New Arrival-Claire

[Chasing]

"Now ye told me yer farm was huge Chase but I never would hae thunk it was this large", James Gordon said as he plopped down on Chasing's leather sofa. "Hmm? Nearly two hundred acres or so", Chasing explained, sitting in his beat-up leather chair. Hermie and Zoey came in the door and settled on the wooden floor in front of the open window to sun. "I forget farms aren't as big back in Scotland".

"Or England fer that matter", Jamie replied, glancing over the pictures. Alot of them were of Chasing, though a few past riders from the Hills graced the walls and quite a few were of various horses that had passed through the barn. "Shrek ought to do well here I am thinking", he rubbed his chin, noticing he had a few whiskers that needed shaving.

"When you gonna sell Shrek to me?", Chasing asked, tossing a newspaper on the table for his students to take. "I could use a horse like that around here", he added. "Ye ken I'll never sell that horse, especially to ye", Jamie laughed, picking up the newspaper, "He's too cool to be owned by the likes of ye". Which was true. The large gelding was easily the coolest horse Chasing had ever met, especially since he had been with Jamie for six years. Jamie had never settled for anything except his horse.

"Ya ya whatever old man. Six years ago was a different story, I can afford the price now", Chasing replied, shuffling papers on his desk. "I still can't believe you want to take lessons from me".

[Nicole]

The black gelding was beginning to shine a little after the light work-out was steadily coming to a close. He was breathing steadily as he cantered a circle on the left lead and approached the 4 foot double oxer that was set up as a warm-up exercise among others. The gelding snorted, ears forward, and as he approached the fence leaped into the air, legs tucked close against his breast in his flight. The rider atop the horse was leaning over his neck, her posture and balance flawless as the horse below her and she leaned back as the gelding came to a landing. From there, the horse continued to canter and approached a basic 4 foot high wall. Again he approached eagerly with a snort. He rose into the air, muscle crouching and releasing. She leaned forward and up and over they glided through the air. Perfect. Flawless.

Out of the jump and the gelding cantered in a circle. After two circles, he began to trot, then jog. The horse's neck was curved high, nose tucked in and body rounded nicely. He began to perform a passage then. The rider sitting still and hands gripping the reins tightly. Again they moved forward and after another circle the gelding began to walk.

Lights flickered on in a window high above and caught the attention of the rider. "A new employee." Claire remarked. She loosened the reins and let Gunner go at a nice, loose free walk. The gelding dropped his head and walked slowly, relaxing nicely. "I wonder..." She said thoughtfully to herself. Yet, what did it matter. It was probably just another young woman hoping to catch his eye with hopeful parents with enough money to waste. Claire just smiled and focused back on Gunner.

[Chasing]

Jamie had stood up and wandered over to the window that looked in at the arena. "No old man, I'll take lessons from her", the tone in his voice instantly alerted Chasing. "Her who?", Chasing stood up and went to the window himself. "Oh her. That's Claire, she's the other instructor here". Jamie smiled, "Good then she can be teaching me then". Chasing rolled his eyes, "Yeah like you need teaching. You need a baby-sitter more like", he laughed. "So? She's a d**n fine looking baby-sitter".

Chasing rolled his eyes and headed for the arena. "Come on, you can meet your baby-sitter", he said. Jamie matched the gesture and followed Chasing out into the arena. It was easy to see that Chasing was the better-looking of the two though which one was more handsome was up for debate. Chasing had more classically handsome features where Jamie was very distinguished looking, especially with his greying red hair and bright green eyes. Chasing paused at the arena and waved to get Claire's attention.

"And the horse she's on?", Jamie asked, "One of mine though don't say that to her. It was a gift to her a few years back". Jamie nodded wisely. So his friend had a history with Claire, still that had never stopped Jamie from pursuing a woman, especially a pretty one. "He's lovely and she is not bad to look at either". Chasing could already see the cogs and wheels working in Jamie's head, but he'd find out soon enough, Claire wasn't interested.

[Nicole]

Gunner seemed relatively cooled off. He was still glimmering with sweat, but he was ready for some basics once more. She performed a few basic shoulders in and shoulders out and crossed over the arena several times. It wasn't until she performed a pirouette that she noticed her audience. Claire posted deftly on the back of her black gelding and approached the pair of men. One of which being Chasing, the other she knew not his identity.

"To what do I owe this appearance?" Claire asked, bringing Gunner to a halt. The black gelding shook his head, mane crossing over his neck and back again. "Any questions? Lessons? Demonstrations? I'll see if I can fit you gentlemen into my schedule." She joked with them, aiming in at Chasing because inevitably the man beside him was his friend and likely quite alike to him.

