Equine AU
A random AU where they're all horsey people on a livery yard together. Lyla arrives as the new girl and meets Zac and Cam who quickly show her the ropes. Features characters from S1, 2 & 3
Zac - Thunder, gelding, liver chestnut, Oldenburg
Cam - Jack, gelding, black, Welsh D
Evie - Nero, gelding, grey, Thoroughbred
Mimmi - Hydra, mare, flaxen chestnut, Anglo Arab
Ondina - Calypso, mare, brown blanket, Appaloosa
Sirena - Echo, mare, grey, Connemara
Nixie - Xylem, gelding, bay, New Forest
Rita - Theo, gelding, piebald, Irish Sports & Silvade, mare, grey Irish Sports
Erik - Barry, gelding, black, Thoroughbred
Weilan - Firebreath, mare, chestnut, Arab
Lyla - Honey, mare, palomino, Quarter Horse
Lyla studied the yard properly. Seeing it in new eyes. There was a girl riding a piebald horse in the outdoor arena, cantering down over a single jump in the centre of the arena. When she first saw this place the bottom half of that arena had been flooded and the large , rust and green shed which housed the stables had been bolted. The door had squeaked and squealed as the boy had opened it. Today however it was open, the arena was dry and multiple horses grazed in the field.
The sun lifted her spirits. It made her golden mare, currently in the trailer behind her, shine and gleam.
"Go on then, get the nag unloaded."
"Honey, dad, Honey."
Lyla opened the door and stepped onto the concrete.
"Another newbie."
Inside the yard, by the large wooden shed/tack room, two boys stood sharing a bag of crisps. The boy who had spoke held the bag while his dark haired friend took a few crisps and shoved them in his mouth.
"As long as this one actually cleans out her stable, we'll be good. Not like the last one."
They watched as a blonde haired girl opened the side door of the trailer and climbed in while a blond man lowered the ramp at the back.
"Ten quid it's a grey." The blond boy said , while crunching on more crisps.
"You're on Cam," the other boy grinned and held out a hand, moving the crisp bag into one hand. They shook on it and watched, waiting for the horse to appear.
The horse emerged slowly from the trailer, coat concealed by a travel rug, legs hidden by long boots.
The girl in the arena had stopped her schooling as the horse she was had stopped by the fence, head high and ears pricked as the new horse appeared into the sun. Sticking out from the dark rug was a pretty, golden head and top of neck.
"Damn it."
" Pay up , Cam. "
"I'll get it tomorrow."
"Yeah right."
"I will, Zac, I will."
The man who had lowered the ramp, lifted it back up and disappeared around the side of the trailer.
The girl patted her horse on her neck and took a grip on the blue headcollar and leadrope. The palomino was nervous, skitting about, ears twitching.
"Ssh, Honey. No more trailers, you're here now. Come on , let's get you to your stable. I got it set up yesterday for you."
Lyla began leading Honey along the wide concrete path towards the stable shed, past the arena where the girl on the piebald was having trouble pulling her horse away from the fence.
The piebald in the ring stretched his neck out to greet the new horse.
"Come on Theo, leave the new horse."
His rider pulled his head around and squeezed the horse forward with her legs. She smiled and greeted Lyla before trotting up the side of the fence. Lyla watched as the girl turned her horse, Theo, down the centre of the arena and down over the small jump again.
The walk along the concrete path seemed to last ages. The steady clip clop of Honey's hooves on the ground chimed out the seconds.
Two boys appeared from the tack shed, one blond, one dark haired. The blond one had been here when she looked around and when she sorted Honey's stall. She didn't know his name though.
"Want a crisp?"
The blond boy held out a blue bag.
"No thanks."
"Nice horse. So this is Honey? " The dark haired boy looked at the palomino, noticing the star and stripe marking on the face of the horse.
"Yeah, did Ms Healy tell you?"
" Nope. Name plaque on your door and under your tack racks. "
"That's how you won," the blond boy muttered.
Lyla looked at them.
"Ignore him. I'm Zac."
"Lyla. "
"Well, Lyla, welcome. You'd be better getting Honey settled before Theo takes it in his head to jump the fence and introduce himself to your mare. "
"Is Theo the piebald?"
" Yup. Brilliant jumper, not a single brain cell. Now you know where your stable is? We'll introduce our horses once Honey's settled. "
"See girl, not so bad."
Lyla patted the palamino's neck while the horse stuck her muzzle into the hay manger on the wall.
It was a nice stall. They were all identical. Wood lined, bolted half doors, metal ring at the back on the wall, tyre with a water bucket inside, solid partition separating the stables.
