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MERRY CHRISTMAS *Mockingbirdblues !

Here's her rider Avery and her CSM stallion Ocean in a hunters lesson. Not sure why such a bright yellow shirt, I was feeling it when I colored it. Enjoy!

STORY TIME! (RP between myself and ShowGurl) Careful, long story is long.

It was a cold winter day, one of the coldest so far and Avery almost groaned when she had to leave the warm sanctuary of the dark green truck cab for the icy world outside. Kylie had already started to unload Avery's inexperienced mount; as the small cremello pranced carefully down the padded ramp he swiveled his ivory ears to catch the unfamiliar sounds of the new stable yard and his crystal blue eyes flickered across the snowy barns.
"Here Avery, walk him around a bit, I'll go find our trainer and tell her we're here" Kylie offered as she handed the lead over to her jockey.
Avery nodded and clucked softly to her silver pony, walking him in a wide circle so his muscles wouldn't cramp from the chill.
From a distance, a bay mare being free-lunged in the arena whinnied loudly, making the cream-colored horse fling his head into the air and yell back. As Avery craned her neck around his head, she saw her stop directly in the wide, gated-shut doorway with a dramatic leap. It was Invalydated, one of the daughters of Pebble Creek's most iconic Arabian stud. Avery laughed, and figuring that there might be someone in the arena that would know where to at least tie her horse up. As she entered the arena, a redheaded girl in the center of the arena caught her eye. That had to be Aubrie. Avery had met her once or twice at a hunter show. She signaled that she'd be there in a minute, and set down her whip to catch the mare.
Ocean's nostrils quivered curiously, his barrel trembling with quiet nickers and loud snorts as he watched the elegant horse inside the ring. He had never seen an Arabian before, the only horses he had known had been the small durable horses in his band on the scarce beaches of North Carolina; the mare made him both wary and increasingly curious. Avery rubbed her pony's neck comfortingly as he continued to watch the mare, and waited patiently for Aubrie to finish with the bay.
Suddenly, the mare galloped past, kicking dust into Avery's nose and mouth. Someone was apparently trying to get the guy. Her handler did not look amused, and as she picked her whip up again, she stepped in the mare's path and brought the lash down suddenly on the ground in front of her. She stopped with a bit of a willy-nilly slide, and Aubrie rolled her eyes and she clipped a lead rope onto the bay's purple halter. She flipped her red hair out of her eyes and strode quickly toward Avery, trying not to excite the mare but ignoring her antics. As she approached, she stuck her hand out to Avery and smiled.
"Hey, I'm Aubrie. You've already met little Coco here, I don't really think she needs introducing after that little show," she said, giggling a little. Avery smiled back. She seemed nice.
Ocean reached his pearly nose up, inspecting the mare as she came closer, his white forelock dancing across his eyes with the slight winter breeze.
"I'm Avery" Avery offered kindly as she shook Aubrie's hand and nudged Ocean back a little so he understood that he wasn't allowed to invade her space to make friends with the taller bay mare.
"And this is Ocean" she introduced the dainty stallion when his attention shifted from the unfamiliar mare to Aubrie.
Aubrie grinned at him and reached out her hand to rub his nose. "Well, you sure are a pretty one, huh?" Ocean nudged her hand back a bit, and she laughed. "I suppose you'll need a place to tack up while you wait for Dani, right? Let me put Coco away, and I'll show you a way around into the stallions barn so you two don't cause an uproar of raging hormones." She opened the arena gate and held it open for Avery and Ocean, then slipped through herself with Coco. Once the gate was latched shut, she pointed to one of the large brick buildings ahead, past the outdoor riding rings. "The building up ahead on the left is the stallion barn. Go ahead and snag a pair of cross ties, and you can groom him and get him ready. If you need tack or brushes you can borrow some, the tack room is halfway down the aisle." And with that, she set off promptly toward the barn on the right, the bay Arabian following - or more accurately, running - behind her.
"Thanks" Avery called after her, careful not to be too loud so she didn't frighten the bay mare. Ocean shuffled a little and Avery gently turned him around so they could go back to the trailer to retrieve his tack and grooming box. Managing to hold all three items, plus keeping a reasonable hold on Ocean wasn't easy; but the ivory stallion was kind and walked obediently beside her as they moved from the cold stable yard to the slightly warmer barn.
Ocean stood well enough on the cross ties, letting Avery tack him up quietly, but the whinnies of the unfamiliar stallions unnerved him after a while. He started stepping around and getting worked up, and as Avery ducked under the green nylon ties, a woman with medium-length black hair stepped through the half-open barn door, and smiled at Avery. She stopped to shut the door, and walked toward Avery.
"You're Avery, right? I'm Daniella, I'll be your instructor today. You can call me Dani if it's easier your you," she said, smiling and holding out her hand for Avery to shake.
"Hello" Avery replied politely as she returned Daniella's greeting "it's nice to meet you; this is Ocean" she introduced her pearly mount as he shuffled as far left as the crossties would allow him to. Kylie had gone back to the truck to check back with the barn and make sure everything was alright in her absence, but she had assured Dani she would be back in time to watch the lesson.
