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Post by Chasing on Mar 4, 2009 21:39:41 GMT -6
"Don't get thingyy now", he replied, urging Legend forward so he was looking eye to eye with Claire. "This isn't the woman who jumped the bathtub backwards. Lose your nerve?", he asked, lifting an eyebrow in teasing question. "Surely not, not the unflappable Claire LaCroix", he shook his head and tsked, "If you insist. Take it easy on a busted down retiree though". He set Legend onto the smooth grassy path and set off at an easy canter towards a two foot log set with large stones in the middle of nowhere.
This part of the course was old hat for the filly who took the jump easily. Never having shown she was a rough jumper, lacking flair and smoothness that had set her sire and dam above others. Still her legs were neat and her landing flawless as they headed downhill towards a creekbed that was actually a ditch jump. Chasing's two courses had been designed by a world-class cross-country course designer, and while educational and functional, it was still difficult. Legend, who was an absolute mud and water horse slowed when smelling the creek but a slap of the reins reminded her she was working and she leapt over the ditch like a deer. And they continued on their way three level bank.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 5, 2009 6:54:43 GMT -6
"Thingyy?" She repeated quizzically. Claire shook her head, and he had to bring up all those times. If he was so entirely over her, he ought to be able to put them behind him like she had. "Busted down my arse." She muttered and kept the mare trotting in a circle. She was feeling Kleido out, if she remained as sure as she was, then they'll jump fine because she was always hot on her feet. "I think you're just stalling, afraid you'll fall again." And again, and again, it seemed a regular thing for him lately if she heard correctly.
With Chasing and Legend ahead she directed the Standardbred at the first jump. The mare looked semi-interested in the jump, her ears forward a little more than usual. She approached at a canter and flew over it, her feet lightly hitting the ground and she continued her canter without falter. Down the hill they went, hooves thumping against the ground, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3. Ah, water. Kleido was unlike Ream here, the mare really liked the stuff and didn't mind the mud, she went right through it like air. Up and over, her forelegs tucked in against her chest and extending in anticipation of the landing. Water splashed up and for once the mare looked awake, interested, and fun. Claire could feel the surge of energy and it was not only from the water, Kleido saw Legend ahead and that was enough to awake her rivalling spirit.
"Slowing down, old man?" Claire asked as Kleido's canter extended and they neared the cremello mare.
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Post by Chasing on Mar 5, 2009 11:35:37 GMT -6
(Stupid Censored Words)
"Have to, Legend usually hates the bank jumps", he called over his shoulder as Legend began to bounce since the bank. Her ears were laid back and she was tossing her head, which was causing Chasing to ride her a bit rougher than his usual style. It wouldn't be hard to figure out this was one of those jumps he'd fallen off on before by the way the horse attacked them. Finally they were on even ground and Legend started prancing about before Chasing let her shoot off for a low stone fence. The cremello went over that like she hadn't just massacred the bank jumps.
With a clear lane in front of her Chasing gave her her head letting her extend her strides into a slow gallop. Another fallen log was the next jump and Legend charged it happily, plopping over it roughly. Five jumps down and two more to go. The last two were a barn frame vertical and the final one was a ditch jump made of a flower bed. There was even a sign that said keep out of the flowers. Rose had actually planted the bed since Chasing had been content to leave it stony, and she got upset when a student landed short of her border. From the flower bed, left would take a person back to the barn and right towards the swimming hole. He was going to the swimming hole today.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 5, 2009 15:37:48 GMT -6
Kleido's canter was nearing a gallop after the bank jump. Claire had to admit that she felt proud and accomplished about Kleido. She might be experienced as a harness racer and well adjusted to crowds and the actions of showing in public, but her riding experience was only a year at most. Despite that, Kleido had proven herself proficient as a learner and was a nice already. Claire watched Legend beneath Chasing and she couldn't tell if it was the horse or the rider who looked rough, or maybe on the strange chance that it might be both.
After the low stone fence, Claire watched Chasing give Legend her head and off they went. Well, that didn't sit well with Kleido whose competitive spirit had flared. The mare snorted and pulled on the reins, eager for speed. "All right, Kleido, let's fly." Claire whispered and let the bay mare go. Right into a gallop the mare went and she began to catch up to Legend at a rate that Claire never had with Ream.
By the log jump they were back on Legend's tail and gaining. It was like flipping a switch. The quiet and calm Kleido became a racing fiend as she came alongside the cremello mare. As they came to the barn frame, Kleido took the lead by a stride and because each of her landings were smoother and she responded quicker, saving a stride that way, she easily reached the last jump before Legend.
Kleido soared over the last jump, tucking her forelegs beneath her against her chest. Her tail waved like a flag over the ditch and landed beyond the flower bed. It was hard to rein her in now that she was hot. Claire let the mare gallop out a bit before bringing her down into a canter and managed to make Kleido collect herself. Claire looked over her shoulder to Chasing with a grin, "Slow poke."