Honey had a neighbour on one side, a dapple grey mare that was bigger than Honey. The name on the door had read Silvade.
"Be a good girl," Lyla whispered to her mare. She exhaled and reached over the stable door and slid the bolt, opening the door before slipping out and rebolting the door.
"Horse settled?"
Zac was waiting to the side, outside the empty stall next to Honey's.
"Happy with her hay."
Zac peered into the stable, "That I can see."
The clipping sound of hooves on the ground echoed slightly around the shed as the girl who had been riding in the arena led the horse into the warehouse style shed.
"Hey Rita. Theo behaving?" Zac called out .
"Same as always. "
"That's a no then."
The girl, Rita, stopped two stalls down and pushed open the door, the clipping sound becoming muted. Theo was straight to the hay, like Honey had been. He seemed too preoccupied with his hay to notice the ajar door of his stable.
"Rita, this is Lyla."
"Hi Lyla," Rita said, not turning around , instead busying herself removing Theo's saddle and bridle.
"Hi."
" We're doing 'meet the horses.' Mind showing Lyla here your wonderful mare? "
Rita left Theo's stall and closed the door, bolting it. The saddle was set on the door, the saddle cloth over the top and the bridle draped across.
"If you put Theo's tack away, I can introduce Lyla to Silv."
" Blackmail, " Zac scoffed but did so anyway.
"Thanks Zac."
Rita reached below her chin and unclipped her helmet, removing it, before reclipping and hanging it on the hook outside Theo's stable.
"Nice riding before." Then remembering manners existed , Lyla added , "sorry if we interrupted."
"It's fine, I was only going to take him over the jump once more anyway."
" What type is Theo? Like, what breed? "
"Irish Sport, same as Silvade here."
"She's pretty. You're lucky to have two horses."
"Hmm."
Silvade stuck her head out over the door. Rita stroked her forehead and the grey slowly lowered her head.
"Well, this is Silvade. I've had her for almost 9 years."
" Wow. I only got Honey six months ago. "
"First horse? Silvade was my first, then I got Theo."
"Yeah she's my first."
"You always remember your first horse."
Lyla nodded, she wasn't sure what to say, an usual thing for her. So she changed the subject.
"How many horses are there here?"
" Umm, my two, Honey, Thunder,... "
Rita trailed off, counting them in her head rather than out loud.
"Twelve, there's room for fifteen though."
"I'm back."
Lyla smiled at Zac.
"Which one's yours?" Lyla asked.
" Thunder's out in the field. "
Lyla recognised the name from when Rita began listing horses.
"But there's a few in here you can meet. Next to you is meant to be Echo, but he's also out in the field. Now across from Echo."
Zac walked across to a stall with a chestnut.
"I'll leave you to it. I need to groom Silv," Rita said , turning around , picking up her helmet on the way out. Once she was gone from sight, Zac turned to Lyla.
"Rita's actually one of the nicest girls here. The one you need to be careful with is Ondina. And probably Nixie."
" Nixie? Short with brown hair, blue eyes, beauty mark by her mouth? "
"You know her?"
" We went to the same riding school. Then she left. "
"Ah, friends?"
" Not exactly. "
Zac laughed, "good luck then."
"So who's this?" Lyla gestured to the chestnut in the stall, standing by the back wall. Zac was blocking the name plaque.
"Firebreath. Arab."
"Nice."
" Weilan owns her. Weilan's not here right now, she's visiting family back in Shanghai. "
"Shanghai?"
" That's where she's from. "
Lyla nodded. To be able to handle an Arab, Weilan would have to be, probably stubborn. Arabians were known to be pretty hotheaded.
"Moving on, next to the Fire Horse we have another empty stall. Thunder's meant to be in here. Next to him is Hydra."
Hydra was another chestnut, this one with a light, blondish mane.
"Flaxen chestnut Anglo-Arab. She's my sister's horse."
"You have a sister?"
" Mimmi. Then her friend Ondina's horse is this blanket brown Appaloosa, Calypso. "
Calypso was definitely an eye catcher, a dark brown coat with white headquarters, dotted with patches of brown. On her face the mare had a white snip on her muzzle.
"Never seen an Appaloosa before."
"We have a pretty varied collection of breeds here. So, what's Honey?"
" Quarter Horse. "
"You have added to our variety of horse breeds. Now, next to Calypso is meant to be Cam's , Jack. He's out in the fields, a black Welsh Section something. You'll need to ask Cam."
Rita appeared in the stable shed again, a lilac and white box in one hand and a blue and orange can in the other.
