[excercise]

[†Benjamin]

Ben walked out into the misty morning from the barn, glad he brought his hoodie with him. The morning was crisp, a light wind pushing through the thick layer of mist. He gave the lead rope a quick tug and Whistle kept his pace, prancing next to his owner happily. The dulled sound of his hooves hitting the earth was the only noise aside from the trees rustling and a few songs from the birds. In his other hand he had an english saddle, saddle pad, girth and bridle. He intended to go for a quick ride once his lounge session with Whistle was over. Ben led the powerful stallion toward the ring, leading him in and closing the gate. He snapped off the lead rope and attatched the lounge line, pushing Whistle out to start. He gave a short kiss and the marbled horse took a few wary steps. Ben snapped the line and gave his command.

Trot!

Whistle sprang into a floating, double beated gait. His muscle rolled easily beneath his sleek coat. His legs flew out quicker, extending his gait eagerly, waiting for him to say the word. Ben chuckled, keeping him on his circle. Whistle snorted and lowered his head, keeping a nice curve in his neck. Ben gave him the next command.

Canter!

The painted horse immediately sprang into a graceful canter, nickering in happiness. He made his strides large and beautiful, Ben praised him by giving him some slack on the line. Once he brought whistle back down to a halt, he tacked him up and got on. He put Whistle up into a walk, his strides liquid and eased. He slid off quickly, leaving Whistle by the rail to set up a few jumps. He put up a grid, one crossrail, a vertical and an oxer. He hopped back on after rechecking the girth and put his horse back up to a trot. After a lap of that, he asked for the canter and approached the crossrail. Whistle sailed over it, clearing the vertical and finishing the oxer with lots of scope to spare.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I led Bud out of his paddock. His yellow blanket was wet from the mist. I gave him a cookie I had as we made our way into the barn. I put him on the cross-ties, and stripped him off his blanket. I placed the blanket on the ground and started to groom him.

My eyes saw someone cantering around in the outdoor arena. I shurgged it off and continued to groom. I soon had placed yellow leg wraps and pad on. I slipped on my tan english bridle and jumping saddle on his back.

I led him out of the barn. His hooves touching the ground lightly as he pranced around me. I soon got him to stand still and slipped into the saddle. I gave a cluck and played with the bit as he jumped forward. Pulling him back to a walk. I felt him skid forward so now we were at the gate.

I saw the pinto horse. It must be Ben. I thought. I leaned down and opened the gate and sidepassed Bud and then closed the gate. I turned him down the side of the arena. Giving a kiss I felt him lunge forward and slip into an easy canter. I soon pulled him to a walk. I then stopped him to watch Whisper. I felt Bud prancing beneath me. I gave a kiss and cantered him up and down the rail.</sub>

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

<sub>I hold the braided black english reins in both hands as I ask the Dutch Warmblood to canter toward the outdoor arena. I can see a new student is out with his horse. I smile a bit, I near the outdoor arena, but I'm not going to interrupt his session. His ears swivel a bit, listening to the dull hoofbeats. He begins to paw, tearing up the growing grass near the outdoor.

Taro, quit

I scold th bay, smiling a bit, he's such a good horse, especially compared to Manny. He swishes his tail, which was tucked in a red tail bag. He chomps on his snaffle and shakes his head, I can tell he's bored, but I'm interested in the ride. This student, I believe, is one of our Academy Competition competitors.

Easy Boy, just hold on

I mumble to him, just try to get him to calm down. This is the worst he acts when he's bored, he's a nice horse, I turn my attention back to the student and his horse.I notice Grace riding.I tried so many times to apologize and make friends with her, and she was so much of a brat she wouldn't. She got me so mad, but somewhere, deep down, I still was willing to try. I walk him toward the gate and open while I sit on him. The black leather jumping saddle hasn't been used in a while, and is a little stiff. I trot toward Grace.