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Post by Chasing on Mar 5, 2009 18:01:25 GMT -6
Legend was as placid as her sire, who was of the 'We'll win eventually school' and so was not at all disconcerted by the mare galloping behind her and then catching up. She didn't much care for the mare cutting in front of her to jump but Chasing was too much of a good rider to let the horse get finicky about it. Both stayed calm and collected as they cleared the frame and then the flower bed. "I wasn't racing", he repleid to Claire with an indifferent shrug once Legend was slowed down. "I don't compete anymore", he reminded her, turning Legend down the right sided trail towards the pond.
This particular pond was not meant for swimming but was a fishing pond. Still if someone was desperate they could swim in it. A picnic table and swing sat on a little island in the middle of the pond and a few geese were swimming in the far end as Chasing came up on it. He dismounted, leaving Legend tied to a tree as he went to a bucket and popped the top of it off. "Come here and help me feed the fishies and duckies", he ordered Claire, taking a handful of food and flinging it into the water. The geeese had seen him approach and were slowly swimming over to investigate the food and the fish that were appearing.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 16:13:29 GMT -6
Claire just didn't get it, but then, she didn't really want to. If this was the person he really was, then she was glad she was through with him. Either he was too pushy, or too complacent, and neither suited her very well. She directed Kleido to follow at a leisurely walk as they went along. The pond loomed ahead, sitting quietly with the sky reflected in it's placid waters.
"No thank you." Claire replied, looking around the place. It was getting late and she was making a point of not doing things unless asked nicely. She was her own person and an adult and there was no forcing her anymore. "I think I'll head back, the walk will cool Kleido down and then I can unpack the trailer and later my apartment." She told Chasing. "You've got my cell, so if something comes up, you can call." Claire turned Kleido around and glanced back, waiting for his response.
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Post by Chasing on Mar 16, 2009 17:26:27 GMT -6
He turned to look at her, bucket in hand. "Claire", like he couldn't believe she would actually leave him here by the pond alone. "Really now, why don't you stay and tell me about the circuit and my horse", his blue eyes twinkled in the light. No he hadn't forgotten that he still had the papers for Gunner but he'd never collect on them. Gunner was her horse not his, and he didn't need the beast anymore than he needed another hand. "I would appreciate it immensely. I haven't been following the upper level of competition", he explained.
He reached into the bucket and removed another handful of fish food, tossing it into the pond. The geese clacked happily, their tails wagging as they began to race the fish to the small pellets. Fish made popping noises as they surfaced, gobbling the food down their throats. It was peaceful in the afternoon with Legend behaving herself, he could almost forget that Claire was with him.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 17:33:58 GMT -6
"Really? Why should I if I am not asked?" Claire replied honestly. She watched him a moment. If he wanted to know what was on the up and up, there were other avenues than through her. Besides, she highly doubted that he did not keep up with what was going on. He might be busy, but he was not that busy. "And not politely either." She added. She was going to ignore what he was pointing to when he said 'my horse'. Claire would take that as a threat if Chasing made it seem unfriendly
She had a hand on her reins and another on her hip in defiance. Claire was not going to be ordered about. Yes, she worked for the man, but he was not going to dictate her actions for her. He could try and take Gunner too, be all legal about it, but she would fight it. No, she'd not fight him over the famr, but she would over HER horse. "I do have a few things to do and you haven't told me much about you even when I asked."
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Post by Chasing on Mar 16, 2009 17:41:50 GMT -6
He sighed, tossed another handful of food into the pond, before snapping the lid back on and putting the bucket back where he found it. "I thought I was being rather polite but then I suppose I was being rude", he apologized to her as he stood up and dusted his hands off on his jeans. "Well I will answer any questoin you ask, and answer it honestly, if you will please get off of the horse and talk to me", he replied, flashing her his most charming smile.
"I promise to be civil and truthful as well. I've got a few moments before I have to be back and I'll even help you unload the trailer", he added, walking the short distance to sit at the picnic table. He nodded toward the seat across from him, beckoning her to sit down. "Please?"
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 17:51:07 GMT -6
"Well..." Claire was wary. She knew that Chasing threw on charm like the wind changed direction and did so just as well. "Since you asked nicely, I suppose I can stay awhile." She swung her leg over and slid down to the ground, winging the reins over Kleido's low hanging head and led her to the table. "But not too long, though, I really do have a few things to do." She sat down, straddling the seat of the picnic table opposite Chasing.
"I made the long list for the Olympics, but was off a few points for the short list, understandable since I had lost ground over the years in my change of horse." Claire held no ill will in her voice, just indifference. "Gunner is quite the horse and he is much better at dressage than he had ever been. It took a lot of practice, but we have made ourselves better. There are a few new competitors though, but not of great caliber yet, they've much to learn." Claire unbuckled her helmet and rubbed her chin. It was itchy and a little sweaty, but with a few rubs she fet better. "Riddler is of national standing for his breed and up for AI at $500 by the registry standards."
She looked over at Chasing. He would answer her, would he? Well, she wasn't going to touch sore places. He might say he was truthful, but was it to her, or to himself that he would be true? Claire didn't know anymore. "What did people say when I left?"
