Finally done! 8D A collaboration between the amazing and myself! She did the awesome lines and background while I did the flats and cell shading. This is a training image for the HARPG olympics. Harley and Wren will be competing in the 3DE and Alayna and Valor are in the individual dressage class.

Sealle's version:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A slightly freckled hand pointed a finger at the big, grey mare before it. "No, no, no, no! Don't let her get away with that! She's playing you. Only release when she has given to you and release immediately when she does. If she sticks her nose out in the air again do the same thing all over." Alayna chided. The brunnete on the mare focused foreward with a pensive stare. She could tell the woman was getting frustrated, but she and the mare were both learning...quite quickly for what Alayna was demanding of them. The pair were beginning to form a small sheen of sweat and the mare was chewing irritatedly on her bit. Good. At least she was listening now.

Harley looked to be taking the instruction well enough. She seemed eager to learn, just easy to frustrate when she didn't get something the first time. Alayna could relate. She possessed a terrible temper, blaming it on the fact that she was red headed and of Irish origins. A few male jockeys in the racetrack locker rooms had been victim to her bouts of rage and she was sure they could attest that it wasn't fun to be on the recieving end. If it was her on the horse right now getting nit-picked apart like Harley was she would have already shot back a few nasty words, but the woman just continued to try harder each time she was chastized.

A big whuff of air in her ear disturbed her from her coaching and she looked over to see Valor's head perched right over her shoulder. He was completely focused on the lighter mare before him, chocolaty eyes bright and ears perked straight up as he watched her work. A deep, gutteral nicker escaped his throat and vibrated his whole body, trying to butter up the mare who had only twitched an ear towards his flirting attempts while she worked. Alayna chuckled at his antics and swatted him away. "Get back, Casanova, she's not your type." He backed up obediently but nickered sweetly at her again. Obviously he didn't think so.

After another thirty minutes the pair were obviously getting tired, but the work had paid off. Wren's piaffe was now collected, her hind end tucked neatly under her, whereas, before she had been hollow-backed and on her forehand. "Good! Good! You two look so much better. Now, why don't you let her walk relaxed for a job well done." Harley responded happily, letting the reins slide through her gloved fingers and the mare lazily stretched her neck out and let it hang low. They both let out a collective sigh of relief and Alayna smiled up at them. "I have a feeling you two are going to do really well." She said to the woman who gave her a grin. Normally she wouldn't help the competition, but Wren was scheduled for eventing, not the individual dressage, so what did it hurt? If she could aid a fellow horsewoman, a very good rider that just needed to learn when to slow down, then she would do it to the best of her ability. Just how she did everything else.

Mounting the big dappled Andalusian he waited patiently for her cue, and when she gave it to him he walked briskly towards Wren, one ear focused on his rider, the other on the mare that he desperately wanted to get to know better. Falling into pace with Harley she chatted with the woman for a bit, following her on the outskirts of the big, outdoor arena while she and Wren cooled off. Soon, she caught a glimpse of a man leaning on the railing at the entrance of the arena. He had ruffled hair and stubble, and though she couldn't see him clearly, she guessed he wore a crooked smile as he watched the two women riding. Alayna said her goodbyes, wishing Harley the best of luck in her competitions and excused herself to point the stallion towards the man at the entrance. Valor drug his hooves as he left, letting out one, final, lovestruck whinny to his long-legged 'girlfriend'.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flats, cell shading, Valor and Alayna (c)
Background, Lines, Wren and Harley (c)
Do NOT steal, copy or redistribute