Chapter 16:

                                    

                                          
Ashleigh's pov
                          
When I saw the looks on the twins faces, I knew they were up to something. 
                          
But I didn't think it was this!
                          
Glancing down, Navarre chewed impatiently on the bit. He didn't want to be standing still for long. I toss Eve a quick glance. Beauty wasn't exactly having the best time, but Eve knew what to do. Reassurance with Beauty was key.
                          
I was a little annoyed with the girls, making us do this when I rode Beauty. I wasn't sure if he was ready to be ridden, let alone jumped by someone else. However, I trusted Eve and she seemed to know what she was doing. But this was literally my second lesson on Beauty, and I wasn't even riding him. How are we going to be ready in time for the EFA tryouts. 
                          
'Stop worrying! Just have fun and ride Navarre' my mind scolded me.
                          
"Could you both go to the outside rein and we'll start calling put instructions. Ash, you'll take the lead" Sky states.
                          
I'm taking the lead?
                          
Blinking rapidly, I turn Navarre and do as I'm told. I'm never usually the one in the lead, unless I'm riding Florence of course. Otherwise, I'm always following behind.
                          
As we begin to walk around, I start to mess around a little. I would apply some pressure with my leg and also did some half halts. Navarre was super responsive, but I did find that he needed some more experience. Sometimes he would unknowingly drift off the path from being distracted. He needed me to keep his mind focused on the job. It was a lot more different to Beauty, who is usually focused on the task at hand.
                          
I wish I could glance back but I knew the twins were watching. 
                          
"Collected trot" Jewel calls.
                          
I barely move my leg and Navarre takes off at a speedy trot. Half halting him, I sit deep in the saddle and ask for collection. He didn't necessarily fight me, but he hesitates. I find myself having to give cues in a totally different way.
                          
While I was more firmer with Beauty in the first few minutes of riding, the more we worked, the softer he got. Whereas with Navarre, he starts out super sensitive. I'm hoping that as time goes on, he relaxes.
                          
Although he was different to ride, it made it fun. I liked being able to make corrections and feeling the difference. It made me feel accomplished. On Beauty, it wasn't him who needed to correct himself, it was me. He knew what he was doing, the rider just needed to give him the correct cues. 
                          
"Ash, just ask a little more of Navarre and see if he can be more consistent in keeping frame" Jewel called.
                          
I nod and do just that.
                          
After a few seconds, Navarre seems to get what I'm asking and goes back into collecting.
                          
"Eve, try and ask Beauty for a little more... enthusiasm" Sky says.
                          
I almost giggle, from what I've heard, Beauty was always testy with his new riders. He would be lazy for the whole ride if he could. But Eve had it covered and I knew she wouldn't let him get it over her.
                          
"That's good you two, now I want you both to start a 20 meter circle" Sky says.
                          
When I find the space where there weren't any jumps, I start Navarre on a circle. As we go around, I notice that he drifted slightly. His shoulder was falling in. I slow him down and lessen the turn before using mostly my legs to guide him. I was hoping this would help Navarre realise that I wanted his whole body to bend, not his neck. 
                          
"Good correction Ash, just remember that you still want him collected" Sky states.
                          
Oops! I hadn't realised his frame changed as we went around. At least they didn't mind me making a bigger circle for Navarre.