summer day 'n' nites. . [open]

[E. Johnson]

She had been single for too long. The one guy she met who she loved from the start, left. Who could blame him, it happened to her, too. So those days of being single, are done. She wasn't desperate but, the love your horses give just don't satisfy every need only a man can give. And besides, it's fun having a little 'boy-toy'. That's what Erica wanted yet, that one man she met the first days at Pinewood would always be on her mind. But for now, she would work with more horses.

The women casually strolled into the barn, enjoying the first few, comfortable days of summer and ready for work. Erica had been riding her horses hard the past few days. Making sure they were in tip-top shape and to make-up for the couple of days she hadn't rode. However, today she decided to let them relax and work on showmanship or, halter. Whichever one the horse was trained to do. "Which one do I start with?" Erica quietly asked herself before a stablehand came up to her and handed over a note addressed to her. She smiled to the man as she took it and glanced over it. Basically, it was for her to train a horse named 'Goliath'. She had seen the horse in the field before, quietly grazing in the warming sun. She never guessed he was bad but, if the owner said he was. She grabbed a lunge-line with a chain, and begun walking to the field the stallion was residing in. Right then, he was napping under one of the tree branches that hung over the fence. He cranium hung low, and his body in a relaxing stance. After a large breath, Erica whistled. It was sharp, clear, and loud. Then, her blue-eyes stuck to the horse like glue and paper. Like she expected, the stud woke up and looked around for the source of the noise. Once he found it, Goliath turned on a dime, and came charging over to the fence. His eyes glaring as he slid to a halt and reared in front of her. Erica just stood there, no emotion, no mean look. She just stood there, arms crossed and her eyes looking into his. Goliath's beating heart raced as he turned again and dashed off in another direction. Erica sighed, climbed over the fence, and began walking toward the horse.

The horse grew more tired the more Erica walked toward him. No way was anyone going to catch him but, he was tiring out. Erica had grew hot as well, her chocolate-colored locks were now in a pony-tail. Once it was up, she looked around for the horse. After a minute, she saw his breathing heavily close to the fence, sweat dripping off his body, and his head low. He had no energy to run anymore. Smiling, Erica slowly walked over to him. When she got to him, Goliath raised his head a little bit, yet he didnt' run. She gave him a few stroke on his nose before slipping the chain over it. The stud gave a small rear to get away from it, but he came down with a loud thud. A final pat, and Erica began walking towards the pasture gate with Goliath at her heels like a puppy on a walk.

Inside the barn now, and Erica walked the tired animal into the wash rack. He hesitated it for a moment, but reluctantly stepped in. One step at a time. Not even bothering to turn the horse around, Erica grabbed the water hose, turned it to shower, and started genty spraying the horse. The cool, clear water removed a lot of loose dirt and sweat and made steam rise off the back of the horse. Every now and then he would shake and water would fall, but she just kept spraying him till no steam arose, his coat was dark, and his body was cold to the touch. Finally done, the women turned him around and walked him back to his pasture. A few stablehands watched in awe as she let the horse go and he only walked to the first patch of grass and begun grazing. Erica tossed a juicy, red apple his way and went back to her horses. With a big bite, Goliath munched happily on the treat.

"Alright Flood. Let's go." Erica said to her stallion, grabbing his halter and lead with a chain. Immediatly, Flood knew what was going to happen. He nickered anxiously and lipped at his owners shirt as she slipped his halter on. When the chain was over his nose, she opened his box door wider and started walking out. The horse following beside her. People moved out the large stud's way as he marched out of the barn. The warm sun making his coat shine as they walked to the ring. No one was in there, so there was nothing for him to look at. Not like he would anyway. After entering the ring, the team immediatly began working. Flood squared himself up in a straight line and hung his head down. Erica just stood there, waiting. While she waited, she thought up a few patterns they could do. The simple walk-jog-set up one, etc. More would come to her. Erica began walking forward, as well as Flood. They were perfect, but practice you must.

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word count;
outfit click
tags open to anyone. . . really.

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[kristophjaeger]

Today was just too nice of a day to sit at home. Pulling on a pair of light, faded, holey jeans that were used for barn work; he fastened them with a black leather belt then grabbed a short sleeve button up shirt. When he finished pushing the last button through the hole he grabbed ahold of his keys, tucked his wallet into his back pocket, laced up his boots and got into his large truck to drive out to the stables. The drive seemed to go quickly when he wasn’t in a hurry, the countryside was beautiful…but it made him long to see Germany again. Knowing he couldn’t go back only made this harder to accept. A deep sigh rumbled his chest as he pulled into the drive of the barn, killing the engine after putting it in park Kristoph got out of the truck and locked it up with the push of a button.

