A Morning Trek

[Jazzi]

As they neared the Shady Woodland Trail, Cadence reined Bounty into a walk with ease. The gelding stretched a fore-limb forward, rubbing his muzzle over it vigorously to rid of an itch.

Cadence squeezed his barrel tightly to keep from being slung forward, then turned back to wait for Michael and Ally, who were not far behind.

Bounty shuffled his hooves anxiously beneath her as the wind whipped the leaved branches overhead. The smell of lilies drifted to her on the warm breeze.

[Sudsies]

Ally nudged Licorice with her heels, sending the dark bay mare forward. The pony shook her head in exhasperation, but plodded dutifully after Bounty, nickering to the gelding as they caught up and stopped behind the other rider.

ohohsee|| Short post Sorry.

[Jazzi]

As the duo trekked on with Ally and Licorice at their side, Bounty began to relax. His gaze flicked left and right at the sounds of birdsong overhead, but all-in-all, he felt secure.

Cadence scratched his neck, smiling involuntarily, then turned to Ally.

So, how long have you been riding at Fox Run Downs?

she asked casually, not letting slip that she was interested in being Ally's trainer, though she could not mask her excitement. The pair had a lot of potential.

[*Zeb*]

Michael gave Eagle a gentle tug on the reins as they neared the two riders and their mounts. Eagle's once relaxed ears pinned themselves and he snorted, eyeing the gelding with anxiousness. Michael sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, sweat pricking down his back. He stopped eagle a few yards from Ally and Cadence, giving the two a chance to talk.

[Sudsies]

"Not that long," Ally replied, letting Licorice stretch her head down as well. "I only bought Licorice a few months ago. Before that, I rode a plodding old school pony at a second rate riding school." She grimaced, remembering the poor horses at her former stable. She had done her fair share, plus some, at taking care of the animals but there was only so much she could do. She continued. "When my parents bought me Licorice, I knew I needed to find a new place to ride, as well as a proper trainer. I've been more or less self-taught, seeing as my former instructor taught me the mere basics." She leaned back, placing one hand on Licorice's rear and settling into the rhythm of her mare's walk. "I still haven't found a trainer. I hope someone comes forward soon. I really don't want to miss that many shows, and Licky and I really need some guidance. " She made a face, remembering her spectacular fall earlier that day.

[Jazzi]

Cadence let her gaze linger on Ally as the other girl looked away. Plenty of stables were like that; it was hard to accept.

I know what you mean..

she said absently, as her pale gray eyes flicked over the canopy of trees, then onto Bounty, who was moving laterally toward the pony.

Cadence stifled stifled a giggle. She thought for a moment; how was she to start it?

Well, you know, I've been looking for students. Maybe I could give you a quick intro later on.

Her voice was dragged out, as if she was just a tad nervous to bring it up.

[Sudsies]

Have Cadence as a trainer? Ally could hardly believe her ears. -I'd love that!- The girl replied, a grin stretching across her face. Sensing that her rider wasn't paying much attention to her, Licorice took that moment to pin her ears back and bare her teeth at Bounty as the gelding came to close for her comfort. As if to emphasize her point, the mare swished her tail, bunching up her hind end as if to kick. Ally tugged sharply on the reins. -Settle down, silly- she growled, pushing her over, away from Bounty.

[Jazzi]

Cadence gave Bounty a swift kick with her right leg and squeezed, making him move away from the pony. The gelding huffed and tossed his muzzle, then gave in and bent around her leg.

Cadence scratched the Hanoverian gelding's withers thoughtfully, her features giving way to a large smile that spread as if ear to ear. Slowly but surely, she loosened his reins, but kept the right leg tight against his side, anticipating him to make a stupid move.

Then, the girl listened carefully to Ally's words, and scooted up on Bounty's back, her smile growing wider.

Great; then we'll have an introductory lesson tomorrow? Does that work for you? We'll start out a little easy, just so I can get the flow of what you two have learned and what you may need to, erm.. re-learn.

She nodded her head, then flicked her gaze to the path ahead. The woods overhead were beginning to thin, and she could see patches of blue sky among the branches. Elm and pine drifted to her on the lofty breeze, and for a moment, she blinked her eyes shut.

[Sudsies]

Ally grinned and nodded. "That sounds great!" she replied. "I have a feeling there's going to be a lot we need to re-learn." She glanced down at Licorice, who was jangling her bit impatiently in her mouth. Ally gave a small tug on the reins but the mare resisted and shook her head. Ally sighed and turned to Cadence. "Feel up to a trot?" she asked, glancing back and directing the question towards Micheal as well.

[Jazzi]

Cadence nodded, looking down at the resisting pony. She bit her lip with anxiety; this duo definitely had potential. She knew they could go far.

