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Description
WBA Year of the Dragon : Training Clinic

Horse: S188 - Sortilege
Class: Showjumping
Horse Age: 9
Rider: Caleb Langham
Rider Age: 34

[Donstrupper] + 6 BP
+ 1 BP - Full Body
+ 1 BP - Detailed Shading
+ 1 BP - Rider
+ 2 BP - Detailed Background
+ 1 BP - Training Image
+ 2 BP - 982 Words Literature

[WBA] + 3 CP
+ 0.5 CP - Training Image
+ 2 CP - WBA Training Event
+ 0.5 CP - 982 Words Literature

**NOTE: Sorti has 10+ show entries (see tracker in comments of ref)

-------------------------------------

The steady patter of rain against the arena window was a soothing sound. Droplets clung to the glass and panes, occasionally sending rivulets racing and merging on their way to the ground. A low rumble of thunder rolled through the forests bordering Sea Dragon Stables' land on the inshore side, and somewhere in the distance over the sea, lightning flitted through dark, heavy clouds. No sailboats were on the bay; they nestled snugly in their berths in the marina, halyards knocking metallically against masts in the stiff breeze.

The warmth and gentle amber glow of the indoor arena's lights was a welcome contrast. A small group of horses and riders stood on the center line, steam rising gently from the horses' coats as they took a break before the final exercise. It had been a gruelling session; Yamir had put them all thoroughly through their paces, and Cal was glad of the break. He took the opportunity to gulp down a few mouthfuls of water from the bottle he'd left on a jump standard.

Sortilège was, for once in his life, calm and collected. Cal suspected it had a lot to do with the technical gymnastic combinations they'd just completed, where the group had taken turns riding twisting, switchback lines through a chicane of colourful Lunar New Year-themed jumps. The stallion had been foot perfect, adjusting when he was asked to and nipping between the jumps with agility that matched his athletic build. Now he stood with his ears floppy and head low, tired from the mental and physical challenge he'd been put through.

Yamir, SDS’s owner and their trainer for the day, addressed the group cheerfully. The slightest burr of a Spanish accent tinged his pleasant voice.

"We're going to do the final round, as discussed. Start at the drums, then the koi double, rollback to the blossom tree planks, breeze block wall, and finish over the lion dance upright. Sarah, Gail, Cal, then Adil. Ok?" At the riders' nods, he turned and resumed his position atop a massive lion dance drum prop. Sarah nudged her grey gelding forward and began.

Cal watched with eager eyes as the first two pairs took the course, hoping to learn a thing or two before his round. Sarah had cut the corner between the blossom tree planks and the enormous breeze block wall, knocking a few bricks from the latter. She'd recovered well, and her grey made an impressive leap through the hoop of the lion dance jump to finish. Gail had taken a safer approach, and she and her bay mare had made it around the course clear, albeit slow. They still showed considerable athleticism, the mare grunting with exertion as she'd flicked her heels over the wall.

Now it was Cal's turn, and as Sortilège began his warm-up circle at a canter, he cast a critical eye over the lavishly decorated jumps in the arena. There wasn't much room for error on such a short course. He squeezed Sortilège into a bouncier, more impulsive canter, then turned and aimed for the first fence. The drums were formidable, placed on either side of an airy black oxer. Sortilège's ears pricked as they headed for it, and he cleared it with air to spare. They dog-legged right, towards the koi-themed combination. Cal half-halted, steadying Sortilège, and the stallion rocked back onto his hocks to leap over the first element.

“Push for two! One, two, hup!” Yamir called from his perch on the drum. “Good!”

Sortilège had fairly flown over the oxer out of the combination, and was already his body in a sharp turn towards the blossom planks. Dirt flew in a massive spray as he powered forward again, hindquarters bunching and springing as he took the three-stride space in two. His huge forward momentum worried Cal, but it was too late to correct – Sortilège took off, front end barely clearing the top plank. Cal could feel Sortilège’s hind end contort, twisting upwards, and he landed with an impressive kick backwards. His hoof clipped the plank, which wobbled, then stayed in its cups.

