boy already mounted. Smiling, she led her gelding up to the instructor and introduced herself. "Hello sir, I'm Tessa and this is my gelding, Rain.."

Outfit: Click!
Horse:

[sepia]

"We have to look good today, so please don't nibble me." Slipping into the stable, Jess greeted Acorn with a brief hug, but sidled away from an inquisitively nuzzling muzzle. "Green slime doesn't make a good impression, and I think Mister Williams likes appearances." Thwarted in his efforts to mouth his rider, Acorn allowed Jess to flip the headcollar on over his head and then tie him up.

Starting with her new normal routine of a bit of T-Touch - keeping a very careful eye on the time because she didn't want to be late, definitely not! - Jess soon had Acorn half asleep and relaxed as she worked her way down his back. Reaching his dock, she finished off the massage, and jogged back to the tack room to retrieve her tack, cleaned only this morning and positively sparkling, Acorn's dark green brushing boots looking cleaner than they had in a while - Jess had given them a good scrub with water the night before.

Hefting her tack back to the stable, she debated whether she should plait up her beloved pony - for extra good appearances sake! - but decided not to. Her plaiting, especially of manes, wasn't very good anyway, and Acorn would probably look neater just very well-groomed rather than badly plaited up. Placing her tack carefully on the stable door, she settled to grooming Acorn, glad that her usually neat pony hadn't decided to make a mess of himself.

Shortly, he was almost gleaming, and she tacked him up, numnah of the same dark green as the bushing boots, before hastily checking over her own gear. She'd polished her long boots, which she normally didn't ride in, at the same time as her tack, and she'd even brushed her hat off to get rid of its normal fuzzy covering of dust. Her hair was neatly braided down her back, and she forcibly tucked her shirt into her breeches. There. They were good to go.

Five minutes later, she was outside the barn and mounted, Acorn snorting in the cool morning air and looking raring to go. "Hang on, hang on," Jess muttered at her pony as she did the girth up a notch, and then they were off, heading at a spanking walk towards the arena.

They weren't the first to arrive, that was immediately obvious, for which she was quite glad. Cara was there, unsurprisingly, though she didn't really recognise the other two riders. Following the example being set her, she headed towards the figure of Mr Williams, and introduced herself.

"Hello," she said, tone betraying her customary nerves at anything remotely new, "I'm Jessica Brown, and this is Acorn." Biting her lip as she waited for a reply, and noting the clipboard with trepidation, she took a look around the arena, examining the set-up and shooting Cara a smile. She hoped she wasn't going to get told off for having mounted before entering the paddock... but that was just what she was used to. Everyone else, though, seemed to have led their horses out. And she'd been so worried about making a good impression, too!

[skyler]

I'M BRUISED AND SCARRED
save me from this broken heart
ALL MY LOVE WILL SLOWLY FADE
& F A L L A P A R T

Sakura woke up early this morning. She was excited to be going to her first horse lesson at this school. Sakura had put her thin dyed blonde hair in a pony tail. She wondered if she should put her bangs back with bobby pins. Sakura decided that she would do this and started to put her bangs back with bobby pins. When she was done she got dressed. She put on a sleeveless polo style shirt, then her jodhpurs. Sakura feed her two dogs and two cats, and cleaned the cat litter box. Sakura then took her two puppies out for a walk so they can go to the bathroom and she wouldn’t have to clean any messes when she got back to her dorm room.

When Sakura was done what she had to do; she replaced her flip flops for a pair of socks and her boots. She walked out of the dorms and into the barns. Sakura found Phantoms stall. "“Hey boy; are you ready for our first lesson at this school?” she asked him. Phantom replied with a neigh and nodded his head. Although Sakura really didn’t know if he was replying to her or just excited to see her; either way she didn’t care. Sakura skipped to phantoms tack and placed it on his stall door. Sakura started to groom Phantom; but this proved more difficult then she thought. Phantom wouldn’t stop moving, but in no time at all she had gotten him all groomed and ready to put his tack on. Sakura put on his saddle pad then his saddle. She fastened each strap so it the saddle would be nice a snug on him.

