There's always a first ( Chasity)

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

OUTFIT-- www.polyvore.com/out_to_ride/set?id=7560674

It was only an hour before Chasity's lesson on Sinatra with Nora,but Nora wasn't that concerned for either of them. She knew that Chasity had a good head on her shoulders, and knew what she was doing. Sinatra was a tough booger when he got cocky, and needed a firm hand. Nora walked in, and lifted her shades above her head. Briley had sent her a message telling her he would be late for lunch. That gave her more time to give Chasity an extra long lesson. Behind her was her dog Chance, and she heard his nails hit the smoothed brick floor. She put her stuff down in her personal cubbie and grabbed her gloves. She went to see her boy Arlo, and patted his neck. " Hey boy," she said and opened the stall door and got on his halter and led him out. She looked at her watch and had about 45 minutes to kill before her new pupil would come and start tacking up.

She tacked him up, giving him one last brush of his mane, and she slipped on his bridle. She walked him to the indoor jumping ring, and got on. Feeling the leather run through her fingers, and she gripped them tight. She started him off at a steady walk to warm up his muscles, and then picked up a trot. She soon picked up a canter, making a few twenty meter circles, and then heading to the first jump.

[Chasity Lauren Mirana]

Chasity had been looking forward to this lesson all day. The first tie on a horse in her new home. He mind flickered back and forth on what Nora’s big plan for her to do. Chasity knew she had made a verbal vow to do English or Western and after thinking about it she was perfectly fine with this decision. It was still 45 minutes before their designated date but Chasity already found herself wiggling into her fresh English boots. Luckily her mom had packed her pair that she had hardly worn. She lifted into the balls of her feet and back down to the heels getting comfortable in them. Chasity had a very lightweight white button up loosely thrown over a snowy tank top. She didn’t care to button it up, as it was already pretty warm outside.
Once out of her dorm she made it to the indoor arena with very little lost time. Admittedly Chasity had found the arena earlier in the day because she didn’t want to be late. Chasity was a preparer. She slowed her hurried pace to a quick but light walk as she entered. She could hear the thud of hooves being worked in the arena. She bit her lip, and glanced down at the cheap watch wrapped across her wrist. She was still 30 minutes early. Chasity peeked behind a corner and into the arena, making sure it was Nora. As her eyes connected with the duo her body loosened and she found herself easing around the corner and putting full weight into the wall with her shoulder. She stayed leaned in the position, watching closely. Her eyes scanned prudently over Nora’s form; her leg placement, the tautness of the reins, the arch of her back and her forward body movement. Chasity was studying Nora, absorbing everything she could by watching. Subconsciously a childlike smile had stolen control of her lips. The horse’s movements were fluid like. Everything moving together as it should without confusion. Chasity imagined herself riding like that, on a horse that moved as that one did. She found herself simply enjoying watching the way Nora rode – it was impeccable.

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Nora didn't even notice that she was being watched, she was too focused on her riding to notice. She few over the first combination jumps, and leaned back and played with her reins. Arlo was getting a little fast, and one of her biggest pet peeves was horses that rush at jumps. She had a student who had a horse charge a jump, and then suddenly slammed on breaks sending the student into the jump. Her technique is to sit back, wiggle the reins, tap with the spurs and go over. It shows you're in control, and to not let the horse run at the jump. Two more jumps to go, she held tight giving a few taps to Arlo, and flew over the jump. Almost losing her balance, she sat back up and rode on. She looked to her side at the last jump, saw Chasity, and she smiled. She rode past her and jumped the final jump.

When they had finished their course, she let him trot with a looser rein, and she patted his neck. He was such a good boy. " Proud of you ole' man," she said and patted his neck again. She slowed him down to a walk and headed over to Chasity. " There you are," she said and smiled. She pulled the reins off from around his neck and led him out though the gate. She and Chasity walked to the barn, and Nora hooked Arlo back up to the cross ties. " If you want to go ahead and get Sinatra, I can get the grooming kit, and show you which saddle you will be using. He's in the fourth stall on the left," she called as Chasity walked off. Nora untacked Arlo, feeding him a homemade treat, and putting him back into his stall.

[Chasity Lauren Mirana]

Chasity watched in contentment. She was a little shook out of her fantasy when was spoke to. Her eyes quickly snapped up to Nora and a smile pasted across her face. Chasity walked calmly with Nora, leaning slightly to pet Arlo as he was walked by. She gently let her fingers run down his body, watching the muscles ripple elegantly under his skin. Once the direction came from Nora, Chasity nodded silently and spun in her smooth boots. Her boots made a dull clogging against the concrete as she ventured down an aisle. One, Two, Three… Her thoughts trailed off as she came to her designation. She took eye at the strong horse inside. This would be her gallant steed. She bit her lip in a childish manner. Chasity claimed his designated lead line and approached the stall. She offered her hand to him kindly and stroked the long poll sweetly. “Come on now boy.. Her voice was low, yet clear and sweet. She opened the stall and gave an initiating tug out of the stall to get him to cross ties.
She loved the clack of his shoed hooves against the concrete; so rhythmic and soothing. Once at cross ties, she connected him and led her hands up and down his neck. She studied his body, stroking it softly working down his body. Allowing him to associate safety with her touch. Her eyes scanned for Nora, she could hear her walking about, knowing she would soon be there with the kit. She made her way back up to the horse’s noble head. “We are gonna get along aren’t we? You’re gonna have to deal with me starting off, it’s been a while since I’ve been English. But I’m a quick learner, I promise boy. She spoke to the horse as if she was speaking to another human. She stroked him while she spoke. She smiled and looked up at his orbs and ears, feeling for his personality.

