A/N 1 - hey all! Just letting you know that there are eleven more chapters remaining before this story is over.
A/N 2 - horse terms:
farrier - a man or woman that comes to fit horseshoes on horses
CHAPTER FIVE
(Chapter title - Ted and Frank Lloyd Wright)
Ted was for a ride in the practice arena, tuned into Frank Lloyd Wright's smooth canter that he didn't hear the shriek and cry for help at the other end of the arena.
"Hm?" Ted asked, looking up. He saw a black blur zoom past, a girl clinging on for dear life, "oh, I'm coming, one second" he heeled Frank Lloyd Wright into a gallop so he could catch up to the runaway horse. He looked at the rider once the horse was slowed down, "whoa. Are you okay? What happened?"
"My stirrup came off, which caused Elphie to spook, then she ran off with me" the girl said.
She had shoulder-length honey-colored hair, big blue eyes and smooth white skin. She wore a KISS T-shirt and jeans. On her feet, she wore black ankle boots, "I'm Gretchen Edwards and this is my horse Elphaba."
"I'm Frank and this is my horse Ted Lloyd Wright - I mean I'm Ted and this is my horse Frank Lloyd Wright" Ted said.
Gretchen giggled sweetly, which made Ted blush.
"So, what classes are you guys signed up for?" Gretchen asked, watching Ted reattach her stirrup.
"Jumping and dressage. I'm actually about to go to my jumping class. What about you?" Ted asked, mounting Frank Lloyd Wright.
"Same, actually" Gretchen said, "thank you."
"You're welcome" Ted said, "what kind of horse is she?"
"She's half Arabian, half Mustang. What about this handsome guy?" Gretchen asked.
"He's a Dutch Warmblood" Ted said, walking with Gretchen to where the jumping class was.
"Have you done horse camp before?" Gretchen asked.
"This is actually my fifth year. Next year, I'm gonna be a counselor. You?" Ted asked.
"This is actually my second year" Gretchen said, sitting up straight in the saddle.
Ted smiled, then frowned. Two years ago, he was madly in love with a girl named Sadie. Sadly, Sadie's horse had gotten stung by a bee and threw Sadie into a fence, killing her instantly. He had promised himself not to fall for any more girls.
"….What do you think, Ted?" Gretchen's voice suddenly came through his daydream.
Ted blinked and cleared his throat, "I'm sorry, what?"
"David said we should switch horses and the two of us got paired up. What do you think about me riding Frank? Is that all right?" Gretchen asked.
Ted nodded and dismounted, "he's a retired therapy horse, so he shouldn't do anything stupid."
Gretchen giggled and dismounted Elphaba, "she's a sweet girl, just don't pull or kick her too much - she's extremely sensitive and will buck you off."
"Duly noted" Ted said, "do you need a leg up?"
Gretchen looked up at Frank, "yes, please, since he's so much taller than Elphaba."
Kurt came over and held both Frank and Elphaba so that both Ted and Gretchen could mount their new horses with ease.
"Now that all of us are on our new mounts, let's walk them around the arena to get used to you and the horses around them. Once that's done, we'll take turns going over each jump twice, once on your new mount, then once on your original mount. David and I might ride one of your horses, just to demonstrate something" Kurt said as he watched the class of ten walk their horses around the edge of the arena.
Ted spotted Lily, Joey, Chandler, Ross, James, Monica and Barney in the class, riding each other's horses.
"Make sure you keep a horse and a half between you and the horse in front of you. If any horses have a red ribbon in their mane or tail, that means they bite and kick" Kurt was saying.
The riders took turns riding each other's horses at the walk, trot and canter before tackling the jumps.
Absolutely Certain squealed as he approached the water jump, nearly unseating Barney.
"Whoa, it's okay" Barney soothed the anxious horse.
"Back up! Back up!" Kurt said, going to Absolutely Certain, "are you and him okay?"
Barney nodded, feeling and hearing his heart pounding loudly.
Ted watched mounted on Elphaba, making sure to talk to the mare.
"Barney, why don't you ride Beetlejuice while I work with Certain?" David suggested, bringing over Tuxedo Joe's twin brother.
Barney nodded and quickly mounted Beetlejuice as David mounted Certain.
Class ended an hour later after the students cooled down their horses.
Lily walked Certain on foot with her friends, "I didn't understand the point of that - riding other people's horses."
Gretchen shrugged, "I don't know about that - it can be dangerous if you're not used to someone's horse."
Barney and Joey smiled at Gretchen.
"Guys, this is my new friend Gretchen. Gretchen, this is Barney, Joey, Monica, Lily, James, Chandler and Ross - this is only half of my friend group" Ted said.
"It's nice to meet you guys" Gretchen said, smiling a bit.
The guys headed for the cabin after bathing, feeding and putting their horses away for the night. The girls went to hear a band at the bandstand.
"Gretchen's hot" Barney said as he and the guys got ready to go swimming.
"Does she have a sister?" Joey asked, putting on his swim trunks.
"I don't know. It's been two years since Sadie died" Ted said, putting on his swim trunks.
"She would want you to move on with Hottie McHottness" Barney said.
Ted, Chandler, Ross and James rolled their eyes in unison.
"Okay, what about you and David? Have you two done anything yet?" Ted asked his best friend.
"Not yet" Barney said.
"How do you know he's into you? Or even likes you?" Ross asked.
"He's got a good point" James said.
"Monica and I haven't even held hands yet" Chandler said, "we're getting to know each other first before we do the deed."
"See, Chandler's smart" Ted said as they headed to the pool.
"Wait - what about you, Joey? You and that Abby girl are getting awfully close" Ross said.
"I haven't actually seen Abby. I hope she's okay" Joey said as they entered the pool.
The guys swam for about an hour before getting out and going to take showers.
Ted got into bed, his thoughts drifting to Sadie, then to Gretchen, hoping he could get to know her a little better.