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Description
MERRY CHRISTMAS =jockeyy !

It's ponyface! This is Breeze, the amazing little jumper pony she is, ridden by Natasha.

WARNING - long RP-turned-story ahead!
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Crunch, crunch. Aubrie's footsteps traveled rhythmically through the snow, leaving behind prints that led from the stables to the parking lot. As the small two-horse trailer pulled into the driveway, she waved at the blonde lady sitting in the passenger's seat of the bright green and purple pickup. Aubrie had been waiting on Natasha coming for her lesson, and as the driver parked the truck and hopped out, Aubrie saw that Mason had come with her. She hadn't seen the Diamond Star Stables gang in forever, and she couldn't wait to catch up on things.
Natasha and Mason hopped out of the large pickup truck and went to greet Aubrie. "Hey! Long time no see stranger!" Natasha said cheerfully to Aubrie with a big hug. "Hey Aubrie!" said mason in his always joyful mood. "Hey guys! So you are here for your lesson i presume?" Asked Aubrie. "why, if we weren't you would kick us out?" asked natasha with a giggle. "im just joking with you, of course we are!" Just as Natasha finished an aggravated kick came from the trailer. "Well then, lets unload that beast of yours and i will meet you in the stables!" Said Aubrie with a laugh. The crew from pebble creek and diamond star always had a funny connection with jokes people would take as insults. As Natasha backed the chubby little mare down the ramp, she took a big breath and whinnied loud, causing a chain reaction down through the stables. "Oh hush silly little mare" Said Natasha stroking the small chestnut mare. Breeze was still fairly new to the stables, but a big hit. With her cheeky personality and love for treats, she was loved by all big and small!
Aubrie squealed, excited. "Ahh, she's SO cute! I just wanna hug her!" she exclaimed, scratching the mare behind the ear. Natasha laughed, nodding.
"She really is, right?" she replied, pulling on a pair of knit gloves without fingers. Breeze stepped around a bit, pawing at the snow and snorting into the cold air. Aubrie stuck her bare hands into her coat pockets, and shivered.
"Let's go inside, I'm turning into a living icicle out here," she complained, trudging into the mare barn and shutting the sliding door behind the threesome that followed.
Natasha and Aubrie started to pull off Breeze's blanket and groom her, "I'm going to just give myself a self tour, if thats ok with you Aubrie?" asked Mason, "Oh yea, go right ahead!" Replied Aubrie. "so, Aubrie, how has that new Dansari working out for you?" Asked Natasha pulling out a curry comb. "Oh shes doing just great! She has such a sparkling personality!" Said Aubrie with a giggle and nudge to Natasha with her elbow. The two groomed allover the fat little mare until she glimmered. Joking, gossiping and just having fun. Soon enough the little mare was ready to go. Mason came back into the stable, took one look at the little mare dressed in fun, bright colors and let out a little laugh. "I see you guys had fun?", "oh yes, too much i would guess!" said Aubrie with a giggle. "So did you have fun on your little tour?" asked Natasha, "oh yes, lots! I love your little mare! Kasey, i need to snatch up a breeding one day!" Replied Mason, "oh yes, Kasey is one of our stars!" Just as Aubrie finished the mare got a little ancy and started a little jig on the spot. "Well then, i dont think that she's gonna stay any longer," Said Natasha, "Lets get this show on the road"
Natasha led Breeze out of the stable, stopped to let Mason and Aubrie through and shut the sliding door. She put her hands on her hips. "So, what'll it be?" she asked.
Aubrie shrugged. "I know the cross course is closed in winter, at least for jumping. Dani told me to take you guys in the arena, something about working on show jumping and galloping positions." Natasha nodded, leading the little chestnut mare into the arena.
Aubrie and Mason shuffled to get stuff ready in the arena as Natasha closed the door, "you hear that ponyface... we get to go fast!" Natasha said to the anxious mare. Almost like the second she said 'fast' she lit up. That's just another thing the two have in common, they love the speed. Natasha mounted the mare outside so she could walk around a bit and play in the breeze... ironic.
As they walked into the monumental arena, Natasha immediately stopped Breeze, ran her stirrups down, tightened the girth, and hopped on all in about 10 seconds. Someone was anxious... she walked the mare around, not caring about her energetic jigging and staring at absolutely nothing. By the time they had passed the boogieman in the corner, Aubrie and Mason were seated in the bleachers and Dani walked in through a smaller door, obviously built for people to go through.
