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Post by dustin on Dec 28, 2010 21:46:31 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
The gates of the indoor arena open swiftly as Dustin pushed them. He strode in, holding one leather rein folded once in his right and. Beside him was Rex, his Quarter Horse stallion. His ears were up, and his tail was swishing behind him. Typical. He was pretty obnoxious. Dustin sighed as he turned, closing the gate behind him. Looking over at his mount, he placed a hand on his thick neck. "What's it gonna be today, buddy?" He asked, watching Rex as he flexed his neck and his nostrils flared. He eyed Dustin, knowing they were about to ride. He wasn't too excited, obviously. Dustin smiled as he threw the rein around his neck, and tightened his saddle. He was riding in a reining saddle today, though he usually rode in a cutter. He glanced down at Rex's legs, which were equipped with black boots and bell boots. On his rear were leather skid boots, adjusted properly. Putting his left leg in the stirrup, he hoisted himself onto the horse.
Being 15 hands, Rex was a pretty tanky dude. He was big chested, with a matching rear end. Just what you wanted for the cowy type horse. Dustin collected his reins, picking up and putting pressure on the bit. Rex's nose tipped in and he flexed his neck. His head went down slightly as he gave to the pressure. Dustin's spurs poked him in the barrel as he started to step forward slowly. A few more pokes and Rex was walking forward, still giving to the bit. Placing his left spur into Rex, and taking pressure off of the right one, Dustin asked him for a sidepass. Rex didn't object, and with a swish of his tail he stepped over himself. Dustin released, and they walked forward.
Rex was generally a great horse, with a great mind. He just got a little hot sometimes, expecially when he was feeling himself. Dustin had learned over a few years of owning and showing him how to keep him under control. Most of the time you couldn't be pushy, if you were respectful.. then Rex was.
Pressing with his right leg, Dustin kissed and sent Rex off into a relaxed lope. With his head down, Rex loped around quietly. He flared his nostrils, swishing his tail a few times before speeding up a bit. Dustin picked up on him and pulled him into a stop. Clucking, Dustin raised his hand and bumped with his legs as Rex began to back up almost violently. He knew when he was in trouble, and sure could back up. Dustin stopped him, then asked him to lope off again. It was normal for Rex to be testy, but hopefully he wouldn't be like this for long.
He did a few more excersizes with him, trotting, loping, transitions. Rex was complying quite well by now, and had worked up a slight sweat. Dustin loped him around on the right lead before turning down the middle. Loping twords the other end of the pen, he began to relax. His back began to hunch a little bit, and almost exactly when his hand moved the half inch forward, Rex began to build speed. His head stayed low in place as he bumped a gear every stride. After the fourth stride, he was almost full speed. Dustin took his legs off, relaxing. He sat down deep like he was melting, "woah" he said loud enough for Rex to hear. He probably didn't even need a voice command, he could feel every inch of Dustin's body on top of him. His hind end dropped and he began to slide. His nose came out to keep his balance, while his front legs paddled forward. Coming to a stop, he dropped his head and flared his nostrils. Dustin let him stand for a few minutes to settle. "That wasn't bad," He murmered, staring at the tracks behind them. That was probably a good 15 feet. He layed a hand on Rex's neck, patting him happily. He had his good days.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Dec 28, 2010 22:50:22 GMT -8
Kody Lynn’s boots and spurs clacked noisily on the barn floor as she made her way towards the large, indoor arena. She was completely new to this place, having just come in last week from a long, five day trailer trip. Goose had been stiff and tired after her trip, but she was taking the transition back into a working schedule with the grace that Kody lacked. The dun mare was easily bored. Kody had thought it a good idea to work Goose solely in the round pen for a week before thrusting her back into a work and showing schedule. Goose needed an easy week schedule. After the long, stressful trip in the trailer, she needed to allow her body to acclimate to its new setting. Texas was not Georgia. But after three days of round pen work and brushing up on ground training, Goose was getting bored. Kody could tell. Her mare had a mind and she knew how to use it. Kody didn’t take into account how difficult it would be for the mare to go from a working ranch life, to a life in a show barn. Kody sighed when she came to the large indoor arena doors. This was their life now. Adapt and over come. Wasn’t that what her step father always told her? Adapt.