What was she looking at? Oh, of course; Michael. She had almost forgotten he was there. Cadence leaned back and winked at Michael, then nodded.

I definitely am. How 'bout you, Mike?

[/color]

she replied, pale gray eyes surveying his expression thoroughly, though it revealed no hint of his answer.[/size][/center]

[*Zeb*]

Mickael yawned and gave Eagle a little kic, sending the stallion forward and next to Licorice. Michael slackened the reins and leaned back, watching the two with a lazy expression.
"I could go for some exercise." he said, an easy grin speading across his face.

[Sudsies]

'Great,' Ally mumbled, as Licorice pinned her ears at the stallion, trying to snake out her neck to bite him. Instead, Ally pushed her into a trot, pulling ahead of her trail companions.

ooc|| Short post. Can't think of what to write right now xD

[*Zeb*]

Eagle pinned his ears at the offending pony and snorted. He obviously felt that the mare wasn't worth his time. michael shookhis head and pushed Eagle into a slow collected canter, falling just behind Licorice.

[Jazzi]

Cadence let them get ahead a bit, then smooched and squeezed, pushing Bounty into a canter. She watched as the ground passed beneath therm, and listened to the pounding of their hooves against the trail. It fell into rhythm with her heart.

Cadence sat deep into the arch of her gelding's back, feeling, counting as he strode along the pathway. They were gaining on her trail companions quickly now, and Bounty leaned against the pressure of the hackamore, but instinctively, Cadence compressed him back into her aids.

[Sudsies]

Ally cued Licorice forward to a canter, sitting back in her saddle. Sensing the other horses behind her, the mare rushed through the transition, trying to race away. The girl gave her a couple of sharp half-halts to bring her back under control. The pony obeyed, though obviously annoyed.

"Why'd she have to get her personality from her Warmblood side?" Ally muttered to herself as her pony fought beneath her. "She could just as easily have turned out like a nice, calm Quarter Horse." She glanced up at the sky and was startled to see how late it had gotten. She turned slightly in her saddle to call to Cadence and Michael. "We've been out for a while. Do you think we should head back now?" She asked, fixing her gaze on Cadence as she knew that if she looked at Michael, she was liable to do something extremely stupid.

[Jazzi]

Cadence nodded, reining Bounty back a gait into a fast-paced trot. He strained against her, trying to get within nipping range of Licorice.

Cadence pressed her leg against his side, getting him to move away from the pony laterally once more, but he fought. Fortunately, Cadence was ready for this, and squeezed, getting him to move in a canter and pass by the pony.

Easy, boy. Yeah, let's head back. There's a trail off up ahead. It leads back to the stable yard.

[/color]

As she spoke, the trail forked up ahead, and Cadence directed Bounty easily down it, trying to keep her seat on his slippery, bare back. He nickered fervently, aware that his food and warm stall were just ahead.[/center][/size]

[Sudsies]

Ally nodded, steering Licorice aside to let Cadence and Bounty take the lead. Licorice nickered at the gelding coyly, as if teasing him. "None of that," Ally grumbled at her, though she flipped the mares mane fondly. She could never stay mad at the darn pony for more then a few seconds. Sensing they were getting close to home, Licorice strained after Bounty, ears pricked.

[*Zeb*]

Michael nodded and shifted his weight on Eagle's back. Eagle flicked hs ears towards his rider and started to extend his strides. They soon were caugth up with the two and Michael bounded past them, waving as he did so.
"Eagle needs to have son of his energy let loose." he explaiend over his shoulder.

Eagle gave a challaging snort to Bounty as they passed, pressing his ears against his skull and then charging ahead again.

[Jazzi]

Cadence loosened her reins a bit, giving Bounty some slack, and urged him on until they were neck-in-neck with Eagle. A wide grin began to blossom on the rider's face as she fell into rhythm with the drumming beats of the horse's hooves.

She leaned forward, feeling Bounty's coarse mane against her face, as they began to surpass Eagle and Michael. Bounty moved laterally to block them off, but Cadence grinned and pressed her leg against his side. He snorted, but moved off to the left, giving the duo just behind them some room.

As the stable came into view, Cadence began to slow her gelding. He breathed heavily, snorting, and his nostrils quivered with exhaustion, but he kept his ears pricked and his lofty gait until his rider forced him into a quick-paced walk.

[/size]

[*Zeb*]

Michael smield and although he'd later regret it, let his reins slacken. Eagle let out a squeal and charged off at a full pace gallop past the two and towards the barn. Michael moved easily on his hors'es bare back and didn't slow his pace as they neared. A few feet from the barn, Michael sat up and gave a gentle tug on the reins.
Eagle snorted and pushed his hauches in ful reverse. Dirt spilled up and when they came to a complete stop, Eagle looked almost as if he was sitting down. He straitened himself and Michael smiled and patted Eagle proudly.