Meet and Greets (Madi/OPEN)

[tayjay8]

Nikki had been teaching and teaching all afternoon, but she couldn't complain about it; it's what she had signed up for afterall. Lash seemed tired though, even though all she had done was stand there all day, except for some of the class.

Nikki had liked to example for some of her students; even though she was sure they could do it on their own. Being woken up at five thirty by her dogs wasn't her highlight of the day though; considering she doesn't have her class until the afternoon, she likes to sleep in.

Lash snorted as they walked from the arena up to the Red Willow Barn. Walking inside the vacant barn, now that all the students were, hoepfully, back in their dorms and working on homework, Nikki was pleased by how calm the barn sounded. Without the buzzing of all the drama, rumors, gossip, and children around Lash seemed much calmer as well.

Leading the dapple grey mare down the aisle, Nikki found cross ties closest to her stall and grabbed the halter that lay on the stall's hook. Placing the halter in her hand, Nikki took the mare's bridle off, and then slipped the halter on, before taking the reins off of Lash's neck; and then latching on the cross ties.

Unlatching the tack trunk, Nikki started with the curry comb, quickly finding it; since she threw it in without looking earlier, it was under her clipboard for class. Her eyes scanned over the "homework" and class schedule.

Nikki liked her student's to have homework, but not actually real homework. She liked it to benefit them, but she wouldn't hound them if they didn't do it. Just something fun for them to work on, if they had any spare time. The first assignment, she said that she would like them to work on just going over some basic poles on the ground. It would help in the long run, and you could do it if you wanted.

After currying down the mare's big dapple grey body, Nikki placed the curry back in her tack trunk; and then started to search for her soft body brush.

[madison]

Madison had been doing her homework, she felt like she had been doing it for her whole life. In reality she had just been doing it since school let out, a couple hours. Madison hadn’t expected to finish quite so quickly, it was a good sign and her parents would be proud. She didn’t call them, she should have but she wasn’t in the mood to hear her mother’s voice and find out what kind of day it had been for her. If it had been a good day she would have been happy to chatter with her mother about school and things, but if her mom had struggled with her day Madison’s mood would be changed completely. She would call her later, before bed and then she would talk to Sam too. She slipped into her room and changed her clothes, she was going to flat Tilly – they had been told do to some pole work and she hadn’t had a chance to get it done yesterday with the rehab class taking longer than expected. No matter the case she was going to ride the mare now, it would be a relief as she found that most people were at the barns right after class – it should be quieter now.

Once in the barns she unzipped her jacket, it was chilly out but she had heated up on the walk over and the barns were warm. Heading to a tack room she noted a horse in the crossties she normally used for Tilly, it didn’t matter as there was a set right behind the horse that she could use. Grabbing tack she dropped it on the ground next to ties she was going to use. She pulled her tall boots on over her favorite breeches, and added a pair of gloves to her jacket pocket. Her long sleeved shirt was a present from her friend Abby back home, the girl was one of the few people Madison could still talk to without things being weird – most of her other friends were too conscious about her Madi’s sisters suicide. It had been scary, stressful and painful to deal with and while she hadn’t come to terms with every aspect of her sister not being with her Madison had adjusted well – thinking only of the good memories. Though when others danced around it, or tried to bring it up in a not awkward way she couldn’t handle it; Abby had a weird tact with talking and everything she said was healing. Madison’s thoughts returned to the task at hand which; was to get Tilly over some poles, and in order to do that she needed to tack the horse up. Pulling off a mid-weight blanket the small blonde lead the mare to crossties with her leather halter on and draped the leather lead over Tilly’s muscular neck.

Tilly was a small mare for her breeding and skill, just barely 15.3hh with her shoes on. There was no question in the mares build, she was made to be a jumper and didn’t need the extra height anyways – she made it over the grand prix fences with room to spare. She was fond of Tilly, even though they hadn’t been working together for a long time the mare had a special spot in Madison’s heart already. Attention turned to the woman not 12 feet away, grooming her own horse. Smile lit Madison’s features as she realized the woman was Ms. Fare, she should have recognized the unique horse – she was going to blame that one on study brain. Grabbing the dark blue polo’s she set to work wrapping the mare’s legs and grabbed a pair of black bell boots to add to her front legs, pausing for a second she couldn’t help herself she was a social creature.

“Evening Ms. Fare, how’s it going?”

ooc - sorry slow, I should get some more muse flowing too.
clothes&&tack

[Becca Walsh]

(O.O.C. Mind if I join?)

Becca made her way down to the barn in the twilight, wrapping her arms around her peacoat clad body. She'd dressed warm, putting leggings on under her jeans and lining her burgundy Hunter boots with fleece socks. The sun had started setting later and later, and Becca could tell that not many people were in the barn. When she walked in, she was a bit surprised to see a couple horses cross tied in the isle. She recognized both, one belonging to her jumping instructor, and the other to another girl in her class.