"DANIDANIDANI!" screeched Natasha. "oh relax, im coming!" said Dani reaching up to give Natasha a hug. He gave Breeze a pat and took a quick look at her, "so this is your new star eventer?" said Dani with a hint of skepticism. "hey hey hey! She can go cross country better than ANY of your fancy shmancy warmbloods!" said Natasha defending her beloved pony. "all right, all right" Said Dani giving Breeze one last pat and heading over to the middle of the arena, "Lets just start with a nice, active walk. Try alternating your leg pressure. Right, left, right, left. gooood. Thats awesome." Dani had to yell a bit to make sure Natasha, who was at the total other end of the massive space. "Hey Mason, Aubrie, would you guys mind helping me set up a course? With a 1-stride combination, a 2 stride, and the liver pool... with a few jumps scattered around... i will see what i can work with. Make them all verticals on the 5th hole please!" Said Dani starting to the corner of the arena where the jump standards were kept. The trio was halfway through making the course, and pretty little Breeze was round already, "She's looking great! Push her up to a nice rising trot!"
Natasha pushed Breeze into a bouncy, energetic trot, rounding the corner and trying not to run Mason over. Dani grinned at him, all shaking fists and cursing. "Hey Nat, ya mind making the circle a little smaller? You're gonna give me bronchitis if I have to keep yelling!" Natasha smirked, mocking her by veering a bit to the outside, then taking Breeze to the middle of the ring, trotting her in a slightly smaller circle. She immediately responded by rounding up even more, collecting herself and setting her head better from the bending. Natasha gave her more rein to stretch her face a bit, since she was rounding up so nicely, as Dani laughed at Mason and Aubrie, the latter or whom had dropped a pole on her partner's head by accident.
"hey hey hey! Watch it there Aubrie!" Mason yelled trying to be serious, but the look on his face was priceless. "C'mon guys, This pony is going to be in retirement by time we finish setting up the course!" Dani had to yell at the pair sauntering slowly towards the pile of poles. Mason was walking just a few paces behind Aubrie as they passed Dani, "Hey Aubrie!" Yelled Dani trying to get her attention as she got further away. "Ya?!" Replied Aubrie as she swung around forgetting the pole balancing on her shoulder, just as she swung Mason ducked as the pole nearly clipped his head. "oh nothing" said Dani with a wink at Mason. "OK!" yelled Aubrie swinging around again. Mason ducked again just as a whoosh of air passed by Mason's head, "DAMMIT AUBRIE! don't kill me, please!" Giggled Mason, still trying to be serious... but still the look on his face made the whole arena of 4 people burst into laughter and Breeze letting out a little nicker. They all finished the course and Dani dropped one single jump to a medium sized X. "alrighty, Do a quick canter this way then the other way, then come and pop over this ex please!" Dani had to yell again because all the commotion annoyed Breeze so Natasha migrated to the far end again. Natasha squeezed Breeze into a nice, flowy canter... after about 3 bucks, it was smooth sailing... To prove to Dani once again that Breeze was good as any horse, she cantered across the diagonal, doing a perfect and smooth flying change directly on X. Dani let out a long whistle "yea, yea, yea, proved me wrong..." Said Dani as Natasha was completing her final lap. She came around the corner, and as soon as Breeze spotted the jump her ears perked, and eyes widened. The pair popped the ex like it was nothing, perfect form gliding smoothly across. The did the X a few more times, then making it a vertical and doing that twice. Every time same thing. Ears perked. Perfect turn. Smooth jump. Happy pony, rider and coach. "So you ready for a quick course?" Asked Dani.
Natasha nodded from Breeze's back, smiling slyly. "Yeah, Ponyface can handle it." Dani shrugged, dragging the crossrail over a bit. "Mmkay, down this line, sharp right after the bounce, the single jump down the straightaway and then the liverpool, Take the line again backwards, then half circle down the middle to the lower oxer, and then the triple down the other straightaway. Got it?" Natasha laughed, nodding, and pushed Breeze back around the arena. She took the first jump of the line no problem, but Breeze looked up at the bounce, flipped her head, and chipped in at the last moment. Natasha's face fell as Breeze barely made the three-foot fence. "CRAPCRAPCRAPCRAP!!!" she yelled, as she picked up on Breeze's face and
just barely made the landing to take the second element in the bounce.