She opened the door slowly and led Goose inside, making a circle and then closing it behind her. She had given up on ground training. There was nothing left to teach her horse. They were both bored and they both needed to get back into a regular schedule. She kicked herself mentally for thinking she would actually be able to give this horse an easy week off of work, no matter what the circumstance. The idea was ridiculous. She almost laughed at herself. She would have laughed at herself too, laughed like no one was there... Laughed and probably made a lame comment to Goose, but there was someone already working in the arena. Was there a social quo that had to be fallowed in times like these? Did you say hello and ask permission to join them? Was it first come first serve? Or did you just lower your head and retreat to the corner with your horse and work in silence? If there was a social quo, Kody wasn’t aware of one. She only showed under barn names, she never boarded. She came from a large ranch. These things were completely new to her. But the man who was riding was in all western gear. Something the both would share in common if Kody had actually bothered to tack up Goose. Instead, she had gone the bareback route, slipping on her plane snaffle and long split reins. Maybe she was too lazy to pull all the tack out of her truck and get it organized in a tack shed. Or maybe she just didn’t feel like tacking up all together. Hell, she didn’t even bother brushing Goose. After all, how did brushing affect your horse’s ability to perform? It didn’t.
Kody led Goose to the middle of the arena and dropped her rein to the ground, allowing her mare to stand ground tied. The man was handsome, and his horse was absoultely gorgeous. It made her heart bubble to see another person riding western. The only other riders she had seen were all english, and, although she competed hunt seat regularly, she didn't share the competetive "My horse if better than your horse..." side that english riders often had. They had a reputation for being snobby, and most of the time they lived up to it to the fullest. Egos and shiny leather english saddles seemed to go together. Kody had decided, almost at once, that whether there was a social quo that must be met or not was irrelivant to politeness. She could ask anyways to be on the safe side.
“Um... Will you be okay if we join y’all? I’m probably just going to do some warming up and set up some jumps or something... Do you mind?”
Kody asked as nicely as possible. Her first day actually riding here, she didn’t want to come off as a barn princess. She had no problem sharing arenas. She could take and work in half if he so desired, she didn’t mind. Goose didn’t either. She could use the brush up on arena etiquette anyways.
Ooc: Sorry it's awful. I;m just trying to transition into a human rpg again.
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Post by dustin on Dec 28, 2010 23:04:18 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
Feeling Rex relax, Dustin took a deep breath. It was always good for patterned horses to be settled every now and then. It kept them from getting too jumpy, too assuming. He took his left leg completely off, bending out at the knee. His right spur pressed into the stallion's thick side as he looked over his left shoulder. As Rex began his left spin, Dustin began clucking. He took his right leg off, while Rex remained spinning. This was one of Rex's better moves, seeing as he was pretty caddy. His head was low, and his nose tipped to the inside of the spin. After four spins, Dustin gently raised his hand "woah," he said softly. Rex stopped on a dime, his ears back twords Dustin. He almost tried to start a right spin, but was correctly caught by Dustin's spur in his side. His muscles tensed as he bowed his neck. He wasn't too good at being calm after a good spinning.
Something else caught his attention as the gate opened some feet in front of him. Rex's ears perked straight forwards, Dustin could feel every inch of Rex's thick body tense up. He watched as the lady led her horse in, then stopped in the middle. Rex's nostrils flared and he let out quite a girly whinny, trying to turn to face the girl and her mare. Dustin quickly kicked him back around, slightly emberassed of how Rex was acting. He was definatly a stud. Then again, Dustin had been around stallions that were calmer than any gelding. Either way, Rex was excited. Dustin looked back, hearing the lady speak to him.
With a smile he shook his head, "oh no! Come on in," he said politely, not at all bothered by another rider. "Sorry about him, he can't keep himself together sometimes.." He admitted as he looked down at Rex, who had now calmed down. "I'm Dustin Cross," He said with a nod, turning Rex back around twords them. He noticed she was riding bareback, and smiled. He use to ride bareback sometimes, but never found it appealing. Sometimes he'd slip a halter on a horse and go gather cows bareback, but only on one he trusted. "You need me to throw you up there?" He asked, almost laughing at himself. He was always up for lending a helping hand, most of the time.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Dec 28, 2010 23:38:43 GMT -8
Kody Lynn was surprised by his friendliness. She shouldn’t be so surprised; after all, this was Texas. Socially, Texas couldn’t be that much more different than Georgia was. After all, she had only switched states, not countries. She was still in a southern state, and that in itself was comforting no matter how far away from her home she was.
When she heard him refer to his stallion, she couldn’t help but laugh. She had started so many colts back at home, she knew how easily distracted they were. Sometimes they thought with the wrong heads, like their human counter parts. The entire thought put a smile on her face. A mare in an arena with a stallion. It should be interesting. She knew there would be no problems on her end. Goose wasn’t a hussy. Kody couldn’t remember ever hearing her horse mare squeal. She always joked that she was a big gelding with lady parts. And the joke always stood.
“You know, I’ve started so many colts that I think I’ve gotten a good taste of the easily distracted male mind.”