"Rita, do you know who's all out in the field? Apart from Thunder and Jack and Echo."
"Can't you just tell by going around the stalls?"
"It's easier asking you."
Rita set her can on Silvade's stable door.
"Your girlfriend's horse and Barry are out in the field but Nixie's out on Xylem."
So, Zac had a girlfriend. Figured.
"Zac, make sure you show Lyla the tools and muck heap. Last thing we need is a repeat of Miriam."
" Will do. "
"Miriam?"
" Girl who had a horse here before you, she had the stall at the back up by the hay bales. She never mucked out her stable, Healy kicked her out. And set up the rule board in here and the tack room. "
" I will not repeat history. Don't worry. "
"Good. If not, I think Ondina will get a crafty and imaginative punishment ready."
Loud clattering hoofbeats on the ground came from beside the stables. A girl on a bay horse cantered into the shed, slowing to a trot then to a walk.
"Hey Nixie," Zac called and waved.
Nixie halted in front of them.
" Hey Zac. And Lyla. What are you doing here? "
"I'm keeping my horse here."
"Cool." Nixie nodded, " Honey? "
"Yeah."
Nixie patted her horse's neck, while the bay sniffed at Lyla's waistcoat.
"Come on Xy, she's got nothing for you."
Nixie pulled the bay's head around and gave a light squeeze with her legs.
Lyla watched to see which stall they went into. Nixie halted again in front of the back one on the same side as Honey 's stall. Nixie slipped her feet from the stirrups and dismounted, once she was off the horse's back , the bay charged into his stable.
"Brilliant manners, Xy."
Nixie followed the horse in and shut the door behind her.
"Xylem's a New Forest Pony."
Lyla smiled . Nixie was still on ponies.
"I think he's nearly 15 hands though. He's definitely a character, him and Theo are very entertaining."
"So, hay is at the back, opposite Xylem's stall. You know where the tack room is . The tools are in the little shed beside it. Muck heap is in the high walled area in the field, there's a proper path leading to it."
" At my old riding school you basically just had to fight through the mud and muck to get to the drop off bit. It was a nightmare. I could spent weeks without falling off, empty one wheelbarrow and it'd look like I'd been mud wrestling. "
"I remember Nixie saying that. Now wheelbarrows are kept by the tool shed, there's three of them. Usually though we figure something out and help each other out as there's a shortage of tools. You'll figure this place out soon enough.
In the meantime, welcome to Pine Ridge Stables."
They all try and go on a hack to the beach
A beach ride seemed like a good idea. It was a twenty minute ride to the beach, a five mile long bay, a decent day's ride.
Lyla tucked Honey between Echo and Theo. The path they walked along was only wide enough for one horse at most points. Once again Lyla was grateful for Honey's calm temperament, except with trailers. While some of the horses were restless, excited to be away from home, Honey just walked behind Echo. She could see Cam having trouble keeping Jack behind Weilan and Firebreath.
"Watch it Cam," Weilan snapped as Jack barged into her Arab.
" Sorry, "
Firebreath squealed and lashed out with a back leg, causing Jack to back in Calypso.
"Cam!"
Ondina moved Calypso onto the wide verge.
"She kicked him!"
" You barged into me! "
"Can't we just get to the sand without fighting?" Nixie asked , while Xylem shoved his head down and began snaffling the grass.
"Cam, take Jack behind me and Theo. Then hopefully no one will get injured."
" Alright, "
Rita's horse Silvade had been out of ridden work due to injury. This scene was the first time riding her again since the accident. They had been out a ride on a well known trail those on the yard often use. While riding down into a large dried out gully the riders often used, Silvade tripped on a tree root and fell to the ground.
The grey mare shifted , side stepping away from the mounting block her rider had set next to her.
"Easy girl."
Having been unridden for months Silvade was restless as Rita tried to mount. The mare had been kept in light regular work over the course of the last five months but now it was time to be ridden again.
"Alright then, if you don't want the block next to you."
Usually Rita would manage one foot in the stirrup and then pull herself on, but that wouldn't work due to the lack of a saddle.
Rita picked up the long riding crop from the sand and lightly tapped the point where the tail met the hindquarters.
Silvade gave a slight swish of her tail before slowly settling herself down on the sand.
Rita patted the mare's neck.
"Good girl."
A minute later the mare was back on her feet, Rita on her back. For the next half hour Rita kept Silvade to a walk, making sure the mare responded properly and accepted the bit.
The grey horse's ear kept flicking back, listening to her rider chattering away.-
When it comes to riding the language doesn't matter. All that matters is the relationship between rider and horse. The mutual understanding.