"CRAP! Sorry!" Said Natasha fixing Breeze's lead and doing it again. Better. But not flawless. They continued on with no problems, except that Breeze thought the gremlin living under the liverpool would eat her toes. So that was +1 foot the the already 3 foot fence. "daaayyyuummmmm" Said Aubrie from the Bleachers, "that pony can JUMP!". "Oh yes she can!" Said Natasha giving Breeze a big pat, "silly pony!". "alright, alright" Said Dani breaking up the party, "same course once more, but count out 3, 2, 1 please. Since we did have a small problem at that bounce.". Dani went over and picked up the pole knocked down from the bounce. Natasha pushed Breeze into a steady canter, "3... 2... 1..." She muttered under her breath... forgetting they all should hear it. "I couldn't hear youuuuuu" Dani called out, "remember, if you say it outloud, there is less of a chance of failure!" He yelled just as they were turning the corner to the bounce, "3! 2! 1!" Screamed Natasha as loud as she could. They cleared it. Flawless. They continued on the course and Breeze still thought the liverpool was scary, but didn't just as big.... she jumped sort of like a deer some would say... "ahha, great job! Ready for another course?" Asked Dani giving Natasha a pat on the knee. "uhm, hell yea!" Answered Natasha enthusiastically. "haha, alrighty. Mason! Aubrie! Get your lazy butts here and put it up another 3 holes! actually... make that 5!" He called giving a wink to Natasha who was walking Breeze around so she could catch her breath.
Dani looked like a deer in the headlights. "5 HOLES?! Do you have a death wish?!" Natasha laughed.
"We've done 5 feet before, shouldn't be a problem!" Natasha yelled, pulling Breeze back to a slow sitting trot so she could keep her warm. "Good God, Dani, where's your spirit? I told you she could jump!" Dani shook her head, giggling.
"Fine, but if you die, don't go blaming it on me. Same pattern again, just backwards." Natasha shrugged, picking Breeze up into a canter. Mason had moved the second jump of the bounce up, so it was a much safer one-stride double for the first two of a combo, but Breeze could still do it. She put on a huge burst of speed and rocketed toward the first fence, a nearly five-foot monster of a vertical. The pony cleared it with room to spare, and the entire arena went quiet. Dani's mouth had dropped open, but she shook herself back to herself. "COUNT, you dork with a death wish! ONE! TWO! THREE! I can't hear you!"
"DANI! Pick your jaw off the floor! It's not sanitary!" She yelled with a giggle over the pounding pony hooves, " THREE TWO ONE!!!! liftofffffff!!!" She yelled as the pony cleared the last fence. It took about a minute to slow her back to a walk, even then the jiggy's haven't left her system. With both of them huffing and puffing, Natasha turned to Dani, "so.... not so much of a death wish anymore, is it?" She said with a giggle and a huge pat to the crazy pony. "Damn... If she even goes missing.... don't look here!" Dani giggled, "wow, this pony! This little pony.. just did that! CRAZY!". "WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND THIS LITTLE MARE?!" Yelled Aubrie breaking the silence, "She has as much talent as she has belly!" Said Aubrie giving Breeze a scratch behind the ears. "I told you guys she is amazing," Natasha replied while joining in on the ear scratching. Mason jogged over and gave Natasha a high five, "Way to go Nat!", "haha thanks Mason," said Natasha returning the high five, "Wow, we haven't jumped that high in a while!"
Dani shook her head again. "Uh, well I take it you're good on jumping... Why don't you let her breathe while we take these jumps down and after that we'll do cross galloping positions?" she said, itching Breeze's nose underneath her noseband. The mare rubbed her face on Dani's hand until Natasha turned her and walked her around the arena, chatting with the others while they took down the jumps.
After all the jumps were taken down Dani turned to a now relaxed Breeze and Natasha. "Alright" she said, "push Breeze into a steady, forward trot in your 2-point position please!" Dani had to yell again since Natasha has gone far away again. Breeze had a fairly smooth trot so standing in 2-point was pretty easy. "Alright," Said Dani, "looks like shes doing good, push her into a forward canter, no galloping yet!". "Alrighty!" Shouted Natasha pushing the pony into a canter, she was a fast little one. "gooood!" Dani yelled, She walked to the far end, away from the bleachers, "Can you bring her onto a large circle here please!" she shouted to Natasha. Natasha brought the pony onto a large circle around Dani, still in the two-point and a forward canter. "ok! We are going to work on some extend and collect to get her more supple while in the canter! So she is easier to balance while on Cross Country!" Called Dani, "alright, try to get her to collect a bit. Still in the two-point though! Remember, what you take with the hand, you have to give x2 more with the leg!" And with that, Natasha had the pony cantering practically on the spot.
Dani let out a whoosh of air, astounded at how talented the mare was. "JEEZ, Natasha, you're gonna win every event out there at this rate! Okay, now ask her to extend back into a normal canter, and when she's settled into that, ask her to extend even more." Natasha grinned, sticking her tongue out at Dani, and asked Breeze to get back into her normal canter. About halfway around the circle, Natasha extended Breeze's canter, and the mare answered with a perfectly controlled extension.
