Post by SigOUrNeY on Jan 6, 2008 10:36:26 GMT -5
Renaissance [At Justice Acres]
Lani had been working throughout the whole day, and only taken a break for lunch. Now that the sun was lowering on the horizon, the horses had to be brought in from the pasture and fed their dinner before Lani had any of her own. Once all of the equines were munching contentedly on their feed, Lani collapsed on a hay bale, wanting to fall asleep right there. A close friend of Chris’ had died recently in a freak car accident, and after flying over for the funeral, Chris decided to stay a little longer to help out with the family. So not only did Lani have to do her chores + Chris’, she also had punishment chores to do after going on a trail ride without telling anybody. She’d been accompanied by Amber – coincidentally on two of the most valuable horses on the farm – and nearly got them all drowned. Thankfully, it had all had a happy ending, but they had come too close for comfort. So now, Lani had to take care of practically all the labor on the farm – except riding the horses. That was another part of her punishment. She wasn’t allowed to put a leg over any JA equine until Mr. Duce gave her the say so. For now, his wife, Melissa would take over the eventers’ training, and Simon Phillips would ride the racehorses for Chris. So basically, Lani got all the boring work.
- - - - -
ACTUAL WORKOUT
Lani stopped herself from falling asleep just in time, and forced herself to stand up. Going towards the hose, Lani sprayed some water on her face to wake up. After drinking some from the spout, the blonde stretched her sore back and looked towards the large double doors. Before she went to go eat dinner, Lani wanted to get some work done with her new filly, Epona. With a deep breath, the nineteen year old walked outside and towards the closest paddock, where a bay filly stood, pointed straight towards the sunset like a compass pointing north. Lani had to stop to catch her breath. The golden hour was in, and the sun was casting its last spears of light across Justice Acres. The fading light was cast across her filly, creating a bronze image as the thoroughbred stood erect, ears pointed curiously forward. Lani couldn’t help but gawk at Epona’s near flawless conformation and poise – she was captivated by something of in the distance that the human eye couldn’t see.
Lani only took one step forward, and Epona’s awareness was suddenly jerked from her mesmerizing subject of attention and quickly turned on the petite blonde. The bay’s stature remained erect, and only her elegant head turned to watch her owner carefully, analyzing every move. Lani spoke softly to the young horse, slowly making her way over to the gate. Epona watched her with pricked ears, but stayed where she was even when the girl entered into her territory.
”Hey pretty girl, ready for school?” Lani asked the bay, concealing the nylon halter behind her back. Epona didn’t answer but as soon as Lani came one step too close, she skirted away, kicking up her heels and arching her back in play. Lani’s shoulders sagged with exhaustion, and she fought the urge to just sit down on the grass and never move again. Epona though, was having a delightful time entertaining herself, and only stopped when Lani dug through her pocket and brought out a treat, hiding it in a closed hand. Epona snorted when she saw the carrot disappear, and trotted over to save it. She nosed at Lani’s closed fingers, and grasped at the orange carrot as soon as she saw a tidbit of it emerge. Epona bobbed her head as she munched, and hardly noticed as Lani slipped a halter over her ears and snapped on a lead shank.
”You better like this halter silly girl. I bought it with my own hard earned money,” She teased, stroking the filly’s long neck. The light pink and black halter really did look good on her, and Lani couldn’t help but smile as her filly realized her capture. Epona shook her head, getting a feel for the new material, but didn’t give much protest about it. She went along with it as well, when Lani led her out of the paddock and towards the cross ties.
”You’ve been trained well, there’s no doubt about that.” Epona looked at her mistress. And you’re surprised? Lani scratched the filly’s poll in between her ears with good humor, and led Epona into the cross ties and snapped them onto her halter. Epona stood well as she was brushed, and leaned into the curry comb with pleasure. As Lani swept the dust from her back, Epona stood completely still, inspecting Baron curiously as the large cat cleaned himself on top of a sawhorse. Lani was beginning to think she had picked Epona on a good day when the horse suddenly threw a fit, eyes rolling white and large hooves flying as she spotted an irregular shadow. Lani was rammed in the shoulder, and she had to catch her balance. Baron scampered away.
”Easy baby girl, settle down Epona,” Lani spoke soothingly to the large thoroughbred, grabbing a hold of her cheek piece and stroking her sweating neck. Epona slowly settled down, but was already breathing heavily. Lani shook her head. Being scared of shadows wouldn’t help Epona; if she was in the middle of a show, and she suddenly spooked because of a shadow, there was no way they could make any progress.