Kody laughed as she walked backed to Goose who had been standing patiently in the middle of the arena. The dun mare’s ears twitched towards the girl, listening to every word she spoke. She was eager and ready. Kody knew it. Kody sighed when she saw the mare’s eyes, liquid brown, watching her intently. They were too much of the same creature. They were more a like than she would like to admit. All the effort and training she had put into her had paid off. She had gotten the horse she had always wanted, and she had done it all on her own. She had no one to help her. She was completely on her own. This reality hit her as she walked back to her mare. She was alone in a state she didn’t know, with a college she didn’t know, in a barn she didn’t know, and all she had was her horse. “We’ll get through this, big girl. Kick ass and take names...” She thought as she crossed the rein over her mare’s neck. She stood shoulder to shoulder with Goose, facing her butt, and gathered the reins in her hand. She turned over her shoulder to look at the man who had just introduced himself as Dustin. A handsome name to fit a handsome man.
Kody smiled hugely when he asked if she needed his help up. She pondered the witty remarks she could make. She could tease him, or she could flirtingly oblige his offer, making it into something fun. Or she could be her ornery self and show him just how real cowgirls got on their horses bareback. She didn’t need a stepping stool to mount her 16.1 mare bareback. Oh no, that would be admitting a weakness, and that was something Kody Lynn was not good at. Instead, she chuckled at his remark, gripped the reins, and counting to three, swung herself up and over onto her mare’s back. Goose stood like a statue as Kody shifted her weight comfortably. She took up her reins and urged her horse forward without applying any spur pressure. Goose obliged happily, twitching one ear backwards. She was paying attention.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dustin. I’m Kody Lynn, and this is my mare, Goose. We just moved her from Georgia the beginning of last week.”
Kody urged her mare into a slow jog, sitting it easily. With leg pressure and minimal rein, she guided the mare in the direction of the large stallion, stopping a yard away.
“And who is this handsome man?”
She asked, and she grinned hugely. He was a beautiful horse; she had no problems admitting that. She was curious to know as much about this man as possible, and his well built horse.
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Post by dustin on Dec 29, 2010 0:00:32 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
Rex's ears flicked back to Dustin as he kicked his feet out of the stirrups, swinging one leg over the horn and letting it rest there. Most people thought this wasn't safe, but he didn't feel the least bit scared. He did this on any horse, he could just bail if they freaked. He knew Rex wouldn't, though, inspite of his mare issues he was one of the brokest horses he'd ever rode. Easy to get along with, easy to keep up. He was like Dustin in a lot of ways, which was probably why they got along well. He had a temper, and could be a hot ass sometimes.. but when it came down to it they were both just softies. Dustin had always been the gentleman he is today, seeing as he was raised that way. His father was very strict on the concept of treating the ladies right and not disrespecting them, or anyone else for that matter.
Being raised in South Tennessee, he was around a lot of horse people. Some of them weren't very nice, but then again sometimes you had to be that way in the business. His father was a well known horse trainer, and Dustin was expected to be the same way. He was always one of the nicer ones, though, just choosing to be that way. He prided himself in it. Even when there were situations with annoying customers, and show kids who got whatever the wanted and cried when they didn't. He always remembered on year at the AQHA youth world show where his father had plenty of customers. Some worked hard for their horses and the chance to show there, some not. Dustin had always had horses handed to him for working on the farm, and they were usually pretty nice ones. He'd started a lot of colts and showed a lot of finished horses. He knew from a young age he wanted to be a trainer. That was no surprise.
He smiled at her statement about being use to the whole deal. He assumed then that she knew what she was talking about. He watched her as she began to swing up onto her horse, ignoring his offer. He let a cheeky grin come to his face without realizing it, watching her carefully. She swung onto the tall mare like it was nothing, and he noted that. He payed plenty of attention to detail, and that impressed him. He liked independant girls, ones who could take care of themselves. Then again he enjoyed being the one to lean on, and liked to provide for people. He got a lot of that from his mother.
As she jogged her horse twords him and Rex, he noticed that Rex didn't tense up or offer to try and talk to the mare. He learned his lesson for now. He nodded as she introduced herself, "nice to meet ya Kody," he said, his southern accent wasn't hidden at all. He had a deep, southern voice, which added a bit to his charm. He hadn't had many relationships, seeing as girls were only drama. When he was in one it wasn't serious enough to be anything special, and eventually it just drained out to nothing.
