It was after the morning feeding that Tessa took me on a full tour of Star Run Stables.  Unlike my tour of Vantage Point, hers didn't take quite as long. 

She showed me the tiny indoor arena, which seemed quite cramped and not as well lit compared to Vantage Point's arena.  And the outdoor, while sizeable, was still not as big as Vantage Point's.  They did have jumps, quite a few of them, and Tessa mentioned that we might do some jumping. 

She pointed out the few logs, small ditch, and two solid jumps that served as their cross country course.  It was also said that they had a few trails to ride on that she wanted to show me. 

The stable was maintained, but there was quirky little things about it.  Some gates had to be opened a certain way, and some had latches while others were closed with chains and clips.  The water hose was huge in order reach the farthest paddock, and Tessa said that dragging it there was painful enough, but then you had to go back and turn on the water. 

Everything seemed to require more effort here.  Or maybe that was just because I was used to grooms doing it all in the background.  Either way, Tessa knew this, and she didn't mind it.  It was what she was used too. 

At the end of the tour Tessa looked at the clock in the tack room.  "If we hurry, we'll have an hour to ride before the weekend rush."  

"The weekend rush?"  

"It's when a bunch of people come out to see their horses on the weekend."  She smiled.  "You know, on Saturday I usually sleep in and don't ride, but I suppose I can sacrifice to help you."  She winked.  "Trust me, it's much better to ride before the 'rush.'  Come on." 

Medallion's halter was hanging on her stall door.  For a moment, I was surprised to see the lead rope not rolled up, but then realized that there were no invisible grooms who did that.  And I didn't know how to do it myself.  

I stepped into Medallion's stall.  She watched me, putting down the hind leg she had cocked.  

I smiled at her.  "Hello big gal."  

For maybe the first time, I looked on her without seeing the potential for eventing success, or the thorn she'd been in my side.  I looked on her and saw her.

I saw a younger horse who was confident, but still trying to figure out her world.  She had a spirit that wouldn't be broken, but it was also generous, lending itself to the one who would respect it.  

I realized that all Tessa had said about her was true.  If I could figure out what made her tick, we'd make a great team.  

"I'll try, but you've got to try with me," I murmured as I reached over and stroked black neck.  I felt the muscles underneath, and how solid they were.  I noticed a whorl up near her ears that I hadn't seen before.  

A flash of white caught my eye.  I brushed a piece of black mane out of the way.  There was a small white dot between her ear and her forelock that I had not noticed before.  It was just a few white hairs.  I smiled again and rubbed it with my finger before unbuckling the halter.  

Despite my lingering a little longer than usual in Medallion's stall, Tessa and I met at the cross ties at the same time because she had to go get Challenger from his paddock.  Challenger was slightly muddy from having rolled.

Okay, it was probably more than 'slightly.' muddy.

Tessa looked at Medallion's gleaming coat and sighed as she clipped Challenger into the cross ties.  "You know, there are times I regret having a gray horse."  

I chuckled.  "Well, blacks don't actually stay that clean either.  If Medallion hadn't been in her stall, I think she'd be just as dirty."  

"But you wouldn't see it as much."  

"I don't know."  I clipped on the cross tie.  "I think I heard from one of the grooms at Vantage Point that black horses show dirt as much as gray ones.  And besides, Medallion does have white on her."  I gestured to her tall white stockings.  

Tessa giggled.  "I guess we're even then."  

"Do you want to ride Challenger first, or Medallion?"  

My eyes bugged out at Tessa's question as we walked towards the outdoor arena.  After how badly I'd botched my ride on Challenger, I didn't think she'd ever want me even touching her gray gelding.  And I wasn't sure I wanted too.  

"Uh...  I'm not riding Challenger.  He and I don't mix."  

She smiled over at me.  "No, you and him don't mix about as much as you and Medallion don't mix, but the key to both of them is the same.  Correct riding from the seat and legs as much as possible."  

I shook my head, but before I could reply, Tessa said with a snarky look,  "Don't tell me you're scared to get back on the horse that threw you."  

I glared.  "No, I'm not-"  

That snarky look on her face stopped my protests.  "Fine, I'll ride him, but just so you know, if anything goes wrong, this was your idea."  

She laughed.  "It'll go better this time, because you'll listen to what I say."  She patted Challenger's neck.  "And he's in a place he knows, so he'll be more calm and not as wired.  So, Medallion or Challenger?  If you'll ride Challenger first, I'll see what I can do with Medallion." 

I nodded.  "Alright then."  

She mounted Challenger and rode him for a minute before passing him off to me.  I couldn't lie, I was a little nervous as I lined him up to the mounting block.  Not because I was worried about falling, but rather about doing what I'd done before to Challenger again.  

I gathered the reins and listened intently to Tessa's instructions.  

"Now, when you ask him to move off, have a very loose rein.  Maybe even no contact.  Do so little you think he won't even take a step.  Keep your body tall and straight.  Do not lean forward onto your fork, he'll either speed up or stop.  Don't lean back or he'll speed up.  Don't be afraid of his walk, it's just naturally fast."  She paused to take a breath, then smirked.  "And remember to relax."  

I snorted.  "As if I could after that run down.  I feel as if I'm mounting a ticking time bomb."  

She laughed again.  "You'll be alright.  You've got a good seat to start with, and that's what's most important.  I think the main thing you need to remember is that he doesn't need as much of anything as other horses you've ridden."  

I nodded.  "Alright."  

With that, I stepped up on the mounting block, stuck my foot in the stirrup, and swung my leg over.  

AN:  It's fun to write the banter of Vanessa and Tessa, now that they're friends :)