Dani smiled, for probably the billionth time since she'd walked in the door. "Well, it looks like you're almost done tacking up. Why don't you grab a helmet and meet me in the indoor arena. Take your time, I'm not in a rush. " Dani stroked Ocean on the neck. He was starting to get used to her, but was still wary of her every move. She patted him one last time, and disappeared out of the barn.
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Later, Avery met Dani in the arena, Antsy stallion in tow. She didn't see Stacy in the immediate area, so she took him to the mounting block in the center of the arena, got on, and stood there, taking it in. It was hot in the arena; it must have been heated. She took her ski coat off to reveal a long-sleeved, neon yellow shirt. Tossing it onto the ground next to the mounting block, she looked up and spotted Dani jogging across the arena, ready to get started.
Ocean flared his nostrils and tensed when Dani jogged toward him, he sidestepped and chewed on his bit, clanking the snaffle around his mouth to relieve his nerves. Avery rubbed his withers reassuringly, used to the stallions insecurity, and waited for Dani to give her first direction.
Dani checked Ocean's bridle, making sure that the adjustments were right, and tightened his girth for Avery. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kylie slip into the bleachers and take a seat behind the white boards the lined the arena's edge.
"Why don't you hop on and walk him around to get his blood flowing, I'm going to go see if I can get Aubrie to throw in some lunch for us three for after your lesson," Dani told Avery, patting Ocean's shoulder and taking out her iPhone to text Aubrie. Avery shook her head. "Are you sure? We don't want to intrude on your personal time,"
"Don't be silly, you guys are good friends of Pebble Creek. Feel free to stay as long as you want! We have plenty of extra stalls, I'm sure Ocean wouldn't mind a flake of hay and some water after a good workout."
Avery nodded and nudged Ocean forward gently; the ivory pony moved off obsequiously and walked easily around the ring, curiously looking at every feature of the unfamiliar arena.
Dani finished her text quickly, and sat down on the big wooden mounting block. "Okay, Avery, he looks good, but he's a bit stiff, so try loosening your reins a little and letting him hang his head until he gets used to it," Dani said loudly across the arena. Avery did so, and Ocean immediately relaxed, and his ears perked up at everything that could possibly be interesting to him.
Avery gradually started increasing her leg pressure on Ocean and she squeezed her inside rein lightly, asking the sensitive pony to gather himself a little more in the beginnings of a frame. It was what they had been working on the last few months, Avery just wanted to make sure he was able to do it before they started the lesson.
Once the stallion was moving along with no problems, Dani felt that they were ready to trot. "Okay, he's doing great. Why don't you open your hips up a bit and ask him to trot," she said, making sure Avery could hear her. Avery did what Dani told her, and her mount eased into a smooth, comfortable trot. He was still getting a bit distracted by the little noises and shadows, so Avery nudged him on his inside rein to get his attention back. Ocean soon decided his environment was safe enough to grant his rider his full attention; he lowered his head again, searching for Avery's contact with his mouth. Avery rewarded him with a gentle rub on his withers and allowed him to stretch.
"That looks great! Now remember, you're leaning forward a bit too much to let him stretch. You can do the same thing by just loosening your reins and sitting upright in your saddle," Dani told her, and as she tried it, Avery felt Ocean extend his stride to a gorgeous, floating hunter trot. She glanced over to the center of the ring, and saw Dani dragging a jump over a few feet. She gradually dragged pole after pole to the middle, and Avery realized she was building a gymnastic line. She kept up her trot and made sure Ocean was being attentive and not pulling, but kept her eye on Dani to make sure she was doing everything right. Ocean lost his frame as he turned to watch Dani; Avery pressed her leg more firmly against him and increased the pressure of her aids to get his attention back. Once he yielded to her aids she relaxed again and they continued trotting.
Dani finished setting up the line, and turned back to Avery. "Okay, he seems like he's doing well trotting and he's all warmed up. Try asking him to canter, but remember to sit deep and push with your seat instead of using only your legs and hands," she said. Avery waited for a corner, and asked Ocean quietly to canter. He obeyed, and stepped into a pretty, engaged canter. Dani observed patiently. "Good, now I want to see you drop your hands a bit more and use them to follow his motion. Good! See how he's much more relaxed and engaged? That's what we want going into a jump," she told Avery. "Why don't you pull him back into a walk and take him over here so we can adjust your stirrups for jumping?"
Avery stopped yielding to Ocean's movements and stopped her seat in the saddle, the Ivory pony halted briskly and Avery gave him a pat before turning in to the middle. Ocean stood quietly, rather at ease now that he was sure nothing in the unfamiliar ring would eat him; and Avery slipped the metal fasten up a hole on her stirrup leathers so they were the correct length.
Dani fixed a last uneven pole on a blue-and-white oxer, then approached Avery and Ocean. "Alright, why don't you pick up a nice canter around the ring, then try this gymnastic here? Make sure you don't pull on him too much and he'll be golden," she advised. Avery did so. As she picked him up into a smooth canter and nudged him ever so gently around the corner, Dani watched her intently.