She walked down to the stalls of her horses, and fed Frye an alfalfa cube. He was in a good mood tonight, but Becca still didn't want to risk bringing him near the other horses and him freaking out. After patting him on the neck, she made her way down to Rabbit. The thoroughbred seemed to be settling in nicely, and Rose smiled, clipping on his lead and leading him out of his stall. She clipped him into the ties closest to Madison and her horse, but they were still pretty close to Ms. Fare. She was glad she had chosen not to groom Frye by them. Both of the other horses seemed rather well behaved, and Becca didn't want him to embarrass himself, and her, in front of their instructor, and the other jumping student.

She grabbed her box of brushes and started on Rabbit's coat. The pure white thoroughbred had rolled, and luckily, he'd had his rug on. However, his legs and neck were coated in mud, and it was rather comical seeing his perfect snow white coat sharply contrasting the mud. She began to curry him down, watching the mud come off in powdery dust. Luckily, the mud wasn't bad, and hadn't been ground into his coat.

Turning to Madison she spoke, "It's a nice evening, isn't it? A little chilly for my taste, but otherwise beautiful!" She turned, smiling at Ms. Fare as well.

[tayjay8]

Nikki quickly found her brush and turned to face Lash, again. Starting as high as she could on the neck; Nikki moved her way down the mare's body, getting every piece of little dirt or dust she could find.

As she heard a girl, a student of hers, enter the tack room; Nikki smiled before she entered. Then continuing on her work on the coat of Lash, Nikki awaited the girl to come back out. Her name was Madison, and she was in her Jumping class.

Madison entered back out, as Nikki was finishing up; and then started to get her own horse prepared for grooming. Taking the mane comb, Nikki started at the forelock of Lash's mane, and worked her way down. Starting at the roots of the mane, and then letting it flow through the mare's long hair.

Hearing a greet from Madison, Nikki said back, Good, a little tired, but I'll survive. How about yourself? she asked the girl, returning the greeting.

Having another one of her students enter; Becca was her name? Nikki smiled at the meeting of the two girl's; and their exchange of words.

Lash snorted and seemed inpatient of the thought that Nikki was still brushing the same lock of hair.

[madison]

Madison finished with the polo’s and bell boots, once she was standing once more she zipped her coat up the rest of the way, she was still chilled. Being so small it took her a little while to heat up sometimes, but once she did get going she usually ended up riding in long sleeves and vests – even in the dead of winter. Though much like a horse’s cooler she always had a coat to put back on so she didn’t sore herself after a ride. She made a mental note to bring a cooler for Tilly that she could hang over her at the walk when they warmed up and cooled out – the mare was usually tolerant of the thing as long as the wind didn’t catch it – which would be hard to do in the indoor arena. Her attention was grabbed by a white, or mostly white equine in approach and a familiar face. She had seen the girl before, she just couldn’t put a name to her face at the moment. Smile lit her features, it was friendly though modest – she was still recovering from staring at a textbook for hours and as a result her happiness hadn’t completely consumed its normal level for at the barn. Grabbing a brush she ran it over the mare’s coat, she flicked the little dust that had gathered on the otherwise glimmering coat. Aside from needing to gain a little more muscle tone over her topline the mare was looking good, Madi was picky about her horses. Becca that was her name! As soon as the girl spoke it came to Madi, and thankfully so!

“Agreed, Tilly and I much prefer the warmer weather.”

Madison smirked, her mare ran a little hot typically so it was nice when she could bake in the sun a little and tire out easier. The chilly weather only made the horses fresher, which forced Madison to be more diligent with working Tilly so she didn’t hurt herself or someone else. It was good that the mare was that way though, she kept Madi on her toes and working hard, always thinking about what to do next riding wise. Once she had worked the soft brush over the mare’s clipped coat completely Madison picked up a saddle pad, the black baby pad was simple with a white border – her back on track stuff was at home getting washed. The thinline half pad went next, Madison added the running martingale around Tilly’s neck with the use of the buckle so she didn’t have to take the mare out of the crossties. Lifting the Hermes saddle on to the short mares back with ease Madison paused in grabbing her girth and listened to Ms. Fare. Smiling to the woman as she went about carefully doing up Tilly’s girth slowly as not to agitate the mare.

“I’m good, a little beat myself – but that will go away as soon as I get on.”

She couldn’t be tired and ride Tilly successfully, the bay mare didn’t allow it though at the same time if you got on her with your energy level too high the mare didn’t handle it either. It was a balance of being relaxed but on your toes that resulted in the best ride, which was as most things horse related were –easier said than done. Channeling the right energy for your ride was half the battle, given that she was in a cheery mood and slightly tired Madison hoped the mare would mirror such emotions and just go to work. Tightening the belly guard girth once more she rolled her eyes as the mare swished her tail and stomped a hoof in annoyance.

ooc - weo, done finally - sorry!
clothes&&tack

[Becca Walsh]

Becca continued to brush Rabbit down, feeling her hands get grimier with each stroke. When all the dried mud had been reduced to a dust, she got a softer brush and swept him over with it. It seemed that she could brush forever and dust could keep puffing out of his coat. Rabbit looked back at her, his ears pricked. He obviously remembered this ritual...he'd put Becca through it tons of times. The gelding didn't seem to get the concept of staining, and Becca was eternally trying to get grass and poop stains out of his coat.

