After a long vacation.

[Bree]

Micheal walked Piceous into the basic arena. She walked around circling right on the rail warming up the Hanoverian.
It's been a long time hasn't it Pie? She said putting her full concentration on the black horse.

She sat deep in the saddle and felt her horse's movements as they flowed as one. Her hands held a firm but gentle hand on Pie's mouth keeping a light contact to hold the horse in place. Although the horse was wired and ready to go she obeyed perfectly, one of the joys of professionally schooled horses. She pushed her forward with her legs.

Though she had been forced to take dressage lessons by her father to her much dismay she could now thank him for the added control and riding ability she had learned. But she was more than ready to learn jumping.

[Jazzy]

Alli walked towards the ring, Benny in tow. His ears perked up as he spotted the mare in the ring. "Oh, don't you bother." She scolded, warning him not to misbehave. She carefully led him to the mounting block and slipped into the saddle. Alli squeezed a little to get him walking anc brought him in. She made sure to stay out of Micheal's way while she and Ben did serpentines, diagonals and circles. Then She asked for the trot.

Ben quickly bounded into a large and animated trot, although Alli was just as quick to bring him back. He was now in a comfortable trot that was bordering on explosive. As Alli turned the corner on the long side she gave a little more leg and talked to him. "Big trot, big trot, big trot..." She continued this every stride down the long side, then brought him back and did a sitting trot on the short sides.

[dari]

Lyris led Lisa into the basic arena and prepared to mount. Carefully she adjusted the girth a couple holes and ran down her stirrups, then led the tall mare to the mounting block. She slid the reins over Lisa's head and mounted fluidly, careful not to spook the mare. Lisa tried to move off, but Lyris gave her a squeeze with her thighs and Lisa stopped, chewing the bit contemplatively.

All right, let's see what you can do, Lyris said to Lisa. She gathered her reins and cued the mare to walk on, which she did with fluid grace. You're a lot bigger than both Rush and Bex, she said quietly as they warmed up on the inside track of the ring. I'm going to be a little sore tomorrow. Lisa snorted and picked up a smooth trot at Lyris' urging.

She sat straight and soft, sitting the trot with ease. It felt wonderful to be riding a baroque horse of quality like this one, she thought as Lisa took up the bit contact and rounded beneath her. Good girl, she crooned to the mare. Let's see where you get off. She gave the cue to leg-yield, and they were across the arena before they reached the center of the ring. Several quick flying lead changes later, they were at the other end of the ring tracking left, and Lisa was in great form. She snorted with pleasure when Lyris gave her a quick pat, then picked up the collected counter-canter with surprising grace.

[Bree]

Micheal nodded at the women who entered the ring and immediately concentrated back on Pie. The horse relaxed enough that Micheal was satisfied to bring Pie into a easy trot.

The horse never faltered once. Pulling Pie into a smaller circle to avoid the other rider she practiced her transitions. Piceous was still as smooth as silk. Her Hermes saddle squeaked uncontrollably almost ruining her image... almost.

Piceous, at the bidding on Micheal, settled in a extended trot. Micheal continued to push her forward with her legs, almost completely controlling her with just her legs.

Micheal had a strong desire to work Pie over the calvaletties but she still had to respect the other riders.

[Jazzy]

Benny snorted as Alli asked for the canter. His hooves flew up, although Alli was hardly unseated. His buck was smooth, which made it feel almost like an awkward canter stride. After he settled down Alli was able to do transitions within the gait. Almost to a walk, and then send him foward. This allowed Ben to rock back onto his haunches and use his full power. He was not heavy on the forehand like Java, so this task was a little easier.

"Do you know your changes, bud?" She asked him, starting a diagonal. The outside leg went back, inside rein opened, and Ben switched his leads with fluid perfection. Alli brought him back down to a walk and gave him a pat. "How about walk to canters?"

Alli asked him and he leapt into the canter, although he picked up the wrong hind lead. Within two strides he did a change and fixed it. This little boy was smart.

[dari]

Lisa's canter was smooth and fluid as Lyris gave her the cue to switch leads. But the mare obviously didn't quite know flying changes at the canter yet, and she tossed her head in confusion. Lyris brought her back to an extended trot for a few strides, then asked for the canter on the correct lead, praising the mare with a pat when she got it right. Good girl, she said quietly as she again asked for the lead change. This time, Lisa understood a little better; she dropped to the trot for a stride and picked the counter-canter up with ease.

