|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 2, 2008 9:34:19 GMT -5
Holly took a breath, composing herself for the second time that day. The first had been when their horse van had stalled on the freeway, causing them to pull over and have a 35 minute delay.
Now it seemed that some of thier stuff had been left at home, including Jewel Deck's rug and buckets.
Holly turned, calling out to one of the people who accompanied her. "Melissa! Find out when we need to be ready for the ring."
Holly made her way back to J.D's stall, seeing someone standing outside it, feeding something to him. "Hey." She moved quickly forward. She didn't want anyone trying to posion her horse, which often happened in the show circuit.
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 2, 2008 9:52:07 GMT -5
"Hey." Shanna turned, then paused, forcing herself to calm down. "I'm sorry, I should probably have asked shouldn't I?" She giggled softly as J.D. nuzzled her neck, stroking the horse's nose gently.
"Sorry about that."
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 2, 2008 10:03:07 GMT -5
Holly relaxed (as much as she could on such a stressful day) when she realised the girl was doing do harm. "Sorry I yelled. Just ... protective, you know? I've had people try to do things to him before." She saw J.D nuzzle the girl's neck. "Seem's he likes you, and is in a good mood. Good moods are good, they mean better performance." Holly ranted, caught up with her pre-show nerves.
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 2, 2008 10:22:40 GMT -5
"Easy..." Shanna smiled. "How about we at least get names here?" She shrugged slightly. "Yeah your beauty is sure a sweetheart." She turned to the horse, murmuring something soft to him, laughing as he nudged her forward. "Yeah, I know... the boss needs to relax." She murmured. "Don't worry boy, she'll be fine."
She approached slowly, offering Holly her hand. "I'm Shanna."
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 2, 2008 10:32:15 GMT -5
"Holly Combs." Holly replied, shaking Shanna's hand. "And this," She nodded towards the bay. "Is J.D. Or Jewel Deck, like it says on his papers." Holly heard her name being called and turned to see Melissa waving to her.
"20 minutes!" She cried.
Holly faultered. "20?" She exclaimed, and the woman nodded. "Crap. Get Matt to bring in my stuff." She turned back to Shanna. "Sorry. I didn't know I was on this soon. Do you mind helping me get J.D ready?"
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 2, 2008 10:41:54 GMT -5
"I'll do it myself." Shanna offered softly, gently stroking hair from Holly's face. "You need to go get ready yourself." She moved to accept the horses' gear from the man who stood there now. "Go make yourself gorgeous..." She paused, then added. "Not that it'll take that long."
She turned to JD and settled the saddle on his back, carefully sorting the kit then adding the girth in the right place, then moving to get the bridle done, softly guiding the bit into JD's mouth. "C'mon boy... be good for me." JD nodded and accepted the bit. "Who's a good boy." She murmured, petting him gently.
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 2, 2008 10:47:40 GMT -5
Holly hurried off at Shanna's instruction, back to the trailer. She quickly changed into her jodphurs, knee high leather boots, shirt and riding jacket. She twisted her hair into a tight bun, pinning it down. She grabbed her black helmet on her way out, making her way back to her horse and Shanna. He was ready and waiting, Shanna holding him loosly. "Thank you, thank you." Holly gushed, her fingers moving to fix one of his rossetts that had come undone.
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 2, 2008 17:35:05 GMT -5
Shanna smiled softly. "My pleasure Holly." She paused then pressed a soft kiss to the horses nose, moving to press a light kiss to Holly's forehead too. "Go kick some pony butt." She offered Holly the reins smiling softly. "I'll see you on the other side."
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 3, 2008 7:23:03 GMT -5
Holly led J.D to the gate, just as their name was called over the load speaker.
"And now, we have Holly Combs on Jewel Deck."
She mounted the large bay horse, giving him a small nudge into the arena, shivering when she saw how many people were sitting in the stands. She took another breath, trotting once a the fence line, before making her way to the first jump, spurring J.D into a fast canter. They few over the five jumps smoothly, keeping the corners tight, and making good time.
It was just before the seventh jump, J.D faultered, tripping up and throwing them off. Too early he threw himself of the ground, twisting in the air so his back legs just made clipped the top bar.
Holly let out the breath she had been holding when she didn't hear it fall, and looked ahead to the next jump.
They finished with a 4 faults, the crowd clapping loudly as the exited the area. Holly pulled J.D to a halt, giving his a good pat on the chest as she lay down, resting on his neck. "Good boy."
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 3, 2008 12:07:55 GMT -5
Shanna moved closer as JD nickered softly. "Hey you..." She smiled, stroking the horse's neck softly. "You guys did great." She watched Holly closely, pretty sure she was going to be tired.
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 5, 2008 15:36:50 GMT -5
"Yeah. That was a pretty good round, even if we didn't make a clear." She sat up, streching. She dismounted, landing on the ground with a soft thud. "Come on J.D, lets get you untacked." She smiled at Shanna.
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 5, 2008 19:09:14 GMT -5
Shanna smiled warmly. "Need a hand with that?"
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 7, 2008 5:01:15 GMT -5
"Oh, please?" It had been a long day, and she was quite sore. But horses came first, that was the golden rule, and she always stuck to it. BUt that didn't mean she couldn't suck as many people in to help her as she could.
"That would be great."
|
|
|
Post by Shanna Willows on Feb 7, 2008 14:53:20 GMT -5
"Sure." Shanna agreed easily. "Besides, JD and I get on just fine." She smiled, laughing softly as JD nuzzled her shoulder then Holly's. "How about I buy you a drink or something after?" She offered warmly, the woman was stunning, and clearly exhausted.
|
|
|
Post by Holly Combs on Feb 8, 2008 7:34:44 GMT -5
"Well...okay, sure. Just let me get changed first?" She led J.D into his temporary stall, exchanging his bridle for a loose halter. "The results won't be up until tomorrow, and then anyone who made it through to the next round has to jump again."
|
|