Show-Jumping Team Trial

[Lottii]

Show-Jumping Team Trials

The Dress Code

• Show Jacket
  
• Solid, light coloured jodhpurs
  
• Long or short boots
  
• White shirt
  
• Jumping or GP saddle
  
• Plain coloured numnah/saddle pad
  
• Open-front tendon boots (optional)
  
• Jumping crop (optional)
  

The Course

The height will be set at either three foot or four foot (whichever you prefer) before you enter.

The Judge

Mike Trevenian settled himself into his seat in the viewing area which overlooked the indoor arena. He was seated on the ground level, with just the fence between him and the arena. A clipboard was currently on the sheet next to him which listed all the information students had given when they'd signed up for the trial. The nine jump course was fairly simple. All the turns were very sloping so he wasn't expecting to see any problems there. The hardest part was the triple on the center line - a gate, one stride, a triple bar and then a bounce to the upright which was the final part of the combination. That was the last part of the course, the rest of it shouldn't trouble any of the horses unless they weren't used to the sort of jumps you meet at higher-level shows - the ones decorated with flowers, trays and fillers. He glanced at his watch, hopefully people wouldn't keep him waiting.

[Cara]

Cara stood in the stables, her red tracksuit was covered in dust and chestnut hairs as she finished currying the mare's coat and began on the pony's mane. Once the mane was neatly sectioned off, she swiftly braided each section until the mare had a neat row of button braid running across the top of her neck. The girl then pulled the mare's red tail into a french braid.

Grabbing a damp cloth, she then ran it over the mare's coat to remove any loose hair before she began to saddle pony who was contentedly dozing in the cross-ties. Picking up the white shaped saddle pad, Cara placed this onto the pony's back, followed by a black jumping saddle that was still protected by the snug-fitting cover. After doing up the girth, she picked up the bridle. Walking around to the pony's head, she held up the bit and smiled as Missy happily too the metal snaffle bit so that her handler could fit the bridle in place and do up the throatlatch.

When the pony was ready, her mane and tail braided, tacked up as though she were about to enter in an A-circuit show, her chestnut coat glowing and her hooves neatly polished. The girl slipped into the tack room where she shed the tracksuit to reveal the white jodhpurs and button down shirt, she was wearing underneath. Opening her locker, she took out a garment bag that protected her navy show jacket and gold stock. Without the need for a mirror, she expertly fixed the stock around the straight collar of her ratcatcher shirt. She then took out the boot bag from her locker and took her long boots out of the bag and slipped her feet into them before pulling up the zip over her slim calves. She then shrugged on the navy jacket, and placed the black velvet Charles Owen helmet onto her head over the top of the black hair that was pulled back in a french braid and held out of the way with a black hairnet.

Walking back out to the pony, she clicked her tongue to catch the mare's attention before she removed the saddle cover, along with the cross-ties, and led the pony out of the stables and toward the indoor arena where the show jumping trials were being held.

When she had first put her name down, she had asked that the fences be set at three feet, so they weren't too daunting to the mare. Before arriving at the arena, she tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and vaulted smoothly into the saddle. Squeezing the mare forward they walked the rest of the way toward the arena.

Arriving, she gave Mr Trevenian a respectful bow - pretty much a dressage salute - before entering the arena where she began to warm the pony up. It wasn't long before the mare had her head stretched out and was moving happily around the arena, and Cara knew that it was time to get to work.

Circling the mare at a canter, they headed toward the first jump. Even at three feet the jumps must look pretty big when she was only riding a pony, but she knew what Missy was capable of - she knew that the mare could have done them a foot higher, but she didn't want to push the pony when she was starting to feel her stride once again. The second fence went by in a blur of bushes and wood and they made the turn cleanly enough. The next two fences didn't prove a problem, other then the mare seeming to spook slightly at a flag as they took flight over the fourth jump, and then clipping the rail - which thankfully didn't fall - before they headed back to the first two jumps to take them once more, passing by the last part of the final combination.