"wow! looks great!" yelled Dani, "now lets get her to a CONTROLLED gallop!". Natasha let out a big smile and squeezed slightly, but the mare was already there. Stretching out and gaining in pace and stride length. "Looks great! Now lets see if we can get more stride, less speed!" Called Dani again. At that, Natasha pushed a little more into her hand. All the sudden it was like everything changed. Natasha felt the mare sink down. Getting lower and stretching out. A true gallop. Dani let out a long whistle with her eyes wide, "what on earth..." She said under her breath. She shook her head and called to Natasha, "She looks GREAT! now just bring her back to a normal canter!"
Breeze snorted, and Natasha sat deeper and gave the mare a bit of leg. She sprang back into her energetic little canter, flicking her ears up as Natasha flicked her whip, adjusting it to make it more comfortable to hold. Dani nodded as the mare eased around the circle, walking a bit with her. "Okay, I want to see you two-point and bring her a little bit into your leg. Not too much, don't collect her that much, but just balance her out. Good!"
The canter was bouncy and collected, not extreme, but enough to make it nice. "Alright, push her to a trot, but remember, more leg makes a nice transition!" shouted Dani over pounding hooves. Natasha push her into a nice, forward and energetic trot. "good job! this looks great!" Dani called out with a big smile. Breeze rounded up very nicely. "Once again, push her to a forward walk! less hand more seat, you want to keep the quality and the frame!" Dani called to Natasha. Natasha pushed her to a nice, smooth walk.
Breeze huffed a bit, settling into her walk and leaning slightly on the bit. It was obvious that she was getting tired. Dani laughed, noticing her lazy, foot-dragging way of moving once she got a little more than halfway around the ring, no matter how much leg Natasha gave her. "Well, that was a fast crash! Why don't you cool her down, she's gonna fall over if we keep her going. Good ride, I want that pony!" Natasha laughed, letting the pony lengthen out on a loose rein as Dani went to sit with Aubrie and Mason.
Breeze enjoyed the neck stretch swinging her head to and fro. "That pony," Dani said pointing to the round little ball crossing the arena," Is amazing, where on earth did you get her?" She asked to Mason. "I'm not really sure, but i know she started as a lease for the riding school students, but Natasha fell in love and thought she was too talented to waste." He replied. "Well then, i can't blame ya'!" Dani said very enthusiastically, "She's quite the champ..."
Natasha leaped off the mare's back while moving, attempting to stick the landing, and fell promptly on her butt. The threesome across the arena burst out laughing as the mare took off, "breezing" around the arena with her ears pinned. Mason laughed. "Oh, and did I mention she's a bit spooky?"
"OOPS!" Natasha yelled to the group with a shrug. All the sudden Breeze gallops down the long wall at mach 10 and at the far end, slides to a stop, does a quick spin and throws the biggest buck, that if an amateur took a picture, it could have made them look like a pro. The way to dirt was swirly, and the light hit Breeze, it was true poetry in motion. The 4 simultaneously let out a "whoaaa" all together in awe. Quiet fell, and all of a sudden all four of them burst out laughing, clutching their sides. The mare trotted away for a bit, clearly over her mini-heart attack.
She trotted away and paused to do a big shake. She put her head down looking for food. Natasha walked up to her and took her reins. She quickly undid the girth, took off the saddle and bridle and let the mare have a loose run around. Just as Natasha reached the group, she promptly hit the ground and went for a quick roll. "C'mon mare!" Yelled Natasha to the pony struggling to get to her other side, "COME ON MARE! you can do eeett!!!" She yelled encouragingly. They all looked at her and giggled, "what... im her personal cheerleader!" Natasha retorted to their snickers. At that the mare made it all the way over and a burst of applause broke out. When she was comfortable she stayed down and didn't get up... they all started to look at each other with puzzled faces. They were all about to rush to her aid.. when all the sudden Dani put her hand out to stop them "Wait guys..." She whispered, "listen." as she put her hand to her ear. Snoring. They all burst into epic laughter, startling poor sleeping pony.
Breeze snorted, clearly annoyed, and stood up. Walking over to her tack, she nibbled it a bit, and finding the bridle, she picked it up in her mouth. The foursome laughed even harder when the tiny mare started swinging the bridle around. As they nearly peed themselves laughing, Breeze stopped, and turned around. She promptly walked over to Mason, dropped the bridle on his head, and snorted, as if to say "See how YOU like it!"
"OWY!" Yelled mason rubbing his head where the bit hit him. "really mason, 'owy'?" Natasha snorted a giggle, "looks like someone is a tad cranky!" She said as she got up to pet the mare, "goood girl..."

