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Date Posted: 14:21:00 10/14/02 Mon
Author: Jennifer
Subject: Riding

Place: Surreal Stables, Eastbourne, England. (Eventing facility)
Person: Jennifer
Horses: Firebolt, Nimbus 2000, Lockhart.

I saddled Firebolt and swung into the saddle. The 17 hand chestnut Westphelian danced beneath me, tossing his beautiful head. I closed my gloved hands over the reins and sat deep in the huntseat saddle. I clucked and the stallion broke into a light, smooth trot, striding over the ground with neck arched and ears pricked. Firebolt chewed the bit as I started to collect him, squeezing the reins and bringing his head into his chest. For a moment he protested, swishing his tail and pinning his ears, but then he hollowed out his back, dropped his head, and took the bit softly. "Good boy!" I praised him, trotting a 20 meter circle in the dressage arena. It was a gray morning with a soft breeze and pale sunlight. I was wearing breeches, boots & a jacket, complete with a helmet & gloves. Firebolt snorted and continued moving in a smooth, even circle. I gave a subtle squeeze and pressed my heels into his sides. He lunged into a canter, powerful muscles rippling beneath the flaming red coat, nostrils flared and eyes bright. I kept him moving off my leg and we did several circles & figure eights. Then I sponged my fingers on the reins and used my seat to draw him back down into a trot. Firebolt moved softly beneath me, a picture of elegance and beauty. We did dressage over the next hour, performing complicated movements such as the pirouette at the canter, half pass & side pass, and passage. We did collected & extended trots & canters; square halts, transitions & flying lead changes. At the end of the session Firebolt was dark with sweat and he halted as soon as I tugged on the reins. I rode out of the arena and dismounted. I handed the reins to a groom and went to get Nimbus 2000.
Nimbus was a frisky bay Anglo-Arabian gelding, 16.2hh. I warmed him up in the arena first and then we cantered through the pastures to the x-country course. Nimbus leaped every obstacal he met. The silky bay would snap up his legs, drawing his knees up to his chin and tucking in his hocks, stretching out his neck and rounding his back as he surged over logs, tigar traps, banks & haybales. I rose in the saddle, my hands sliding down his neck, eyes focused between the 2 pricked ears.
Last was Lockhart, a golden palomino Arabian. He tossed his head and fought me, wanting to do the arena course his own way, but ending up knocking over rails. The young Arab was very flashy and liked to show off, but he was still unexpierenced. I schooled him over a 3' course and then took him for a short trail ride.
I love HP!

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