As she commented on Rex, he smirked "well, I already told you my name so I'm guessing your talkin' 'bout him," he teased, laughing. "This is Rex," He said softly "I've had him since he was 2, he's a pretty neat horse" he added. Rex was definatly a pretty cool dude, he knew what to do when he was asked. "What does your lil mare do?" He asked, gesturing to the mare called Goose. He liked the name, it was creative. Spunky as well. He crossed his reins, letting them lie on Rex's neck as he put a hand in his lap and the other on his leg.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Dec 29, 2010 15:33:08 GMT -8
Kody checked the bit with her reins, just a little bit pressure to feel her horses mouth before dropping her leather split reins all together. She was beginning to like this man. Aside from his gentleman nature, he had a sense of humor, and that was a quality that she found extremely attractive in the opposite sex. She couldn't help but smile at his remark. Very witty.
Kody thought about his question. What did her little mare do? Well... She did it all. That was her major goal when she first got the mare. For one, she hated mares. She didn't like the attitude, and she told herself from the beginning that she would never have a marish mare. Ever. Secondly, after Moki's death, she wanted something that could live up to her big gelding or top him. That was her goal in training horses. You train the next one bigger and better. That was her goal with Goose. Bigger and better, and she had found the perfect horse. Goose was eager and willing, she wanted to learn and she got bored easily. That was what made training her such a fun job. So she took it upon herself to teach her everything. That was her dream, and in three years of training, she did a pretty damn good job. Sure her mare needed some touch ups, what horse didn't? But the finished product was worth it. In a line up, you wouldn't be able to tell Goose apart now from Goose at day one. The difference was night and day. She had to think about it for a moment before answering, had to choose her words wisely before opening her mouth.
“Well... Honestly? Goose does everything. She is, well, was, a working ranch horse first and foremost. I got her as a very skinny, very abused three year old, and she was my responsibility from then on. I made it my goal to make her as well rounded as possible. She started out as my cow horse, she's very cowwy so she made it out well on our ranch back at home. We've done gymkhana, barrels, team penning, a little bit of roping, and reining... I've just finished her in english, as well. Hunt seat, Hunter jumper, and equitation.” Kody paused. She sighed deeply, she didn't want Dustin to think that she was bragging. She was proud of her achievements, but she didn't like rubbing it in peoples faces. That wasn't the kind of girl she was. She saw those petty girls who got every horse they wanted served to them on a golden platter, and she saw how they acted. That wasn't her. If she wanted something, she worked for it. She wanted Goose, and she wanted Goose to be the best horse she could make her, and she worked her ass off to get there. Maybe she deserved to brag a little, but that still was against her personality. Like her step father, she just was not a bragger.
“I mean, we don't do everything flawlessly, obviously... But I've worked pretty damn hard to get her as well rounded as possible, so I would like to think she does everything well, but that's just not the case. She has her strong points and weak points. Like, ranch work and sorting... She can chase cows all day, but put her in an arena and ask her to brush up on level one dressage, and her heart just isn't in it. She hates flat work, but put her in a hunter jumper show, and she'll kick ass. She gets bored easily, so we always have to change things up. Thats when we throw in some gymkhana patterns. Pole bending, barrels, and sometimes we spoof around and throw some jumps in just to make things exciting... My plans are to start showing her hunt seat once she gets settled in here...”
Kody's voice was elevating, and her words were moving faster. She was getting excited just talking about it. Her horse was her life. This was all she had. This was all she did. To be able to talk to someone else about it was exciting and new. Usually the only one she could talk to about it was her step father, and then, that was from a trainer and father's prospective. He already knew what his daughter and her horse could do together. Jonas was easily tired of his step daughter, running in from the barn barefoot, yelling “WE MASTERS OUR TRANSITIONS!” or “GOOSE COLLECTED AND MOVED OFF HER BUTT!!!” He just didn't share the excitement that she did. And that was okay. Kody could remember easily spending all her summer nights out in the arena that her step brother and built for her in the corner of the property, just behind the ewe pens. He had made it of pipe corral, and even set up lights for his horse crazy sister, who would ride in the dark constantly. She remembered how difficult it was to get Goose to bend at the poll and keep her feet under herself. She had thrown major attitude, the kind of mare attitude that Kody hated. But the girl wouldn't give up. She worked on it for weeks. Goose had the worst habit of running off her front, Kody hated it. She had this gorgeous horse with great shoulder muscles, and no back or butt muscle, and that was purely because she refused to collect and move off her butt. After a weeks of work, one night, Kody had refused to leave the arena until her mare obliged. Goose knew what she needed to do. She knew it, she just refused to do it. That night she had stayed in the arena nearly three hours working. She would go from collected walk to collected trot to collected canter, circles, then move to something else before coming back to it. It was a battle of wills, and finally, Kody had won. Goose obliged, and, bending at the poll, went into the most amazing canter that Kody had ever felt. She was ecstatic. One lap around the arena in both directions in a collected, heavenly canter, and then she ended the lesson on a good note. She had been so excited that she ran into her step dad's office, and practically yelled, “GOOSE TUCKED AT THE POLL! SHE TUCKED HER NOSE AND WORKED OFF HER BUTT!!!”. She had never seen her step father so angry. It was nearly one in the morning and he had been working on cattle records nearly all night. He was pissed and just about sent her out with a boot in the ass. Kody was crushed, but she wouldn't let that smother the flame of sweet success. She spent the night in Goose's box stall and fed her a lovely dinner of bran mash. That was Kody's gift of excitement to her mare, that, at that point, didn't care what she was getting as long as it was food.