Avery counted quietly under her breath, counting each time Ocean's front foot struck the forgiving sand of the arena. She half halted him briefly before the first jump so he would get the correct stride for the first jump. Ocean jumped smoothly over the first two obstacles, but couldn't balance himself well enough for the bounce stride and ended up scrambling over the last fence. Ocean tucked his head down, frustrated with his own incapability and Avery sat back, gingerly bringing the young stallion to a trot and rubbing his withers reassuringly. She looked toward Dani, waiting for her commentary.
"That was good until you got to that bounce," Dani said, smiling. "What I want you to do is hold him with your reins right up until that jump, don't let him go until he's over it. I want to see it again."
Avery kept up Ocean's brisk posting trot, until he was past the combo. She then asked for the same energetic canter, and he picked it up no problem. She guided him smoothly and calmly around the ring, deliberately controlling his strides. She breathed evenly, counting her strides up until the combo again. 1... 2... 3... jump, land... 1... She brought her hands up a bit higher after the first jump, and as he tucked over the first fence of the bounce, she was one step ahead. She picked him up as soon as he hit the ground, and he cleared the bounce stylishly and flawlessly. Avery smiled and rubbed Ocean's neck, rewarding him for his improvement. Ocean flickered his ears contentedly and arched his neck proudly under her praise.
Dani clapped her hands together loudly, happy. "THERE you go! That's exactly what I wanted to see!" she praised. Avery kept up Ocean's steady canter, and he seemed much more confident after taking that bounce. "You told him he could do it, and you helped him, so he did it. That's one of the biggest parts of a hunter course, because the horse has never seen these jumps or combinations before. You have to be able to convince him that he's done this a million times, which he has."
Avery smiled at Dani and slowed Ocean to a trot, letting him relax a little after the exercise. Ocean stretched his neck out and swished his tail content with his achievement. Dani helped Avery with her trot for a while, working the gymnastic both ways for about ten minutes. After a while, the two had progressed so well that Dani began to set up a very elaborate course of oxers, bounces, and even strangely-shaped fences that looked like boulders or doghouses. "They're for any derbies that we hold," Dani explained. "The boulder is made of Styrofoam, don't worry."
Avery was letting Ocean walk on a looser rein while Dani set up the new course, she smiled at her temporary instructor, always eager for a challenge. Ocean watched the new jumps come out and chewed his bit again, a little unsure about all the intimidating fences.
Soon, Dani had finished setting up the course and asked Avery to walk in to the middle so she could explain the course. "I want you to pick up a canter about down at the other end, come around all the way, then take that double combo down the opposite straightaway. Take a diagonal down the arena, clear the doghouse and the oxer, and turn a wide circle around the boulder. The triple gymnastic next, the one with the bounce, and then the line down the middle, and a quick right to jump the boulder. Got it?"
Avery nodded, used to the rapid pace of the course thanks to Kylie's tendency to set up impossibly complicated sets of jumps for her to memorize. She gathered her reins and nudged Ocean forward, clucking to him reassuringly under her breath as he snorted nervously. Avery transitioned to a canter where Dani asked her too, and used their trip around the ring to show Ocean the jumps, allowing him to watch them as they cantered by. She turned at the center of the rail and firmly pointed Ocean toward the first line. The dainty cremello faltered slightly and chipped in at the last moment, Avery pushed him out to make up for the awkward landing and they managed to hit the correct stride for the second jump. When they landed Avery shifted her weight, directing Ocean down the diagonal of the ring toward the doghouse. Ocean faltered even more, tossing his pearly head into the air as the strange wooden jump loomed in front of him. Avery clucked again, urging her coastal-born stallion on with soft reassuring whispers as she pressed her legs harder against his snowy sides. Ocean huffed and his ears went so far forward they almost touched, Avery tapped him with her crop, signaling that she wanted him to take off, and Ocean complied. The grey pony arched into the air above the jump like it was aflame, tucking his legs so close to his body that he had to scramble to get them all back down in time to land. Avery hissed quietly at the suddenness but her body arched forward to accompany him and once they landed she rubbed his withers, praising him for his bravery.
Avery didn't take too much time to reward Ocean, as there was a second jump only a few strides ahead of them. She sat back and counted under her breath again, folding neatly when Ocean took the milder jump with a more confident form than his previous flight. The gymnastic was completed with similar ease and Ocean took his last line enthusiastically, snapping his ivory knees up happily. They approached the last jump, the boulder, and this time Ocean didn't falter, although his ears did swivel back, seeking direction from his rider. Avery murmured encouragingly again and urged Ocean forward once more, hoping to keep their round clear. Ocean snorted and decided on a similar jumping tactic to the one he had adopted for the dog house, his body arced over the grey jump and he watched the boulder as he passed over it, his head coming up quickly once he had landed. Avery let out a breathless sigh of relief and willingly sat Ocean's excited buck once he realized he had defeated the monsters among the course.
