Discussions of Training

[DJ]

Hope walked with Seb out of the yard and down the paved road towards her house.

Hope opened the glass-paned door and invited Seb in. She stepped into the warm walk-in room and sat down on the wooden bench, unzipping her tall leather boots. "You can take yours off if you'd like, but if you don't want to, feel free to keep them on. She smiled and stood up in her socks, walking to the kitchen and picking up the horse kettle, bringing it to the sink to fill it.

She set if down on the stove and turned the knob, letting the water warm up.

She led Seb into the living room, a carpeted room with an over stuffed couch, two chairs and lots of art. There were two oversized windows on one wall, allowing lots of light, and letting Hope see the horse paddocks and barn.

[Emo]

Seb walked easily with Hope to her home. It didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Usually Seb became nervous in someone else’s house. It just seemed as if she’d ruin something or whatever she’d touch she’d break. But it wasn’t so bad with Hope, it felt well actually, time to relax. When Hope gave her the option of keeping her boots on or off Seb was quick to pull off the constricting field boots. Curling her toes she stretched them and it felt so good to be free of those boots.

Following Hope through to the kitchen she watched her put water on to boil for the tea. ”Having any luck with your students? I’ve watched a few, they seem to catch on quick.” It wasn’t easy to start a conversation, not with Seb it wasn’t. At times she’d didn’t know what to say if a topic died before moving on to another one.

OOC//: Ewww! So short >.<

[DJ]

Hope sat down on the overstuffed couch before talking. "Yeah. Some of them learn almost too quickly." She frowned a bit, wishing she'd have more students to teach.

"So, you ride English or western?" She poked at the riding hoping to ask if she'd like to join the show team.

[Emo]

Sitting down on the comfortable couch Seb stretched out her arms before setting back. As Hope answered her question she caught her frown and thought about the reason, only being distracted when she was asked of her riding preference. ”English, strictly. Jumping is like my major, some dressage but not exactly that into it. I can do X-country but prefer not to. Why do you ask?”

[DJ]

"Well, I'm looking for more students on the show team," Hope explained. "Might you be interested?" She smiled lightly. Jumpers were perfect. "And might you be willing for some lessons later on?"

She gazed out the window and smirked at the thrashing horse. The only dirt patch in the field, Fancy would find it. She got up and shook violently, unable to be seen for a moment, hidden in a cloud of dust.

[Emo]

Hope’s question set Seb off guard for a second or two. She thought over it. It’d be good for Twilight, but she wasn’t ready. Seb could skip a few unneeded steps and just saddle her, get her ready before show season was over. ”I’d love to. I can start Twilight early. But, hasn’t show season already started?” Seb followed Hope’s gaze and saw a horse rolling in the field. A smile slid across her face before she turned back to Hope. ”I mean, can you add people to your show team while show season is already rolling along?”

[DJ]

"Our first show isn't until May so that gives us a few months! There are also lots of clinics and demos going on, so if you have extra time, sign-up for them while you can. Most have limited space and I'm trying to get more before the show season starts anyway.

She smiled warmly toward Seb before being disrupted by the tea kettle whistling. She got up to turn it off.

"So, how advanced are you?" She asked from the kitchen, not wanting the conversation to die. "And how high are you currently schooling?" Hope was joyous Seb agreed to being on the team.

She opened the cupboard. "Lemon you said?"

[Emo]

Seb must have gotten the demons and shows mixed up. Where she used to live demos didn’t exist. ”That makes a lot of sense. I was wondering why a lot of barns and clinics were holding shows, well demos, so close to the frosting.” The tea kettle stopped her words and she watched Hope get up to take it off. As Hope walked away Seb had to get up to follow so she could continue the conversation. ”I’m schooling four feet plus. I can jump just about anything you set in front of my horse, as long as the horse has the ability to jump it. Right now, I’ve just started Twilight on jumps but free jumping she can take well over four feet. She’s jumped a six foot oxer but second time around she refused. I don’t think I’ll do anything with her that’s over three feet this year. Lemon, yes please.” Leaning against the wall she watched Hope pour the tea, mesmerized by the smooth flow of the falling liquid. If Seb was that smooth she’d win every competition. She could dream.