Sakura put his bridle on; which was the one thing he let her do without moving an inch of his body. Sakura was now done getting Phantom ready for the class. Sakura looked at the clock that was on the bran wall outside Phantoms stall. It was almost time for the class in begin. Sakura clapped her hands “yay! time to get going” "she said in her excited voice. She put on her gloves and lead Phantom out of the barn and outside to the arena. Sakura saw that there were already students there. She hoped she got the time right and wasn’t late. “Hello, I hope I’m not late” said Sakura. She didn’t know any of the other students, but she was new so she had no problem with it. “I’m Sakura Takahashi and this is Phantom” she introduced herself and Phantom to the teacher and everyone else seeing as how they would also hear.

[/color]

"this is me speaking!"
"this is someone else speaking!"
TAG …
WORD COUNT 436
Pets Phantom
OUTFIT click
NOTES Hope it’s ok.
CREDIT justlikefalling @ caution 2.0
LYRICS bruised & scarred , MAYDAY PARADE

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[Sync]

* all the world's a stage,

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and all the men and women merely players
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Freddie was running late, and now he was flying through the barn and coming to a skidding halt outside Knight's stall. The gelding looked utterly baffled by the quick appearance of his owner, but soon got over it and shoved his large cranium in Freddie's face. The boy chuckled, and then swiped at the crumbs on the gelding's maw. Who's been spoiling you? he asked, but wasn't angry. He often came to see the gelding being hand fed treats by other students, because the large brute was so friendly and pretty much insisted that a person must feed him. Freddie didn't pause long though, he had to have the gelding tacked up and ready to go within ten minutes if he wanted to be on time. He rushed towards the tack room, skirting around a group of teenagers chatting in the middle of the aisle. He didn't say anything rude though, he wasn't like that. He just smiled at them and carried on on his way. He practically dove into the room, scooping up Tease's tack first, then realizing what he did, and placed it back to exchange it with Knights. He then raced back to the stall, setting to work on tacking up the large gelding, which was a challenge in itself.

Freddie was stood on the stool he had moved to Knight's stall, to enable him to place the saddle onto the brute's back. Freddie had purchased Knight under the impression that he would only be 16HH. Knight turned up and was actually 17HH. A normal person would have sent him back and asked for their money, but Freddie wasn't normal. He had fallen in love with the gelding after just four short weeks, and knew that Knight was here to stay. He adjusted the girth, chuckling as he remembered the laughter he had gained from students when he passed them with Knight. The Westphalian equine dwarfed Freddie, who wasn't so short but very skinny. They were a comical pair to see together. The boy pulled on his helmet, and then began to lead the equine toward the arena where the lesson was to be held.

A few stalls away from Knight and Freddie, Ieuan was tacking up his Arabian gelding, Laurence. Arabians weren't the most popular jumping breed, but this horse knocked that stereotype out of the park. Ieuan was immensely proud of the horse, even if he didn't really show it. He worked quickly to tack up the horse, but not because he was running late. He knew that if he dilly dallied, Laurence would throw the saddle from he back and Ieuan would have to invest in yet another one. Ieuan and Laurence were soon ready, and both vacated to stable a little after Freddie and Knight left. Joining the group lesson instead of private lessons had surprised Ieuan's uncle, Dafydd. But, Ieuan had a hidden agenda. The male loved to show of, and what better a place than a group lesson? Dafydd was quick to realize this when he thought it through, and had warned his nephew. Of course, Ieuan had took no notice. He followed the younger boy, and his impressive beast, toward the arena, stifling laughter at the contrast of Freddie and Knight.

