Schooling Mori (OPEN)

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marcel had found the time to really work Mori today. Recently he had been working Mori on just flatwork, for only an hour or so. Today he had come down and set up a small course, only 1' really. He did not want to ruin Mori's ability to jump, since in reality he was still growing, so anything too large or heavy would be rather stupid. At only 4, most warmbloods still were not quite as solid as they would be when full grown at 5 or . But he wants to start on the basics, set up a foundation. He had started getting Mori used to trotting poles and cavalettis wet on the ground, single, then double, then courses of them. He could do the turns and spacing, and now Marcel wanted to see him put it all together, like a composer finally hearing his work played by the entire orchestra.

Helmet on, he hops aboard from the fence. Mori sees the fences already and starts to jig, nervous energy live and contagious. Marcel strokes his neck. "Easy, easy," he whispers softly. The stallion snorts hot and loud as Marcel urges him to the outside edge at a working walk, cajoling him into a loose frame. No use asking for a dressage frame until Mori was ready and warm, and a bit more focused. After a time or two around he allows Mori to trot, urging him for a fuller and fuller stride. It is beautiful how long the stallion's body can get under consistent work. Soon they are flying around the ring in extended trot. Finally, Marcel asks for a collected canter, easy and upbeat. Mori starts a bit scrambled, a bit unbalanced, too hot and ready to listen, but Marcel quickly gets him back by turning a 20 meter circle. He slows Mori after going each direction at each gate, and laughs, patting him heartily on the shoulder. It will be a good day.

Marcel urges Mori towards the first fence, and the stallion sails over the small fence with ease, and strides confidently down the line before being guided around the turn and over the one crossing the diagonal. He lands on the correct lead, headed towards the low gate. Mori gets a bit far to the outside, leaving room when show jumping for a competitor to possibly beat their time, but the jump is clean as they turn up the outside line, tracking to the left. He takes the two jumps and then turns down the middle as Marcel squeezes his right leg to the stallion's side. The last jump is cleared and Marcel pats Mori, slowing him to a trot. He can't be prouder. Of course there is room for improvement, but in his eyes, his horse is the best and brightest ever at this moment.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

One ear bud in, Kol was spending some spare time exploring the ranch. Although he would have preferred both ear buds being in, he figured it was safer to be able to hear what was going on. One never knew when a horse would get out and stir up some chaos. With a sketchbook in hand, he headed towards the outdoor arenas. He was hoping later he would find a nice, quite spot to draw while looking around.

Spotting movement in one of the arenas, he drew closer. He was far more interested in who was there, if he knew them, and what they were doing, than having social interaction. Slowing as he approached the rail, he leaned against it and strained to look above a beam that always seemed to be eye level with him. Even closer to the person he couldn't tell who it was, he didn't recognize the horse, and the person's back was facing him. With a helmet on, all he could tell about the person was that they were most likely a guy, judging by the clothes.

Looking down at his phone, he turned down the volume on his music. Even if the noise produced from the loose ear bud was just a soft buzz, he knew the horse might hear it, and he didn't want to interrupt their work out. Phone back in his pocket, he looked back up. The horse and rider had turned and he saw a familiar face; it was Marcel. He had met Marcel recently, when he was at the main barn meeting his horse, Cinny. He waved politely to Marcel, his other hand still clutching on to his art book.

Although he didn't know much about the other male, he knew he was friendly, if not awkward, from their hello at the barn. His eyes followed the two in the arena as they went over short jumps with relative ease. Perhaps once he and Cinny got to know each other he could try a few jumps with him. Although Kol would prefer to barrel racing with the solid paint, it would be good for experience. Maybe Marcel would be able to help, since he had never been over any kind of jump before. He didn't exactly want to get himself or Cinny killed or injured making a stupid mistake.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marcel saw Kol at the fence, and slowed Mori to an easy walk and headed over to say hello. Though they had met only briefly, Marcel had once been in the same boat, watching another hand ride their horse while he still hated the fact he was there. Yet he remembered how beautiful it looked, the two beings becoming one. And how alienated he had felt, because he had no one. Not really, since everyone at the program had supported him, whole heatedly, but while one cannot be alone in New York City, one can always be lonely.

