[KathrynKat]

 Owner       >>> Ruby-Skylark
 Name                >>> Jake
 Gender         >>> Gelded Male
 Adoption Price         >>> 6 2014 Christmas Deer
 Training         >>> [Fully Trained]
  =====
  .Strong
  .Aware
  .Calm

 [Discipline >>>>> ]
 [Shows Entered > R: W: E:]
 [Shows Won >>>> R: W: E:]

 [Ej > ] [Ep > ]
 [Eh > ] [Ws > ]
 [Wp > ] [Wt > ]
 [Rf > ] [Rs > ]

[Ruby-Skylark]

~ FIRST TOUCH ~

Jake waited calmly for his new rider. He'd heard the stablehands alking and he knew he'd been adopted as soon as he was put out, but he still hadn't met his new owner/rider? And he was curious to know why it had taken them so long to come meet him?

He heard slow footsteps coming along the path and his ears perked up. He was just about to move toward the gate when a head full of dark red hair suddenly peeked over the gate, giving him a start?!

A soft voice spoke and he moved toward it. "Um...hi" she was standing on her toes to see over the gate. "I'm your owner, and I know I haven't been to see you, but, you see...I was stuck on your name" she said with an embarrassed look.

"Naming a Neravontii is one of the most important parts of adopting, and I had a name picked out, but it wasn't the right name" she mumbled. "I'm really sorry I left you all alone while I was stuck, but until I had your name, I couldn't come and talk to you?"

Jake flicked his ears back and forth as he listened. He appreciated his rider being honest, and he agreed, naming was very important, so he took another step forward and rubbed his chin against her fingers. She took the hint and smiled as she started scratching under his chin.

He gave her a sideways look as if to ask and she gave his head a pat. "So, after thinking long and hard, and getting help from a few other riders, I decided to call you Jake...if you're happy with that name?"

Jake was very pleased with this young female, it might have taken her a while to get there, but she had picked the right name. He bobbed his head in agreement and watched her smile grow bigger. "Excellent!" She cheered, "Now I can start your training for real!" She said, practically bouncing on the spot.

[Ruby-Skylark]

~ FIRST SADDLE ~

Jake was very pleased with how his training was progressing. His rider was intelligent, focused, and didn't rush. And they had already reached the point where he was ready to try his new saddle on for the first time.

He was alert when he heard footsteps coming toward his stall. He knew it was his rider, so he moved toward the gate in readiness. But he was surprised when she entered without a saddle?

"Hey, Jake" she called out as she opened the gate. "Bet you're wondering where your saddle is?" Jake gave her a look and she laughed. "Don't worry, we're still doing that, we just have to do it different" she said as she led him out of the stall.

"I'm just too small and not strong enough to get a saddle on your back from the ground," she kept talking as she led Jake over to the loading ramp, "but if I can get a bit higher, I should be able to lift it a short distance..."

She led him down one side of the loading dock next to the barn and left him standing there as she climbed the ramp, he looked around and saw a saddle next to him on the dock and figured out what his rider was up to.

When she picked up the saddle, he stood as still as he could while she positioned it on his back. When she was happy with it, she came back down the ramp and tightened the straps until they were comfortable for Jake. Then she came round to his head and gave his ears a ruffle, "How does that feel? Not too tight?"

Jake gave a small shake to see what would happen, the saddle didn't move at all, but it wasn't so tight he couldn't breathe normally or move comfortably. He was very pleased with his first time wearing a saddle and gave his rider a light pat to show his appreciation. He was pleased with his rider again, she was definitely turning out to be one of the good ones, he smiled to himself.

[Ruby-Skylark]

~ FIRST RIDE ~

Jake was looking forward to his first ride. Normally he was calm and collected, and so laid back he barely moved. But today, he was fidgety and excited and could barely stand still. He'd already been saddled, and now he was standing waiting for his rider to climb up on his back.

Unfortunately, being as short as she was, naturally she was having trouble getting enough lift to make it to the saddle. You'd think she might have learned from her first two Neravontii that this just wan't going to work, but he wasn't going to be mean and point this out to her. She was obviously trying to get there on her own steam but just didn't have the strength.

In the finish he pulled her over to the big stump near the paddock. He'd seen her use it to get in the saddle when she went riding with Jaye or Starlight so he knew that this method worked best. She never rode Jaxx, and Jake could understand why, she didn't want to put added weight onto his prosthetic, so that told him she was a kind rider.

Once she figured out what he was doing she gave up any pretense of trying to get into the saddle her self and climbed up onto the stump (with a bit of help from Jake) until she was level with the stirrups. Once she had made it into the saddle, Jake waited for her to get settled and make sure she wasn't going to fall straight off, and then he started walking toward the gate.

His rider couldn't help herself, she laughed out loud at his antics. "Eager to get out, are we?" she said as she patted him on the neck. "That's great, I am too!"

She waited for Jake to open the gate, and then watched as he closed it again after they'd gone through. Then she gave him the signal to just run! She held on as he galloped down the path, laughing loudly all the way. They were having such a great time that they never even noticed the sky getting dark.

But when it got hard to see the road, she reluctantly agreed that it was time to head back. They took it slow on the return trip, looking around and seeing the trail, watching the sky change colours, and looking forward to going riding again.

Jake had to admit, as much as he liked to run, he preferred the slow walking, it was quiet, and peaceful, and he could look around without worrying about tripping himself up and perhaps injuring himself or his rider. By the time they made it back to the stable, the others were waiting to greet them.