Cal’s relief was short-lived as they flew towards the intimidating wall. The wall itself was constructed of light wooden bricks, which had been painted to look like the breeze blocks that decorated and cooled courtyards across Asia. They had a seven stride lead-up to the fence, which was enough time for most horses to become long and flat around the curve.

“Half-halt, sit up!” Yamir’s voice filtered through the pounding in Cal’s ears. “Outside rein, steady through the turn - collect, collect, go!”

Cal released as Sortilège leapt, the stallion’s neck rising to meet his upper body as his hands went forward. The horse’s body formed a stunning bascule over the top of the wall, and he managed to land balanced. After the harrowing series of turns, the final fence – a golden upright placed under a hoop depicting a lion dance costume, looked deceptively easy. The horse beneath him was unconvinced. Sortilège’s ears flicked back and forth with uncertainty, and Cal growled and tapped him forward with his heels, riding hard at the colourful obstacle. Given clear instruction, the stallion steadied and cleared the jump without a fuss.

“That was well ridden,” Yamir said as Cal slowed Sortilège to a fast trot, then did a lap at a walk. “The rollback turn was particularly impressive – I was sure he’d knock that plank out, but it stayed. I’m not sure I would have taken that risk if the fences were any higher, but it’s certainly one you can practice and incorporate.”

Cal smiled his thanks, reaching down to give Sortilège a pat. He was pleased with their performance- the training they’d done over winter had clearly paid off. It had been a perfect end to the three-day clinic. He loosened Sortilège’s girth and relaxed to watch the final ride.

-----------------------

This was SO much fun to do - I am half-Chinese and was super excited to find an event that featured Lunar New Year. The Chinese characters are 龍馬精神, which is a well-wishing phrase typically said during the Year of the Dragon. Literally translated, it says "dragon, horse, alertness", but means 'I wish you health and vigour/liveliness'.

The big ol' halo around the jump is a lion dance costume like this one (or this one ), and is used in lion dances to ring in the new year and bring luck and prosperity.

Big thanks to the TheWBAssociation for hosting and the attention to detail (saddle pads, banners) provided <3

Description
WBA Year of the Dragon : Training Clinic

Horse: S188 - Sortilege
Class: Showjumping
Horse Age: 9
Rider: Caleb Langham
Rider Age: 34

[Donstrupper] + 6 BP
+ 1 BP - Full Body
+ 1 BP - Detailed Shading
+ 1 BP - Rider
+ 2 BP - Detailed Background
+ 1 BP - Training Image
+ 2 BP - 982 Words Literature

[WBA] + 3 CP
+ 0.5 CP - Training Image
+ 2 CP - WBA Training Event
+ 0.5 CP - 982 Words Literature

**NOTE: Sorti has 10+ show entries (see tracker in comments of ref)

-------------------------------------

The steady patter of rain against the arena window was a soothing sound. Droplets clung to the glass and panes, occasionally sending rivulets racing and merging on their way to the ground. A low rumble of thunder rolled through the forests bordering Sea Dragon Stables' land on the inshore side, and somewhere in the distance over the sea, lightning flitted through dark, heavy clouds. No sailboats were on the bay; they nestled snugly in their berths in the marina, halyards knocking metallically against masts in the stiff breeze.

The warmth and gentle amber glow of the indoor arena's lights was a welcome contrast. A small group of horses and riders stood on the center line, steam rising gently from the horses' coats as they took a break before the final exercise. It had been a gruelling session; Yamir had put them all thoroughly through their paces, and Cal was glad of the break. He took the opportunity to gulp down a few mouthfuls of water from the bottle he'd left on a jump standard.

Sortilège was, for once in his life, calm and collected. Cal suspected it had a lot to do with the technical gymnastic combinations they'd just completed, where the group had taken turns riding twisting, switchback lines through a chicane of colourful Lunar New Year-themed jumps. The stallion had been foot perfect, adjusting when he was asked to and nipping between the jumps with agility that matched his athletic build. Now he stood with his ears floppy and head low, tired from the mental and physical challenge he'd been put through.

Yamir, SDS’s owner and their trainer for the day, addressed the group cheerfully. The slightest burr of a Spanish accent tinged his pleasant voice.