Marcel waves a friendly hello, and Mori perks his ears at the possibility of treats, and pure curiosity. "Lost or wandering?" he asked, since it was easy to get misplaced on the grounds, especially when new. But a lot of people enjoyed exploring, finding new places, or just enjoying a walk in the nice summer air. So, one couldn't assume another was lost. He rubs Mori's neck, still silently praising him for a clear round, though by now the young stallion has forgotten it and moved on.

Mori reaches out, snorting in Kol's scent. It smells of another horse. Not a foreign smell, but not a horse Mori knows, and therefore interesting. "Just enjoying a little training. This is Mori, my horse." He doesn't say stallion, lest the boy got the wrong impression. While they could be mouthy, rude or downright dangerous in untested, untried hands stallions if handled correctly could also be decent mounts. One just had to watch if there were mares that might come into season and make the stallion lose a screw, so to speak.

"How are things coming with Cinny?" he asks, hoping the boy has gotten to know his mount. Mounts were the most important thing at the ranch. They seemed to do the brunt of the therapy. Who cares what the therapist actually says? It is the horse's needs and wants and ambitions that pull a person away from the problems of their past. Or at least it was for Marcel.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

Kol watched as Marcel and the roan approached, Marcel waving back. "Wandering," he responded to the male. He held his book clear of the horse's head as it sniffed him inquisitively, as much as he doubted the equine would cause it any harm, he wouldn't risk it. Letting the horse sniff his hand before continuing to stroke its muzzle. The horse's brown eyes were filled with curiosity, as it sifted through the scents on him.

Mori seemed to fit the creature, and it made him think of all the silly show names given to horses that often sounded like they were naming an item, rather than a living animal. Many seemed to have names that had nothing to do with their personality, only their future or their lineage. Stable names always seemed to be their real names. He listened to an unfamiliar band singing through his ear bud, the fast beat echoing in his head as he thought of the different colors merging in the horse's coat, rather than the home he was forced out of to be here.

He shook the thought that had squeezed its way into his head gratefully as he was asked a question. Shrugging he replied, "Okay, I guess." Kol had been keeping to ground work as he built a bond with the black gelding. Though he had wanted to hop onto the horse and gallop him until they were far away from this place. Perhaps the fact that the thought had gotten into his head kept him grounded. He was afraid that he would actually follow through it. Briefly he wondered if anyone had noticed that they never saw him on Cinny, not that it mattered much.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marc did not get much of a chance to interact with current fosters, since they did not have much to do with the Stallion Barn. He saw them around, when schooling or showing, but was not an integral part of their day. It was rare when he actually got in a conversation with one. He realizes Kol really isn't much younger than him. A few years. He wonders what it would have been like, to be thrust into this environment with only a year's security of the program keeping him. It was not a pleasant thought. Of course, if he liked it here, Kol could probably get a job and stay on the ranch longer. There was always somewhere for a person to fit, especially a former foster.

"Glad you're getting to know the grounds" Marc says, smiling. He remembers exploring, and occasionally getting the stern word for ending up where he wasn't supposed to be. Or riding who he wasn't supposed to ride. He'd had an interesting first year or so, just testing the limits.

Marc hadn't seen Cinny or Kol galloping about the cross country course or out here riding, but that didn't mean anything. There were plenty of places to ride. And many different horse back activities to pursue. Of course, Marc was drawn to the thrill of eventing, braving the cross country course, full of looming obstacles and lots of room to gallop to the finesse required for dressage. Glad you're enjoying him. Planning on showing? There were some shows coming up. Marc had already entered, and was excited at strutting Mori's and his stuff. They'd been working hard, and he hoped it would pay off.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

Kol's eyes wandered away from Mori, perhaps instead of looking for a place to draw he should have spent time with Cinny. It would be much faster looking around if he were on a steed as well. Even with Cinny he could have brought his book along, and gone off to the far edge of the ranch where he wouldn't be bothered. Later today he would definitively have to go on a trail ride, even if he didn't completely trust himself yet.

"Yeah, I was hoping to try him out in Reining," he said. That was another thing, they wouldn't do to well in competition if he never actually practiced. He couldn't just expect Cinny or himself to know what to do without trying before hand. Sighing, he figured he need to plan out some time to work on reining, rather than wasting time moping around.

