Ryker clicked to Serpant and they were off in a slow walk.. the stallion's favorite gait. Ry's ribs were painful, but he was going to deal with it. If he could ride, yay.

(why is it that in the beginning, the messages are always so long but now they are so short lol?)

Sun cantered around. Abby sat through the mares smooth canter so well that she almost fell asleep

(I don't know XD. We need to plot some drama *evil laughter* you have the perfect set up for drama though! Gavin should come back in the middle of the night or something. I want Ryker to play rescue LOLLLL. But he would get hurt too. DRAMATIC)

+++

Ryker chuckled a little at Abby and Sun. "You got yourself a good mare there." he said cheerfully, walking Serpant into the arena and doing some trot. Serpant's trot was super small and smooth, a beautiful jog trot for western, but that was only because that was how Ryker trained him. Serpant could stretch out nicely.

(Let's see what I can come up with over night hehe. I'll get it tomorrow.)

-

Abby grinned "first ride too!" She leaned back and the mare stopped on a dime, scaring her a bit. "Wow!" She practically slid off the side and stared at the mare, hanging on to the mane so she stayed on. Sun flicked her ears then looked back at her rider as she hung from her side. Sun turned her head and bumped Abby, making her giggle and fall off. Sun sidestepped away but kept close, lowering her head to make sure Abby was ok.

Ryker nodded, looking surprised at how quickly the mare stopped. "You could have yourself a reining horse right there." he laughed, forgetting that laughing hurt. He shook his head a little at Abby's exhuberant (i can't spell -le sob-) behavior.

Abby shook her head " No no no I need a barrel racer!" She immediately stood up and grabbed the mares mane, leading her toward the arena. Sun spooked a little but kept her place by Abby's side. Abby kept a firm hand on the mares mane. Sun snorted, her eyes wide. Abby let her stand until her head lowered before moving forward

exuberant ****

+++

Ryker rolled his eyes. "Why always the need for speed?" he asked with a snort, memories trickling back. He missed his appendix ... that horse was faster than fast. They won so many barrel races together. Until one day... the accident happened. They were the last horses of the day. It was slippery and wet. The people decided not to drag. Ryker tried to get Zoom to slow down but he didn't. Around the last barrel it was dug in too deep. The horse misjudged the footing. They both went crashing to the ground. When Ryker woke up he had been in a hospital with a broken back. He immediately asked if Zoom was okay... but the hospital staff said the horse didn't make it.

Remembering this, Ryker grew quiet, letting Serpant walk slowly. He missed Zoom so much... and the barrel racing? It was his life.

Abby hadn't even noticed his sudden quietness, because he was already so quiet. Abby and Sun slowly crept closer to the arena. Sun was finally calm around the barrels. Abby desensitized the mare and walked her around before jumping on and walking her through the barrel pattern. Sun seemed to remember or atleast understand that this was a speed run. She hopped into a canter, running on the wrong lead and making huge circles around each barrel, but Abby managed to stay on, riding her through the barrel pattern. "We butchered that!" She said with a giggle, patting the mares neck. They were going to need a LOT of work

Ryker closed his eyes for a moment before dismounting with a painful wince and leading Serpant out. He went inside the barn and slipped the bridle off, leading the stallion into the stall. Why had he raced Zoom even when he knew the ground was too slippery? It was his fault his precious horse had died. Ryker lowered his head, sorrow spiking at his heart. "I've missed you, Speedy Devil." He murmured, leaning on Serpant.

Abby trotted Sun around again. She laid back on the mares back while she trotted. Suddenly Sun spooked, side stepping, Abby sliding off. She landed right in her face. She laid there for a second while Sun trotted around before noticing that Abby had fallen. Sun stopped above her and lowered her head, breathing hot breaths in her face. Abby stayed there for a second before pulling herself into a siting position. The breath had gotten knocked out of her.