Lingering thoughts

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam tought for abit.Oh God.. maybe a couple weeks ago? SHe is stil new and doesn't have a rider. Jake rides her once in awhile but she needs more riding time, she said. Affair lipped at the sugar cube and enjoyed being petted.

[Raelynn]

I ran my fingers through her silky mane, a smile curved my lips. She was well built, strong and muscular. I knew she would be able to get over the larger jumps without a problem. I looked to Sam,

Does she have tack?

I questioned, wanting to start out with her right away.

[ღGraceღ]

Jake walked, smiling at Sam and Rae.

[Raelynn]

I seen Jake, I had never really talked to him before. I offered a small smile then looked back to Affair. I touched one of the spots on her wither and smiled broadly.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam smiled at Jake and looked back at Rae.Yep. SHe has a English saddle and a bridle in the tack room, she said, nodding towards it. If she was gonna ride her in the competition, she would have to tack her up herself.

[Raelynn]

With a smile I quickly gathered her tack and returned to Affair. I settled the saddle and saddle pad on her back and tightened her girth. I moved to her head and slipped on the bridle, as I stroked her cheek I looked to Sam.

Do you have any jumps?

I knew in some western classes they had crossrail type jumps that they required the horses step over.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam nodded.As we speak, Josh is setting them up in the arena, she said calmly, scratching Affair's forehead. She nickered and stayed calm.

[Raelynn]

I wanted to bound around with joy. I set a reminder to thank Josh as I took the reins in my hands. I grabbed my helmet and placed it on my head. I let the straps dangle beside my cheeks as I lead the mare down the aisle. I couldn't wait to see how Affair was.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam let tehm go on their own and leaned on teh stall door, thinking abit. Affair nickered eagerly, nudging Rae's shoulder. She was eager to go for a ride.

[Raelynn]

I had a slight flaunt in my step, looking at the mare as she nudged my shoulder. I stroked her cheek and lead her into the arena. I turned her to the rail, pulled down the stirrups and looked to Josh, making sure he was finished.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Josh was done adn leaving, yelling something to Jay about puttign his things back where they were. Affair nickered softly, standing still so Rae could mount.

[Raelynn]

I watched as he left the arena, then said to him loud enough so he could hear.

Thanks Josh!

I was in a cheerful mood, my voice was a way to tell. I turned back to Affair, if he said something I wouldn't be able to tell so. I put my foot in the stirrup and mounted, settling in the saddle. I gathered the reins and asked Affair to walk.

I guided her along the rail, I adored her smooth gait. I then nudged her into a trot. After I moved her around the arena I guided her to the centre of the arena. I moved her in wide and small circles, serpentines and figure eights. I made her bend around my leg, she was very responsive. She even understood what I wanted her to do when I shifted my weight in the saddle. I guided her back along the rail, shifting my weight slightly forward. The mare picked up on the command and shifted into a canter. A canter was a cure for all stress. After a couple minutes I turned her to the first jump. I counted the strides and when we came up to the jump I turned the mare away. She tossed her head in slight confusion. I stroked her neck, it wasn't her fault.

I turned her back around, turning her back to the jump at a canter. I measured the strides and I moved into two-point at the right time. Affair was beautiful over jumps, she tucked her legs neatly. I closed my eyes for a moment as we went over.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam walked in, watching Rae and Affair. The girl seemed to be enjoying herself as much as teh mare. They seemed to fly. A smile came to Sam's face as she remembered riding in barrels or cattle cutting. She always felt one with the horse.

[Raelynn]

I took the mare to the next jump, a combination, I measured the strides again. I hadn't noticed Sam. The mare took off a bit to early, her front and hind hooves both tapped the rail. Ther ewas a clatter, the top rail fell to the ground. The mare had began to move towards the next jump. I looked over my shoulder to see the fallen rail. In that second the memories flooded back. The relapse was in slow motion, I turned back to see the mare only a stride from the jump. I pulled her up suddenly from a canter, she had to veer side ways to avoid the jump. She tossed her head, confused. I sat in the saddle, staring down at the reins I held lightly in my hands.

I focused hard, closing my eyes as I forced the oncoming memories from my head. I shook my head slightly and dismounted quickly. My face was blank as I tried to hold back the tears, I loosened the girth a bit, my head bowed slightly. I whiped away a tear with the back of my hand, forcing myself to stop crying. I took a deep breath and lifted my head. I took another deep breath and stroked the mares withers, mutterieng a sincere sorry, that could have turned out bad. I took the reins and lead her to the gate of the arena, keeping my gaze on the ground.

[X.Sadistic_~_Samurai.X]

Sam watched, her head tilted to aside. Her eyes watched as Rae excited the arena and her gears were turning in her mind. She may know what was wrong but she wasn't going to approach her about it unless Rae came to her or if she was sure of what was wrong.