Dani nodded, content as they finished the course. "That was good," she said, encouraging. "You really helped him get over it, although you had a couple rough jumps toward the beginning there. I want to see that again, but take the course backwards. I don't want him to get too used to it. It'll test your memory too."
Avery was taken by surprise, but did what Dani told her to do. She asked Ocean for a nice canter down the arena, and started the course with a gorgeous, scopey jump over the boulder.
Avery had to think a little harder now, she had to think about the next jump more, as well as keeping Ocean steady and confident over the jumps. Luckily, the bright stallion was a quick learner and he took the jumps with less hesitation which allowed Avery to concentrate more on keeping the correct order throughout the course.
Ocean bounded over each one effortlessly, and as he took the last jump of the double combination, Avery brought him back down to a fancy trot. Dani looked very impressed. "If that were a class at a show, you would have pinned, if not won," she said, very excited. "I'm going to change them up a little bit, you just hang tight and let him catch his breath." She walked across the arena, dragged a few jumps around, and Avery watched intently from the corner of her eye.
Avery nodded and patted Ocean's neck, quietly telling him how heroically brave he was. It was one of the only times she had actually spoken since she had gotten on her pearly pony. Avery was never very talkative, and sometimes her quiet was mistaken for rudeness, she hoped that wasn't the case with Dani- she meant her temporary instructor no disrespect.
Dani finished changing the course up, and she asked Avery to stop in the middle again. "This one is a little harder. You're going to have to keep an eye on your leads and make sure he doesn't stumble. Pick up your canter going clockwise down there at the end, and turn down the diagonal to jump the big oxer, then turn down the straightaway and take a little teeny turn to jump that double, the one with the yellow flowers. You're going to need to switch leads over the last elements and turn the other way down the straightaway down to the other end, jump the doghouse, circle about halfway and take the triple down the middle, then when you land squeeze in between the double, circle around, and canter down to take the boulder, and then circle to the gymnastic with the bounce next to it. Was I clear enough?"
Avery paused a moment, going over the course in her head once before she nodded and trotted Ocean back to the rail, cantering where Dani had told them too. By now Ocean was accustomed to the jumps, he took the first oxer eagerly and Avery shifted back into her saddle more, urging Ocean onto his haunches so he could make the sharp turn. Ocean swiveled and jumped with an excited flick of his tail, enjoying a more challenging course. The next part was more challenging, but Ocean was sensitive and Avery only needed to switch her aids for him to swap leads. When they finished she rubbed his withers, incredibly proud of her ivory stallion.
"YES! That's EXACTLY what I wanted from you! See, he's really thinking about what he has to do, and he's relying on you to tell him. That's what judges want to see," Dani exclaimed, praising the horse and rider. "Why don't you cool him down, then meet me in the middle, that was a good lesson." Avery smiled to herself, letting Ocean stretch out on a loose rein. He seemed much more relaxed over the jumps, and didn't reuse once, which was a great start. Not to mention they were all about 2-and-a-half to 3 feet each, and he hadn't had one bar down.
Avery pulled her gloves off and leaned down to feel Ocean's chest, once he was cool enough she turned him in to the middle patting his neck as he exhaled contentedly. "Thank you" she told Dani as she let her feet slip from her stirrups, relaxing with her pony.
Dani smiled, patting Ocean's neck. "Oh, it's no problem. But I want to hear from YOU, what do you think you learned today that you think would help you improve?" she asked Avery, looking up at her.
Avery paused thoughtfully, her fingers twining in Ocean's mane. "The gymnastics were good for him" she decided "and the doghouse" she smiled as Ocean snorted softly in agreement.
Dani nodded. "I agree. He really did learn from that. But what did YOU learn? I want to hear how you thought you benefited." Avery sat for a moment and thought hard. "I learned" Avery paused quietly for a moment, "that I really have to support him, and ride him every stride" she decided finally.
"Exactly," Dani said, scratching Ocean's ear. "You can't just sit there and look pretty in hunters, even though that's what they judge you on. You need to RIDE YOUR HORSE, but make it look easy." Avery nodded, grinning to herself, and slipped her feet back into the stirrups.
Ocean lowered his head and lipped Dani's sleeve curiously, he shifted his head and gently rubbed against her shoulder, itching against her contentedly. Avery pulled his head away "don't be rude" she chided her ivory mount as she cast Dani an apologetic smile.
Dani nodded her head, rubbing the stallions forehead. "You did great today. Why don't you untack him and throw him in an empty stall with some hay, then come into the lounge for lunch?" she suggested, her eyes cast on the small horse happily rubbing his face on her hand.
Avery nodded and thanked Dani again before she dismounted and loosened Ocean's girth. Kylie came from where she had been quietly watching the lesson and escorted her rider back to the stallion barn. Avery untacked Ocean and placed his warm green cooler on him to regulate his body temperature. Kylie put his tack back in the trailer and Avery filled Ocean's water bucket and gave him a flake of hay. Avery lingered in his stall a while longer, she picked out his hooves and combed his tail out before finally following Kylie to the lounge to join Dani for lunch.