Gunner snorted and then stood very quiet, breathing lightly as if the trotting he had just done was nothing to him. The gelding was not accustomed to being so very quiet and still. It had once upon a time been his weakness. Claire had changed that. He had learned to focus on his feet and the ground whether than the air. Claire played with the jet-black mane a little as she sat there atop the gelding.

[Chasing]

"I don't have anything for you, do you?", Chasing turned to Jamie who merely shrugged. "An introduction would be nice", Jamie's accent was akin to Chasing's drawl, though obviously each man was different basedon where they had been born and raised. "Claire LaCroix meet James Gordon, Jamie that's Claire", he introduced them. Jamie climbed over the arena wall and walked up to Claire's leg, looking up at her. "It's a pleasure to meet ye ma'm", if he had had a hat he might have tipped it to her. "Chase might have jumped the gun but I'll lessons and or demonstrations as long as ye are teaching me". The smile he cast up at her could have melted a rock's heart.

"God Jamie make it less obvious old man", Chasing chastised his friend. There was a subtle hint of jealousy to Chase's voice as he spoke though but just then his phone rang. "I'll be right back", he told them leaving the arena so he could get a better signal. "Don't mind Chasing, he's a lot o'hot air. This lad here", he put a hand on Gunner's neck, "He's a good'un aye? And ye hae a good seat yerself as well, compete much do ye?", Jamie asked her, green eyes politely curious though aflame with interest for her as well as the current subject.

[Nicole]

"Introductions are customary to good manners." Claire recited a line taught to her by her grandmother, either which way she put it, it was a late grandmother. She didn't know what to make of the red-haired man, but if she was going man hunting she would put him up on her list of 'acceptable'. "It is a pleasure and an honor I am sure." She said, though a bit surprised by James' actions. She hadn't considered that he would come right after her into the arena. Claire smiled at him, he was rather charming and just what manner of accent was that.

"Flirting, are we already?" She raised a delicate eyebrow and giggled a bit, almost not something characteristic of her age. It was a good thing she looked younger than she truly was. "Oh, I don't mind him at all. As if I haven't known him for the past five or six years, he's more than hot air." Claire held the reins in one hand and was glad by the change of subject that went from Chasing to Gunner. It was a topic she would gladly speak about.

"Gunner's a great horse, though when I got him he wasn't much for standing still. If there was something to be jumped, he'd jump it. Of course with a little time and effort he's improved a lot." Claire smiled widely, beaming. She was proud not only of herself, but of her horse. It was the accomplishments, the successes that she preferred to the ribbons, not that prize money help at all. "I should hope I've a good seat what with all the dressage invitationals I get." She chuckled. "It's be an understatement not to say that I compete some, saddleseat and gaited shows on my Riddler, three-day on Gunner here, and I'm starting up a new horse in green classes." She sat up a little taller. "Show me a horse and I'll train them, give me a rider and I'll show them the light." Claire laughed a little at that. She was preaching and chatting away as if she was talking to a friend.

"But tell me James, where do you hail from that you have such a remarkable accent? Certainly not anywhere in the US of A." Claire leaned forward comfortably in her all-purpose saddle. "And really, are you here for lessons or just to torment me? Seems like a new game for Chasing these days."

[Chasing]

The smile he flashed her was purely one of someone who is happy she got an answer to his unasked question correct. "Men canna help it when young women are around, it's a natural occurence", he replied as he smiled. "Oh aye, time improves alot of things. Wine, horses and women", he agreed with her then smiled, "So ye do compete a bit aye? Ever competed in Europe I might hae seen ye there a time or two though I don't compete much meself. My brother Ian does though", he told her then nodded. "Ye e'en sound like me brother Ian, sure ye ain't him in disguise", he had a smooth laugh, like good aged whiskey that just slides down the throat.

"Me? I am from the greatest country God put on this planet. Scotland, don' ye ken now", he chuckled, idly running his hand over gunner's neck. "Torment ye? Well", he paused for a moment looking thoughtful, "I promise not to torment ye do ye go to dinner with me", he offered with a very serious look on his face. "Though as fer lessons, not so much as needing a teacher as I do a baby-sitter", he explained, "I can ride well enough but sometimes I get a bit ahead of meself. But we can discuss that over dinner".

[Nicole]

"Just like Chasing." Claire frowned a little and sat up straight in the saddle. First time she had met Chasing he went right for her, wanting to take her out to dinner and show her around and she knew then what he was after. She knew now what James was after. "You're smooth James, but I'm no sucker." She kept her head held high. "And I'm afraid I haven't conquered Europe much, only two or three shows across the big lake and I'm no man."

