Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 17:00:40 GMT -6
Claire's favorite discipline and the one she outperformed most other riders was dressage. It was the one in which a person and a horse could not practice enough for. There was always room for improvement. Today, though, she was pseudo-practicing. She had tacked up Riddler in her all-purpose saddle and made for the indoor. There the wind could not pick up the dust and the sounds of the outdoors could be held at bay. Claire would be able not only to focus on her seating and cues, but also the gaits and movements of her mount. Riddler was very good at dressage because he had that natural grace and movement for it, it was also a good way to keep the National Show Horse, loose and able to perform his breed gaits.
Today was no different. The stallion's neck arched, his nose tucked in very slightly, and his feet rose high into the air. Claire had needed a little extra work to perfect Riddler and his gaits, but now she was pleased with him and improvement. It was proven by his ribbons and trophies and national standing. As she maintained the rack, sitting deep in her saddle and hands firm on the pelham bridle's reins, she smiled to herself. She let him out slow and easy, going from rack to walk, and dropped her hands ever so slightly.
"That's my baby boy." Claire said with a smile and patted his neck and braided mane. If she didn't braid the long, flowing mane, she'd never be able to untangle it. "That was really good, maybe next year we'll win all around, eh?" She changed direction and picked up a jog and thoughtfully considered which move to work on next. "How about the slow gait, or should we jump right into dressage?"
Today was no different. The stallion's neck arched, his nose tucked in very slightly, and his feet rose high into the air. Claire had needed a little extra work to perfect Riddler and his gaits, but now she was pleased with him and improvement. It was proven by his ribbons and trophies and national standing. As she maintained the rack, sitting deep in her saddle and hands firm on the pelham bridle's reins, she smiled to herself. She let him out slow and easy, going from rack to walk, and dropped her hands ever so slightly.
"That's my baby boy." Claire said with a smile and patted his neck and braided mane. If she didn't braid the long, flowing mane, she'd never be able to untangle it. "That was really good, maybe next year we'll win all around, eh?" She changed direction and picked up a jog and thoughtfully considered which move to work on next. "How about the slow gait, or should we jump right into dressage?"