Kody tucked her fingers into Goose's red mane, coming back from her breif flash back. She twirled her digits into a strand of mane and sat back, allowing her feet to dangle comfortably at the mares sides. She had shared her story, and now she was curious to hear his.
“What do you and your stallion do?” She asked, and nodded towards the stallion with her chin. She had forgotten to bring up what she really wanted to bring up, the trail riding. Trails were something her and Goose absolutely adored. She had wanted to know if he knew of any trails anywhere near by, but that could wait. She was eager to hear what he had to say about Rex. She was eager to see if he shared the same excitement in his equestrian career as she did, or if she had just made a complete idiot out of herself. And, secretly, she was dying to have something in common with him. A state and barn she didn't know was a lonely place, and she was dying to share common ground with someone.
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Post by dustin on Jan 2, 2011 18:56:13 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
Dustin smiled as he listened to her talk. He was impressed with her knowledge. The ranch work was his thing, and he was happy to hear he had something besides just riding in common with her. He felt Rex relax his left hind leg, making him uneven. He smiled as he leaned the other way to get comfortable. She definatly did everything with the mare. He knew right then that he liked her, she was interesting. She wasn't the same as all the others. She had goals, and seemed like she knew exactly what she wanted. She also knew how to get it. He had always had horses handed to him, but that came from years of working with his father. Without the experience, his dad would never have gave him any horse.
"Wow," He said softly, a grin on his face. As he took it all in, he glance down at Rex who's ears were tilted back. "Well I like her, and I'm sure you've worked really hard on 'er" He said and smirked as he looked at her. When she asked about Rex, he smiled and shrugged. "Well, my dad bred him" He said and looked back down at the Black mane on the Dun stallion's neck. He pushed a piece that was over the wrong side back the right way, then looked back up. "He was suppose to be my dad's, but he gave him to me after he picked out another he liked better.." he started "I've taught him everything he knows, and we've just been doing a lot of reining and cowhorse." He smiled "I've roped off of him a little bit, but nothin to talk about. We use to take him to gather the calves before we roped, but then I took him as a show horse and finished him." He pat the stud on the neck, proud of his work.
Rex was always hard to get along with from the beginning. He would lunge him for hours before riding, after he got him broke that is, just so he wouldn't get his ass bucked off. As he got older, he matured. "He use to be a hellion, that's one of the reasons my dad didn't want him for himself" He said, laughing "he wanted something reliable, and thought Rex wouldn't be too trustworthy." He knew his dad was wrong for thinking that. You can easily judge what a young horse's future would look like, through their pedigree and conformation, but never if you would be able to trust them. Dustin would wrather have Rex than some ole' gelding any day.
"Well, show me what you've got.." He said with a smile, looking at Kody. He figured he'd watch her ride, see what the mare was made of. He enjoyed watching other people, and he learned a lot from it. He had watched so many people it wasn't funny. There was never a time he didn't learn something new.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Jan 2, 2011 19:52:13 GMT -8
Kody Lynn shifted her seat while she listened to Dustin speak. When he talked about bringing in the cows, a part of her heart ached. That was the job she loved the most. Bringing in the cattle from the valley that her step father put them out to graze on... It was an all day job, just you, your partner, and your horse. She loved it. Every horse she ever owned she had taken on that chore. All except Moki, who probably would have broken a leg on a drive. But Goose? Goose loved bringing in the cows, just like Kody did. They could spend all day out there with no complaints. And now where was she? Attending college all on her own, so far away from home? She pulled her mare away from a working life, and for what? So they could become something? Or simply so they could have more life experience under their belts? When Kody turned Goose out the first day she was here, the only thing she could say to her mare was, “You don’t get very far in life chasing cows all day, Goose Egg. You just don’t.” And that was what she had to keep telling herself. You don’t make yourself better if all you do is chase cows. Her daddy told her before she left, alone in her room while she was packing, that Goose was too good of a horse to just sit here while she went to college. Kody wasn’t sure if he really meant what he had said, or if he was just saying it to make her feel better. Their lives were changing, and the thought was sort of scary. That was the thing about growing up. That was the thing about leaving the nest.
