How Not To Train

Sooo Fru is in training for the BDS CCI*** Classic. Yeah... this is normal, don't worry.

BDS CCI*** Show Jumping - [link]

The Story

November had made the air cold and horrible. It was as if the world had an icy grip on Firelight, and no amount of coat or jacket could keep it out. Zoe grumbled to herself as she rubbed her hands together and headed to Fru's stall. She had lost her gloves somewhere, and she cursed herself for it. Never the less, she had some training to do. The palomino mare was stood at her door waiting, her nostrils quivering as she whickered to her owner. Zoe took the bridle off the hook outside the stall and then opened the door. Fru threw her head up and shot backwards, and as usual Zoe waited patiently at the door. "Stop being stupid and get here," she growled, Fru snorted at her and lowered her head. "I'm not in the mood for your games, now get here," she said rather like an angry mother. Fru flipped up her top lip and then moved forwards. "Thank you," the woman muttered as she unhooked the bit from the bridle and then slipped the leather over the mare's head. When the bridle was in place, she slipped the bit into Fru's mouth and hooked it back on to the bridle. "There, that wasn't too bad." She patted the mare and then went to get the saddle. Again Fru went to move back, but Zoe had the upper-hand now, and grabbed the reins. "No," she said sharply, and the mare gave in quickly. This was Fru's daily routine, and sometimes Zoe had to admit she tired of it.

When the Spirit Horse was fully tacked up, martingale and all, Zoe led her out of the barn and towards the training rings. She knew Lee was working Priscilla in the indoor school, and as she headed out into the bright November afternoon she could see there was only one school available. Kyle, the part time hunter and racer trainer was working with Choc in the roundpen, and Amber, their part-time dressage trainer was in the main school on Fool. "Well, looks like we're in the warm up ring," Zoe sighed as she led Fru over to the smaller school. She nodded to Amber as the woman flew past them on Fool. It was safe to say the woman had taken a shine to the blood bay stallion, and he behaved exceptionally well with her. Amber waved to Zoe and brought Fool to a trot.
"Hey! Do you want the school?" Zoe felt like rolling her eyes but stopped herself. Lee's new girlfriend was nice, but Australian. That was enough for her.
"No, no, first come first serve. I'll grab it later when I train Mouse," Zoe said with a shrug. Fru nudged her shoulder sharply and she hushed the mare.
"Oh, okay then, well I'll be done soon, but Aithne wants me to exercise Fool twice a day," she said with a shrug as she sat on the fidgeting stallion. Zoe nodded mutely and carried on with Fru.
"Yeah, sure, well you best get on with it then," she called over her shoulder. She heard Fool's hooves thunder away across the school and let herself into the small school. She heard footsteps on the concrete and looked up from tightening the girth to see Raven stood at the fence. She smiled at the young man and pulled down her stirrups.
"I wondered if I could watch," he called to her, and she laughed and nodded at him.
"Yeah, sure, but it'll be chaos. He daughter's on one side and a stallion on the other." She pushed herself up onto Fru's back and settled down. The mare was already staring over at Fool, her nostrils trembling and her muscles tight. "Come on, Fru, walk on," Zoe sighed. Fru went forwards into a springy, short-stepping walk, but Zoe kept her calm. She was so used to Fru being Fru that she just sat back and took it now. After a while she asked for a trot, and it was just as bouncy and short as her walk. She was just coming to the corner when Fool trotted past, and that was the excuse the mare had been waiting for. With a shrill whinny she leaped into the air and bucked with all her strength. Zoe gasped at the sudden movement and threw herself backwards to stop herself going head first over Fru's neck. The rodeo seemed to continue forever, but eventually Zoe got hold of the mare's head and pulled her up into a tight circle. "Now that's it!" she snapped as the mare span around. "If you can't handle the stallion from your own damn stable, what are you going to do at a show? Oh! I forgot! This!" She glanced up to see Fool circling at the other end of his school, his sides sweating from excitement. Trust their luck to have two Eclectic horses next to each other. "You okay?" She called to Amber, who laughed and nodded, seemingly not bothered by the out-burst. Zoe took a few deep breaths and walked Fru on. Now it was out of her system, she appeared a bit better.
"Have you tried her without a bit?" Raven queried as he watched the mare prance gently.
"Yeah, she broke the reins," Zoe grumbled. "She's a born lead mare, without a bit there's just no chance." She brought Fru to a halt near the man and he reached out to pat her neck. She turned her head to look at him, or rather down at him, and he laughed.
"Yeah, I can see that. Well, I guess she'll just always be a livewire," he said with a shrug. Zoe nodded slowly and smiled.
"I guess so. We hoped she'd grow out of it, but I guess not."

Ref: [link]

Image & Characters © =mapal
Amber © =belle980
Kyle © ~xLadySadiex