Three more times Lyris asked for the lead change, and on the third, she got it. Lyris rewarded the big mare with a pat and a release of the reins, and Lisa eagerly stretched her back and kept her pace even. Good heavens, this horse is a quick learner, she said to herself as she gathered the reins back up. Lisa responded by instantly rounding and coming onto the bit without a break in stride.

Now for the real test, she said, and gave the mare the cue to pirouette.

[Bree]

Piceous's gaits grew choppy and she dropped into a back-breaking trot. She pulled on the reins wanting her head.
Knock it off. Micheal said through clenched teeth as she kept her hands firm on Piceous mouth. Foam dripped from the horse's mouth. The second she could feel Pie's muscles bunching on her back. Ready for the inevitable Micheal sat deep into the saddle and drove Pie forward. She could feel Pie's back relax.

I didn't think so girl. She said relieved.

Micheal pushed Pie into a smooth working canter as she regained her hands and form. The smooth gait felt so good she could immediately feel herself relax the rocking-chair like gait made her wish she'd done it sooner.

[Jazzy]

Benny quickly grew bored of the games. He began tossing his head anf leaping every three strides or so. Alli attempeted to ignore his naughty behavior and tried changing things up again. Every three strides she asked for a lead change, which at first did not work. Then Benny finally fugured out what she wanted and swapped his leads. He let out a massiive buck and blew through Alli's inside aids as they rounded the corner.

"Hey!" Alli scolding, adopting a no nonsense tone. "Cut the crap. I don't tolerate it." This was followed by a jab with her outside leg to return him to a straight and respectable form.

[dari]

The canter pirouette was obviously something that Lisa had never been asked to do. With startling speed she pinned her ears and ducked out to the left, catching Lyris by surprise. She flipped into the air and landed with a sickening thud right where she had asked for the movement.

She lay there for a minute, not moving. All she knew was that the wind had been knocked from her chest. And that Lisa was nearby, snuffling around in the sand. Nothing else registered as she struggled to draw breath.

[Bree]

Piceous whinnyed a shrill, ear-peircing sound. She side-stepped away from the loose horse.

Micheal did a quick dismount and ran over to the fallen rider.

Are you okay? Don't move. Do you think you break anything? She said kneeling down beside her. Should I call anyone?

[Jazzy]

Alli swung off Benny's back and quickly shuffled over to grab Lisa. The mare did not run away which wa s a good thing. Then Alli tied them to the fencing with a safety release knot, keeping a far enough distane between the two. She knew they would stand because Hope had taught them very good ground manners.

The next thing she did was run over to Lyris to make sure she was alright. Alli examined her, sliding her hand down her leg and watching for signs of pain. "Did that hurt at all?" She asked. "Just nod yes or no." Alli could tell that Lyris was short on breath and she didn't want to make her talk too much.

[dari]

Lyris kept her eyes closed as she regained her breath. She mentally checked each of her limbs and her back, making sure nothing was broken. Nothing felt out of place, but she didn't want to move just in case something was that she didn't feel.

I don't think anything's broken, she said feebly. Nothing hurts too much except my back and my lungs. She tried to sit up but her right arm gave way under her. With a wince she grabbed her arm and cradled it to her chest, feeling for breaks. I think I broke my arm, she said after the pain subsided. I had better get to the emergency room.

[Bree]

Micheal nodded quickly and after grabbing Pie's reins headed off into the dark barn after tying Pie up to the outside of the arena. Would you rather me call 911 or take you there myself? Keep your arm steady it will be easier to set that way. I'm going to get some ice to keep the swelling down also., she called back as she jogged off not waiting for an answer.

When she returned she had the ice and a clean rag.
Here, use this to make a sling and I will pack the ice in that. , she spoke softly knowing that Lyris shouldn't get excited or anyone. Would you like me to call 911? She asked again.

[dari]

Lyris accepted the ice pack gratefully and pressed it against her arm. The cold made it feel better almost immediately.

I don't think calling 911 is necessary, but would you mind driving me to the ER? She said after a minute. If you want you can drive my car, it's parked right by the barn. The keys are in my grooming bucket by my horse Bex's stall.

She looked up at Lisa, who was standing at the fence. The mare was very different from Bex, who would have been snuffling in her face right now to see if she was okay. Instead, Lisa stood with a detatched expression on her face watching a flock of geese fly off to the south.

[Bree]

We could take my ca... She stopped in the middle of her sentence. She looked ashamed perhaps? Her face turned blank for second before she regained her composure. I'll go get your keys. , She said helping Lyris up. She quickly dissapeared into the barn and after a few moments returned back with the keys jingling from her finger. Let's go. , she said placidly mustering up a weak smile. She walked by Lyris waiting for her to head for her car.