[DJ]

"Oh wow." Hope's eyes widened at the large fences and she slid Seb the mug of tea. "Cream is in the fridge and sugar and honey are on the counter, if you're interested."

Hope got out another mug and placed a tea bag in it before filling it with the steaming water. She left back into the living room, placing her mug on a coaster on the coffee table in front of their legs.

"So you don't have much fright about it." Hope chuckled lighty. Her most common with her jumping students was fear, making them ride incorrectly.

Hope was thrilled and wanted to see Seb ride Twilight and watch her over some simple fences.

"And the reason we came." Hope laughed a bit, brining up the subject of natural horsemanship training.

[Emo]

Before leaving the kitchen Seb grabbed a small spoonful of sugar and a short drip of cream. Quickly she replaced everything and went back to the living room. Setting her mug down she flopped back into the couch, allowing the comfort to absorb her weight. Hope’s assumption of her not fearing the jumps hit home base. ”Not at all. My grandmother told me the best way to not fear falling, bucking, or rearing is to jump, learn to enjoy being air born. I kind of just took it off from their. I started to get into it and found a true potential and stuck with it. My grandmother helped me out as much as she could.” Taking a sip of the hot tea she breathed in the lemony scent.

When Hope spoke Seb became slightly confused. What was she talking about? It took Seb a few moments to figure it out. Her evaluation for the job, how could she forget? By the sound of Hope’s voice it sounded good. This meant she’d bring in her own money again, she’d have her own money to spend and save. Her parents would have nothing to do with it, just like old times. But she needed Hope’s confirmation first.

[DJ]

At Seb's slightly confused face, Hope added to the thought. "Those lovely training techniques you were using on Twilight earlier this morning." Hope smiled toward Seb. "The techniques were working so well on her."

Hope craved to learn the styles and also wanted to have Seb help her train the horses, green or lesson. The type of training seemed like it would work for most all horse.

[Emo]

It wasn’t the answer she had been looking for but it might lead to it. Seb didn’t let it put out her fire though. She’d be glad to show Hope a few techniques. ”I’d be honored to show you a few things, especially the join ups I do. Just like what Liz did when she was doing her evaluation. There’s much more to it than that though. You need to feel the flow of the horse and the energy within him, or her, to be able to really gain their full trust. His every hoof beat, the pounding of his muscles. It takes extreme practice and sensitivity. You need to start out on a line to feel the flow of the head and neck first, then work your way down.” It seemed confusing, but some people caught on like a puzzle piece snaps into place.

”Twilight joins up faster every day, but she does have her off days when she’s feeling skittish. I’ve done join up with her since she was just over two years old. The faster you let them see they can trust you, the faster you can build a life long bond with the horse. When training other peoples horses I don’t do join ups, but I’m always there to help out. Join ups won’t exactly work on lesson horses since they trust people already. But it would be a good idea for your students to do a join up every once in a while.” Seb was sure Hope wouldn’t get lost in her explanation. Sipping her tea she smiled.

[DJ]

Hope nodded, sipping her tea every so often. She'd swallow quickly, burning her mouth each time she took a sip, but continued listening intently, trying to get as much as she could from the conversation.

At the end of Seb's talking she added, "Oh. By the way. You have the job."

[Emo]

Noticing her concentration on her words Seb smiled again and took another sip. When Hope announced she had the job Seb mentally rejoiced, putting down her mug. ”Wow! Thank you so much Hope. You don’t know how much this means to me.” Seb was wringing her hands, trying to keep her joy in check. ”I’m so glad. Thank you.” Taking deep breaths she controlled her emotions and facial expression. ”When do I start, and with what horse?” Eager to get started Seb could hardly keep the question back.

[DJ]

Hope grinned. "Whenever and with anyone, although I'd really like you to work with Prim. You did so well with her during your evaluation training."

Hope smiled wanting to see Seb's work and training more. "And you're very welcome," she smirked.