Cara sat back and asked for a half halt as they rounded the last corner. She looked at the combination ahead of them. At just the right moment, she pushed the mare forward again as she lifted her weight out of the saddle as Missy flew over the gate. Checking her in again to make sure she didn't get ahead of herself, Cara gave the pony her head as they flew over the spread, did the bounce before the upright was also behind them.

As they cantered away from the fences, the girl sat back. Her hands gave and took with the reins but it took her another circuit of the arena before she could convince the mare to return to a trot and then a walk. There was a bright smile on Cara's face as she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the mare's neck. Straightening herself up, she rode over toward the fence that separated herself and where Mr Trevenian sat. Halting the mare a respectful distance from the fence, she gave another salute before she turned the mare and rode toward the exit on a long rein.

[Onzy]

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Bella led in the black gelding from the paddock. Manor knew that today was a working day, and jumped around excitedly. Bella just laughed as she glanced around occasionally to see the horses antics. It could be that he was just feeling his feed, but with the amount of work he got, it was near impossible. Reaching the stall, Bella noticed something hanging on the latch. Inspecting it, she found that it was a royal blue and red browband. A note was attached with the words I'm sorry. Alexi, she whispered, and a wash of guilt came over her. It was actually her fault that they had fought, but he said sorry first. She made a mental note to go to the tack shop and get hims something extra-special. Manor sniffed the object in her hands, and snorted. Whatcha say boy? Is it our lucky charm? she asked the horse, who bobbed his head eagerly.

Putting Manor in the stall, she went to go fetch his tack. In a few minutes she had swapped the old brow band for the blue one. She then groomed Manor and plaited his mane and tail. He looked quite handsome. Placing the saddle on first, Bella positioned the fleece half pad underneath the saddle and fixed the white numnah with black piping as well. The white was striking against Manor's black pelt, and he was looking great. Doing up the stud girth, Bella led the gelding from his stall. Once outside she put on the black bridle, did up the martingale and made sure that the Dutch gag wasn't pinching the corners of Manors mouth. The blue and red looked striking, and already Manor himself could steal the show.

Finishing off the tacking up, Bella placed on the horse's open front boots and tendon boots. She also put on his bell boots. She decided against studs as there was no point for a sand arena. Manor stood patiently as he waited for his owner to finish, being tied to the loop outside the stall. Bella put her plait into a hair net, and put on her black helmet. Pulling off the tracksuit pants, she exposed tight fitting cream breeches. She ran a brush across her black field boots. Lastly, she pulled on the black jacket and did up the buttons. The collar of her white show shirt was done up last, and she grabbed the jumping crop before leaving the stable area.

She had no nerves today, and felt oddly confident. The fences were to be set at 4 feet, something easily done for the pair. Bella was aiming for precision and not speed, but if she knew Manor, then it would end up in both. The horse just loved jumping. Bella stopped by the gate of the indoor arena just as another student left. Mounting, she gave Mr. Trevenian a friendly smile, and started warming up Manor on a long rein. The horse moved easily on a trot, and stretched out. Once Bella felt that the horse was moving well at all three strides did she start the course.

Balancing the gelding in a canter, she aimed for the first jump which Manor just sailed over. There was two strides until the next jump, and once again she felt Manor gather himself. It felt as if he was over-jumping, but she couldn't be sure. The next two jumps went by in a blur, Manor clearing the easily. Bella concentrated on nothing but the jumps, and sweat had broken out on her brow.

The jumps on the center line would be the challenge for Manor, as his stride was so big. Bella collected him before the first of the triple combo and felt as he went over, clear. One short stride, Bella squeezed and it was in and out. Manor handled it well, and had hardly broken out into a sweat. Bella had a grin on her face, and saluted the vice-principal. Loosening the reins, Manor gratefully lowered his head and took up the slack. Even if they didn't get in, then it would be a okay. Manor did his best, and she loved him for it.

Tag: SJ Trials
Words: 714
Notes: I like ^^
Outfit: Not gonna bother...
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