When he asked her to show him what she had, a familiar excitement bubbled up from her stomach. He really wanted her to show him? Well then... That was the first. Kody smiled largely. “I’ll try the best I can bareback, but I’m not making any promises that it will be great...” she grinned, and she picked up her reins. “We haven’t practiced any patterns since we’ve gotten here, so... It won’t be perfect.” She called over her shoulder as she neck reined Goose into a small circle. They were now facing away from Dustin and his stallion, butt to his face. “Okay, Goosey. Don’t fail me now...” She whispered, and with her spur, sent her mare into an easy lope to the rail.
One, two, three. One, two, three. The sound of Goose’s hooves melted away all of Kody’s tension. The canter was the cure for all evil, or so someone really famous once said. Kody’s body moved with Goose’s flawlessly as the dun mare loped away from the man and his horse. On the rail, it was easier for both of them to think, and Goose’s mind was completely on Kody. Her ears twitched backwards, her head low, she was willing and ready, chewing her bit between her teeth. She was chewing in submission, ready to work, and Kody was ready too. “Nothing too difficult, Mare, I promise.” She whispered as used her leg to guide Goose to the center of the arena, switching her leads in the canter to turn to the opposite side of the arena, making a large figure eight. It was a perfect lead change, and Kody herself was impressed. Lead changes were something she had worked hard on with Goose and she knew it was something her mare struggled in.
“Good girl... Good girl...” Kody whispered, and again she urged her mare into a quicker gate. She could feel her own body’s movements changing with her mare’s. As Goose’s beats changed, Kody sat deeper in her seat, emphasizing greatly in her heels, throwing all of her weight into them. Goose’s ears were perked forward as she galloped the rail of the arena, one ear forward and the other backward, listing to Kody’s words and breathing. Her head was down, her back rounded beautifully. Kody lent into the turn, leaning her body forward a bit as she sunk all of her weight into her bottom. Her hands were light on the reins as she qued the mare to a sliding stop and sending soft arena sand spraying in a trail behind them. Leaning forward slightly and light on her reins, she backed her mare quickly before side passing back to the rail. Back into the canter and keeping her seat, Kody guided Goose around one corner, then down the center of the arena, sliding to a stop once more. One roll back, into the canter to the opposite side of the arena, another roll back and Kody guided Goose back to the center. The girl took a deep breath, clearing her head. The spin was the hardest to sit. How many times had she fallen off trying to spin her horse bareback? Kody cleared her head, and barely lifted her rein. Goose’s ears perked forward, and she could feel her horse’s body tense as she began her spin to the right. Left leg over right leg, the mare spun quickly, tucking in her hind end and bending as her momentum increased. “Oh god, please don’t let me fall. Please don’t let me fall...” Kody chanted inside her head. When she cued her mare to stop, the grin on her face was huge. Her first bareback spin that didn’t land her on the ground. She lifted her opposite rein for a left spin, with more confidence this time. That one too, she sat perfectly.
Goose stood in the center of the arena, head low and chewing submissively, and Kody grinning hugely. It felt good to be back into the swing of things, and she petted her mare’s neck gently as they walked back to next to Dustin.
“Well. For not working in over a week, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be... And if there were some fences out, I would show you how well she tucks her legs in, but sadly, I can’t find where people keep the jumps at.” Kody grinned, out of breath, as she looked at Dustin sitting atop his large stallion. She was beginning to really like him. He was handsome and sweet, and they shared a common ground. She wondered what else they had in common. She found herself, although embarrassed to admit it, wanting to know more about him aside from horses. Horses were just one page of a human’s book. Although Kody found them the most important page, there were many more pages. Kody wanted to read those pages.
“Alright, cowboy. Let’s see what you’ve got. Don’t want to be one upped by a cowgirl, do you? And bareback no less? That would be sad.” Kody laughed. She was excited and feeling rather comfortable and playful. It was a feeling she hadn’t felt in a while, and with the stress of the move and starting over in a brand new place, it was a feeling she welcomed with open arms.
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Post by dustin on Jan 2, 2011 20:14:24 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
Watching her, he could tell by the smile on her lips that she was having a blast. She rode her great, which was also a surprise. Maybe she was actually the whole package? Friendly, witty, beautiful, AND could ride.. probably better than him. As Goose and Kody did their first lead change, he grinned. That sure was pretty, and effortless. His eyes followed them around the arena, watching as they came to a sliding stop. Rex's ears were perked, as if he too were watching the pair. Dustin whistled as she rolled back, still grinning from ear to ear. As she came back up beside them, he was actually speechless. "That was awesome," He said gently, obviously happy with what he saw. Smirking as she told him to take his turn, he shook his head "come on now, darlin'. Don't you know, sometimes the best cowboys.. ain't cowboys at all," he said with a wink before pressing his spurs into Rex's sides.