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Sinatra perked his ears forward when he heard footsteps coming towards his stall. Was it Nora? Or someone to come and feed him? He took two steps forward and saw that it was neither, but a tall girl going for his halter. Uh oh! That meant work. He took two steps back and snorted. When she slipped the halter over his face, he followed her out and walked down the aisle to the cross ties. The whole time, he followed her close, and observed her and smelled her. Odd smelling human, this one. He nudged her and tried to nip at her sweater. Let's see if he could mess with her a little. He saw his older brother Arlo and Nora at the end of the aisle, and he nickered at them and neighed.

Nora looked over and smiled seeing her big boy coming up behind Arlo. She loved both her boys, and was so proud to call them hers. She patted Arlo's neck, slowly turning him around, and walked over to his stall and put him away. Sinatra watched her leave and lifted his noble head high and watched her, and he called for her to come back. Once she was out of sight, he turned his attention back to Chasity. He turned his head as far as he could around to see her, his neck muscles showing, and he sniffed her. He was one of the most curious horses that Nora has ever owned. He would always check something out, and then right away decide whether he liked it or not. Nora came back, and Sinatra looked at her again, and his eyes followed her. She brought the grooming kit for Chasity, and laughed when her horse nodded his head rapidly and wiggled his lip. " Are you trying to be funny, booger," she cooed and patted his neck.

" Hey Chasity, let me show you his tack real quick. I'm going to stick you in the all-purpose saddle today. I figured I'd just let this be a lesson for you and Sinatra to get to know each other. Get a feel of how he rides and how he responds to your aides. At the same time, he gets to feel how well you handle him. Sound good?" she said and grabbed his bridle and saddle pad.

[Chasity Lauren Mirana]

The horse’s prod caused Chasity to grin and tilt her head toward him. At the nip however she figured she should hold her ground. She pitched her elbow at his cranium, “No, no, handsome.” It was a rather light scolding at first, but she figured it was just the initial meeting. No reason to get strict or feelings hurt. She smiled as he called to Nora and the other equine. The sights, sounds, and smells of the barn were the best. She could close her eyes and find the most peaceful rest in a horse’s stall. Chasity stroked Sinatra’s muscular neck slowly. Feeling the ripples of his muscles and the smoothness of his coat. Nora’s words snapped her back into motion as she immediately stepped into patter to follow her. She looked over the saddle and nodded, she would remember this. It was a great idea that Sinatra and Chasity get to know each other before any serious teaching and learning was attempted. That’s why she’s the teacher.. Chasity thought to herself. She scooped up the saddle and according pads and turned to take them to Sinatra. Alright! I can remember that. So tell me more about Sinatra. Chasity couldn’t help but hide the very small amount of apprehension in her voice. It was less fear of getting hurt and more fear of disappointing. She knew Nora wouldn’t expect her to be as good as she was, but Chasity still felt the pressure to be an eye-opener. She figured after they brushed and saddled, she would be in the saddle and it would all be tested.



Note: Sorry so short. Muse fizzled halfway through.. :[

[Nora Elizabeth Middleton]

Sinatra watched Chasity closely, and his moved all over the place as the two women talked. He curved his neck, and smelled her hand as she brushed his chest. Nora ran her hand down his neck, and face and smiled as Chasity and Sinatra were getting to know each other. She adjusted the saddle pad to where it sat almost up on his withers, and she checked to make sure the right bit was on his bridle. The other day, she had switched bits, and had put his one Arlo's and Arlo's on his. Hopefully she remembered to switch them back. She nodded to herself, yep she remembered. " I got Sinatra from a friend of my brother's over in Virginia. He was her daughter's show pony, and he threw her off, so the mother wanted to sell him right away. He knew I was looking for a new riding horse, and so I got him." Nora helped unhook the cross tie on the other side, and handled her his bridle. Sinatra didn't take the bit at first, but with a little coaxing he finally took it. " He's a bit strong on his forehand, so he needs someone with a strong hand to push his forward. He has a very smooth canter that is comfortable to sit. Just don't let him get too fast. When he gets excited he tends to want to pull the reins out from your hands. Well looks like he is all good, go get on, and I'll meet you at the ring," said Nora and zipped up her jacket and went to the ring.

[Chasity Lauren Mirana]

Chasity easily listened intently. If someone asked her now, this was the best move she had ever made. Moving here and being around people and things she admired so much, this was great. Foresight showed not much varying. After they had fully brushed and tacked Sinatra, Chasity took ahold of the reigns and started toward the ring. She had nodded in acceptance to what Nora had said about having a strong hand. Surely that wouldn’t be too much of a problem. Chasity had been dealing with her neighbor’s stubborn old gelding. Of course his stubbornness was more of a result of laziness rather than excitement.

Once in the ring she walked Sinatra until he had a nice square stance and approached his left side. She prepared the reins and positioned her finger just slightly under the front of the saddle. Only minimal hesitation as she monitored the horse’s ears and headset; checking for temperament. With assurance she lifted her left boot and placed it securely in the stirrup and boosted her frame skyward. She made sure she was nearly straight before twisting at the core. Her right leg swung around the hind end of the horse and rested once she was straddling the horse. Her loose right foot searched and seized the right stirrup. She placed the ball of her feet along the sturdy bottom of the stirrup and straightened her form. Of course, all this was done in a matter of seconds, but Chasity felt accomplished; even though she had done this numerous times.

Chasity gathered the reigns in separate hands, turning her wrist and collecting them like her mom always drilled into her head. Once she was sure she was fully prepared, although she was paranoid she missed something, her eyes searched for Nora and she waited instruction.