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Description
Not sure who is training who here... (please pay no attention to the background, just pass right along, nothing to see here >>

Story Time

'You guys will get on great'
'She doesn't like me, Ror, you know that. She's had an issue with me for ages..'
'There was that issue with the wash rack - '
'That was ONE time! And it was an accident. You know she's more a one person horse, unless they're under three foot anyway'.
Rory snorted softly to herself, and carried on brushing the gleaming golden hide in front of her. Matt was slumped over the bottom part of the door, grumpily toying with a headcollar, and sulkily staring at the floor; occasionally glancing at the mare in the stable and frowning worriedly.
Lifting the saddle from under Matt's arms, Rory gave him a playful nudge, 'Cheer up, grumpy, there's aren't many people I trust to ride my horses, you know that. Until you find that perfect horse of your own, you can't let your riding skill tail off. I know you're used to flat racing, but you're doing really well with the jump training. Anyway, without any extra help at the moment, I'm swamped with horses, I feel bad about making you guys do all the grunt work, and it's not fair on these guys. Aiden's getting on well with Pol, Blue's training is coming on in leaps and bounds, and you need the practice. Just ride her gently, and she'll take care of you. Besides, I'll be there the first few rides anyway.'
Giving a gentle tug on the golden mare's ear, Rory finished the last strap on the bridle, gestured for Matt to get his hat, and began leading Mercury towards the indoor school.

* * * *

*some time later*
'MATHEW! If you don't get your legs back where they're meant to be, I will take your stirrups away and TIE them there. Want to jump bareback? No? Well then. And RELAX!'
Arms folded, Rory watched Matt cantering around the arena, holding her breath when his hands tightened too much, but giving him enough space to realise for himself. Watching the pair learn each other, and begin to relax more, Rory smiled to herself and lifted a couple of poles into the jump cups.
'Walk Matt, have a stretch.'
She was pleased to see him bring the elegant mare slowly back to a walk, drop the reins to let her stretch, and giving his own arms a shake out.
'Right. Poles are up now, just a small one, so take a small circle, keep her balanced, forward, together and keep SOFT. If you keep tensing up and over riding, she will tell you more strongly than she has been. You're riding well, but you're over thinking. '
Giving her a weak smile, Mat nodded, gathered the mare together and started his circle. Halfway around the circle, Mercury spotted the jump, her ears pricked and her stride became excited and choppy.
Matt sat down, tensed his hands and reflexively tightened the reins.
Instantly, the mare's legs locked, her head disappeared from in front of him, and Matt hit the dirt.
After a few seconds he opened his eyes and uncoiled, noticing Mercury watching him with what could only be described as an 'I-told-you-so' face in the center of the arena. Rory was doubled over laughing.
Sheepishly, he stood up, brushed the dirt from his butt and walked over to Mercury, giving her a scratch and an apology. Rory was still laughing when she came to give him a leg up, simply gesturing that Matt should try that again.
Before she could even open her mouth, Matt had already responded with 'I know, I know. Relax....'

Description
Not sure who is training who here... (please pay no attention to the background, just pass right along, nothing to see here >>

Story Time

'You guys will get on great'
'She doesn't like me, Ror, you know that. She's had an issue with me for ages..'
'There was that issue with the wash rack - '
'That was ONE time! And it was an accident. You know she's more a one person horse, unless they're under three foot anyway'.
Rory snorted softly to herself, and carried on brushing the gleaming golden hide in front of her. Matt was slumped over the bottom part of the door, grumpily toying with a headcollar, and sulkily staring at the floor; occasionally glancing at the mare in the stable and frowning worriedly.
Lifting the saddle from under Matt's arms, Rory gave him a playful nudge, 'Cheer up, grumpy, there's aren't many people I trust to ride my horses, you know that. Until you find that perfect horse of your own, you can't let your riding skill tail off. I know you're used to flat racing, but you're doing really well with the jump training. Anyway, without any extra help at the moment, I'm swamped with horses, I feel bad about making you guys do all the grunt work, and it's not fair on these guys. Aiden's getting on well with Pol, Blue's training is coming on in leaps and bounds, and you need the practice. Just ride her gently, and she'll take care of you. Besides, I'll be there the first few rides anyway.'
Giving a gentle tug on the golden mare's ear, Rory finished the last strap on the bridle, gestured for Matt to get his hat, and began leading Mercury towards the indoor school.

* * * *

*some time later*
'MATHEW! If you don't get your legs back where they're meant to be, I will take your stirrups away and TIE them there. Want to jump bareback? No? Well then. And RELAX!'
Arms folded, Rory watched Matt cantering around the arena, holding her breath when his hands tightened too much, but giving him enough space to realise for himself. Watching the pair learn each other, and begin to relax more, Rory smiled to herself and lifted a couple of poles into the jump cups.
'Walk Matt, have a stretch.'
She was pleased to see him bring the elegant mare slowly back to a walk, drop the reins to let her stretch, and giving his own arms a shake out.
'Right. Poles are up now, just a small one, so take a small circle, keep her balanced, forward, together and keep SOFT. If you keep tensing up and over riding, she will tell you more strongly than she has been. You're riding well, but you're over thinking. '
Giving her a weak smile, Mat nodded, gathered the mare together and started his circle. Halfway around the circle, Mercury spotted the jump, her ears pricked and her stride became excited and choppy.
Matt sat down, tensed his hands and reflexively tightened the reins.
Instantly, the mare's legs locked, her head disappeared from in front of him, and Matt hit the dirt.
After a few seconds he opened his eyes and uncoiled, noticing Mercury watching him with what could only be described as an 'I-told-you-so' face in the center of the arena. Rory was doubled over laughing.
Sheepishly, he stood up, brushed the dirt from his butt and walked over to Mercury, giving her a scratch and an apology. Rory was still laughing when she came to give him a leg up, simply gesturing that Matt should try that again.
Before she could even open her mouth, Matt had already responded with 'I know, I know. Relax....'