The four made it to the arena is different manners. Freddie had waved at everyone he passed, or at least smiled. Behind him, Ieuan had glared at the passer byes. The contrast in personalities was dramatic. Knight noted the instructor at the gate first, whinnying his greeting happily. Then, he began to shake in excitement. If he were a dog, his tail would be wagging frantically. The amount of horses in the arena seemed like heaven to the black gelding, his audits perked and he began to prance excitedly on the spot. Freddie looked at the gelding, who looked back and then ceased his dance. Good boy, Knight. Calm now, we have to concentrate. he smiled, patting the horse's thick neck. Hello Mr.Williams. Freddie Giles and Knight at your service. he said, dropping his upper half into a bow. Many found his old fashioned ways charming, others found it annoying. One thing for sure, he wasn't going to change it. He led the horse into the arena, lining him up beside a girl, who had an obvious oriental look to her, and her horse. He smiled at her in a friendly fashion, and Knight nickered to her horse. Freddie hadn't ever spoken to anyone in the lesson, but he recognized a few faces from around the academy. This didn't bother him, he had no trouble making friends. Freddie set to work on mounting the brute, pulling down the stirrups and adjusting them a little longer than when he rode. His foot placed into the stirrup, and he heaved himself up into the saddle. He spent the next five minutes working with the stirrups, putting them back to the right heights.

Ieuan had waited for the boy to enter and line himself up before speaking. Ieuan Rees. he told the instructor, before leading Laurence into the arena. How much more different could the two greetings be? He picked the spot beside Freddie and Knight. Laurence had offered no greeting to the other horses in the class, he didn't care for other equines. He was happy to stay with Ieuan and get on with his work. Ieuan mounted the gelding with ease, and was ready to start the lesson at any time. Ieuan hadn't even bothered notcing who else was at the lesson, he already knew he wouldn't know them. He had only met two people, and only one had made an impact on him. He sat back in his saddle lazily, growing bored quickly. As soon as they started, his posture would change completely.

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* the pen is mightier than the sword

[/color] 965 words
* such stuff as dreams are made on[/color] using quotes from william shakespeare
* get thee to a nunnery![/color] hunter jumping class are tagged
* what's in a name?[/color] template made by LAURIE?! of CAUTION 2.0
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[kane]

optics ran over the females brute as the draft stood there, dome level with his withers, boa relaxed, the english all purpose nothing fancy wintec english saddle was snug around the brutes large barrel. the flashy bright fire kissed brute twitched as he shifted his weight from one hind hoof to the other. He look oh so impressed about the idea of working. the female looked over the brute, looked at the simple black polo wraps and then the bell boots simply for looks. the only thing the brute didn't have was a simple bridle. the bridle laid over a hook on the geldings stall door, staring at her. orbs switched from the gelding to the bridle before she approached the brute. the simple bosal would have to work for the time being.

shifting towards the wicker chest outside of Bayjour and Bud's stall opened as her pale digits played with the latch and opened the chest. she pulled out the delicate and handmade bosal that had a simple rawhide noseband and little jewels adding some looks to it. [ come here boy. ] lyrics escaped towards the brute as the female turned around to look at he gelding. his tiara lifted in little excitment as his large teddy bear like orbs looked at her. the fea's brow rose in disappointment at the look of the brute. he look so, worn out. [ are you alright? ] her lyrics were lacking faith as she suddenly took two strides closer, her hands running along the brutes coat. the young draft inhaled before dropping his head. looking to the equui cautiously, the female grabbed the twelve foot long lead line and walked out of the barn to a wider space where the brute lifelessly fallowed.

sending the bronc out into a circle was easy, as normal though what she received from him was uncalled for. when the brutes velvet kissers parted and a disastrous cough that sent a whip through the lead rope. watching the brute lightly she continued, one cough after another though it started to clear up. the vix watched as the equine trotted around in circles the coughing fading. [ not use to your new home yet.. i guess. ] her lyrics were slightly disappointed and she quickly checked his muzzle for anything abnormal. nothing came up. [ well, i guess i'll ride you, if you don't get better .. ] her lyrics were light as she ran her pale digits along the brutes nape before walking abck into the barn, the chestnut gelding's life being brought up again.

