Post by .*.Brandy.*. on Nov 15, 2008 15:51:24 GMT -5
Kasi tossed her head slightly as we entered the arena, me mounted. I glanced at the fences, the simple course that was set up. Two outside lines and two inside diagonals. I'd go easy today considering I had fallen off of Preston on the track yesterday. Yeah, ouch. But enough of that. Kasi lowered her head onto the bit gracefully, mouthing the bit lightly with her tongue. Eyes up, I notice my sister and our newest worker, Josh Stevenson, hanging by the rail. Josh looked interested in seeing Kasi go. He hadn't seen her jump yet and was already in love like her... Well, we all were. It was crazy, she was like a happy drug or something (MD said so too!) or like Jasper in the Twilight series, minus being less sensitive than Edward. Kasi was pretty sensitive but wasn't overly so. The bay crossbred mare nickered lightly at the two by the rail and I gently asked for her to come back onto the bit to get her attention again. I pressed my outside heel into her side. She picked up an easy rocking canter and I leaned slightly into a half-seat, my hands quietly touching her mouth. We cantered a quiet circle and we moved towards the first fence of the outside line. Auds pricked, she noticed the fence and measured it carefully, her forward moving canter not quickening. The fence was set at about 2'9 and the highest in the ring was 3'. The lowest was the first on the next diagonal and it was 2'6. It was all chump change for Kasi. She could do much higher, I was positive but I would never push her, especially since she had such a great personality and at such a young age. I crest released over the fence, leaning forward and she basculed over the fence, her auds pricked as she regained her balance on the other side. We cantered an easy six strides, jumping the 3' fence at the end of the line without a problem. I pushed her out wide around the turn towards the diagonal with the 2'6 fence first and then 2'9 after four strides. Kasi watched the fence approach, content to get there when we got there. She slowed slightly, almost burying herself and I pushed her forward slightly, leaning into half-seat towards and over the fence, releasing for her. I adjusted her stride between the fences and we cleared the second portion of the line without a problem. I swung out wide again towards the other outside line that mimicked the other. She kept her striding even and energized really without any cues from me. Oh god, I loved this mare. I was so angry that I had to share her! Not really... But I did love her. She cleared the first fence without an issue and got the correct striding over the second. My eyes shot over towards the diagonal and Kasi took that as a cue. Cutting the course short, I quickly readjusted to give her a better shot at the fence. She took off a little early but didn't touch the fence. I balanced her between the fences and she took the second fence without a problem, swapping her lead over the fence. I smiled lightly as we circled around at the end of the course and I glanced over towards Lily and Joshua. They both smiled lightly, clapping for us. I slowed Kasi to a walk and I patted her hot neck. The bay mare sighed inwardly and snorted. I smiled lightly. I was proud to have her on our show team. She was going to be impossible to beat with more experience under her belt.
