Preparations. - CLOSED

[femalefred]

Duke had been fairly easy to catch in the pastures for once. It was probably because he was getting worked every day now so he had less spare energy, or at least Ella thought it was that. The young gelding was behaving quite well as she led him down to the grooming stalls as well, only nudging her in the shoulder once and not walking too close. That was hopefully the result of some of the work she'd been doing with him on the ground, and not just that this was a lucky day.

The stalls were all empty, so she hitched Duke at the one closest to the arenas and went to get his brushes. He wasn't that dirty, and stood patiently until she returned. Currying was the work of a few minutes once she'd cleaned his dock and muzzle, before moving onto a soft brush, sweeping gently across his fine coat.

"You know what, I might even put hoof polish on you today, seeing as you're being all Prince Charming for me," Ella told the gelding, smiling as he turned to look at her with possibly the most patronising gaze a horse can give. Still laughing a little at her horse, the young woman finished off his body and moved onto his hooves, picking them carefully and then, as she'd promised, sweeping hoof polish over.

"I'm going to get your tack. Be good."

[dari]

Lyris led Bex into the grooming stall next to Duke and began stripping her tack. She palmed the mare a treat when the bridle was off and grabbed the grooming bucket, talking quietly to her horse about the day's lesson. You and Hope look good together. Thank you for giving her a nice ride. Are you ready to go back out? You deserve it. Bex bobbed her head as she munched on the peppermint. I have a lesson to give with Ella and then I'll come hang out with you. Just don't get too dirty. She clipped the lead rope onto her halter and unclipped the cross ties. Bex walked quietly with her, out toward the fields.

When her horse was out in the field, Lyris returned to the grooming stall and waited for Ella to return.

[femalefred]

Ella had taken her time in the tack room, having forgotten that she'd been using a jumping saddle recently rather than her standard English saddle. That saddle was in a locked trunk, the keys of which were in her landrover, which had taken a good five minute to find once she'd got out to the car. That sorted, she grabbed Duke's bridle and saddle pad quickly and headed back to the grooming stalls, wondering if Lyris would be there yet or if she'd have to wait a little longer.

As soon as she arrived at the stalls, her question was answered. "Heya! Just let me tack the beast up and I'll be with you," she said, smiling and gently throwing the saddle and pad over Duke's back. He huffed, either from surprise or disdain for this saddle she couldn't work out. Leaving the girth loose, she quickly bridled the gelding and slipped the girth through the martingale loop before fastening it.

"Ok, we're ready."

[dari]

Lyris nodded. All right. Let's head to the dressage arena then. She walked out into the sunshine.