Horsemen Trials, A Fantasy Story about Horses

Chapter 9

The next day I got up a tad earlier than usual, I was excited. Today I was going to ride Destiny for the first time!

All day I had that antsy jittery-ness that happens when you're excited for something that happens later in the day. I collected wood, went to the village well for water, and groomed Destiny. Mr. Blair had told me to show up at his place at whatever time I wanted, but I didn't want to appear too anxious.

On the other hand, who cares about other people's impressions?

With that thought I saddled Destiny, tightening the girth so that the saddle would stay on, but still be more comfortable. I'd tighten it at Mr. Blair's place before I mounted. I grabbed her bridle and hung it on my shoulder.

With that I untied Destiny and began the trek to Mr. Blair's place.

Mr. Blair's place was just a mile down the road, a fairly easy walk for Destiny and I. The day was nice and warm, the walk passed pleasantly.

I saw a sign up ahead and squinted to read it. "Anthony Blair: Horse Trainer," it read. I smiled.

The sign was staked at the end of a worn road that had been well traveled by horses and men. Trees were one either side of it, making the path cool with their shade. It must have been a lot of work to plant those, I thought.

Destiny seemed quite happy beside me, striding along easily and turning her head at the various sounds. Together we walked quietly up the road.

As we walked along I began to hear the sound of voices and hoof beats, and in the distance I could see a rider. I quickened my pace, eager to see what was going on.

Up ahead was Mr. Blair, standing next to a bay horse with two diagonal white socks and holding its reins. He was watching another rider on Rejem and calling instructions. The rider was turning on a trot circle.

"Good Norah. Be careful he doesn't fall in. Use you outside rein to tell him how far he should bend. Ah! Careful, you're pulling back on your inside rein. Open it out, invite him onto the circle."

It was Norah that was on Rejem. Sure enough she'd come to have lessons too. I wondered if that was her horse Mr. Blair was holding.

Hearing us, Mr. Blair turned. "Iris, good to see you and Destiny. Give us a moment, will you? Norah's almost done on Rejem."

I nodded and took in my surroundings while I waited.

The trees opened up into a wide green field, which was where Norah was riding. Up ahead was a barn, and behind it was fencing. Next to the barn was a small cottage. The fields on either side of the trees and road I come down looked like hay fields.

I came back to myself as Mr. Blair called, "Good Norah, bring him to a walk and let him have a free rein."

I realized that maybe I'd better bridle Destiny and tighten her girth, it was nearly time for me to get on.

I untied her halter and looped it around her neck. After making sure the bridle was the way I wanted it I lifted the bit to her mouth. I tried to be extra gentle about it and not bang her teeth. This time she reluctantly opened her mouth for me.

I tightened the throatlatch and nose band, then untied the halter from her neck. I looked around, wondering where I should put it.

Mr. Blair answered my unspoken question. "Hang it on the tree over there," he said, pointing.

I nodded and walked over the tree. There was already two halters hanging there and I assumed that was Rejem's and Norah's horse's halters. I hung mine on a separate branch.

After that I tightened Destiny's girth. I was glad she wasn't girthy. I ran down the stirrups and with that, I was ready to mount.

I led Destiny back over to Mr. Blair. He was still watching Norah, who was still walking Rejem around on a loose rein. "Sit taller," he called.

I waited for several more minutes before Mr. Blair told Norah to dismount. She gave him Rejem and took the bay. Mr. Blair turned to me. "You can mount by using the stump over there, or from the ground, your choice."

I nodded and opted to see if Destiny would let me mount from the stump. I led her up to it and stepped up on it carefully, waiting to see how she would react. She seemed fine with it.

I gathered up the reins, making sure that at a moment's notice I could stop her. Again, she seemed alright with it. I took a deep breath, stuck my foot in the stirrup, and mounted.

As soon as I'd sat down on her she took off at a brisk walk. I didn't stop her but shoved my foot in the other stirrup and took up the reins in both hands.

"She seems pretty calm," called out Mr. Blair. "Walk her around a little bit, show her the field. Then try and halt her."

I nodded. I took her one lap around the arena. She was alert, but not spooky. Her head was higher than what I would have like but that could be fixed.

When I was about at the spot I'd started I leaned back and pulled on the reins, asking for a halt. She did, but her hindquarters skittled a little to the side.

"Do you know why she did that?" asked Mr. Blair.

I shook me head. "No, I don't. Why?"

"Because you pulled on her mouth more than you used your seat. This caused her to become unbalanced. Next time, instead of leaning back so much, pull you shoulders slightly behind the vertical and drop your weight to the ground like a lightning bolt. Imagine it rooting her to the spot, she cannot go forward and she cannot go back. Use your legs to help keep her centered."

I nodded and asked her to go forward. After a moment's hesitation, she stepped out. I let her walk a few steps, and then I asked for a halt again.

This time I tried to do all that Mr. Blair had said. I dropped down my weight and leaned back slightly, trying to make sure my legs were there to keep her from side stepping.

This time she stopped and only took one step with a hind leg to the side. "That was better," commended Mr. Blair as he mounted.

And with that my ride began.