Briarwood Elite Riding Academy: Take the Reins

Chapter 13: Things Keep Getting Worse & Worse

Sebastian ushered us together into a horizontal line the next Friday for the mini challenge. That week I hoped the challenges would be held in at Briarwood and not somewhere off campus!

“Alright. It’s that time of the week again.” Sebastian stared at us mounted atop our horses and smiled wickedly; I suddenly got a bad feeling. “Today there will be a mini challenge.”

I wasn’t exactly unhappy about that; having a mini challenge meant that if you made a mistake or got a poor score you could make up for it in the grand challenge later on.

“This week’s challenge will be focusing on the most essential part of riding; equitation on the flat.” Sebastian said with emphasize; I sucked in my bottom lip anxiously. “Young riders and every rider in general must have all their flatwork mastered before even considering becoming leading champions.

Your hands, your heels and your backs must perfection and today we will be focusing on just that! I am bringing you back to basics.” Sebastian finished with a smirk. “Your lesson today will revolve around your position on the flat, transitions, bending and collecting as well as lead changes.”

A range of moans and groans spread throughout the competitors; me being one of them.

“Let us begin at a walk along the rail.” Sebastian commanded breaking through the moaning and groaning and thrusting us into the challenge.

We worked along the rail extensively on downward and upward transitions for quite some time. I had Winter working in a beautiful, collected trot when Sebastian called out; “Halt.”

I half halted firmly to prepare Winter for the upcoming halt transition while growing tall and bracing my back, ever-so-slightly. I hugged my aching calves around Winter’s barrel at the same moment; applying gentle pressure before bringing her down into a full halt.

I made sure to keep my exact seat and posture as Sebastian eyes scrutinized over us.

“Hilary your fingers remind me of limp noodles. They are loose and sloppy; secure them around the reins. Grasp tightly or you’ll break them one day.” Sebastian suddenly critiqued.

“And Amelia; when I asked for halt I didn’t mean ‘stop riding’. You dumped your posture out of the window as soon as Storm settled beneath you.” Sebastian continued; I bite my lip as he critiqued my friend but Amelia wore a blank face as she nodded and fixed herself.

“Harper you let him plow through your downward transition; keep a leg on at all times!” With those brief commentaries Sebastian continued ranting; “There are only two times when I rider must have perfect position; can anyone guess which times they are?”

Emma raised her hand politely and Sebastian gestured with his head; “When a rider is jumping and when a rider is cantering?”

“Wrong.” Sebastian corrected; “I don’t care how you look getting over the fence as long as you two-point well enough same for your canter. The only two times a rider must have and should have perfect position is when they are walking and standing still.”

“If you do that correctly, you won’t even need to jump or canter to show you are an excellent rider because any coach and judge will comment on how well you sit a horse. I can tell a great rider from a mediocre rider before they even start their course in the show ring; all because they either hold themselves correctly or because they can’t hold themselves well enough.” Sebastian finished with emphasise. “Begin again; now we will work on flying changes.”

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My legs felt like total pieces of Jell-O after lesson and Winter was sweating. My calves were worked so hard I could barely feel them anymore and every time I walked my legs threatened to quit working beneath me.