Post by Cara on Nov 19, 2011 10:25:35 GMT
Cara rubbed the perfect star on the forehead of the chestnut mare she had just finished tacking up. Bending down, she made sure that the tendon boots she had put on the mare were secure. Placing the black Charles Owen helmet on her head, she removed the cross-ties and led the stylish pony out of the stable and down to the outdoor arena. She was wearing a padded jacket over a thermal shirt and jersey and two pairs of jodhpurs to keep the cold out, and on her feet she was wearing her Heritage Sport boots over thick socks. Not only did the layers keep the chill out, but they also gave her tiny frame a added bulk.
As she opened the gate, she looked at the course of jumps that were set up in the arena, which told her that there had been a class in here before her and the instructor had yet to put the jumps away - well, that or an instructor had been working their own mounts. Opening the gate wide enough to permit her and the mare through, she closed it again and latched it shut so that there was no chance of a breeze catching it and it swinging open again.
Walking into the middle of the arena, Cara asked the mare to halt before she began running her hands over the mare's body. Once satisfied, she tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and vaulted onto the seat of the well polished leather of her black Pessoa AMO jumping saddle. She ran her hand down the mare's neck before she picked up the reins of the matching Pessoa bridle. Holding them lightly in her hands, she squeezed the pony forward and they began their well rehearsed warm-up.
When she was happy that the mare was moving easily on both reins, she slid her left leg forward and tightened the girth. Sliding her leg back, she then shortened her stirrups a couple of holes and was ready to get down to business. Using her fingers to caress the mare's neck, she circled her around at a canter and rode toward the smallest of the fences, a simple vertical. "Well done, Lil' Miss." She said as the pony flew over the fence as though it wasn't even there.
She had never intended to come to the arena for jumping practice, so rather then asking the pony to do the entire course, they just jumped over the odd one; a handful of verticals, a spread, a few different types of oxers and a wall. Each fence the chestnut Connemara cross met with enthusiasm and zest, and the girl moved with the pony, making sure to keep her hands light on the reins so that she didn't interfere with her mount's mouth, but giving her enough encouragement with her legs when she needed it.
As she opened the gate, she looked at the course of jumps that were set up in the arena, which told her that there had been a class in here before her and the instructor had yet to put the jumps away - well, that or an instructor had been working their own mounts. Opening the gate wide enough to permit her and the mare through, she closed it again and latched it shut so that there was no chance of a breeze catching it and it swinging open again.
Walking into the middle of the arena, Cara asked the mare to halt before she began running her hands over the mare's body. Once satisfied, she tightened the girth, pulled the stirrups down and vaulted onto the seat of the well polished leather of her black Pessoa AMO jumping saddle. She ran her hand down the mare's neck before she picked up the reins of the matching Pessoa bridle. Holding them lightly in her hands, she squeezed the pony forward and they began their well rehearsed warm-up.
When she was happy that the mare was moving easily on both reins, she slid her left leg forward and tightened the girth. Sliding her leg back, she then shortened her stirrups a couple of holes and was ready to get down to business. Using her fingers to caress the mare's neck, she circled her around at a canter and rode toward the smallest of the fences, a simple vertical. "Well done, Lil' Miss." She said as the pony flew over the fence as though it wasn't even there.
She had never intended to come to the arena for jumping practice, so rather then asking the pony to do the entire course, they just jumped over the odd one; a handful of verticals, a spread, a few different types of oxers and a wall. Each fence the chestnut Connemara cross met with enthusiasm and zest, and the girl moved with the pony, making sure to keep her hands light on the reins so that she didn't interfere with her mount's mouth, but giving her enough encouragement with her legs when she needed it.