Description
MERRY CHRISTMAS =jockeyy !

It's ponyface! This is Breeze, the amazing little jumper pony she is, ridden by Natasha.

WARNING - long RP-turned-story ahead!
---------------

Crunch, crunch. Aubrie's footsteps traveled rhythmically through the snow, leaving behind prints that led from the stables to the parking lot. As the small two-horse trailer pulled into the driveway, she waved at the blonde lady sitting in the passenger's seat of the bright green and purple pickup. Aubrie had been waiting on Natasha coming for her lesson, and as the driver parked the truck and hopped out, Aubrie saw that Mason had come with her. She hadn't seen the Diamond Star Stables gang in forever, and she couldn't wait to catch up on things.
Natasha and Mason hopped out of the large pickup truck and went to greet Aubrie. "Hey! Long time no see stranger!" Natasha said cheerfully to Aubrie with a big hug. "Hey Aubrie!" said mason in his always joyful mood. "Hey guys! So you are here for your lesson i presume?" Asked Aubrie. "why, if we weren't you would kick us out?" asked natasha with a giggle. "im just joking with you, of course we are!" Just as Natasha finished an aggravated kick came from the trailer. "Well then, lets unload that beast of yours and i will meet you in the stables!" Said Aubrie with a laugh. The crew from pebble creek and diamond star always had a funny connection with jokes people would take as insults. As Natasha backed the chubby little mare down the ramp, she took a big breath and whinnied loud, causing a chain reaction down through the stables. "Oh hush silly little mare" Said Natasha stroking the small chestnut mare. Breeze was still fairly new to the stables, but a big hit. With her cheeky personality and love for treats, she was loved by all big and small!
Aubrie squealed, excited. "Ahh, she's SO cute! I just wanna hug her!" she exclaimed, scratching the mare behind the ear. Natasha laughed, nodding.
"She really is, right?" she replied, pulling on a pair of knit gloves without fingers. Breeze stepped around a bit, pawing at the snow and snorting into the cold air. Aubrie stuck her bare hands into her coat pockets, and shivered.
"Let's go inside, I'm turning into a living icicle out here," she complained, trudging into the mare barn and shutting the sliding door behind the threesome that followed.
Natasha and Aubrie started to pull off Breeze's blanket and groom her, "I'm going to just give myself a self tour, if thats ok with you Aubrie?" asked Mason, "Oh yea, go right ahead!" Replied Aubrie. "so, Aubrie, how has that new Dansari working out for you?" Asked Natasha pulling out a curry comb. "Oh shes doing just great! She has such a sparkling personality!" Said Aubrie with a giggle and nudge to Natasha with her elbow. The two groomed allover the fat little mare until she glimmered. Joking, gossiping and just having fun. Soon enough the little mare was ready to go. Mason came back into the stable, took one look at the little mare dressed in fun, bright colors and let out a little laugh. "I see you guys had fun?", "oh yes, too much i would guess!" said Aubrie with a giggle. "So did you have fun on your little tour?" asked Natasha, "oh yes, lots! I love your little mare! Kasey, i need to snatch up a breeding one day!" Replied Mason, "oh yes, Kasey is one of our stars!" Just as Aubrie finished the mare got a little ancy and started a little jig on the spot. "Well then, i dont think that she's gonna stay any longer," Said Natasha, "Lets get this show on the road"
Natasha led Breeze out of the stable, stopped to let Mason and Aubrie through and shut the sliding door. She put her hands on her hips. "So, what'll it be?" she asked.
Aubrie shrugged. "I know the cross course is closed in winter, at least for jumping. Dani told me to take you guys in the arena, something about working on show jumping and galloping positions." Natasha nodded, leading the little chestnut mare into the arena.
Aubrie and Mason shuffled to get stuff ready in the arena as Natasha closed the door, "you hear that ponyface... we get to go fast!" Natasha said to the anxious mare. Almost like the second she said 'fast' she lit up. That's just another thing the two have in common, they love the speed. Natasha mounted the mare outside so she could walk around a bit and play in the breeze... ironic.
As they walked into the monumental arena, Natasha immediately stopped Breeze, ran her stirrups down, tightened the girth, and hopped on all in about 10 seconds. Someone was anxious... she walked the mare around, not caring about her energetic jigging and staring at absolutely nothing. By the time they had passed the boogieman in the corner, Aubrie and Mason were seated in the bleachers and Dani walked in through a smaller door, obviously built for people to go through.