"Besides, America is the greatest country and I'd stake my life on it being the truth." Claire argued playfully. Though she was going to avoid his offer to take her out to dinner like the plague. He wasn't her student, not yet at least, but she wasn't to play around with fire. Scottish, attractive, horseman or not. Truth was, Claire was still holding out on her ad campaign and she'd hold out a little longer before going out to dinner with a friend of Chasing's.

She did raise an eyebrow though. "A babysitter, not likely at your age. And I'm not a babysitter, I'm a trainer, horse or rider." Claire would remain firm at that. If this was Chasing's way of setting her up with a friend, she'd have none of it.

[Chasing]

He frowned at her, looking confused for a moment. "Sucker?", he asked, lifting an eyebrow. "And it's not a lake but a pond, it's no so big as a lake. And I am not just like Chasing, I happen to be smarter than that old man", he made a face in Chasing's direction where he was still outside talking on the phone. "That man there should be shot and dragged through the mud, or whatever it is ye barbarian Americans do to idiots".

"Ye stake yer life I stake mine", he shrugged, "But I concede the point, me mama always said I was lucky to have such small feet since I was usually sticking them in me mouth", he knew she was holding out on accepting his offer to go to dinner but he was wise enough to let it lie for now. She'd accept the offer eventually, of that he was sure. He'd never seen anyone he was attracted to so much on first sight as Claire. But he could wait until she got to know him.

"Then I suppose I will take lessons from ye, mind though, I am no competitor and I won't be getting into any such nonsense as shows and tights and those funny little boots ye wear to go jump over a rail", he rolled his eyes. "But I take orderd well and I ain't afraid of nothing. And neither is me horse Shrek. Spect I need yer approval anyway before ye be letting me out on the hunting courses".

[Nicole]

"Technically speaking its an ocean, but since we both decided to ignore that little fact I suppose there is no arguing it." Claire relaxed a little. Again, he managed to surprise her though. As much as he might be friends with Chasing, they seemed to be at odds. Calling Chasing an idiot was a half-truth really. "Barbarians? Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?" Claire asked. She was one of those whom was very proud of being American and didn't always take lightly to the jokes about her heritage.

"Good then, if you can't ride well now, you will after I'm through with you." Claire said beaming widely. She always liked knowing that there was room for improvement. Besides, a student was a student was a student and it meant work which meant money which meant she could pay bills. "I won't force you to show, but I'd suggest you watching some if you don;t already. It's amazing the things you can learn by just watching other people ride rather than doing the riding yourself." That was something to admire. He'd listen and do as he was told. A relief since most men didn't like doing such things especially when they came from women. "Perhaps not, but we'll see, now won't we?" Claire asked.

"How do you ride? Disciplines? Or do you not have a preference, but the horse does? I'm assuming you're the one Chasing is jealous of when it comes to a horse, your Shrek." Claire remarked, quick glancing in Chasing's direction.

[Chasing]

"In yer case it's a compliment, in his case an insult", he jerked a thumb back towards Chasing. Hopefully she didn't take his jokes about Chasing the wrong way, Jamie and Chasing usually trash-talked each other all the time. It was a measure of how strong their friendship was. Chasing would be the idiotic barbarian while Jamie was the aristocratic ne'erdowell. Just because Jamie's aristocratic title belonged to his father and Chasing's his many times removed grandmother. When they really got insulting towards each other it was something funny to see.

"I ride well enough when the time comes though I don't have the steadiest two feet on the planet", he replied then nodded, "Oh aye I watch plenty of shows when I can. Been to the Rolex a time or to with Ian and the other shows in Europe of course. With me job, I travel alot so I can usually be in a place for a show when I want to be", Jamie was in consulting. He consulted businesses on everything from skyscraper height to buying a jet plane to hiring the next ceo. Which meant he pretty much said yes or no to some very rich people.

Jamie caught her glance and gave her a conspiratoral wink. "Yeah Shrek. He's one of them new fangled Thoroughbred Arabian crosses out o' the desert. Chasing rode him and wanted him since the lad can jump a mile high but Chasing didn't hae the money and I outbid him", he explained to her. "He's been after me since his Gaffer died to sell the horse but Shrek, well Shrek's me only pal. I drag that poor creature all over Hell and Creation", he added. Which was true. Shrek went almost everywhere Jamie went, since Jamie was often in a place for more than three or four months.

"As fer riding, well", he gave her an embarrassed look. "I bought Shrek trained in the eventing styles, but in Texas they taught us to rope, heeling and heading, then o'course the lasses challenged me to barrels so we learned the burn and turn, then we've cut some cows as well", he began, "O'course I taught them how to make a horse dance prettily as you please. And we've done a few cross-country endurance races a time or two as well. We like to hunt though, Shrek and I, we got up to about four feet a year or three back".