the female wore the simple black jodpurs as she also had the tall bacl riding boots. the breeze had chilled her slightly so arianna had one of her navy blue riding jackets on as she adjusted everything. the female quickly tied her hair into a pony that positioned itself over her right shoulder, staying there from the breeze, refusing to move. the female threw on a simple helmet that she always wore and the slipped the tweleve lead through her jodpur belt loop. arianna then put on the equine's bosal and adjusted it to fit his face. then she checked his girth one last time before she asked for the brute to fallow her out of the barn. once the breeze hit to indicate that she was out of the barn, arianna quickly hauled herself gracefully and lightly onto the drafts back and gathered everything. leaving her leadline in a quick relase though kept it attached to his bosal incase of an emergancy.

shifting in the saddle until comfort, the female lightly picked up the reins with one hand, holding at the buckle as the brute walked towards the ring that she was instructed to attend. bayjour sighed lightly as he walked, arianna awaiting a cough though it didn't come. the large chestnut suffolk punch gelding picked up the pace as he felt arianna's energy level. she instintly gathered her reins collectedly, keeping a little more slack on them as she continued in a raising trot.

as they approached the arena the female took a mental note that there were already riders in the ring. the thought of being late whelmed up into her stomach though bayjour kept a decent working trot. the draft built equine had his nose tucked in nice and vertical, head lower, boa arached, collecting onto his hind quarters. the female brought her energy down without even thinking about the reins and brute came to a walk. his orbs dashed around at all the equines that stood in the ring, for once, the brute kept his cool. arianna looked down to the equine before looking around for the instructor. bayjour seemed to have picked him out because once the female finished closing the gate from upon the brutes back, he had started to wander towards the male that everyone else had gone up to. there was another male that was having a conversation with the instuctor before leaving. her posture had failed to work again as she relaxed upon the drafts back, her reins loose and holding at the buckle.

once her turn came, the female's lyrics came out carefully. [ hello, mr. williams. arianna patterson, i was just wondering if i could use bayjour's bosal instead of a bridle for the first couple of lessons, i haven't worked much with the bit on him. ] lyrics escaped understandingly as the female felt the draft come to a lazy trot. maybe she would add that he was showing signs of a cough, though it could have also been the dust. the equine stood there quietly, much more quieter than the first time in the ring, though the more mellow equines that surrounded him gave him more of a confidence boost. the females sapphire orbs looked towards the instructor contently as she awaited some kind of response, hopefully.

OOC; sorry for the wait if i made one.. i will try and reply quicker =/

[sepia]

((Just getting my other participating character involved!))

The next to enter the arena was Julian, the boy leading Mayday Madness, being back on the jumping mare for this aspect of his riding. The bay mare was positively gleaming, Julian having spent half an hour grooming her to within an inch of her life, mane and tail carefully untangled and brushed through with a detangling and shining agent so that both flowed freely. Julian wasn’t looking too bad either, having followed Mr. Williams’ instructions to the letter, long boots donned and shirt tucked in – though how long his shirt was going to stay tucked was anyone’s guess, given his shirts' usual habits of flapping around merrily.

Though not always concerned about appearances, Julian had come to the conclusion that first appearances were important, and so had done his best to turn himself and May out well. Though he hadn't plaited, the pair were looking very neat and tidy, and equally eager for the lesson to begin, May with pricked ears looking around at the gathered horses with interest, and Julian with a permanent smile fixed on his face as he swung the gate open and maneuvered he and May through it.

"Hello!" he called out as he approached the little gathering of horses, rider and instructor in the middle of the arena. "Julian Sanders and Mayday Madness reporting in." Flashing a grin at the people he knew - Jess, Freddie and Cara - and a slightly less exuberant smile at everyone that he didn't know, but hoped to know soon, he led May over to the mounting block, waiting for Freddie and Knight to get out of the way (taking the opportunity to tighten his girth up a notch and pull his stirrups down) before mounting up himself.

He then found himself in a very similar boat to Freddie, though for different reasons. Apparently someone else had ridden May since he last had, and had been riding with really short stirrups, too. With a sigh, Julian set about lengthening the leathers in question by about five holes, directing a roll of his eyes towards his friend as he did so. "Stirrups are really good at evilly making themselves the wrong length, aren't they?"