The sound of Kristoph’s large boots hitting the poured concrete of barn aisle was heard throughout the semi quiet barn. The noise only halted when the man did, standing in front of the stall of a rather unusually colored Andalusian stallion that was rearing high in the stall. Looking at the stud with a disapproving glare the stallion neared the stall door and pawed, he stopped when his owner opened the door and put a black leather halter over his nose and behind his ears. The brass plate on the side of the black leather said ‘Constentello Dante.’ You better be on your best behavior today…you’ve slacked in quarantine…but now that you’re here you’re going to have to work hard again. The stallion didn’t like the sound of his master’s words. The strong German accent filled the horse’s ears that were moving in various directions, more interested in the mare down the aisle than anything the human beside him was saying.

Before the stallion realized it a chain was slipped under his chin and attached to a lead rope. The dappled palomino was then lead to some crossties where his owner hooked him up, tossing the lead over the thick crested neck of Dante. While Kristoph pulled a black dressage saddle from a nice wooden tack trunk he started shining it up while the stud stood there. As he did he started to hum softly, the rag in his hand moving to the beat of his humming. Soon the humming turned into words, singing softly to himself…it must have been some random song that was playing on the radio today that got stuck in his head. Whatever it was he continued to sing softly, the stallion relaxing as his owner did this every time he cleaned something. I wanna take you home. I wanna feel what I can’t see. I love the way you look when you’re on top of me. In the back of my truck, sweat drippin’ and I can’t breathe. You always build me up then you take me down…. He hummed some more, standing to put the white saddle blanket on Dante’s back followed by the freshly polished saddle. As he tightened the girth he sung some more, the stallion pawing at the air trying but failing to stop his owner from saddling him up. I like your black tattoo. I think this angel’s got a broken halo. I like the way you smile when you look back at me. I wanna lose control. Nobody’s thinking about tomorrow. You always build me up then you take me down…

Letting the girth settle against the stallion’s stomach he grabbed a black leather bridle, double bitted and took the halter off Dante, slipping the bits into his mouth. After fixing the bridle on the head of the horse he fastened the throat latch and put his halter up. Taking hold of the reins he felt the stallion collect in hand and trot slightly sideways down the aisle to avoid the man next to him who was grabbing a long riding whip. It was a short walk outside, the sun was bright making both horse and man squint for several minutes till their eyes adjusted. Just before he got to the arena he seen that there was someone else working in the arena. Stopping he chose to wait for a few minutes, he liked working in that arena better so he would wait for it instead of using another. Patting the large stallion on the neck to calm him he waited.

[finished]

Word Count: 748
Lyrics: One Night Stand - Divide the Day

[E. Johnson]

After executing the pattern a few times, Erica paused. Her horse stopped too, wondering and waiting for the next thing. His braided tail occasionally swishing away a fly or, smacking Erica in the back. She ignored it. "¿Puede esperar usted aquí mientras establezco una pauta?" asked Erica as she tie the lead around the base of Flood's neck, and started walking towards the cones. She manuvered the three into a triangle pattern. Once the spacing was measured out, she dropped the cones in there rightful place, and headed over to her horse.

While nickering a 'hello', Erica saw a truck pull-up very casually. She just nodded to herself and untied the lead. This indicated to Flood that they were about to start again. He redied himself, and they walked to the first cone. Again, Flood squared up and Erica stood there. "I shoulda rode you today, boy." She stated giving him a pat. "'Cause showmanship isn't that hard for us anymore." Erica continued before facing forward and, jogging off. They jogged to the second cone, stopped and backed around to in-between the second and third, 180 degree turn, and walked to the last cone and of course, set up. When they finished, Erica took her stud of a horse and led him out of the ring.

Erica didn't notice a man on a horse patiently waiting outside the gate. She only noticed when Flood arched his neck, and tried to say 'hi' to the man's beautiful horse. 'Golpéelo lejos. El no quiere verle. ' Erica muttered to her obnoxious beast. Then, her eyes looked at him. "Excuse me." Erica said sweetly as she pulled her horse along. "Su caballo demasiado amistoso. ¿Usted sabe eso? " The women teased Flood as the sun light changed to dim lighting when they entered the barn.

"Ok. I do not feel like doing that again." Erica sort of complained. Sure, it was nice out but, you'd get hot quick if you were moving a lot. Yet it was nothing. A little time in the loft and a drink and she'd be okay. Erica handed off her horse to a nearby stablehand and asked if he wouldn't mind hosing him off for her. He agreed and went off with the horse. Smiling, Erica went into the loft room. No other body was in there room. "Well then..." She said, walking slowly over to the fridge. The door opened with a little squeek. Erica's blue eyes scanned over the many things in there, but she decided on a cool, crisp bottle of water. She grabbed it, shut the door, and found herself sitting on the end of the couch.