While the last five months with Silvade were ridingless, the bond between the mare and her rider had grown stronger.
Rita tied her reins in a knot and rested them on Silvade's neck.
Some point in the future. Rita has gone on to compete internationally with Weilan along as her groom
The black stallion stood calm, waiting for his rider. The Chinese girl holding his reins patted his neck, whispering to him. Today was day one and that meant dressage. The horse dipped his head and started nuzzling at the girl's pocket.
"There's no treats Windy," the girl said, stepping to the side.
" Weilan! " A man with curly black hair beckoned her over to the fence. He was dressed in dark jods and red flannel shirt in sharp contrast to the woman beside him. She was wearing a typical dressage outfit. Black tailcoat coat, top hat, white shirt, stock, stock pin, black gloves and an emotionless face. The rider was no stranger to four star dressage days and she was ready. Or definitely seemed to be from what Weilan could tell.
Weilan led the stallion over to the fence beside the two.
"You ready Rita?"
The rider nodded.
"We'll be fine," She placed her gloved hand on Windsinger's muzzle .
"I'll give ya a leg up," the man said , removing himself from his position leaning on the fence.
Looking at Hector, no one could tell the man was once dominating these shows. He was once the local 'gone big', now he was a teacher. Primary school part time, horse riding the rest of the time. Off on a break touring the shows and events he once won and lost.
"Thanks Hec."
" No bother. No one would expect a short thing like you to get up on that thing. "
Rita rolled her eyes. An old joke.
"Remember to breathe. Now let's get you up."
It was time.
"Next up in the ring is a not so new face. We've seen her rising up these past few years and last time we saw her, she was winning Lexington on her own horse, an Irish Sports Horse , Theophilus . Now today we have Rita Santos on The Windsinger."
The dressage phase, for Windsinger , was the easiest to earn the marks. The warmblood was strong at dressage and had a record of turning out seemingly flawless dressage tests.
The black stallion cantered up the centre line, stopping in a square halt at I. He stood patiently while his rider saluted the judges. The hushed crowd and whispered announcer were a far cry from what they'd be on the cross country course. But at that moment it was dressage. Which required precision and concentration.
"Look at the paces on this stallion. He is a Dutch Warmblood standing at 17 hands high and is a master. Just look at that shoulder in."
The horse and the rider blocked out the crowds, the announcer, the tv cameras. All that mattered was acing the test. Starting on a decently low score would be a major weight lifted off.
"See the way he carries his head,, flexing at the poll, this horse clearly knows his stuff."
They were almost done. So nearly there. One more flying change. Rita sat up tall as the stallion cantered, then swapping legs in mid air on his riders cue. Sitting deeper in the saddle Windsinger slowed to a neat, collected trot as they turned down the centre line for the final salute. Once again the black horse came to a square halt and waited while his rider saluted.
"A fine test from Rita Santos and The Windsinger. But is it enough to make the top place after day one? We'll find out, next up.."
Rita dropped the reins onto the horse's withers and reached down to pat his neck.
"Good boy Windy, good boy."
The blank face from before was placed with a beaming smile. Weilan and Hector appeared at the stallion's side. Weilan held onto the bridle while Rita dismounted.
"I'll be down soon to check on him," Rita said to Weilan as the girl led the horse back to the stables .
"High five for an awesome test?" Hector held his hand in the air.
" You bet, "
"Now you gotta get ready to do it all again. March is still to go."
Another excerpt from the cross country phase on Theo
The cheer of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, the horse below, the jump ahead.
"Go on Theo," she whispered , her voice lost in the speed.
The jump was there. A hedge. A simple, massive hedge. Theo tossed his head and took off, arching over the jump. Cheers rose up. One more down. Many more to go.
"Attaboy."
She leaned out and patted Theo's neck as the horse charged on. They weren't finished yet. Not by a long shot.
Another scene from further on, Rita has returned to the yard on the off season, back with everyone again
Zac heaved open the door, ignoring the squeals of protest of the metal. He opened it enough to slip in and didn't bother with closing it. He walked down the centre, checking in on each horse as he went. Then he stopped. There wasn't a piebald here yesterday. Or a bay horse with a heart marking on the forehead. Neither was there a grey thoroughbred in the stall next to Thunder.
The piebald was familiar. Zac smiled. The name plaque said Theo. The piebald horse who enjoyed attempting to buck his rider off had been the winning horse in two major four star events. The bay horse too. They had all seen the shared rider claim victory.
The grey horse hadn't been in the spotlight. He had been reserved for events only shown in shakily filmed videos posted on YouTube.