[bizz]

As Henry flipped back to his attendance sheet to check off Vincent another student arrived, and as he looked past her he could see that others were lining up behind her. A small satisfied smile darted across his face as he check his watch. They were all early but at least a minute or two. His second to show up did not say her name, didn't announce her horses name. He assumed it was Cara, he'd heard a few things about her from other trainers here. He quickly checked off her name, then looked at the horse. He recognized the school horse as Titania.

"Cara? I'm Mr. Henry."

He looked over the rider, then looked at the mare. He didn't need to evaluate the horse since she belonged the school. He did, however, check her tack. After slipping a hand under the flaps, and between the pommel and the withers making sure that the saddle didn't sit down or pinch the horse.

"You can go mount up."

He looked over his shoulder to where the mounting block sat in the middle of the ring. School horse, nicely presented. He looked up to the next rider in line. As the student before him announced her name he checked her off, then flipped to his self made evaluation sheet and tucked the clipboard under his arm.

"I'm Mr. Henry"

He said this Tess over his shoulder as he moved to inspect the gelding. He offered his hand to the gelding, then rubbed it gently down his neck, pleased with the grooming job the gelding had been given he turned to the tack. He pulled up the saddle flap to check the girth, then rubbed his fingers along the stitching in the cantle. Everything was new, only been oiled once before this lesson he suspected. His hands then ran down the geldings legs, and check the polo wraps. As he finished his examination of the horse he looked to the rider, and nodded.

"A polo for our next lesson? And really work on oiling the new tack so that it breaks in nice and evenly. You may mount up."

He pointed to the mounting block in the middle of the ring, as he looked down at his evaluation. No polo though presentation was good. Horse is extremely well put together. Watch new tack, make sure it gets broken in well. Two fingers beckon the next rider forward.

Henry's next rider was already mounted up on her pony. And even though Henry was not a fan of mounting for lessons outside of the ring, he could not help but smile as he saw the pair. It had been awhile before he had taught a medium pony-- most of his riders (before he taught here) he had taken from smalls to mediums to larges to horses-- he had missed ponies in all their cheekiness. He checked Jessica off the list before approaching her. He ran a hand over the pony, and checked Jess's stirrups, then customarily ran a hand over the pony's leg.

"I'm Mr. Henry. Looks good. Next time please walk your pony to the ring."

He patted the pony, looking over his confirmation before stepping back and nodding. He turned to his clipboard now, very cute. well put together large medium. watch fit, maybe recommend moving up to large or horse. Again he beckoned the next pair to him as he prepared to scrutinize, and pick at whoever was him next victim. Henry was a little surprised as the horse and rider approached. He had been expecting to see a few draft horses in the lesson, but not with such a small rider.

"You aren't late, I'm Mr. Henry"

He moved up to the animal, Phantom, and started his common check on cleanliness and tack fit. He did especially worry about the saddle fit on this horse-- drafts were by nature hard to fit, along with most thoroughbreds and the occasional appendix. Henry pushed his fingers under the saddle by the geldings withers, satisfied with that he slid his hand between the saddle and the withers. There was enough room there for Henry to be alright with the fit for the moment-- it was truly a matter of watching it and seeing what happened. He walked around, looking at the gelding, then turning to the rider. Everything looked alright for now.

"You may mount up."

Again he looked to his clipboard and found the girl's name. He hesitated before putting his pen to the paper. Draft, watch saddle fit. Watch to make sure rider isn't lazy about position. For what seemed to be the millionth time he used two fingers to beckon up the next rider. Before he could look up he was getting a greeting from the rider. As Henry looked up a wide smile plastered across his face. How many small riders and large horses would he have in this class? He spent a second checking the animal before responding to the boy.

"It's just Mr. Henry. Please mount up."

As they walked by Henry eyed the saddle. His pen scribbled across the page again huge animal, nice confirmation, watch saddle horse doesn't look to old but topline might change after worked on. As he put his hand up to beckon the next couple a name was already being thrown at him. Henry looked up to find a serious face staring back at him, an arabian attracted to the serious look. Henry, along with most other hunter trainers had a prejudice against arabs, now it wasn't that he thought they were not attractive horses or that they weren't meant to be ridden-- it was just that he did not believe their place was in the hunter ring. Well Henry would just have to put up with it, since this was an open class no focusing on preparing champions on the AA hunter circuit but focused on teaching them how to ride. Before he could step forward to check the horse he rider was gone.