Lani snapped a lead rope onto Epona’s halter, and led the filly out of the cross ties. She’d already forgotten all about what had scared her, and followed along like a complete lady. Lani took her outside, where the setting sun cast long, sweeping shadows across the ground. Epona stopped short as she saw the large black holes reaching across the ground, and refused to move. The shadows hadn’t been so dramatic when she was just in her paddock, in fact, Lani doubted if she even knew they were there. But now, seeing the dark shadows creeping up towards her, Epona reared up, attempting to flee back towards her stall.
Lani circled the filly around herself, cooing softly to her and stroking the dampened neck. Epona threw up her head and bobbed on her front hooves, but after a while, she began to forget what she was so excited about. When her filly was completely still, Lani clucked to her and led her across the side of the barn. Epona suddenly saw the shadows again with renewed eyes, but Lani had already seen it coming. She put a steadying hand on the thoroughbred’s neck and circled her around at a trot. Bringing her back in, Epona lowered her head to sniff at the dark shadow cautiously, and realizing that it wasn’t going to jump up and eat her, suddenly lost interest. Lani led her horse all over the stable yard, letting her walk over the shadows and around them. If Epona suddenly became nervous or curious about a specific one, Lani would let her sniff it or walk around it until she became bored with it. The sun was slowly disappearing, and the shadows were fading. But before they went, she wanted to make sure that Epona really would behave with them. Bringing two fingers to her lips, Lani let out a loud whistle that made Epona flinch and swish her tail. She didn’t react to it though. Something else had caught her attention.
A four legged canine was darting towards them, tongue lolling out and shadow stretching towards them. Epona’s eyes were wide at the side of the fast moving black monster, and pinned her ears back. And yet she didn’t move a muscle. Lani clucked to her filly and trotted her around the stable yard with Dustin loping after them. Epona kept her eyes on his shadow, but was behaving well. She turned where Lani wanted her, and stopped when Lani stopped.
”Good girl Epona!” Lani praised, patting the dry, slender neck. Epona snorted her reply, and lowered her head down to inspect Dustin. The golden retriever yapped, and Epona threw up her head before dropping it again to whuffle the dog’s golden fur. Dustin panted heavily from his run, but stood calmly as his new friend looked him over. Lani ruffled his velvety ears in praise, and he let out another playful yap in delight. This time, Epona responded with a throaty whicker.
Lani had been working throughout the whole day, and only taken a break for lunch. Now that the sun was lowering on the horizon, the horses had to be brought in from the pasture and fed their dinner before Lani had any of her own. Once all of the equines were munching contentedly on their feed, Lani collapsed on a hay bale, wanting to fall asleep right there. A close friend of Chris’ had died recently in a freak car accident, and after flying over for the funeral, Chris decided to stay a little longer to help out with the family. So not only did Lani have to do her chores + Chris’, she also had punishment chores to do after going on a trail ride without telling anybody. She’d been accompanied by Amber – coincidentally on two of the most valuable horses on the farm – and nearly got them all drowned. Thankfully, it had all had a happy ending, but they had come too close for comfort. So now, Lani had to take care of practically all the labor on the farm – except riding the horses. That was another part of her punishment. She wasn’t allowed to put a leg over any JA equine until Mr. Duce gave her the say so. For now, his wife, Melissa would take over the eventers’ training, and Simon Phillips would ride the racehorses for Chris. So basically, Lani got all the boring work.
- - - - -
ACTUAL WORKOUT
Lani stopped herself from falling asleep just in time, and forced herself to stand up. Going towards the hose, Lani sprayed some water on her face to wake up. After drinking some from the spout, the blonde stretched her sore back and looked towards the large double doors. Before she went to go eat dinner, Lani wanted to get some work done with her new filly, Epona. With a deep breath, the nineteen year old walked outside and towards the closest paddock, where a bay filly stood, pointed straight towards the sunset like a compass pointing north. Lani had to stop to catch her breath. The golden hour was in, and the sun was casting its last spears of light across Justice Acres. The fading light was cast across her filly, creating a bronze image as the thoroughbred stood erect, ears pointed curiously forward. Lani couldn’t help but gawk at Epona’s near flawless conformation and poise – she was captivated by something of in the distance that the human eye couldn’t see.
Lani only took one step forward, and Epona’s awareness was suddenly jerked from her mesmerizing subject of attention and quickly turned on the petite blonde. The bay’s stature remained erect, and only her elegant head turned to watch her owner carefully, analyzing every move. Lani spoke softly to the young horse, slowly making her way over to the gate. Epona watched her with pricked ears, but stayed where she was even when the girl entered into her territory.
