Pheasant Ridge | Spring Training

Gravel crunched under foot as Nigel closed his eyes, trusting his mount to guide them while he relaxed to the sway of her movement. The man smiled at the sounds of Spring as they washed over him. Birds calling from every corner, new leaves rustling in the breeze, and a distant cicada warned that it would be hot later in the day. Taking a deep breath the man nearly groaned at the fresh scent of the neighbours mowed grass. Goddamn I’m glad Winter is over.

Opening his eyes Nigel looked down at the bay mare beneath him. Kala’s ears were flipping in every direction, as if she was trying to listen to every bird song at once. Smiling he decided the mare was warmed up enough from their walk along the property, and pushed her into a trot. Kala snorted and let out a series of tiny bucks, making her rider laugh. Guiding the mare past the barn he waited until Kala’s hooves touched the dirt of the forest path before letting out a loud WHOOP!

Allowing the mare a few moments to gallop the main trail and let off steam, he eventually guided her down one of the cross country trails branching off to the side. Reaching the forested river he slowed the mare to a trot and looked around. The river was slow, wide and shallow at this section. There was a series of jumps along the grassy bank leading down into the river, a small fence in the middle, and another series leading up out of the river and back up a forested hillside. Kalaronda had a tendency to lose focus at water jumps, and Nigel was determined to work on that.

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Walking out of the forest into bright sunlight, both mare and rider were soaked to the bone. Walking slowly down the hill to the barn, Nigel halted the bay mare and dismounted. Pulling her reins over her head he turned and led the mare inside and straight into a free wash stall. After securing Kala in the crossties Nigel sighed and unclipped his helmet.

“What happened to you two?”

The blond man turned at the voice, spotting the new barn hand Olivia. He hadn’t really spoken much to the pink haired woman yet, but she had already become a huge help since she started. Peeling his helmet off Nigel winced as a few droplets escaped and ran toward his eyes.

“We were working on water jumps.” He said, jerking his head toward Kala as she pawed in the cross ties.

“You fall in?” Olivia asked, trying to hide a smile as the man struggled to pull off his soaked gloves.

“Nah,” he frowned, pulling a glove inside out in his struggle. “We just ran through the river a lot. And this lady likes to splash.”

“Oh do you now darling?” Olivia asked the mare. Stepping into the wash stall the woman quickly shortened Nigel’s stirrups before starting to unbuckle the breastplate.

“Oh damn, “ Nigel cursed, placing his wet things on the floor along the wall. “I can do this.”

“It’s okay,” Olivia laughed, pulling Kala’s saddle off. The mare gave a full body shake in response, misting the pair with smelly wet horse water.

“Thanks Kala,” Nigel groaned, attempting to wipe the water off his face.

Olivia laughed as she quickly dropped Kala’s gear in the nearby tack room. Stepping back out she quickly helped Nigel remove Kala’s boots and exchange her bridle for a halter. Arms full of the mare’s muddy boots she took a moment to step back and admire the bay.

“She really is a gorgeous horse. I saw as you two ran into the forest earlier...she’s got some spunk huh?”

“Oh yeah, she loves nothing more than a good run.”

“You’re wrong,” Olivia grinned.

Nigel furrowed his brow, glancing between horse and woman.