Simple Dressage

The third day of eventing started the same as both the others, though this time Edith didn’t bother rising with it.

Instead, she munched on some of the hay she had leftover from the previous night, enjoying the water in her stall and the smells of the autumn air, and simply relaxed.

Her rider would be there eventually, and frankly… Well, she didn’t mind dressage, but she wasn’t nearly as thrilled with it as she was with activities that involved simply riding. Even trail riding was more interesting, though that unfortunately wasn’t a competitive event that they could partake in.

She settled again, listening to the hum as the stable came alive around her. Some people, those that had run the cross country later in the evening and had stayed the night but weren’t participating in the dressage, were loading their Loshenka and preparing for the journey home.

Others were readying for the day ahead, whether that was riding in the competition or plans to enjoy nature before they headed back wherever they’d come from, or even a few planning to spectate the final day of the event.

Edith ducked her head, using her leg to rub at an itch on her face.

She wondered if Alene would want to do a trail ride when they returned to their home… Their own trees would likely be changing colors soon, she mused.

Her tail swished. It would be nice to see the rest of the herd too, she missed them…

She was drawn from her reverie by the sound of tapping on her stall door, nickering as she spotted Alene waiting there with a smile.

“I brought a snack,” the woman hummed as Edith quickly joined her at the stall door, holding the baby carrot out in the palm of her hand.

Edith let out a grateful noise, happily lipping it up and enjoying the crunch even as she offered her handler her head. She was rewarded with several pets, Alene smiling.

“That’s a good girl,” she murmured, bringing the bridle she’d had over her shoulder up as Edith finished her treat.

The bridle, a sleek and shining dark brown thing meant for dressage with a simple snaffle bit, was familiar, and Edith stayed still as it was slipped over her face, her ears carefully settled and the straps double-checked for a proper fit before Alene took hold of the reins and unlocked the stall door.

“Let’s go get ready,” she hummed, and Edith let herself take in her rider’s attire as she was led out of the stable.

Alene was dressed simple but elegant, the riding suit crisp and formal but appropriate for what was to come, her hair tied in a low bun that would keep her hair out of her face without interfering with the helmet she’d wear to actually ride.

As they arrived at the trailer, Edith was carefully tied, the human taking a moment to smile and pet along the mare’s neck before she retrieved her brushes and grooming kit.

It was a more thorough brush than the last few days, Edith noted idly, letting herself enjoy the feeling. Instead of simply being a cursory thing to ensure the mare’s well-being and coat health, it was clear Alene’s goal was to get her as clean as possible this time.

Not surprising, really.

Once the brush was done, Alene turned her attention to Edith’s tail. Loshenka tails didn’t take as much upkeep as one might expect, but a good brush was still required semi-regularly, and she planned to style it.

Once it was brushed out, the few tangles present worked out, she retrieved the decorations she’d purchased and settled in to braid, working the small, gleaming trinkets of various maple leaves into the braids at semi-regular intervals until she was done.

“There we go. Looking gorgeous!”

Edith whinnied her agreement, getting a laugh from her rider as Alene retrieved the saddle blanket, a delicate, leaf-patterned pad, and their usual brown dressage saddle.

Within minutes, the tack was on and secured, Edith untied from the trailer so that Alene could mount.

They found a rather empty warm up paddock and took to walking it, Edith letting herself relax into it as they went around and around.

Transitions between the gaits were easy to practice, her steps falling into rhythm naturally as she leaned into the movements, and before long Alene was guiding them back out and towards the main arena.

They had only prepared a simple routine, but that just meant that each step was important.

At least, Edith mused, they weren’t waiting more than a couple of routines worth before they were calling their number and introducing the duo.

The leg yield they opened their routine with was simple, carrying them across part of the arena before Edith drew her steps in, shifting her gait for an extended trot, ears pricked as she waited for the simple cue from Alene to tell her when to switch her movements.

The subtle shift in her rider, the change of cue, was enough to have her move to a passage before easing into a piaffe, finishing off with several pirouettes before their routine came to an end with a bow.

There…

They were done.

Edith snorted as they made their way off the course, decorated tail flagging and swishing as she shook her head.

“You did so well, Edith,” Alene murmured, patting her neck as she guided her back towards the trailer. “Thank you for doing your best,” she added, and Edith felt herself smile.

That, she mused, as no problem, coming a halt and letting her rider dismount as they reached the trailer.

It wouldn’t be long now, Edith mused as Alene worked on taking off her saddle and undoing the braids in her tail, before it was time to trailer and head back for home.

For now, though, Alene tucked the tack and tail decorations away and led Edith back to the stable to rest while Alene finished her business at the show, murmuring soft praises the whole way.

Yeah, maybe dressage wasn’t too bad to do occasionally, Edith mused, nuzzling into the next pet she received before slipping obediently into her stall.