[OPEN] in my head.

[emily]

[due to my lack of motivation and creativity, I don't have a template. sorry folks, enjoy the boringness of this setup]

Emily wasn't focused. The pinto mare she was loping casually around the arena knew it too. The cowgirl's body rocked easily in the small barrel saddle, and she absent-mindedly circled the mare in various places throughout the arena, not really having a set goal in mind, just keep the horse's feet moving. Belle had boundless energy, and it took a good two hours of hard work to get her to get her even remotely tired. Only an hour into the workout, Emily had lost focus and was ready to be done. Tomorrow she planned on taking her mare out to explore the trails around her and get the intelligent horse focused on something other than bending, lead changes, patterns, and other things Emily kept her sharp on for games. Maybe later in the week, some cow working might be in order, but right now, Emily wasn't interested in that.

As the pair loped with more energy, Belle decided to spice up the ride and take advantage of her rider's lack of focus. In the blink of an eye, the sassy pinto ducked her head and exploded in a series of harmless, excited bucks, kicking up her white-stocking hind legs and leaping a few strides. Emily lurched unnaturally in the saddle the first initial buck, but immediately her instincts kicked in and she pulled strongly on her inside rein and tucked the mare's nose to the side, abruptly ending the bucking and in a few choppy strides, Belle stuttered to a stop. Panting, the two stood motionless for a moment, Belle amused and proud of herself, Emily furious at the little black and white pinto. Gathering her reins and collecting her thoughts, the young cowgirl realized the majority of this incident was her own mistake. Belle was a feisty, playful youngin who needed constant supervision. Emily let her mind wander, and it resulted in a crappy situation. Touching her boot heels lightly to the mare's soft sides, she urged the horse into a walk, then a trot. Sitting the mare's smooth, easy going trot, Emily put all of her focus and thought into working the mare as best as she could.

With no obstacles in the arena, Emily picked both reins up and swung back her outside leg, pressing her heel into the mare's side lightly, cueing her for a lope. Belle eagerly picked up an easy, rocking lope, but Emily wanted more energy. She squeezed her heels and urged her faster; willingly, Belle complied and stretched her short legs further, picking up speed. Without anymore conflict, Emily and Belle finished a workout consisting of many brisk turns, various patterns and flying lead changes, speed changes, and backing patterns. Walking out the damp mare, Emily loosened her reins and patted the mare's velvety neck, telling the mare all sorts of sweetness and encouragements. Walking along the side of the arena with the viewing area for spectators, the young woman had an idea. Halting the mare, she quickly hopped from the saddle. Pulling the reins over Belle's head, she dropped them on the ground, fully trusting the mare's ground tying abilities. Belle stood obediently, appreciating the rest, while Emily stripped off her saddle and saddle pad. She slung them onto the railing between the viewing area and the arena, then picked up her split reins from the ground and replaced them over Belle's neck. Grabbing a handful of mane, Emily mentally counted, 1...2...3...UP On "up" she hopped and pulled herself up onto Belle's back. Belle was only 14.1 hh, so the task seemed pretty simple, but after a long afternoon of riding, little Emily's 5'3" frame found it to be a tough height to conquer some days. Luckily, today wasn't one of those days. Emily settled on the mare's moist, sweaty back, knowing full well she would hop down with her blue jeans covered in dirt, horse sweat, and countless little black and white hairs. Did Emily care? Not a chance. She and Belle had spent dozens of hours riding together without a saddle separating them. They both loved it.

As the pair began walking leisurely around the arena, Emily loosely knotted the reins and set them on Belle's neck. She allowed herself to lay down on her back, her head resting on Belle's hindquarters. The horse and rider had done this countless times, and Belle just continued following along the rail of the arena. While Emily laid there, she began thinking about what she had been earlier in the session. Would she ever feel at home again? With her mother and father both now gone, the idea seemed impossible. She'd never had a boyfriend, and she's an only child, so it wasn't like she had anybody from her past to go back to. Sure, she had her stepdad, but she didn't really feel like he wanted her around anymore. She hoped they'd both just go their separate ways and settle into new lives. Part of her longed for "home" or, where she had grown up at least. Without her mama, she didn't feel like it was really "home" anymore. That's why she left. Going south had always been on Em's radar, but she never had had the opportunity until now. Thus, she was here now. But would she be able to settle in? Be able to be comfortable? Maybe even at home? A twang of anxiety bubbled in her stomach, but she forced it away. She had always been a pretty independent child, teenager, and young adult, so she continued to convince herself that she could do this on her own. Now, she wasn't so sure. Here she was, with just her horse, her truck and trailer, and a couple suitcases, looking for somewhere to fit in.

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[xxollie]

Daniel happily finished his last polo wrap on Sprite's right foreleg. She was in her schooling colors, kelly green and white. Her pad was white with green embroidery (a gift from his mother) and green polo wraps. She was comfortable in her custom fitted County dressage saddle––a graduation splurge, but so worth it. With her bridle on, they marched to the arena. Sprite rested her head on Daniel's shoulder, as she always did when he was on the ground. "Hey, girl. You ready to work out?" Daniel had no idea when he was competing again, but he liked to keep Sprite's mind sharp with some good dressage work. Hopefully they would not need to work around jumps because Daniel had no idea how willing Sprite was today. Not to mention, he was hoping to work a test today. That was the goal, of course. But who knew if it would actually happen.

When they reached the indoor arena, Daniel was mildly surprised to find it occupied by a western rider on a piebald paint. Glancing around, Daniel noticed she was the only rider in the arena. He continued forward and called out, "Hope you don't mind sharing the arena. We shouldn't be too long." The other mare looked like she had had a hard work out. Hopefully Sprite would be just as willing today. Daniel tightened up her girth and dropped the stirrups. Taking his reins over her head, he swung aboard quickly and sat deep in the saddle. His Perfection gripped in all the familiar places, and he could feel Sprite's body walking forward and stretching out. Daniel sat up straight and let her poke her nose out at the walk. He wouldn't pick her up until she was good and ready, which is why Sprite respected him so much. Of course, it was also what had cost him several events that they should have won! When Sprite would decide mid-test that she no longer wanted to listen, it caused some problems. Like her raising her head and half-rearing... Yeah, judges tended to dislike that in dressage.