"We're going to do the final round, as discussed. Start at the drums, then the koi double, rollback to the blossom tree planks, breeze block wall, and finish over the lion dance upright. Sarah, Gail, Cal, then Adil. Ok?" At the riders' nods, he turned and resumed his position atop a massive lion dance drum prop. Sarah nudged her grey gelding forward and began.

Cal watched with eager eyes as the first two pairs took the course, hoping to learn a thing or two before his round. Sarah had cut the corner between the blossom tree planks and the enormous breeze block wall, knocking a few bricks from the latter. She'd recovered well, and her grey made an impressive leap through the hoop of the lion dance jump to finish. Gail had taken a safer approach, and she and her bay mare had made it around the course clear, albeit slow. They still showed considerable athleticism, the mare grunting with exertion as she'd flicked her heels over the wall.

Now it was Cal's turn, and as Sortilège began his warm-up circle at a canter, he cast a critical eye over the lavishly decorated jumps in the arena. There wasn't much room for error on such a short course. He squeezed Sortilège into a bouncier, more impulsive canter, then turned and aimed for the first fence. The drums were formidable, placed on either side of an airy black oxer. Sortilège's ears pricked as they headed for it, and he cleared it with air to spare. They dog-legged right, towards the koi-themed combination. Cal half-halted, steadying Sortilège, and the stallion rocked back onto his hocks to leap over the first element.

“Push for two! One, two, hup!” Yamir called from his perch on the drum. “Good!”

Sortilège had fairly flown over the oxer out of the combination, and was already his body in a sharp turn towards the blossom planks. Dirt flew in a massive spray as he powered forward again, hindquarters bunching and springing as he took the three-stride space in two. His huge forward momentum worried Cal, but it was too late to correct – Sortilège took off, front end barely clearing the top plank. Cal could feel Sortilège’s hind end contort, twisting upwards, and he landed with an impressive kick backwards. His hoof clipped the plank, which wobbled, then stayed in its cups.

Cal’s relief was short-lived as they flew towards the intimidating wall. The wall itself was constructed of light wooden bricks, which had been painted to look like the breeze blocks that decorated and cooled courtyards across Asia. They had a seven stride lead-up to the fence, which was enough time for most horses to become long and flat around the curve.

“Half-halt, sit up!” Yamir’s voice filtered through the pounding in Cal’s ears. “Outside rein, steady through the turn - collect, collect, go!”

Cal released as Sortilège leapt, the stallion’s neck rising to meet his upper body as his hands went forward. The horse’s body formed a stunning bascule over the top of the wall, and he managed to land balanced. After the harrowing series of turns, the final fence – a golden upright placed under a hoop depicting a lion dance costume, looked deceptively easy. The horse beneath him was unconvinced. Sortilège’s ears flicked back and forth with uncertainty, and Cal growled and tapped him forward with his heels, riding hard at the colourful obstacle. Given clear instruction, the stallion steadied and cleared the jump without a fuss.

“That was well ridden,” Yamir said as Cal slowed Sortilège to a fast trot, then did a lap at a walk. “The rollback turn was particularly impressive – I was sure he’d knock that plank out, but it stayed. I’m not sure I would have taken that risk if the fences were any higher, but it’s certainly one you can practice and incorporate.”

Cal smiled his thanks, reaching down to give Sortilège a pat. He was pleased with their performance- the training they’d done over winter had clearly paid off. It had been a perfect end to the three-day clinic. He loosened Sortilège’s girth and relaxed to watch the final ride.

-----------------------

This was SO much fun to do - I am half-Chinese and was super excited to find an event that featured Lunar New Year. The Chinese characters are 龍馬精神, which is a well-wishing phrase typically said during the Year of the Dragon. Literally translated, it says "dragon, horse, alertness", but means 'I wish you health and vigour/liveliness'.

The big ol' halo around the jump is a lion dance costume like this one (or this one ), and is used in lion dances to ring in the new year and bring luck and prosperity.

Big thanks to the TheWBAssociation for hosting and the attention to detail (saddle pads, banners) provided <3