Description
MERRY CHRISTMAS *Mockingbirdblues !

Here's her rider Avery and her CSM stallion Ocean in a hunters lesson. Not sure why such a bright yellow shirt, I was feeling it when I colored it. Enjoy!

STORY TIME! (RP between myself and ShowGurl) Careful, long story is long.

It was a cold winter day, one of the coldest so far and Avery almost groaned when she had to leave the warm sanctuary of the dark green truck cab for the icy world outside. Kylie had already started to unload Avery's inexperienced mount; as the small cremello pranced carefully down the padded ramp he swiveled his ivory ears to catch the unfamiliar sounds of the new stable yard and his crystal blue eyes flickered across the snowy barns.
"Here Avery, walk him around a bit, I'll go find our trainer and tell her we're here" Kylie offered as she handed the lead over to her jockey.
Avery nodded and clucked softly to her silver pony, walking him in a wide circle so his muscles wouldn't cramp from the chill.
From a distance, a bay mare being free-lunged in the arena whinnied loudly, making the cream-colored horse fling his head into the air and yell back. As Avery craned her neck around his head, she saw her stop directly in the wide, gated-shut doorway with a dramatic leap. It was Invalydated, one of the daughters of Pebble Creek's most iconic Arabian stud. Avery laughed, and figuring that there might be someone in the arena that would know where to at least tie her horse up. As she entered the arena, a redheaded girl in the center of the arena caught her eye. That had to be Aubrie. Avery had met her once or twice at a hunter show. She signaled that she'd be there in a minute, and set down her whip to catch the mare.
Ocean's nostrils quivered curiously, his barrel trembling with quiet nickers and loud snorts as he watched the elegant horse inside the ring. He had never seen an Arabian before, the only horses he had known had been the small durable horses in his band on the scarce beaches of North Carolina; the mare made him both wary and increasingly curious. Avery rubbed her pony's neck comfortingly as he continued to watch the mare, and waited patiently for Aubrie to finish with the bay.
Suddenly, the mare galloped past, kicking dust into Avery's nose and mouth. Someone was apparently trying to get the guy. Her handler did not look amused, and as she picked her whip up again, she stepped in the mare's path and brought the lash down suddenly on the ground in front of her. She stopped with a bit of a willy-nilly slide, and Aubrie rolled her eyes and she clipped a lead rope onto the bay's purple halter. She flipped her red hair out of her eyes and strode quickly toward Avery, trying not to excite the mare but ignoring her antics. As she approached, she stuck her hand out to Avery and smiled.
"Hey, I'm Aubrie. You've already met little Coco here, I don't really think she needs introducing after that little show," she said, giggling a little. Avery smiled back. She seemed nice.
Ocean reached his pearly nose up, inspecting the mare as she came closer, his white forelock dancing across his eyes with the slight winter breeze.
"I'm Avery" Avery offered kindly as she shook Aubrie's hand and nudged Ocean back a little so he understood that he wasn't allowed to invade her space to make friends with the taller bay mare.
"And this is Ocean" she introduced the dainty stallion when his attention shifted from the unfamiliar mare to Aubrie.
Aubrie grinned at him and reached out her hand to rub his nose. "Well, you sure are a pretty one, huh?" Ocean nudged her hand back a bit, and she laughed. "I suppose you'll need a place to tack up while you wait for Dani, right? Let me put Coco away, and I'll show you a way around into the stallions barn so you two don't cause an uproar of raging hormones." She opened the arena gate and held it open for Avery and Ocean, then slipped through herself with Coco. Once the gate was latched shut, she pointed to one of the large brick buildings ahead, past the outdoor riding rings. "The building up ahead on the left is the stallion barn. Go ahead and snag a pair of cross ties, and you can groom him and get him ready. If you need tack or brushes you can borrow some, the tack room is halfway down the aisle." And with that, she set off promptly toward the barn on the right, the bay Arabian following - or more accurately, running - behind her.
"Thanks" Avery called after her, careful not to be too loud so she didn't frighten the bay mare. Ocean shuffled a little and Avery gently turned him around so they could go back to the trailer to retrieve his tack and grooming box. Managing to hold all three items, plus keeping a reasonable hold on Ocean wasn't easy; but the ivory stallion was kind and walked obediently beside her as they moved from the cold stable yard to the slightly warmer barn.
Ocean stood well enough on the cross ties, letting Avery tack him up quietly, but the whinnies of the unfamiliar stallions unnerved him after a while. He started stepping around and getting worked up, and as Avery ducked under the green nylon ties, a woman with medium-length black hair stepped through the half-open barn door, and smiled at Avery. She stopped to shut the door, and walked toward Avery.
"You're Avery, right? I'm Daniella, I'll be your instructor today. You can call me Dani if it's easier your you," she said, smiling and holding out her hand for Avery to shake.
"Hello" Avery replied politely as she returned Daniella's greeting "it's nice to meet you; this is Ocean" she introduced her pearly mount as he shuffled as far left as the crossties would allow him to. Kylie had gone back to the truck to check back with the barn and make sure everything was alright in her absence, but she had assured Dani she would be back in time to watch the lesson.