"You planning to go also?" He asked. If Marcel was going he'd at least know one person there, even if they weren't in the same events. This would be his first time showing, even back in Buffalo he had never shown before. He had a bad feeling his stage fright would act up at the show. It didn't help that he had no one supporting him.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Mori had not been Marcel's until Marcel had turned eighteen and chosen to buy Mori. His horse while in the program had been a great little dressage horse and trail horse. He'd spent a lot of time on the trails in Sharon Park, or hacking in the fields. Where it was quiet. And he could think. He was pretty sure most of the staff knew where he was during those time and chose to leave him alone with his horse.

Marcel nods. "Reining sounds fun." Marcel did not have much experience with western events. Besides some endurance and trail riding, he had never tried to get his horse to cut a cow, or run barrels, etc. The precision and speed necessary had not been his strong suit. But he could gallop on an open field, or soar through the air. That was fun to him.

"Yes. Mori and I will be competing in a few events, including jumping and dressage." Though if Mori got above a 50 in dressage it would be miracle. The stallion tended to act up on the 20 meter circle. Perfect in practice, but quite the hot headed show off in front of the judges. He had no idea what the outcome would be. "Don't worry too much. Most of the shows are a lot of fun" he adds, half to himself.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

Kol had thought about trying out jumping, but didn't have any English tack. With Cinny's sensitive back he couldn't just borrow any old saddle, at least not without making his mount very grumpy. Though, he couldn't blame him, it wasn't fun to do something when you were in pain. It almost reminded him of school; learning was difficult when he was avoiding most of the students there. Everything that happened back at home didn't matter much anymore, because he wasn't planning on going back home after he could leave the ranch. Needless to say, he didn't want a repeat anytime soon.

He shrugged at the mention of reining. It was pretty fun, but he would have much rather ran barrels. Being too heavy for jockey weight requirement, barrels were the closest thing to an actual horse race he could enter. The mental challenge that required going around the barrels close, but not to close, as fast as possible was exhilarating. With his constant lack of focus, though, it was harder than normal racing would have been, in his opinion. None the less it was more fun than most English events. He was into anything fast paced.

As for the actual competition, he wasn't sure where he and Cinny would place, and he wouldn't be very confident until he saw what Cinny could do. Hopefully he was as easygoing in action as on the ground, other wise Reining would be difficult. Any bad behavior or mood was frowned upon during the competition, and they hurt the overall score. Unless something happened to make Cin uncomfortable, he seemed like he would be fine. "I've never really been to a competition before," he confessed to Marc. Kol still couldn't help being nervous, the competition would be a very big day.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marcel was lucky Mori was young and so far impediment free. Except for temperament. Which wasn't too bad, as long as he was getting exercise and he wasn't nose to nose with a mare in heat. But as a kid, just starting out he never would have wanted to compete Mori. Just a bit too exhilarating for a beginner rider. But luckily, his ranch horse had been a calm and steady type. Just about bombproof, if a little older and with a bit of arthritis.

Marcel had tried a million and one different things before focusing on eventing. He found pretty quickly he sucked at racing, or any type of riding that reminded him of bolting. It terrified him, to feel so completely out of control, and that it was so easy to get injured if one fell beneath the thundering hooves. No, he preferred to be in control, working with his mount. Jumping had felt about right. Controlled, a focus point beyond each jump.

Marcel was hoping for a high placement in the upcoming shows, if only because he had worked for them. But competition was heavy. Anything could go wrong. Things could fall apart, horses could spook or go lame, or the judges could dislike the color of the horse. It all depended on the day. "Most people there will be there for the first time. And it isn't too bad usually. Almost as much luck as skill." He just hoped he managed to stay on his horse. It would be a shame to fall and get an injury and be out for the rest of the season. But better not to scare Kol.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

Kol thought about the ranch back at home. It wasn't theirs, it belonged to a neighbor, but nobody minded Kol's daily visits. As long as he pulled his weight and helped around the ranch he was free to ride one of the younger geldings. Most of the time when he was there he just was cleaning stalls, anything to avoid too much social activity. Of coarse he did go on the occasional trail ride and exercised the gelding in the round pen. Sometimes he'd just hide in the upstairs of the barn and draw while listening to music.

