mark of a champion {{open}}

[Takuya Sakane]

i d r o w n o u t a l l m y s e n s e w i t h
THE SOUND OF ITS BEATING

The mare was a tall, muscular bay with an unkept mane and a face that could fool anyone as to what she was thinking. It had been quite some time since they practiced, and she definitely was ready to go. Takuya had warmed up on the flat just around the property and then entered the grass ring during the lunch break to take Devilette for a spin. She seemed eager to jump, and swished her tail as he asked for a slow canter. She seemed to rock as she moved forward, coming up to a log and clearing it effortlessly. The good thing about the outdoor ring was there were tons of obstacles, and he relished in the fact that she feared nothing. So he let her choose her own paths, jumping what came up and never thinking once that people could come out and watch him during lunch. He never thought they'd care to look for him out in the grass rings. But he definitely did ride, and he definitely still had the Olympic attitude that he'd carried himself with for so long. Devilette didn't mind one bit that he wasn't dressed in the most proper attire and that she'd been plucked from the pasture to go on a ride. She just went with the motions because this was all just another game for her. Perhaps he would play with the horses around here more. Granted, he was supposed to be training Louie for Zara but he loved riding his little mare. She was such a lover and he couldn't help but want to continue to ride her until he couldn't ride any longer. Swishing her tail, she turned up a bank and charged through the water, surging over a rather large wall at the end of it. He laughed, adjusting his helmet and looking down at his soaked jeans. No one would have to know that he was frolicking around in the fields, right? Takuya then looked up, noticing someone approaching.
"Fantastic..." He muttered, slowing Dev to a trot and then easing her to a walk, ready to lecture whoever it was.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN
(CREDITS) THIS IS BY DYLAN of CAUTION 2.0! Lyrics by Paramore - That's What You Get!
y o u l e t y o u r h e a r t w i n

[Amber Michaels]

Having already warmed up in the arena, Amber gave a cluck, and the seven year old gelding launched into an elevated trot as they made their way out to the jumping field. Royal was perky as ever, ears pricked, snapping his legs out in an extended trot. Amber hadn't necessarily asked for it, but she liked it anyways. She kept him fairly round as he glided across the grass, and both of them looked more intently as they saw somebody riding around already in the ring. She turned, watching, still at the same pace. Whoever it was, they were an excellent rider, and it was a moment before she realized that they were watching her as she watched them. Deciding that it would be rude to just turn away, she changed course and made her way towards them, once she was sure they had stopped what they were doing.

As she got closer, she slowed Royal's silly trot, finally going down to a walk. She felt a little jolt of surprise as she came closer. It was her new riding instructor, Mr. Sakane. Takuya was his first name, wasn't it? She had seen him around the barn here and there, but she had never actually spoken to him before. She stopped her horse some feet from him. She wasn't sure whether to be pleased or a little bit nervous; after all, she had interrupted him. "Sorry, is it okay if I'm out here?" she asked. It was still lunch period, but she wasn't sure if that meant there was no riding or not. Amber had been irritated by the noise and all the preps who sat at her table at lunch, so she'd wolfed down a few slices of pizza and come out to ride while nobody was.

She smiled at him, looking at the mare he sat on, and admiring her. She was a tall, muscular creature, and was very beautiful. Royal was very curious about the mare, his tail raised slightly, but not approaching. She had trained the racehorse well; he never changed pace unless she told him too. Except when she was tightening her girth, or adjusting her stirrups in the saddle. He always made sure to walk away when she did that, the monster. Yet he was a good boy. Amber wanted to comment on Mr. Sakane's mare, but she felt it best to wait for his response first. After all, he was a staff member, and he certainly deserved respect.

[Takuya Sakane]

i d r o w n o u t a l l m y s e n s e w i t h
THE SOUND OF ITS BEATING

When he approached, he realized it was a student. One of the newer students. Amber, he believed her name was from the looks of the file he had swept his gaze across. Granted, he only became interested in riders after he had seen them ride, and all of his attention thus far was put onto Logan since he had recently completed his evaluation and impressed the man. He knew the kid would go far with his quirky little mare. With a soft laugh, he stopped Dev and allowed her to nicker and dance for the other horse. She definitely was in heat and would play the games that mares would when they wanted something in particular.

He spoke to her in his lilting Japanese, and she calmed after a few moments.
"Ah, you're fine. If you were one of my solidified lessons I might have had to scold you, but you are schooling. I suppose its better to be with your horse than to be with some of the students here, yes?" He replied, allowing Dev to relax her head and calm down after their playtime. He wouldn't scold her. "Well, I'll be schooling my mare and working off her pregnancy fat, if you'd like to join us you may. We're just doing some low stuff, nothing over three six."

He then saluted playfully and let Dev canter off, going up the bank and over a wall. Takuya kept an eye on the other pair as he jumped around, allowing Devilette to take him wherever she pleased at this point. Right now, her eyes were set on the wishing well jump and he braced himself for her to launch herself. Which she did, and she arced over the jump and whiplashed. With a squeal of delight, she threw herself into a series of bucks and crow-hops, obviously excited to be out. He danced her tango, his core moving along with her and never missing a beat. Takuya melted and allowed himself to move with her as they rounded towards another fence. She looked like she was going to do the same thing, but he shrugged his shoulders and she jumped it without a fuss.

"Don't mind her. She's an Argentine princess and feels it necessary to show off for anyone who will watch her." Takuya reassured, with a wide grin on his face.
Apparently he didn't mind it much, seeing as the adrenaline began to kick in and he might be out here too long to be considered a professional schooling at this point. The pair were just in it for kicks.

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN
(CREDITS) THIS IS BY DYLAN of CAUTION 2.0! Lyrics by Paramore - That's What You Get!
y o u l e t y o u r h e a r t w i n