Dani smiled, for probably the billionth time since she'd walked in the door. "Well, it looks like you're almost done tacking up. Why don't you grab a helmet and meet me in the indoor arena. Take your time, I'm not in a rush. " Dani stroked Ocean on the neck. He was starting to get used to her, but was still wary of her every move. She patted him one last time, and disappeared out of the barn.
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Later, Avery met Dani in the arena, Antsy stallion in tow. She didn't see Stacy in the immediate area, so she took him to the mounting block in the center of the arena, got on, and stood there, taking it in. It was hot in the arena; it must have been heated. She took her ski coat off to reveal a long-sleeved, neon yellow shirt. Tossing it onto the ground next to the mounting block, she looked up and spotted Dani jogging across the arena, ready to get started.
Ocean flared his nostrils and tensed when Dani jogged toward him, he sidestepped and chewed on his bit, clanking the snaffle around his mouth to relieve his nerves. Avery rubbed his withers reassuringly, used to the stallions insecurity, and waited for Dani to give her first direction.
Dani checked Ocean's bridle, making sure that the adjustments were right, and tightened his girth for Avery. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kylie slip into the bleachers and take a seat behind the white boards the lined the arena's edge.
"Why don't you hop on and walk him around to get his blood flowing, I'm going to go see if I can get Aubrie to throw in some lunch for us three for after your lesson," Dani told Avery, patting Ocean's shoulder and taking out her iPhone to text Aubrie. Avery shook her head. "Are you sure? We don't want to intrude on your personal time,"
"Don't be silly, you guys are good friends of Pebble Creek. Feel free to stay as long as you want! We have plenty of extra stalls, I'm sure Ocean wouldn't mind a flake of hay and some water after a good workout."
Avery nodded and nudged Ocean forward gently; the ivory pony moved off obsequiously and walked easily around the ring, curiously looking at every feature of the unfamiliar arena.
Dani finished her text quickly, and sat down on the big wooden mounting block. "Okay, Avery, he looks good, but he's a bit stiff, so try loosening your reins a little and letting him hang his head until he gets used to it," Dani said loudly across the arena. Avery did so, and Ocean immediately relaxed, and his ears perked up at everything that could possibly be interesting to him.
Avery gradually started increasing her leg pressure on Ocean and she squeezed her inside rein lightly, asking the sensitive pony to gather himself a little more in the beginnings of a frame. It was what they had been working on the last few months, Avery just wanted to make sure he was able to do it before they started the lesson.
Once the stallion was moving along with no problems, Dani felt that they were ready to trot. "Okay, he's doing great. Why don't you open your hips up a bit and ask him to trot," she said, making sure Avery could hear her. Avery did what Dani told her, and her mount eased into a smooth, comfortable trot. He was still getting a bit distracted by the little noises and shadows, so Avery nudged him on his inside rein to get his attention back. Ocean soon decided his environment was safe enough to grant his rider his full attention; he lowered his head again, searching for Avery's contact with his mouth. Avery rewarded him with a gentle rub on his withers and allowed him to stretch.
"That looks great! Now remember, you're leaning forward a bit too much to let him stretch. You can do the same thing by just loosening your reins and sitting upright in your saddle," Dani told her, and as she tried it, Avery felt Ocean extend his stride to a gorgeous, floating hunter trot. She glanced over to the center of the ring, and saw Dani dragging a jump over a few feet. She gradually dragged pole after pole to the middle, and Avery realized she was building a gymnastic line. She kept up her trot and made sure Ocean was being attentive and not pulling, but kept her eye on Dani to make sure she was doing everything right. Ocean lost his frame as he turned to watch Dani; Avery pressed her leg more firmly against him and increased the pressure of her aids to get his attention back. Once he yielded to her aids she relaxed again and they continued trotting.
Dani finished setting up the line, and turned back to Avery. "Okay, he seems like he's doing well trotting and he's all warmed up. Try asking him to canter, but remember to sit deep and push with your seat instead of using only your legs and hands," she said. Avery waited for a corner, and asked Ocean quietly to canter. He obeyed, and stepped into a pretty, engaged canter. Dani observed patiently. "Good, now I want to see you drop your hands a bit more and use them to follow his motion. Good! See how he's much more relaxed and engaged? That's what we want going into a jump," she told Avery. "Why don't you pull him back into a walk and take him over here so we can adjust your stirrups for jumping?"
Avery stopped yielding to Ocean's movements and stopped her seat in the saddle, the Ivory pony halted briskly and Avery gave him a pat before turning in to the middle. Ocean stood quietly, rather at ease now that he was sure nothing in the unfamiliar ring would eat him; and Avery slipped the metal fasten up a hole on her stirrup leathers so they were the correct length.
Dani fixed a last uneven pole on a blue-and-white oxer, then approached Avery and Ocean. "Alright, why don't you pick up a nice canter around the ring, then try this gymnastic here? Make sure you don't pull on him too much and he'll be golden," she advised. Avery did so. As she picked him up into a smooth canter and nudged him ever so gently around the corner, Dani watched her intently.