"DANIDANIDANI!" screeched Natasha. "oh relax, im coming!" said Dani reaching up to give Natasha a hug. He gave Breeze a pat and took a quick look at her, "so this is your new star eventer?" said Dani with a hint of skepticism. "hey hey hey! She can go cross country better than ANY of your fancy shmancy warmbloods!" said Natasha defending her beloved pony. "all right, all right" Said Dani giving Breeze one last pat and heading over to the middle of the arena, "Lets just start with a nice, active walk. Try alternating your leg pressure. Right, left, right, left. gooood. Thats awesome." Dani had to yell a bit to make sure Natasha, who was at the total other end of the massive space. "Hey Mason, Aubrie, would you guys mind helping me set up a course? With a 1-stride combination, a 2 stride, and the liver pool... with a few jumps scattered around... i will see what i can work with. Make them all verticals on the 5th hole please!" Said Dani starting to the corner of the arena where the jump standards were kept. The trio was halfway through making the course, and pretty little Breeze was round already, "She's looking great! Push her up to a nice rising trot!"
Natasha pushed Breeze into a bouncy, energetic trot, rounding the corner and trying not to run Mason over. Dani grinned at him, all shaking fists and cursing. "Hey Nat, ya mind making the circle a little smaller? You're gonna give me bronchitis if I have to keep yelling!" Natasha smirked, mocking her by veering a bit to the outside, then taking Breeze to the middle of the ring, trotting her in a slightly smaller circle. She immediately responded by rounding up even more, collecting herself and setting her head better from the bending. Natasha gave her more rein to stretch her face a bit, since she was rounding up so nicely, as Dani laughed at Mason and Aubrie, the latter or whom had dropped a pole on her partner's head by accident.
"hey hey hey! Watch it there Aubrie!" Mason yelled trying to be serious, but the look on his face was priceless. "C'mon guys, This pony is going to be in retirement by time we finish setting up the course!" Dani had to yell at the pair sauntering slowly towards the pile of poles. Mason was walking just a few paces behind Aubrie as they passed Dani, "Hey Aubrie!" Yelled Dani trying to get her attention as she got further away. "Ya?!" Replied Aubrie as she swung around forgetting the pole balancing on her shoulder, just as she swung Mason ducked as the pole nearly clipped his head. "oh nothing" said Dani with a wink at Mason. "OK!" yelled Aubrie swinging around again. Mason ducked again just as a whoosh of air passed by Mason's head, "DAMMIT AUBRIE! don't kill me, please!" Giggled Mason, still trying to be serious... but still the look on his face made the whole arena of 4 people burst into laughter and Breeze letting out a little nicker. They all finished the course and Dani dropped one single jump to a medium sized X. "alrighty, Do a quick canter this way then the other way, then come and pop over this ex please!" Dani had to yell again because all the commotion annoyed Breeze so Natasha migrated to the far end again. Natasha squeezed Breeze into a nice, flowy canter... after about 3 bucks, it was smooth sailing... To prove to Dani once again that Breeze was good as any horse, she cantered across the diagonal, doing a perfect and smooth flying change directly on X. Dani let out a long whistle "yea, yea, yea, proved me wrong..." Said Dani as Natasha was completing her final lap. She came around the corner, and as soon as Breeze spotted the jump her ears perked, and eyes widened. The pair popped the ex like it was nothing, perfect form gliding smoothly across. The did the X a few more times, then making it a vertical and doing that twice. Every time same thing. Ears perked. Perfect turn. Smooth jump. Happy pony, rider and coach. "So you ready for a quick course?" Asked Dani.
Natasha nodded from Breeze's back, smiling slyly. "Yeah, Ponyface can handle it." Dani shrugged, dragging the crossrail over a bit. "Mmkay, down this line, sharp right after the bounce, the single jump down the straightaway and then the liverpool, Take the line again backwards, then half circle down the middle to the lower oxer, and then the triple down the other straightaway. Got it?" Natasha laughed, nodding, and pushed Breeze back around the arena. She took the first jump of the line no problem, but Breeze looked up at the bounce, flipped her head, and chipped in at the last moment. Natasha's face fell as Breeze barely made the three-foot fence. "CRAPCRAPCRAPCRAP!!!" she yelled, as she picked up on Breeze's face and
just barely made the landing to take the second element in the bounce.
