[Phibius]

Synopsis: A weekly riding class becomes a lesson on life, chance, loss.

Once a week, for no particular reason, my friends and I like to take riding lessons in an indoor arena perched on a quiet hillside which lies some miles into the green, green country beyond The City. We are usually half a dozen or so twenty-somethings, escaping from the office to an evening of sociable risk-sport: we love the sweet smell of hay, the warm muscularity of our mounts, matching wills and wits with creatures we can't hope to match for power, the slightly off-colour banter.

Our education has progressed from the early walks and trots, sitting and standing. Now, we are learning to canter: this is a much faster pace, where all four hooves may leave the ground at once. Although it isn't nearly as fast as a gallop, it does make the ground go by with disconcerting speed. There is a lot of motion: the rider must try to keep the rhythm of the horse - or risk being bounced halfway to the rafters. For male riders, the landing presents additional (painful!) hazards. I've learnt to clasp the horse very firmly with my knees.

On the evening of our story, our instructor was pleased with our progress: so pleased that he wanted to give us all as much practice as possible. Now, usually we canter singly, with the rest of the group observing, their mounts stationery in the centre of the arena, but on this occasion I was sent out to lead my girlfriend in a canter (since her horse was a lazy devil, and mine very fast and biddable).

No sense of foreboding, just excitement to be riding fast, together. We've been around too many times to fear this old track. And it goes well, until the call comes to turn in again. Something startles my "Gipsy": instead of slowing to my "whoa" and tug, she seems to buck and jump. Adrenaline stretches seconds into glacial-slow motion as the turn approaches and my awareness is crystal-clear, my world reduced to the problem of self-preservation. I fight her head for control of our connected destinies. Just as suddenly as the mischief began, it leaves her, and we fall back to a walk.

Only then do I glance in to the others: and see - no! - a white horse with an empty saddle. My heart misses the beat; my world stops. It is my girlfriend's horse.

Eons move by at mollusk-speed as I seek frantically back along the path of the white horse. My gaze stops, yes!, unbelieving in the instant and perfect miracle: she is up and walking, with a smile on her face. Dazed, I turn in.

Down went her horse, cleanly, she fell, head-first, then somersaulting, tucked in, bounced, rolled, stood again, unbroken. Between two strides, my world was lost - and restored again.

What risks we take!

[Serac]

'Between two strides, my world was lost - and restored again.' This was the highlight of the story for me. Honestly, this felt more like a manual on horses rather than an actual story. And although I did learn what a canter was, I didn't find it all that enthralling. If you added a little bit of that social stuff you mentioned, it would be impressively better, I would imagine.

[Ambrose]

I've only ridden a horse once in my life, and that was a long time ago, but this story is written in a way that is easy to relate to. You talk about risks, and illustrate beautifully how they can be unavoidable, scary, and sometimes, incredibly rewarding.

[Evrviglnt]

One of the joys in my life is horseback riding. I don't take Rocky into the arena much, he hates to be teased like that, but when I do, I let him run without me on his back. Out on the trail it's more of an adventure for the both of us.

So here's a long way to say I like your descriptions and understand the care a rider must take when sitting atop such a large animal. Your girlfriend's lucky she didn't come up lame, and so is the horse. Too much excitement for me....

[SlickNick]

I'm inclined to agree with Serac; it was interesting, but could have been so much more.

[Gigle]

Could have been a lot better with more character development.

[Vincentii]

I disagree with Serac and Gigle. The story is supposed to be a life lesson of sorts. The story itself is merely the means used to relay this lesson. Character development would only serve to hinder the universality of the story.

However I must say this story would be better in the form of a poem.

[Gigle]

Originally Posted by Vincentii

I disagree with Serac and Gigle. The story is supposed to be a life lesson of sorts. The story itself is merely the means used to relay this lesson. Character development would only serve to hinder the universality of the story.

However I must say this story would be better in the form of a poem.

A poem.. Interesting. I dunno, I guess if it wants to be a 'moral' story, then no character development is good, but if it wants to be a story 'story,' so to speak, then I think it would benefit from character development.

[Vincentii]

Reading the synopsis I think it is rather a moral story.
Then again, there are moral stories with character development: fables.

[Gigle]

Originally Posted by Vincentii

Reading the synopsis I think it is rather a moral story.
Then again, there are moral stories with character development: fables.

Well I always feel that the emotional impact of stories (or the strength of their moral) directly correlates to the story's character development.