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Post by Chasing on Mar 16, 2009 18:04:09 GMT -6
He nodded. He had known about her being short-listed for the Olympics, he'd called a few members of the team to congratulate them and been told about her. Most of them thought he and Claire were still together, but then he hadn't said much to dissuade that opinion. "New competitors always have things they need to learn, that is what makes it funny when they beat the older, wiser competitors", he smiled at her. He'd once been one of those young'uns at eighteen and it always made it worthwhile to beat riders who had been showing for ten or even twenty years.
"Breeding him already? Wow", Chasing remarked, Riddler was just older than Legend but then he frowned. If he had been really intelligent he'd have been breeding Cali before he became sick but then Chasing hadn't been worried about the future. He had some stuff frozen for future use but there was no guarentee it would produce a live foal. Twelve mares had been bred to Cali, only one of the twelve had been kept a colt and Chasing wasn't sure he would ever be worth breeding. Still he had Legend. "Congratulations on his rankings anyway". Chasing had always been picky about his horses, it was really weird though, that he had cremello mounts, they were not in his character. So he didn't follow whatever breed Riddler was.
"What did they say when you left?", he shrugged, "The question would be what did they say when you didn't come back", he replied, reaching down to pick a blade of grass and slipping it between his lips. "There was the usual protective talk about a native son, some voiced opinions that is was about time you left and they always knew you would leave. A few were sympathetic and blamed me for driving you off. The usual small town gossip mill".
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 18:16:27 GMT -6
Claire just shrugged. As a young rider, she hadn't wanted to just beat people, she wanted to do it on a good horse worth riding. It was always harder to make a point like that, there were few who appreciated it. Still, it might be funny, but it was a fact of life that old would be replaced by the new. "I don't think it's a 'wow' thing. The registry asked if I would because he was nominated at Nationals. I only agreed to the AI since he is still young and showing so much. Thank you all the same, though." She didn't think Chasing would be surprised. It was a good time to start anyway. Riddler was certainly old enough, his breeding good, and conformation aside, was a good horse.
"I don't see why they should have expected me to come back. I didn't feel like I was needed anymore." Claire said emptily. She might have come back if Chasing had tried. He hadn't. It felt like he didn't need her and didn't want her and she had had enough of being yo-yoed about. "Can't say I know the usual, I was raised mostly on a ranch where everyone is family." She rubbed the soft, velvety nose of the bay mare who seemed to doze in the sun. "Not that I can't take criticism, if they want to blame me in town, they can. I had my reasons why."
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Post by Chasing on Mar 16, 2009 18:24:15 GMT -6
"Most believed for a bit that you were just out showing. Afterall I was known to be gone for months at a time", he put his elbows on the table and propped his chin in his hands. "Then you didn't come back and the gossip started. It got worse when I started dating again", he added with a faint shrug. "I may have to mosey on down to the Pit this weekend and see what the gossip will be like with you back in town. That could be quite interesting in and of itself", he muttered, looking up at the darkening blue sky.
"So have you found someone to date? It's been two years surely you've replaced me in you affections", he asked turning his blue eyes back to her. "Oh yeah, do you want a puppy? I have six that need a home", he added, "Zoe's first litter and as useless as a guard-rail on a horse's behind".
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2009 18:30:50 GMT -6
"Lovely." Claire sighed. She knew that people would talk, but she just wished they didn't assume it was all her. Really, though, they favored Chasing anyway. It was just the way things were in his hometown. "Best stay clear of a few places for a bit then." She looked at him and smiled a little. She was going to laugh, but there wasn't much to laugh at. It wasn't terribly funny and she had meant what she had said before. She was marked by her relationship with Chasing.
"No, there isn't anyone, not that I haven't put an ad out or anything. It's true, though, I'm marked. No one wants to date me because they're too afraid of you." Claire said a little pointedly. "And it's true, I've been told so." It was, she had asked two men out and they had each given her the same response. Now that was something to laugh at. Chasing's reputation was as strong as ever. There was no way to escape his shadow it seemed.
"A puppy?" Claire asked. "I suppose I could, I don't have Corvin anymore since I had to put him down about six months ago." She had lost so many in such a short amount of time. It was no wonder she wasn't about to let herself get pushed around anymore. "Who fathered them, though?"
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Post by Chasing on Mar 16, 2009 18:37:45 GMT -6
"Afraid of me?", he frowned. "Whyever were they afraid of me? I'm not exactly the fearsome type", true, the only thing afraid of Chasing was food and even then it wasn't much fear. "I wasn't aware", and this was truthful, "That I had acquired a fearsome reputation". Though maybe it wasn't him they were afraid of, maybe it was Claire. It would be hard to trust a person who had been with a guy, been dumped by the guy, took the guy back, was engaged to the guy and then dumped said guy. That would be fairly fearsome in and of itself to most guys.
"Sorry about that. I liked the little fella", and he did, Corvin had been a good dog. He gave her a look of disbelief, "Who do you think? The best dog in the Universe did", he smiled, "Cujo!". Then he shook his head, "Hermie did, his first litter as well. They are four weeks old. I can't say all of them are totally worthless, the little black and tan seems to be intelligent though both girls are about silly", he added. Truthfully it seemed all six would take after Hermie but that was an early estimate. "The black and tan will be show quality, as will the red merle and maybe the red and white".
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