Avery counted quietly under her breath, counting each time Ocean's front foot struck the forgiving sand of the arena. She half halted him briefly before the first jump so he would get the correct stride for the first jump. Ocean jumped smoothly over the first two obstacles, but couldn't balance himself well enough for the bounce stride and ended up scrambling over the last fence. Ocean tucked his head down, frustrated with his own incapability and Avery sat back, gingerly bringing the young stallion to a trot and rubbing his withers reassuringly. She looked toward Dani, waiting for her commentary.
"That was good until you got to that bounce," Dani said, smiling. "What I want you to do is hold him with your reins right up until that jump, don't let him go until he's over it. I want to see it again."
Avery kept up Ocean's brisk posting trot, until he was past the combo. She then asked for the same energetic canter, and he picked it up no problem. She guided him smoothly and calmly around the ring, deliberately controlling his strides. She breathed evenly, counting her strides up until the combo again. 1... 2... 3... jump, land... 1... She brought her hands up a bit higher after the first jump, and as he tucked over the first fence of the bounce, she was one step ahead. She picked him up as soon as he hit the ground, and he cleared the bounce stylishly and flawlessly. Avery smiled and rubbed Ocean's neck, rewarding him for his improvement. Ocean flickered his ears contentedly and arched his neck proudly under her praise.
Dani clapped her hands together loudly, happy. "THERE you go! That's exactly what I wanted to see!" she praised. Avery kept up Ocean's steady canter, and he seemed much more confident after taking that bounce. "You told him he could do it, and you helped him, so he did it. That's one of the biggest parts of a hunter course, because the horse has never seen these jumps or combinations before. You have to be able to convince him that he's done this a million times, which he has."
Avery smiled at Dani and slowed Ocean to a trot, letting him relax a little after the exercise. Ocean stretched his neck out and swished his tail content with his achievement. Dani helped Avery with her trot for a while, working the gymnastic both ways for about ten minutes. After a while, the two had progressed so well that Dani began to set up a very elaborate course of oxers, bounces, and even strangely-shaped fences that looked like boulders or doghouses. "They're for any derbies that we hold," Dani explained. "The boulder is made of Styrofoam, don't worry."
Avery was letting Ocean walk on a looser rein while Dani set up the new course, she smiled at her temporary instructor, always eager for a challenge. Ocean watched the new jumps come out and chewed his bit again, a little unsure about all the intimidating fences.
Soon, Dani had finished setting up the course and asked Avery to walk in to the middle so she could explain the course. "I want you to pick up a canter about down at the other end, come around all the way, then take that double combo down the opposite straightaway. Take a diagonal down the arena, clear the doghouse and the oxer, and turn a wide circle around the boulder. The triple gymnastic next, the one with the bounce, and then the line down the middle, and a quick right to jump the boulder. Got it?"
Avery nodded, used to the rapid pace of the course thanks to Kylie's tendency to set up impossibly complicated sets of jumps for her to memorize. She gathered her reins and nudged Ocean forward, clucking to him reassuringly under her breath as he snorted nervously. Avery transitioned to a canter where Dani asked her too, and used their trip around the ring to show Ocean the jumps, allowing him to watch them as they cantered by. She turned at the center of the rail and firmly pointed Ocean toward the first line. The dainty cremello faltered slightly and chipped in at the last moment, Avery pushed him out to make up for the awkward landing and they managed to hit the correct stride for the second jump. When they landed Avery shifted her weight, directing Ocean down the diagonal of the ring toward the doghouse. Ocean faltered even more, tossing his pearly head into the air as the strange wooden jump loomed in front of him. Avery clucked again, urging her coastal-born stallion on with soft reassuring whispers as she pressed her legs harder against his snowy sides. Ocean huffed and his ears went so far forward they almost touched, Avery tapped him with her crop, signaling that she wanted him to take off, and Ocean complied. The grey pony arched into the air above the jump like it was aflame, tucking his legs so close to his body that he had to scramble to get them all back down in time to land. Avery hissed quietly at the suddenness but her body arched forward to accompany him and once they landed she rubbed his withers, praising him for his bravery.
Avery didn't take too much time to reward Ocean, as there was a second jump only a few strides ahead of them. She sat back and counted under her breath again, folding neatly when Ocean took the milder jump with a more confident form than his previous flight. The gymnastic was completed with similar ease and Ocean took his last line enthusiastically, snapping his ivory knees up happily. They approached the last jump, the boulder, and this time Ocean didn't falter, although his ears did swivel back, seeking direction from his rider. Avery murmured encouragingly again and urged Ocean forward once more, hoping to keep their round clear. Ocean snorted and decided on a similar jumping tactic to the one he had adopted for the dog house, his body arced over the grey jump and he watched the boulder as he passed over it, his head coming up quickly once he had landed. Avery let out a breathless sigh of relief and willingly sat Ocean's excited buck once he realized he had defeated the monsters among the course.