"You may mount up."

Henry called it over his shoulder, trying to sound like he had given the command instead of the rider simply walking on by. He shoot his head, already vexed by one of his students. Looking at his watch he was actually shocked that it hadn't taken longer. Arabian. Attitude He didn't need to write more-- he'd remember Ieuan for sure. So he fell back into the routine, not shaken by the sudden change of pace that had been thrown at him. Two fingers up, beckoning to the next in line. But instead of the next rider walking and stopping before him he got walked by the gate shut on him. Before looking up he pushed the gate back open, and looked for the rider who had mistakenly walked into the ring without his knowledge, he found the girl and the draft quickly.

"Excuse me?"

He said this loud, trying to get the riders attention as she started to circle the ring. He watched as they turned towards him, oblivious still of his attention to get their attention.

"It's Mr. Henry"

He attempted to offer the correction with out a hint of dissatisfaction. Henry liked his riders focused at all times, that meant playing attention to everything at once, not just entering the ring and then looking around for what they would do. The horse picked up a trot before he came to a halt. This was exactly the moment it hit Henry that this lesson was not going to be so easy to teach after all. He took advantage of the horse sanding still. He looked at the bosal for only a second, then moved to checking the saddle fit, then the horses coat and confirmation. He stepped back at really looked up at the rider for the first time, only for a moment though, before he looked at his check list and marked her off.

"You may use it for today, but please try and find a bridle for the next lessons. And please don't mount up outside the ring and--" his hand reached out to grab the lead that she had attached to her tack "-- we do not ride with leads attached in this lesson."

He laid the lead down over he fence as he looked away from the Ari. He had dismissed her in his own way. His pen ready to write down his first impression. Lead rider. green horse, working in bosal, keep eye on riders position. As he looked up to the next horse and rider, then down at his attendance sheet the realization that his endless evaluations were coming to an end crossed his mind. He looked up at his last rider as he gave the name a face, Julian Sanders. He checked him off his list, and looked him up and down before simply telling him.

"You may mount up."

He had no need to look over the horse since May was a schoolie. So a quick look to see if the rider had made her look good and turned himself out well was good enough. Pen to paper once again. Presentation looks good. Riding a school horse, May. For the first time in this lesson he actually put his clipboard down, he hung it on it's nail and secured the pen then closed the gate.

Mr. Henry now made his way to his pile of poles in the middle of the ring. He stood beside it, facing his line of riders. His hands in his pockets he began to address them.

"Good morning everyone. There are only three rules while you are in my ring. One, don't talk. The only person you can talk to is me, and that is only in the form of a question. The only exception is if you are about to run someone down, you call inside or outside or hold. Second rule, I need you all to listen to me. When I tell you to do something you do it., I don't want to hear "but but but, Mr. Henry" no buts-- I've been training for over thirty years I have a better grasp on what is going on around here than you do. And third, don't run over my dog."

As he stated the final rule his hand came from his pocket to point at the suddenly moving arena ground. From the sand a corgi rose, she rocked back to a seated position on her hind end and in her own way examined the new class of students. She let out a little yip, to which Mr. Henry chuckled, then she laid back down.

"Everyone out on the rail at a walk please."

He bent down to start moving poles. he put down one on the center line half way between K and E and B and F. Next two poles were laid out parallel nine feet apart on E and F then finally another pole was set in a mirror to the first pole on the other side of the ring. When he finished his work he moved back to the center of the ring to survey it. Please himself his hands went back in his pocket. He looked out at his riders.

"As I call on you, and I will most likely call your horse's name I want you to tell me a little about you and your animal, and what you want to accomplish from this clas. Please keep it brief."

