First Lesson - CLOSED

[Arya]

Okay. Liz canterd Song to the jump again. She slid her hands up her neck and grabbed her mane, just like Hope told her to. Song jumped over, and landed smoothly on the ground. Thats a good girl! Liz said as she praised her mare.

[dari]

Lyris nodded. I've got a couple hours, yeah. She'll probably want me there for a while anyway... she's kind of a sissy, she said with a laugh. I guess when you get through with this we can go get her. I've already groomed her, so all we'll need to do is tack her and go.

[DJ]

Hope grinned at the girl's accomplishment. "If famous eventers can grab mane, why not us. Nice job! Why don't you take this vertical a few more times and I can set you up a small ramp oxer, which should be the easiest for you to jump."

Hope nodded to Lyris as she walked over to another fence, an oxer set up at a good 4 feet or so. "Okay. Pop Song over this. Just kidding. Hope winked at Liz. Hope talked as she moved the jump down. "Awesome. Yeah. As soon as I finish this lesson, I'll hope on her. She's a dressage beastie, correct? She doesn't jump? Hope set the front rail to a simple two feet, and the back one at around two six. "You can handle this, correct? Hope called to the rider. I can move it down if it's a bit high for you."

[dari]

Lyris nodded. She's all dressage. I do try and take her over a few small crossrails every now and then just to keep her interested, but she's not that into it. Neither am I, really, but we do what we can. She watched with interest as the mare Song and her rider popped over the jumps.

[Arya]

Liz looked at the Jump. It should be fine, thanks! She called back to Hope. She laughed at Hope's joke and then concentrated on the jump. Jumping the verticle a few more times, Liz had Song jump the oxer. Song flew over the jump, and landed smoothly on the sandy ground.

[DJ]

"Yeah. Not all horses are into it, I guess." Hope gave the girl a warm smile and studied her cast. "Arm feeling okay?"

"Nice! You're position looked pretty nice over that one. Next time, try to keep a good distance between your upper body and her neck, allowing her to jump up to you, rather than throwing your body forward onto her neck. Then don't forget to keep your legs on and look up. That'll help her and you clear the back rail in perfect form. You're going to want to balance right over the middle, not getting to far ahead or behind the motion." Hope grinned and shook her head. "It's all kinda confusing, but you'll get it with enough practice. I'm going to save the square oxer for next lesson. That's getting harder, so we'll save it, but if you'd like to take Song over this one a few more times before ending, you've both done fantastic today!!"

[dari]

Lyris looked down at the green cast. Yeah, it's a lot better today. Those pills the doctor gave me are useless, though... I think I'm immune to them or something. She made a face.

[Arya]

Thanks, but most of it was you! I don't think Steph could have taught me all of this. She smiled and jumped over the oxer a few more times. Liz tried to center her self and Song in the middle of the jump. The next jumps where great. Song missed one, but that was okay.

[DJ]

"Yeah." Hope wrinkled her nose at the cast, assuming it was uncomfortable and itchy. "I'd say I know how you're feeling, but I've never broken any bones, so I have no idea how you feel. If you're feeling sore at all, there are ice packs in the freezer in the utility room. Help yourself. Hope gave Lyris a half-hearted smile, feeling sorry for the poor rider. Hope was unable to imagine not being able to ride for even a few days let alone a full month and a half.

"Why thank you!" Hope felt her cheeks redden a bit into a blush at the complement. "I'm certainly excited to see you ride more. You have a nice overall seat, and with a bit of smoothing the edges, you'll certainly turn into a great little rider. If you'd like to cool her out, I'm sure she'd enjoy that. Nice lesson!" Hope gave the mare a clap on the neck as she walked by, only a bit warm from the work. "Do you mind if I go ride Bex, or would you like me to wait here while you're cooling her out?"

[Arya]

I'm fine. Once she is done, I'll probably come out and watch! Liz asked Song to walk around now. She realxed in the saddle and had a loose rein, but she was ready if Song was to spook. I should help out some time. She thought to herself. It would help Hope out a lot. Liz could help with feeding or mucking stalls. She didn't care, she was with horses!

[DJ]

"Alright." Hope got ready to head out to the barn to grab her riding gear and slowly made her way towards the gate with Lyris.

"See you in a bit." Hope turned and waved before opening the gate and exiting.

[Arya]

Liz hopped off of Song and checked to see if she was cool. When she was satisfied, she loosend the girth and put her stirrups up. Liz opend the gate and left, making sure to close the gate behind her. You did well today, girl, I'm proud. The mare sniffed her helmet and snorted. Liz laughed as she put Song into the crossties.