”Hey pretty girl, ready for school?” Lani asked the bay, concealing the nylon halter behind her back. Epona didn’t answer but as soon as Lani came one step too close, she skirted away, kicking up her heels and arching her back in play. Lani’s shoulders sagged with exhaustion, and she fought the urge to just sit down on the grass and never move again. Epona though, was having a delightful time entertaining herself, and only stopped when Lani dug through her pocket and brought out a treat, hiding it in a closed hand. Epona snorted when she saw the carrot disappear, and trotted over to save it. She nosed at Lani’s closed fingers, and grasped at the orange carrot as soon as she saw a tidbit of it emerge. Epona bobbed her head as she munched, and hardly noticed as Lani slipped a halter over her ears and snapped on a lead shank.
”You better like this halter silly girl. I bought it with my own hard earned money,” She teased, stroking the filly’s long neck. The light pink and black halter really did look good on her, and Lani couldn’t help but smile as her filly realized her capture. Epona shook her head, getting a feel for the new material, but didn’t give much protest about it. She went along with it as well, when Lani led her out of the paddock and towards the cross ties.
”You’ve been trained well, there’s no doubt about that.” Epona looked at her mistress. And you’re surprised? Lani scratched the filly’s poll in between her ears with good humor, and led Epona into the cross ties and snapped them onto her halter. Epona stood well as she was brushed, and leaned into the curry comb with pleasure. As Lani swept the dust from her back, Epona stood completely still, inspecting Baron curiously as the large cat cleaned himself on top of a sawhorse. Lani was beginning to think she had picked Epona on a good day when the horse suddenly threw a fit, eyes rolling white and large hooves flying as she spotted an irregular shadow. Lani was rammed in the shoulder, and she had to catch her balance. Baron scampered away.
”Easy baby girl, settle down Epona,” Lani spoke soothingly to the large thoroughbred, grabbing a hold of her cheek piece and stroking her sweating neck. Epona slowly settled down, but was already breathing heavily. Lani shook her head. Being scared of shadows wouldn’t help Epona; if she was in the middle of a show, and she suddenly spooked because of a shadow, there was no way they could make any progress.
Lani snapped a lead rope onto Epona’s halter, and led the filly out of the cross ties. She’d already forgotten all about what had scared her, and followed along like a complete lady. Lani took her outside, where the setting sun cast long, sweeping shadows across the ground. Epona stopped short as she saw the large black holes reaching across the ground, and refused to move. The shadows hadn’t been so dramatic when she was just in her paddock, in fact, Lani doubted if she even knew they were there. But now, seeing the dark shadows creeping up towards her, Epona reared up, attempting to flee back towards her stall.
Lani circled the filly around herself, cooing softly to her and stroking the dampened neck. Epona threw up her head and bobbed on her front hooves, but after a while, she began to forget what she was so excited about. When her filly was completely still, Lani clucked to her and led her across the side of the barn. Epona suddenly saw the shadows again with renewed eyes, but Lani had already seen it coming. She put a steadying hand on the thoroughbred’s neck and circled her around at a trot. Bringing her back in, Epona lowered her head to sniff at the dark shadow cautiously, and realizing that it wasn’t going to jump up and eat her, suddenly lost interest. Lani led her horse all over the stable yard, letting her walk over the shadows and around them. If Epona suddenly became nervous or curious about a specific one, Lani would let her sniff it or walk around it until she became bored with it. The sun was slowly disappearing, and the shadows were fading. But before they went, she wanted to make sure that Epona really would behave with them. Bringing two fingers to her lips, Lani let out a loud whistle that made Epona flinch and swish her tail. She didn’t react to it though. Something else had caught her attention.
A four legged canine was darting towards them, tongue lolling out and shadow stretching towards them. Epona’s eyes were wide at the side of the fast moving black monster, and pinned her ears back. And yet she didn’t move a muscle. Lani clucked to her filly and trotted her around the stable yard with Dustin loping after them. Epona kept her eyes on his shadow, but was behaving well. She turned where Lani wanted her, and stopped when Lani stopped.
”Good girl Epona!” Lani praised, patting the dry, slender neck. Epona snorted her reply, and lowered her head down to inspect Dustin. The golden retriever yapped, and Epona threw up her head before dropping it again to whuffle the dog’s golden fur. Dustin panted heavily from his run, but stood calmly as his new friend looked him over. Lani ruffled his velvety ears in praise, and he let out another playful yap in delight. This time, Epona responded with a throaty whicker.