He walked back to the gate to retrieve his clipboard, this time Speedbump got up and lazily followed her master. As Henry perched himself on the fence, Speedbump took her position under her feet, her eyes following every set of hooves as it passed by. Henry, who had marked the riders with numbers as they came in called out to the first name on his list.

"Fortunado?"

Vincent took a second to register his horses name being called. He was caught in some sort of day dream and not paying attention. As he realized that he was being called on he floundered for a second trying to find a way to summarize his relationship with the animal.

"Fortunado and I have been together since I started doing Children's years ago. We are now working on starting my adult years and regular working. I just want to keep improving."
"Thank you--" he was searching his lists "-- Vincent..."

He looked around for a second before calling out the next name.

"Titania"

...

"Rain."

...

"Acorn"

...

"Phantom"

...

"Knight"

...

"Laurence"

...

"Bayjour"

...

"and finally May."

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

"Cara? I'm Mr. Henry."

Cara nodded her head to her name. "I am she, Sir." She replied softly. Formality had been drilled into her from an early age and no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't break the habit. She watched as the man inspected the fit of the saddle, but remained silent. She didn't feel the need to tell the mane that she religiously checked the fit of the saddle every time she saddled her - she knew that Mr Williams would know that Miss Carr always kept a good eye on the fitting of the school horses.

Cara bowed her head as she was told that she could mount up, jiggling the reins slightly she got the mare's attention and led Titania over to the mounting block. Pulling the stirrups down, she put the left stirrup over the saddle before she lifted the flap and tightened the girth by another couple of holes. Lowering the flap again, she pulled the stirrup back over and rubbed the mare's shoulder. Stepping up onto the mounting block, she gathered the reins and a handful of mane in her left hand before putting her right hand on the pommel and sprung easily into the saddle - almost seeming to pause in mid-air before landing softly on the seat of the saddle. After sliding her right foot into the stirrup she squeezed the mare forward and walked away from the mounting block, so that the next person could mount up, and headed over to where another horse and rider already stood.

She listened intently as Mr Williams spoke the rules for his class, which weren't any different from what she was used to back home... er, back in Birmingham. At the command, she squeezed the mare forward and they walked out to the track, making sure to keep a good horse space between Titania and the horse in front of her.

She didn't like the idea of having to talk about herself, but there was noway to back out of it and before she knew it, Vincent had finished speaking and her mount's name was called out. The young teen cleared her throat, even though she knew it wouldn't make her voice any louder, and opened her mouth. "Titania is one of the Academy's school horses, and we have worked together on and off for the last couple of years. I would like to do my best to help Titania improve herself." Her clipped English accent came out strongly from her softly spoken words. Okay, so she didn't really tell anything about herself, but she wasn't here to talk about her, she was here for the horse she was riding and to learn.

[freebird]

Tessa blushed slightly when she remembered that she never put the polo wraps on her gelding. She was sure that the wraps were sitting by where she tacked him up this morning. In such a haste, she had forgotten them but there was nothing she could do about it now. When the teacher mentioned the tack being oiled, she gave him a quick nod and looked towards the mounting block that he pointed at. Clucking softly to her gelding, she began to lead him over the block. Rain snorted briefly, before dancing sideways slightly and then following her to the mounting block. One girl was in front of her, so Tessa halted Rain and laid an affectionate hand on his neck.

Rain raised his head, pricking his ears and nickering softly to the other horses. His nostrils flared, and his eyes glanced around quickly, taking in the sights. The other girl had mounted, and Tessa clucked again softly to her gelding, halting him by the mounting block. She quickly checked the girth, tightened it a bit and ran down her right stirrup. Pulling down the left stirrup, she placed her foot in the stirrup and quietly settled down into the saddle.

She nudged Rain softly with her heels, making room for another student to mount up. She guided him towards the outside wall and listened as the instructor told the group his rules in the class.They were easy enough to remember. She listened as the first two students talked about themselves and their horses. Before she knew it, it was her turn."Rain was purchased for me about 5 years ago, and he has been trained in dressage for the most part. We are taking this class to learn something new, and work on our bond." Leaning forward, she patted his neck, smiling brightly.