"CRAP! Sorry!" Said Natasha fixing Breeze's lead and doing it again. Better. But not flawless. They continued on with no problems, except that Breeze thought the gremlin living under the liverpool would eat her toes. So that was +1 foot the the already 3 foot fence. "daaayyyuummmmm" Said Aubrie from the Bleachers, "that pony can JUMP!". "Oh yes she can!" Said Natasha giving Breeze a big pat, "silly pony!". "alright, alright" Said Dani breaking up the party, "same course once more, but count out 3, 2, 1 please. Since we did have a small problem at that bounce.". Dani went over and picked up the pole knocked down from the bounce. Natasha pushed Breeze into a steady canter, "3... 2... 1..." She muttered under her breath... forgetting they all should hear it. "I couldn't hear youuuuuu" Dani called out, "remember, if you say it outloud, there is less of a chance of failure!" He yelled just as they were turning the corner to the bounce, "3! 2! 1!" Screamed Natasha as loud as she could. They cleared it. Flawless. They continued on the course and Breeze still thought the liverpool was scary, but didn't just as big.... she jumped sort of like a deer some would say... "ahha, great job! Ready for another course?" Asked Dani giving Natasha a pat on the knee. "uhm, hell yea!" Answered Natasha enthusiastically. "haha, alrighty. Mason! Aubrie! Get your lazy butts here and put it up another 3 holes! actually... make that 5!" He called giving a wink to Natasha who was walking Breeze around so she could catch her breath.
Dani looked like a deer in the headlights. "5 HOLES?! Do you have a death wish?!" Natasha laughed.
"We've done 5 feet before, shouldn't be a problem!" Natasha yelled, pulling Breeze back to a slow sitting trot so she could keep her warm. "Good God, Dani, where's your spirit? I told you she could jump!" Dani shook her head, giggling.
"Fine, but if you die, don't go blaming it on me. Same pattern again, just backwards." Natasha shrugged, picking Breeze up into a canter. Mason had moved the second jump of the bounce up, so it was a much safer one-stride double for the first two of a combo, but Breeze could still do it. She put on a huge burst of speed and rocketed toward the first fence, a nearly five-foot monster of a vertical. The pony cleared it with room to spare, and the entire arena went quiet. Dani's mouth had dropped open, but she shook herself back to herself. "COUNT, you dork with a death wish! ONE! TWO! THREE! I can't hear you!"
"DANI! Pick your jaw off the floor! It's not sanitary!" She yelled with a giggle over the pounding pony hooves, " THREE TWO ONE!!!! liftofffffff!!!" She yelled as the pony cleared the last fence. It took about a minute to slow her back to a walk, even then the jiggy's haven't left her system. With both of them huffing and puffing, Natasha turned to Dani, "so.... not so much of a death wish anymore, is it?" She said with a giggle and a huge pat to the crazy pony. "Damn... If she even goes missing.... don't look here!" Dani giggled, "wow, this pony! This little pony.. just did that! CRAZY!". "WHERE ON EARTH DID YOU FIND THIS LITTLE MARE?!" Yelled Aubrie breaking the silence, "She has as much talent as she has belly!" Said Aubrie giving Breeze a scratch behind the ears. "I told you guys she is amazing," Natasha replied while joining in on the ear scratching. Mason jogged over and gave Natasha a high five, "Way to go Nat!", "haha thanks Mason," said Natasha returning the high five, "Wow, we haven't jumped that high in a while!"
Dani shook her head again. "Uh, well I take it you're good on jumping... Why don't you let her breathe while we take these jumps down and after that we'll do cross galloping positions?" she said, itching Breeze's nose underneath her noseband. The mare rubbed her face on Dani's hand until Natasha turned her and walked her around the arena, chatting with the others while they took down the jumps.
After all the jumps were taken down Dani turned to a now relaxed Breeze and Natasha. "Alright" she said, "push Breeze into a steady, forward trot in your 2-point position please!" Dani had to yell again since Natasha has gone far away again. Breeze had a fairly smooth trot so standing in 2-point was pretty easy. "Alright," Said Dani, "looks like shes doing good, push her into a forward canter, no galloping yet!". "Alrighty!" Shouted Natasha pushing the pony into a canter, she was a fast little one. "gooood!" Dani yelled, She walked to the far end, away from the bleachers, "Can you bring her onto a large circle here please!" she shouted to Natasha. Natasha brought the pony onto a large circle around Dani, still in the two-point and a forward canter. "ok! We are going to work on some extend and collect to get her more supple while in the canter! So she is easier to balance while on Cross Country!" Called Dani, "alright, try to get her to collect a bit. Still in the two-point though! Remember, what you take with the hand, you have to give x2 more with the leg!" And with that, Natasha had the pony cantering practically on the spot.
Dani let out a whoosh of air, astounded at how talented the mare was. "JEEZ, Natasha, you're gonna win every event out there at this rate! Okay, now ask her to extend back into a normal canter, and when she's settled into that, ask her to extend even more." Natasha grinned, sticking her tongue out at Dani, and asked Breeze to get back into her normal canter. About halfway around the circle, Natasha extended Breeze's canter, and the mare answered with a perfectly controlled extension.