[Nicole]

"Good." Claire smiled, glad of that. She could take a compliment with no complaint, but an insult would bring on fury. Though it was interesting. The two men must have some kind of interesting conversations between them. Left her pondering to how the two of them were friends, or at least remained as such.

"The Rolex, were you there last year? You might have seen a certain black gelding and his femal equestrian if you were." Claire hinted in a most obvious way. She hadn't won the Rolex, but coming in ninth was excellent standing in her opinion. They had come close to an accident, too, and up until one occurred had been the center of attention for an hour or so. "Though I wonder how much I've competed against your brother then. Perhaps at the Olympic trials unless he rides for Scotland, then probably not very likely." She mused aloud.

"I've got one of those new-fangled crosses. Riddler's a National Show Horse, half Arabian and half Saddlebred, he's got the Saddlebred height to him and the sure-footedness of the Arabian with enough personality to run you over with." Claire laughed a little. "Riddler's my baby, I had since he was." Which was entirely true. She couldn't ride him when he came to the Hills from the auction, but she was able to desensitize him and get him worked on the ground to the point that he was show ready by 2 and rideable by 3. She adored that little thing, though he was not little anymore. "But I know what you mean by a pal, I had a horse like that, she'd have carried me through Hell and back and outrun the riders of hell for me." Claire's voice dropped a little her sad smile sat on her pretty face for a time.

"No kidding, you've been riding rodeo on your horse?!" Claire lit up like a fire-cracker. "Half my heritage had me riding rodeo. I did a barrel patterns in 6.3 seconds flat once, blew the dust off the clock." She slapped her thigh and laughed. "You and I just might get along famously if you and your horse are just as diverse as I am."

[Chasing]

"No I was not. I was in Hang Kang", or as it was usually pronounced Hong Kong, "last year building skyscrapers", he explained and then listened to her for a moment. "He rides fer Great Britian, the turncoat", he smiled to her that it was just a family joke, a brother picking on his siblings. "He didn't make the Olympics, he aint but twenty four but we are hoping he'll do well for London", he finished.

"We are fairly diverse", he told after he listened to her talk about Riddler and her other horse. He could sympathize, Shrek would probably come to Hell and get him if Jamie didn't take the horse with him. That's just the kind of horse Shrek was. The gelding had never been around any other human except the occasional groom and being moved around alot had helped the horse develop a big attachment to Jamie. "We just been concentrating on jumping lately, mostly cross-country, Shrek seems to love it. Especially the water jumps", he rolled his eyes. "Silly horse loves water".

[Nicole]

"Ah well, we can't all go, but we can try." Claire shrugged. At least she was talking with someone not pushy. Or severely over-confident, or thought that they knew so much about horses. It was a bit heartening. And he seemed to have forgotten about dinner, which was a bit of a relief on her part.

"Being diverse is a good thing I find. Good for the horse and for the rider, it makes you better for all the differences. Let's you know your weaknesses and your strengths." Claire said with a smiled. Goodness knew with how she was now riding three-day eventing and saddleseat she was being diverse and to add the harness racers back in New York as well. Good thing she hadn't gone out for harness classes yet, if she wanted, she had two horses to try with. "If he's an Arabian, he's got the natural affinity for endurance and the Thoroughbred gives him the added strength." Claire nodded. "I should think I could help a good deal with the jumping. Have you fallen off much, or does Shrek catch you before you have the chance?" She asled, teasing ever so slightly.

[Chasing]

Jamie nodded, "We didn't win our races but we didn't finish last. We were just in it for the fun of things", he explained. Jamie wasn't quite an adrenaline junky, he was too smart for that. Why jump out of a perfectly good airplance with a not so perfect parachute? But he did enjoy having fun which usually meant a great deal of hard work in some sport, especially if it concerned horses. "Why don't cha ken, Shrek usually catches me. It's the silliest thing ye ever saw, a horse walking on his back legs with a grown man cradled in the front", he winked at her, taking her teasing tone and tossing one back of his own.

"Och, we best be behavin' the school marm will beat our hands", he nodded towards Chasing. "School marm?", Chasing asked, running a hand through his hair. "I've never taught remedial lessons", Jamie frowned but his eyes said he was laughing inside. "Oh well I wouldn't hae seen ye there since I never took them", Jamie retorted. "Ye gonna go get yer horse and put some money where yer mouth is?", Chasing said, trying, and failing, to copy Jamie's accent. "Yeah, if ye've got a nag here that can keep up with him. And ye Claire, ye got a horse to keep up with us?", Jamie asked her.