Rex lowered his head, stepping forward. He took a breath, letting it out heavily realizing he had to go work again. Lazy. Dustin smiled, pressing his right leg into the stallion's right side to cue him for a left lead. Rex stepped right into it, going at a steady pace. Doing two small, slow circles, Rex steered effortlessly. His nose was slightly tipped to the inside, his ears back waiting for his next command. Dustin raised his hand, lifting up in his seat. Rex came out to a larger circle, speeding up. As they galloped around, Dustin made sure to keep his outside leg on Rex as they went through the middle. If not, he would change leads. Coming back from their second large fast circle, Dustin sat down and brought his hand back down. Humming to Rex, he slammed into the ground, coming back to a slower lope and coming around in a smaller circle. Dustin smiled, taking his outside leg off in the middle. Rex swung his hip and changed leads.
Coming down the middle of the arena, Dustin's hand stayed on Rex's withers. Rex knew what was happening. Almost to the middle, Dustin began gently clucking to Rex. Knowing the drill, Rex bumped a gear every stride until he was blasting down the middle. Close enough to the end, Dustin pushed his hand forward to give Rex some rein, and sat down deep. "Woah," He said, his voice loud enough for Rex to hear. He didn't need the voice command, though. Rex dropped his rear, his front legs paddling forward as he slid. Coming to a stand still, Rex's nostrils flared. Dustin pat his neck, smiling. "Good boy," He cooed as Rex dropped his head even more, showing that he was ready to do more work. Looking over his left shoulder, Dustin put his right leg into Rex. Taking his left one off, he picked up his hand. Rex began a left spin, speeding up quickly. Completing four and a half, they stopped to face Kody and Goose.
Dustin took a deep breath and let Rex walk back to the pair. "He's a little tired from earlier, but that's just about what he's always like... pretty easy to ride" He said with a grin. "You did much better, though" He complimented, nodding at her. HE loved to ride, and if he didn't he wouldn't be training horses. He knew it was hard work, but he was bred for it.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Jan 2, 2011 21:01:53 GMT -8
She smiled at he words. Smiling. She seemed to be doing that a lot since she entered the arena. Funny enough, she thought she wasn’t going to have that great of a time here. She thought she might be alone here, that the people here would not accept her. But it seemed as though she was wrong. You can’t judge the whole until you’ve met the individual. Smiling aside, Kody Lynn was happy to be where she was. On top of her gorgeous mare, and watching as the man she just met flattered her. And hell, “That Girl is a Cowboy” was, in fact, one of her favorite songs. She allowed her legs to dangle and her reins to drop as Dustin began his pattern.
“Hey, I even know ‘The Bucking Song’” she joked, as he started off at an easy lope down the center of the arena. Aside from a little annoyance, Rex looked rather willing. His lead changes looked perfect, flawless and so smooth. Kody wondered briefly how long it took him to teach his horse such perfect lead changes. When she asked Goose to change her lead, she really had to work her into them. His looked so effortless.
Kody smiled when she watched Rex speed, his muscles flexing, his mane flying, and then putting his haunches directly beneath him as he slid to a stop. Dustin looked so intense, like he was studying a book. But in his eyes, Kody Lynn could see the excitement there. His ability to maintain his cool made her envious. She couldn’t do that. When she was riding, she completely let go. Her brother once told her that when she rode, she smiled like a lunatic and that always made her quite self conscious. It was a wonder she could muster up the courage to ride in front of Dustin. It was hard enough showing.
When Dustin finished his pattern, Kody clapped loudly, smiling hugely. The excitement inside her was fresh, as if she had been riding right beside him, mirroring his round with her own horse. She knew how exciting it was to be able to ride something like that, to feel that beneath you, and know that what you’re doing was good. It was an amazing feeling. It was beautiful. And it was the only thing that kept Kody together. It was what she lived for. She breathed it. It was her air.
“That was beautiful.” Kody said honestly. She couldn’t believe that he thought her routine was better than his. The compliment made her blush. The only thing she believed that was special about hers was the fact she could do it bareback. Aside from that, it was ordinary.
“Your lead changes are fantastic... I don’t know about you, but I really have to push Goose into her lead changes... And even then it’s like she’s not quite there all the way...” Kody’s face was filled with excitement. She was truly impressed. He was a good rider and he had an excellent seat.
“I know this is really off topic, and maybe it’s kind of weird... I don’t know...”
Kody paused. She took a bit of Goose’s mane between her fingers and twirled it nervously.