"wow! looks great!" yelled Dani, "now lets get her to a CONTROLLED gallop!". Natasha let out a big smile and squeezed slightly, but the mare was already there. Stretching out and gaining in pace and stride length. "Looks great! Now lets see if we can get more stride, less speed!" Called Dani again. At that, Natasha pushed a little more into her hand. All the sudden it was like everything changed. Natasha felt the mare sink down. Getting lower and stretching out. A true gallop. Dani let out a long whistle with her eyes wide, "what on earth..." She said under her breath. She shook her head and called to Natasha, "She looks GREAT! now just bring her back to a normal canter!"
Breeze snorted, and Natasha sat deeper and gave the mare a bit of leg. She sprang back into her energetic little canter, flicking her ears up as Natasha flicked her whip, adjusting it to make it more comfortable to hold. Dani nodded as the mare eased around the circle, walking a bit with her. "Okay, I want to see you two-point and bring her a little bit into your leg. Not too much, don't collect her that much, but just balance her out. Good!"
The canter was bouncy and collected, not extreme, but enough to make it nice. "Alright, push her to a trot, but remember, more leg makes a nice transition!" shouted Dani over pounding hooves. Natasha push her into a nice, forward and energetic trot. "good job! this looks great!" Dani called out with a big smile. Breeze rounded up very nicely. "Once again, push her to a forward walk! less hand more seat, you want to keep the quality and the frame!" Dani called to Natasha. Natasha pushed her to a nice, smooth walk.
Breeze huffed a bit, settling into her walk and leaning slightly on the bit. It was obvious that she was getting tired. Dani laughed, noticing her lazy, foot-dragging way of moving once she got a little more than halfway around the ring, no matter how much leg Natasha gave her. "Well, that was a fast crash! Why don't you cool her down, she's gonna fall over if we keep her going. Good ride, I want that pony!" Natasha laughed, letting the pony lengthen out on a loose rein as Dani went to sit with Aubrie and Mason.
Breeze enjoyed the neck stretch swinging her head to and fro. "That pony," Dani said pointing to the round little ball crossing the arena," Is amazing, where on earth did you get her?" She asked to Mason. "I'm not really sure, but i know she started as a lease for the riding school students, but Natasha fell in love and thought she was too talented to waste." He replied. "Well then, i can't blame ya'!" Dani said very enthusiastically, "She's quite the champ..."
Natasha leaped off the mare's back while moving, attempting to stick the landing, and fell promptly on her butt. The threesome across the arena burst out laughing as the mare took off, "breezing" around the arena with her ears pinned. Mason laughed. "Oh, and did I mention she's a bit spooky?"
"OOPS!" Natasha yelled to the group with a shrug. All the sudden Breeze gallops down the long wall at mach 10 and at the far end, slides to a stop, does a quick spin and throws the biggest buck, that if an amateur took a picture, it could have made them look like a pro. The way to dirt was swirly, and the light hit Breeze, it was true poetry in motion. The 4 simultaneously let out a "whoaaa" all together in awe. Quiet fell, and all of a sudden all four of them burst out laughing, clutching their sides. The mare trotted away for a bit, clearly over her mini-heart attack.
She trotted away and paused to do a big shake. She put her head down looking for food. Natasha walked up to her and took her reins. She quickly undid the girth, took off the saddle and bridle and let the mare have a loose run around. Just as Natasha reached the group, she promptly hit the ground and went for a quick roll. "C'mon mare!" Yelled Natasha to the pony struggling to get to her other side, "COME ON MARE! you can do eeett!!!" She yelled encouragingly. They all looked at her and giggled, "what... im her personal cheerleader!" Natasha retorted to their snickers. At that the mare made it all the way over and a burst of applause broke out. When she was comfortable she stayed down and didn't get up... they all started to look at each other with puzzled faces. They were all about to rush to her aid.. when all the sudden Dani put her hand out to stop them "Wait guys..." She whispered, "listen." as she put her hand to her ear. Snoring. They all burst into epic laughter, startling poor sleeping pony.
Breeze snorted, clearly annoyed, and stood up. Walking over to her tack, she nibbled it a bit, and finding the bridle, she picked it up in her mouth. The foursome laughed even harder when the tiny mare started swinging the bridle around. As they nearly peed themselves laughing, Breeze stopped, and turned around. She promptly walked over to Mason, dropped the bridle on his head, and snorted, as if to say "See how YOU like it!"
"OWY!" Yelled mason rubbing his head where the bit hit him. "really mason, 'owy'?" Natasha snorted a giggle, "looks like someone is a tad cranky!" She said as she got up to pet the mare, "goood girl..."