Dani nodded, content as they finished the course. "That was good," she said, encouraging. "You really helped him get over it, although you had a couple rough jumps toward the beginning there. I want to see that again, but take the course backwards. I don't want him to get too used to it. It'll test your memory too."
Avery was taken by surprise, but did what Dani told her to do. She asked Ocean for a nice canter down the arena, and started the course with a gorgeous, scopey jump over the boulder.
Avery had to think a little harder now, she had to think about the next jump more, as well as keeping Ocean steady and confident over the jumps. Luckily, the bright stallion was a quick learner and he took the jumps with less hesitation which allowed Avery to concentrate more on keeping the correct order throughout the course.
Ocean bounded over each one effortlessly, and as he took the last jump of the double combination, Avery brought him back down to a fancy trot. Dani looked very impressed. "If that were a class at a show, you would have pinned, if not won," she said, very excited. "I'm going to change them up a little bit, you just hang tight and let him catch his breath." She walked across the arena, dragged a few jumps around, and Avery watched intently from the corner of her eye.
Avery nodded and patted Ocean's neck, quietly telling him how heroically brave he was. It was one of the only times she had actually spoken since she had gotten on her pearly pony. Avery was never very talkative, and sometimes her quiet was mistaken for rudeness, she hoped that wasn't the case with Dani- she meant her temporary instructor no disrespect.
Dani finished changing the course up, and she asked Avery to stop in the middle again. "This one is a little harder. You're going to have to keep an eye on your leads and make sure he doesn't stumble. Pick up your canter going clockwise down there at the end, and turn down the diagonal to jump the big oxer, then turn down the straightaway and take a little teeny turn to jump that double, the one with the yellow flowers. You're going to need to switch leads over the last elements and turn the other way down the straightaway down to the other end, jump the doghouse, circle about halfway and take the triple down the middle, then when you land squeeze in between the double, circle around, and canter down to take the boulder, and then circle to the gymnastic with the bounce next to it. Was I clear enough?"
Avery paused a moment, going over the course in her head once before she nodded and trotted Ocean back to the rail, cantering where Dani had told them too. By now Ocean was accustomed to the jumps, he took the first oxer eagerly and Avery shifted back into her saddle more, urging Ocean onto his haunches so he could make the sharp turn. Ocean swiveled and jumped with an excited flick of his tail, enjoying a more challenging course. The next part was more challenging, but Ocean was sensitive and Avery only needed to switch her aids for him to swap leads. When they finished she rubbed his withers, incredibly proud of her ivory stallion.
"YES! That's EXACTLY what I wanted from you! See, he's really thinking about what he has to do, and he's relying on you to tell him. That's what judges want to see," Dani exclaimed, praising the horse and rider. "Why don't you cool him down, then meet me in the middle, that was a good lesson." Avery smiled to herself, letting Ocean stretch out on a loose rein. He seemed much more relaxed over the jumps, and didn't reuse once, which was a great start. Not to mention they were all about 2-and-a-half to 3 feet each, and he hadn't had one bar down.
Avery pulled her gloves off and leaned down to feel Ocean's chest, once he was cool enough she turned him in to the middle patting his neck as he exhaled contentedly. "Thank you" she told Dani as she let her feet slip from her stirrups, relaxing with her pony.
Dani smiled, patting Ocean's neck. "Oh, it's no problem. But I want to hear from YOU, what do you think you learned today that you think would help you improve?" she asked Avery, looking up at her.
Avery paused thoughtfully, her fingers twining in Ocean's mane. "The gymnastics were good for him" she decided "and the doghouse" she smiled as Ocean snorted softly in agreement.
Dani nodded. "I agree. He really did learn from that. But what did YOU learn? I want to hear how you thought you benefited." Avery sat for a moment and thought hard. "I learned" Avery paused quietly for a moment, "that I really have to support him, and ride him every stride" she decided finally.
"Exactly," Dani said, scratching Ocean's ear. "You can't just sit there and look pretty in hunters, even though that's what they judge you on. You need to RIDE YOUR HORSE, but make it look easy." Avery nodded, grinning to herself, and slipped her feet back into the stirrups.
Ocean lowered his head and lipped Dani's sleeve curiously, he shifted his head and gently rubbed against her shoulder, itching against her contentedly. Avery pulled his head away "don't be rude" she chided her ivory mount as she cast Dani an apologetic smile.
Dani nodded her head, rubbing the stallions forehead. "You did great today. Why don't you untack him and throw him in an empty stall with some hay, then come into the lounge for lunch?" she suggested, her eyes cast on the small horse happily rubbing his face on her hand.
Avery nodded and thanked Dani again before she dismounted and loosened Ocean's girth. Kylie came from where she had been quietly watching the lesson and escorted her rider back to the stallion barn. Avery untacked Ocean and placed his warm green cooler on him to regulate his body temperature. Kylie put his tack back in the trailer and Avery filled Ocean's water bucket and gave him a flake of hay. Avery lingered in his stall a while longer, she picked out his hooves and combed his tail out before finally following Kylie to the lounge to join Dani for lunch.