“Well I just moved her last week, and so I don’t really know anybody... Would you be interested in hanging out some time? We could go on a trail ride if there are any trails, or maybe get coffee? Or if you’re feeling rather adventurous, you can brave the box cave that is my apartment, and I could make you dinner?”
Kody looked up at him after she finished her sentence. Goose stomped a hoof beneath her, showing her impatience, for once, at Kody’s making her stand. She hoped she hadn’t just completely scared him off. Being alone all the time can get so... Lonely.
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Post by dustin on Jan 2, 2011 21:14:03 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
"Thank ya, ma'am," He said with a chuckle, patting Rex again on the neck. He stood there motionless, just ready to be put back in his stall. "Well, he's had a lead change ever since I started him on patterns, but everything else was harder for him to get" He said with a shrug "every horse is differen't, I reckon." He'd had some horses who would buck and beller when you asked to move that hip for a change, but it just took time. Rex was thankfully easy, althought the spins were pretty tough for him to grasp. He couldn't stay balanced enough.
He smiled as he watched her, she was pretty cute playing with Goose's mane. Listening to her speak, he couldn't help but grin... again. To her apartment? That sounded good. "I mean, I'm a pretty adventurous guy.." He teased, winking at her. "I have my truck here if you want me to drive," He said, before realizing that she probably drove too. How else would she get there? He felt kinda dumb, but forgot about it quickly. "I've gotta stop at the gas station to get some snuff anyway, do you drink beer?" He asked, smiling at her. He knew he was probably older than her, but he wasn't exactly sure how much. Guess he'd just have to find out.
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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Post by cricketschirp on Jan 2, 2011 21:30:52 GMT -8
She was surprised by how quickly he agreed to dinner at her apartment. His eagerness made her smile. He seriously wanted to have dinner with her? She could feel the color rush to her face... What did she have in her fridge for dinner? Cube steak... Eggs and milk... Potatoes... Salad... That was about it. She could make chicken fried steak? She hadn’t cooked in a few days, mostly eating fast food, but she had just set up her oven last night. She could totally cook dinner.
“Um... Does chicken fried steak sound okay? I just got my oven set up last night, so I’m sort of limited. I mean, it won’t be a four course meal or anything...” She smiled. Chicken fried steak was easy and delicious. “Just don’t tell me you’re a vegetarian or anything...” She joked. She couldn’t give up red meat if she tried. In her eyes, vegetarianism was a joke.
What else would they do? There night would be rather boring. Her television was small and she didn’t have a couch. All she had right now was a kitchen with a small table, a small television in her bedroom, and an empty living room. At least her bathroom and kitchen was stocked and decorated. Other than that, her apartment was full of boxes. Mostly boxes of horse stuff and pictures.
“I drink beer... But if you’re as adventurous as you say you are, I have an unopened bottle of Jack in my fridge. But shh, don’t tell anyone.” Kody Lynn grinned hugely. It should be fun. Dinner, maybe a little drinking and a movie? Already Kody was feeling the excitement. Perhaps Texas wasn’t going to be as lonely as she thought. She was a bit hesitant to admit that she had alcohol in her fridge. After all, she was under age to drink. But her father had let her drink at home most of her life. That was just the way her family was. Surely he would understand that. After all, she was supplying him with free Jack Daniels, and Jack was NOT cheap. At least not for her.
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Post by dustin on Jan 2, 2011 21:40:14 GMT -8
Tearin' down a dirt road, rebel flag flyin',
'Coon dog in the back.
Truck bed loaded down with beer,
An' a cold one in my lap. [/font]
Her cooking dinner sounded great, he hadn't had a home cooked meal in weeks. He smiled and nodded his head quickly "that sounds... great" he began, "I haven't had anything but fast food in forever, I couldn't even cook macaroni!" He added with a chuckle. He really couldn't cook, not even a little bit. Maybe some toast, or something in the microwave. He was just too lazy to go shop for it. He swung his leg over Rex's back, dismounting and pulling his other foot from the stirrup. He took the left rein from his back, letting the other stay on his neck. "I'm totally NOT a vegan," He said and rolled his eyes playfully.
Jack? He grinned even bigger at the mention of his best friend, Jack Daniels. "Forget the beer," He said and looked at her "Jack is my main man," he teased. "Well you lead the way, me after you.." He said and smiled softly. He was pretty stoked to be able to spend time with her, and alone at that. No distractions, just time to get to know each other. Who better to do it with than Jack too?
[/size] Earnhart sticker behind my head,
An' my woman by my side.
Tail-pipe's poppin', the radio's rockin':
"Country Boy Can Survive".
Well, if you got a problem with that,
You can kiss my country ass. [/font] |
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