A Medallion

Chapter 12

I led Tessa through the aisle that led to the indoor arena.  It was currently not in use, which was surprising.  

We stepped out onto the sand and I spread my hands out again.  Above us a beautiful ceiling soared upward almost like a cathedral, and light streamed in from the windows on the sides.

"This indoor is 180 by 60.  It's heated and air conditioned.  It's set up so it can host shows.  And it has a viewing place up there."  I pointed above our heads.  

Tessa nodded.  "Impressive.  Why are the sides curved like that?"

"To keep the horse away from the wall and you from getting your leg rubbed."  

"Hmm.  A good idea."  She knelt down and rubbed the footing beneath her fingers.  "Oh, quite soft."  

I nodded.  "We mostly do dressage and flatwork in here, most of the jumps are located in the two outside arenas.  Of course, if there's a chance of rain during a show, we'd move it in here."  

"Is this the only indoor arena you have?"  

"Oh no, there's a second one.  It's slightly smaller than this one but still very nice."  

Tessa smiled faintly as she looked around it.  "I assume we we'll be riding in this one."  

"Of course."  I winked at her.  "We might go out and try some of the jumps too if you want, and maybe a little cross country on that course your friend was admiring."  

I could hear the sound of hoofbeats coming up behind us, most likely someone coming to school in the arena, so I led her towards the opening in the side of the arena.  "This indoor connects to the first outdoor arena."

Fresh sunlight greeted our face I opened the gate and we stepped out into the outdoor.  There was one rider there, who was schooling a gray Arabian.  

I didn't know her very well, but I had seen her around several times.  I found her interesting.  Her Arabian naturally had her head high in the air all the time.  Yet instead of using the usual methods that I knew to get her on the bit, she did something different.  What I didn't know.  

But now, as we watched her, her Arabian, who's name I believe was Flyaway, was trotting along with her nose practically on the ground.  I wasn't sure if this was any better than what she'd been before.  And it was a mystery to me as to how she'd coaxed her into getting her head that far down.  

I turned back to Tessa, about to say something, but was stopped by the knowing look on her face.  She was watching the pair enraptured.  I looked back and forth between her and them.  

The pair began to change the rein and the Arabian's head lifted slight as they went through the turn.  Tessa's fists clenched slightly.  "No, keep the contact, move forward," she whispered to herself. 

Flyaway seemed to listen to Tessa as she put her head back down and kept it there through the second turn.  A small grin blossomed on Tessa's face.  

But it could not have competed with the smile on Flyaway's rider.  She sat down and leaned back slightly.  Flyaway shifted down to walk.  Her head came up for a moment but then dropped back down.  Her rider patted her neck and we could faintly hear her praising the mare.  

It was then that she noticed us.  She waved, and turned Flyaway towards us, obviously coming to say hello.  

Tessa actually spoke before me.  "That looked wonderful, so soft and flowing.  Her back was up, she was stepping under herself..."  

Flyaway's rider beamed.  "It felt absolutely amazing.  It took two months of work to get it there.  She's just so sensitive."  

Tessa nodded.  "I know what you mean.  It doesn't take much to throw them off, does it?"