She'd never forget the time he rolled the night before her first show. Not a normal roll. He'd rolled in tons of juicy, freshly cut grass with a patch of poop in the middle. She'd found him that morning looking like oscar the grouch, all greenish with a yellowy patch on his withers. It had been horrible.

Becca found herself grinning as she remembered this episode. Kaitlin had managed to help her clean him up before her class which was luckily later in the day. She found herself coming back to earth with the thought of Kaitlin, and tried to get herself back into the conversation,

"Frye likes the warmer weather too...or I like him better in the warmer weather."

[tayjay8]

OOC: I will reply when I get back next week, I am really sorry!

[tayjay8]

Noticing that Madison, or Madi, seemed to be going out on a ride; Nikki smiled as she moved her mane comb down to another lock of long white hair. Hearing the two girls start talking about the weather together; it made Nikki light up with joy. It was one thing being in a class together, but another being outside of class.

Moving the comb down again, she commented in, I perfer riding Lash in the autumm, when it's just right. In the summer it gets way to hot, and all of this- Nikki said holding up the long lock, gets all sweaty; which means a bath. she said, then thinking about the winter category. But in the freezing cold, Lash seems to get all tensed up and her muscles aren't as loose; as they should be during regular rides.

Then placing the mane comb back into the grooming box, Nikki asked, Are you two going to be riding? she asked the girls. Leaning over the mare's back, Nikki listened before she decided to place the mare back into her stall. She might lead her out to the pasture for awhile; so atleast she would get some peace and quiet for awhile.

OOC:Sorry it took A LONG TIME!

[madison]

Madison smiled as she peered over the mare, she ran her fingers through her mane and pulled out a few loose shavings. She did the same to the mares tail before picking up each hoof and checking that the mares feet were clean, they were as she had been stabled but there was no harm in being thorough. Her mind ran to the exercises she might set up with the horse, probably a few canter poles, some raised trot poles – nothing too strenuous but enough to keep both horse and rider on their toes. Slipping her hands into her pockets to retrieve her gloves she decided to grab her cooler and ear bonnet now for the mare, blocking out as much sound as possible was ideal in the chilly weather – the mare wasn’t totally settled in the indoor arena either. The bonnet was deep blue, the mare’s clipped ears probably appreciated a little warmth anyways. She placed it down next to the bridle and focused on getting the cooler over the mare. It was one of Dillon’s coolers, or it had been until the gelding had gotten his muscle tone back and practically busted out of the thing. The point was it was big enough to get completely done up over the mares tack and Madison didn’t have to worry about it slipping or catching something and scaring the horse. The mare was generally well broke on the ground but she wasn’t as bombproof as Dillon was, which led Madison to use some precaution. She smiled to Becca nodding her head to agree, the warmer weather was soothing for Tilly and the heat helped her muscles.

“I will take the heat to help her melt a little, and I like cooling out with a hose off, it’s nice to get Vetrolin liniment on her – good for her muscles.”

She finished fastening the cooler on the mare, careful that nothing was hanging out to get caught she ran a gloved hand down the mare’s sleek neck, Tilly had forgotten her earlier displeasure at having her girth adjusted and perked her ears to Madison reaching down to touch her. Madi dropped a kiss on the horses face and the mare snorted. Wiping her face clear of Tilly’s snort she rolled her eyes at the mare, it hadn’t been on purpose but timing was always perfect that way with horses – or so it seemed. Grabbing the bridle and ear bonnet she undid the crossties, careful not to let them smash to the wall she slipped the leather halter off the horses head. Tilly was well behaved and stood like a statue, Madison tossed the halter lightly to the side where her brush kit was left and went to work putting the ear bonnet on the mare. The small bay dropped her head for Madison and accepted the ear cover, followed by the bridle with ease. She seemed to be in a delightful mood now, perhaps Madison would get lucky with the horse today after all. Finishing with the noseband and throat latch Ms. Fare’s voice caught her ear. Turning to the woman she smiled, nodding once more her tone hit the air.

“I’m riding, and I actually wanted to ask you about some pole exercises – just if you had any suggestions.”

ooc - meh muse, sorry.
clothes&&tack

[madison]

Umm, maybe archive this? Becca we can post elsewhere if you want - I think it would be hard to go from where we without major editing?

[Becca Walsh]

Okay! I was about done with it anyways since she wasn't planning on riding. If you want we could have another thread but it's up to you. I don't really care...