(TM) 292. Show and Tell
Show and tell.
"So then, lass," Ruairí said brightly, "are you ready for your jumping lesson?"
"Yes, sir!" Traci was all but bouncing on her toes, she was so ready.
"Then you know how to start."
The eleven-year-old did indeed. Under her instructor's watchful eye, she checked the palomino gelding's tack for fit, making sure it was both secure and comfortable. Finn stood placidly under the examination, already well used to both jumping and novice riders.
As she worked, Ruairí quizzed the girl on the points she'd need to remember. "As you take the jump, where should you be looking?"
"Straight ahead, at something in the distance. Not at the jump."
"And what should you hold onto?"
"The reins and a piece of mane."
"Because …?"
"Because I don't want to catch him in the mouth when he comes down." After a brief pause, the little blonde gave him a cheeky grin. "That's the basic release. I'll learn more advanced ones as we go."
Ruairí laughed. "Good girl. You keep reading up."
By the time Ruairí finished all his questions, Traci had swung up into the saddle, eager to start. The silver-haired man looked over at the cavaletti he'd set up. "All right, Traci, take him around the ring a couple of times, then walk him over the pole. Make sure your approach is straight. Once you're comfortable at the walk, we'll try trotting."
As the lesson progressed with Ruairí correcting form as needed, he found himself thinking back to his very first riding student more than a century ago, Tobias Blondell. On the surface there was little to compare between the bubbly girl on the palomino and the introverted, often stiff-necked squire's son back in Carraroe. But when Ruairí broke through the boy's reserve with a successful lesson, he uncovered an eager enthusiasm that burned as brightly in Toby's eyes then as it did in Traci's now.
Of course Ruairí hadn't instructed Toby during his jumping lessons. He'd been the horse underneath the lad.
"Mr. MacEibhir! Can I try a crossrail yet?"
"I think you're ready, lass. Let me get one into position, and then you can show me."
Release: the techniques used by a rider to give a horse as much rein as it needs, necessary in jumping to avoid hurting the horse's mouth with the bit.
Cavaletti: poles on low supports, used for a variety of purposes in equitation, including training novice riders or horses for the jump.
Crossrail: A jump in which two poles form a squashed X, which encourages the horse to jump over the lower center portion.
The mun is not an experienced equestrian, so if you are and notice some mistakes, feel free to PM with concrit. ^_^
Muse: Ruairí MacEibhir
Fandom: The Grey Horse
Word count: 362
"So then, lass," Ruairí said brightly, "are you ready for your jumping lesson?"
"Yes, sir!" Traci was all but bouncing on her toes, she was so ready.
"Then you know how to start."
The eleven-year-old did indeed. Under her instructor's watchful eye, she checked the palomino gelding's tack for fit, making sure it was both secure and comfortable. Finn stood placidly under the examination, already well used to both jumping and novice riders.
As she worked, Ruairí quizzed the girl on the points she'd need to remember. "As you take the jump, where should you be looking?"
"Straight ahead, at something in the distance. Not at the jump."
"And what should you hold onto?"
"The reins and a piece of mane."
"Because …?"
"Because I don't want to catch him in the mouth when he comes down." After a brief pause, the little blonde gave him a cheeky grin. "That's the basic release. I'll learn more advanced ones as we go."
Ruairí laughed. "Good girl. You keep reading up."
By the time Ruairí finished all his questions, Traci had swung up into the saddle, eager to start. The silver-haired man looked over at the cavaletti he'd set up. "All right, Traci, take him around the ring a couple of times, then walk him over the pole. Make sure your approach is straight. Once you're comfortable at the walk, we'll try trotting."
As the lesson progressed with Ruairí correcting form as needed, he found himself thinking back to his very first riding student more than a century ago, Tobias Blondell. On the surface there was little to compare between the bubbly girl on the palomino and the introverted, often stiff-necked squire's son back in Carraroe. But when Ruairí broke through the boy's reserve with a successful lesson, he uncovered an eager enthusiasm that burned as brightly in Toby's eyes then as it did in Traci's now.
Of course Ruairí hadn't instructed Toby during his jumping lessons. He'd been the horse underneath the lad.
"Mr. MacEibhir! Can I try a crossrail yet?"
"I think you're ready, lass. Let me get one into position, and then you can show me."
Release: the techniques used by a rider to give a horse as much rein as it needs, necessary in jumping to avoid hurting the horse's mouth with the bit.
Cavaletti: poles on low supports, used for a variety of purposes in equitation, including training novice riders or horses for the jump.
Crossrail: A jump in which two poles form a squashed X, which encourages the horse to jump over the lower center portion.
The mun is not an experienced equestrian, so if you are and notice some mistakes, feel free to PM with concrit. ^_^
Muse: Ruairí MacEibhir
Fandom: The Grey Horse
Word count: 362