The bottle now empty, Erica got up and tossed it away. She felt refreshed and was ready to work. Instead of showmanship, she decided she would ignore what she said awhile ago, and ride. So after a quick stretch, Erica left the loft and headed over to Death's stall. The large horse was gazing out the window, occasionally argueing with a neighboring horse. With a short laugh, Erica snagged the horses halter and went inside. Death grunted as his head collar was slipped on, and was tied up. Erica itched the other stallions favorite spot, then left his stall and headed toward the tack room to retirve his tack. A semi-new set of a dark hunter saddle with matching d-ring bit and bridle, and a lime-green saddle pad. That was her favorite thing because it was random. However, once everything was collected, she walked it back to the horses stall. "Be right back. I need my boots and spurs." Erica cooed to Death before running off to her car.

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[kristophjaeger]

There was practically no wait for the woman as she soon tired of working on her showmanship patterns and went to exit the arena. When her horse tried to greet Dante the large palomino stallion put his ears flat against his neck and bared his teeth but after a light flick of Kristoph’s wrist with the reins in hand his attention was turned back towards the human next to him. Giving the woman a smile and a nod of his head he greeted her then watched as she walked away; handing the horse off to a stable hand. Kristoph walked the stallion in to the arena and closed the gate behind him. After letting the stirrups down and throwing the reins over the thick crested neck he put his left foot in the stirrup and swung himself up onto the horse’s back.

Though there was no fight, only a grunt and some slight movement beneath him could be seen as the stallion adjusted his balance to seat a human atop his muscular frame. Setting his reins between his last two fingers on each hand he grasped the whip handle in his right and settled himself easily in the saddle. With his legs tight against the saddle and his heels down Kristoph asked the stallion to walk; without a second thought the stallion arched his thick neck, tucking his head against his chest as he walked freely around the rail of the arena.

Several minutes passed while the two walked around the rail, changing directions just to give the horse something else to look at and think about before the reins were moved just enough for the palomino to give a light toss of his head before collecting again. Ears were held neutral on his head as his white tail flicked back and forth and just as his owner pushed lightly with his calves into the sides of the stallion the horse moved into an effortless trot. Kristoph used his thighs and calves to post, he rose when the front leg on the rail stretched forwards and sat down when the same leg went back. This continued for a few laps until the pressure was increased and the slight movement of the hands was seen. Sitting down in the saddle he let the palomino push himself into an extended trot. Dante picked his legs off the ground and locked them into place in midair then they hit the ground without a noise.


[ooc: sorry it's taken me so long and sorry the post isn't great. The horse show zapped me pretty good then I got food poisioning lol...fail.]

[E. Johnson]

Arriving at her car, Erica slowly opened the door as the feeling she was forgetting something entered her head. She thought it was just one of those things that happen at times, only to make you worry. Yet, it wasn't that. Beginning to think hard, Erica ran through all the things she needed to ride : boots, spurs. . . Then, it finally hit her, she now remebered she wasn't wearing the right pants to ride. Erica wore shorts since she said she wasn't going to ride and she was going to go swimming but, at the last minute she changed her mind. What was she going to do now? Well, she left her boots and spurs in her car, shut the door, and headed back inside. Her horse was patiently awaiting his owners arrival with a mad look, displeased with the wait.

"Well Death, your lucky I don't have any jeans, or you'd be ridden. Instead, your gonna get a bath." She said to the horse who now, was glaring at Erica. She just looked at him and smiled, before taking his tack back to the tack room. After putting it away, she opened her locker up and grabbed a large duffle-bag full of grooming supplies. From Rain Maker hoof formula to show sheen to clippers, it basically had it all. You can never be to prepared, right? Erica was. Taking the bag out and shutting that door, Erica walked out to Death's stall. The large stud was gazing out the window of his stall, to the man and his golden horse. His ears flicking from them, to the door. Erica kissed to the horse, grabbing his attention and unclipped the chain holding him, and led him out to the wash rack.

"C'mon." Erica cooed to him as she stepped onto the concrete floor and her horse followed and turned behind her. His cranium now held by the ties. Death snorted with displeasure. Erica chuckled, then turned the hose on and bagun hosing off Death. The cool water falling off his body as Erica hosed her way down from his neck to his quarters, to his hooves. Not liking it very much, Death would do the jigg the move he water hosed off. "Alright." She sort of ordered as she tossed the hose off to the side. The horse looked over his shoulder at the women, wondering what she was going to do next. Erica went to her bag and pulled out a bottle of Mane & Tail shampoo and squirted it on his mane, body and tail. She used a scubbing-glove to work it into his body, but used her bare hands for his mane and tail. "Now for your face." She sung to Death as she rinsed off her hands, went to her bag, and dug around for a small bottle of Johnson's baby shampoo, obviously used for the horses face. She poured a small amount into her hands and rubbed it on his face and forelock. When that was done, she stepped back and sat on a haybale, letting the product work in and remove the deep dirt. Death watched Erica watch him, but would also look down the aisle with an occasional grunt for nicker.

ooc :: sorry it took so long. my internet was being a weanie and when i finished the post, i accidentally hit close instead of save. :[ ohh well. here it is. lol.

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