Hey

I mumble toward her, if she's going to be mean, fine. I'm still going to try to be friends with her.</sub>

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I look at Reagan. Was she talking to me? I give her a small smile. Just in case she was. I then go back to listening to my music. I turn Bud and start to canter once again. Up and down the arena. My music blaring, there was a stereo right over there.

"I'm gonna turn on some music."

I said. It was always fun to ride to music. I plug my I-pod in and turn up the stereo. The song "Tootsee Roll" came on. I quickly changed it and played the first song. Which was "Here I Am" By Bryan Adams.

I turned Bud and started to trot to the beat. I watched as his ears went forward. I felt him perk up a bit more. His legs extending with ease.</sub>

[†Benjamin]

There were a few more jumps set up around the arena. I gave Grace a nod before leading Whistle towards a cross rail on the other side of the ring. Whistle pranced for a minute, shooting forward and clearing the jump. I put pressure on his mouth, asking him to slow down. His pace slowed to a more collected canter, but I gave him some slack as we neared the next jump. Whistle soared over it, his hooves at least another foot above the oxer's poles. I pulled him down to a trot before I let him walk. I dropped my reins on his neck and he stretched his head down to his knees, exhibiting his english pleasure potential.

I heard Grace turn on the radio, but I hardly listened to the music, not my style anyway. I cooled Whistle out while inspecting the other horses, and the girl I didn't know. There seemed to be tension between the two. They were both riding in the ring with me now, which Whistle was fine with. He would punch you in the face if you annoyed him ((long story)). Whistle perked his head, ears forward, interested in the stereo that was playing outside the ring. I picked up the reins but kept him on the buckle, letting him have a loose rein. He went to the stereo, sniffing it.

Don't you dare, Whistle.

The stallion snorted and walked away from the technology. I dropped the reins again and let him walk the rail, he was perfectly capable of being on his own. I looked at the other girl, I didn't know her. I knew Grace, but this one wasn't hitting anything in my mind.

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

<sub>Taro throws his head, he isn't very patient. I glance toward Ben and Whistle, the new students, my father had told me about them. I roll the sleeves up on my black hoodie, which on the back reads "Sawyer" I kiss to the bay, sending him off at a fast canter. I take him over a few jumps, which he flies over with ease.We have to beat Charcold. I know there is a practice later today, where all the students must show up with the horses they plan on showing for the Jumping Competition, so I'm not going to tire the horse out.

C'mon boy, let's go introduce ourselves.

I put him into a working trot on the rail, his muscles rippled under his silky mahogany coat. Once we reached the handsome paint and his rider I smile.

Hi, I'm Reagan Sawyer.</sub>

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I push Bud into a fast paced canter. I feel him surge over the jumps with ease. I bring him back down to an extending trot. His muscles rolled nicely under his sleek grey coat. I slid my hand down and gave him a scratch. I then spun him on his haunches and gave a kiss.

I felt him surge forward at a canter and fly over the jumps. I then brought him back down to a trot. Going to the beat of the music.</sub>

[†Benjamin]

Whistle kept walking, moving his pace up a little. His opaque hooves hit the ground out of step with her music. He wasn't used to it, he liked what Ben listened to, rock, metal, something more heavy. Whistle snorted as Ben pulled him to a stop as the other girl came over. She gave her name and a greeting, Ben nodded, patting Whistle he said.

Ben Eppert.

My voice was mellow, like velvet, as it usually was. I leaned over to check his girth again, giving it a tug before being sure it was tight enough. Whistle put his head down and extended a fore to relieve an itch. I dropped his reins and patted his neck before he started to walk on, still cooling himself out. I would jump him again soon, I didn't want to tire him.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I came down to a walk. I gave Bud a pat, and felt the sweat that had piled up on his neck. I loosened the reins and walked him out. I walked closer to the radio as Distubed was playing. I checked him in as he tried to go forward at a canter to jump. I walked him beside them.

I saw Bud's head go up and down. I knew he was very upset that I wouldn't let him go over the jumps. I started to mumble under my breath to him.</sub>