Some days he'd spend all evening up there, only returning home after he knew his mother would be sleeping.His dad didn't really care that he spent so much time at the barn, so long as he came home at night. While his mom didn't really care where he was or if he came home. He took advantage of their loose rules to hide away. Now that he was here he could spend as much time as he wanted doing whatever he wanted. He'd never have to see his home again, it was never really home. It was just a house, that people lived in. One of those houses that you pass and never think twice about.

This was home. Here with the horses, he could do anything wanted to do and be anyone he wanted to be. No matter what he did, the horses wouldn't hold it against him, as long as he gave them plenty of attention and treats. He gently touched Mori's nose again and smiled softly at the horse. It was a lot better here than it ever was at the house he once lived in. "If not more," he added to Marc's comment. The same could be said about life in general. Perhaps luck would be on his side from now on.

"You said you worked in the stallion barn right?" He questioned. If the answer was yes he might not see much of the other male, after all the stallion barn was pretty much taboo for him.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marcel could not claim to be the most social person in the world. He wasn't exactly quiet, but he was not one for small talk and hanging out. Sure, he went on trail rides with the ranch, and exercised horses, so saw lots of people all day. But most were immersed in their own story that did not include him. And it was easier to just let them go about their business, to not interrupt them or make them pay attention. Leave well enough alone.

In NYC he had made a "living" of sorts by staying out of other people's way and going unnoticed. But those hadn't been great times in his life. He preferred not to think of it. And yet, he knew there were hundreds of other kids living close to the same life he had led before being placed in foster care, and eventually, coming here. The government couldn't take them all in, and frankly didn't seem to care most of the time. it was a shame to admit, but all beasts had their dark underbelly.

Yes. Luck had more to do with life than most people liked to admit. You could do anything, be anything, but it took some chance, some luck, most times. Mori snorted at the boys hand. He seemed to be in an extremely peaceful mood after that good schooling run. "Yep, I work at the stallion barn. But I have another horse at the main barn." He's thinking about Wish, who he also goes to see often. Maybe it will bring him into contact with more fosters and other staff.

[KOL NATHANIAL CARTER]

Kol was glad to hear that Marc wouldn't be spending all of his time at the stallion barn, where minors weren't allowed. It wasn't really fair, he was only a year under the limit. But he wasn't exactly a rule breaker, though he did believe that some rules were made to be broken. When he did break rules it gave him a strange sense of freedom that he wouldn't allow himself to become addicted to. When he was caught it wasn't so much fun. No matter what he kept his head, he had already gotten in enough trouble to get here. For now he'd lie low. He replaced a stray strand of hair that had found it's way into his eye. This was a new place, a chance to start over. He didn't want to screw it all up.

He paused in thought, he didn't want to keep Marcel from working with Mori for too long, and he still had quite a bit of the ranch to explore with Cinny. "I guess I'll see you around, I was thinking of grabbing Cinny and checking out the trails," He spoke softly. Nervousness crept up on his like it almost always did in social situations. His thumb traced the spine of his book, and he looked at his feet. His mind had finally realized how uncharacteristically long he had been chatting, and went into a retreat mode. It was still used to the unkind words that were often used against him when his guard was down.

[Marcel Toulouse]

Marc had never followed the rules before coming to Saving Grace Ranch, but now he did. It was his home, his life, he had no intention of jeopardizing his situation here. Meaning he could not invite Kol to come spend time in the stallion barn with him. But there was no reason to not be friends. He had a horse outside the stallion barn. And he spent enough places outside of it. It was less isolating, having a mare he could visit closer to the heart of the place. But a little nerve wracking as well. He was not a socialite, not trained in how to deal with people or make them happy. But he'd never learn if he didn't try when interacting.

While Marcel still had some things he wanted to accomplish with Mori that day he wasn't feeling too pressed for time. That would change as the days began to shorten, and he did not have light until 9 pm or so. But for now, there were more than enough hours in the day to get things done, especially if one rose with the sun at 5:30 am, as he usually tried to. "Alright, take care. And don't forget to mention where you're headed to someone. Trails alone are fun, but can also be dangerous if no one can find you in case your horse returns without you" he cautions, on a more serious note. Most horses were fine on the trails, but every once and a while one would spook, lose their rider, and run back to the ranch, leaving the staff scared and clueless as to the whereabouts of the person. So much easier if horses could talk... "Anyways, I hope to see you around," he says smiling warmly before letting Mori walk off around the edge of the arena.