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Archery

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(Forgot to add this in to my story, but a neat historical conformation learning moment... Both Arabians and Akhal-Tekes are known for being sensitive, good endurance horses from the desert regions. And yet, they are built a bit different from each other, why? Because their people had different needs. The Bedouin fought using spears, so the short backed Arab is able to deliver power to back up his rider's arm. The Turkmen were archers and the Teke's long back is said to have enabled the horse to be flexible and agile and move with his rider as the rider twisted to shoot.)

Entry for Gemini Hollow Horse & Hound [link]

Horse: Tupan [link]
Rider: Astrid Lierre
Class: Mounted Archery

[For the rest of the story see part 1 [link] and part 2 [link] the following is part 3...]

"I love this horse!" Astrid thought to herself. She knew now why Jimmy had said not just anybody could ride him, Tupan was so sensitive!

This fact had gotten her in trouble their first couple training sessions together. She was so used to Flash, who relied so heavily on leg aides that she now had to actively remind herself not to put pressure on Tupan's sides. One of her worries had been that the gray stallion would run away with her as soon as they got going at a faster gait, but his mouth was just as delicate that she had soon realized this wouldn't be a problem. In fact, once they started exercising on the track she quickly learned that he even responded to subtle weight cues.

And now, the more she rode him, the more she learned just how subtly she could communicate with him, and just how willing of a partner he could be. She had always observed him from more of a distance, as he raced with Jimmy, as he played in the fields, as he strutted beside her on the end of the lead line. He had wonderful ground manners, she knew that, but she had still seen him as the super tough, super masculine stallion. Now she was learning how eager he was to rely on and please his rider, how happy he was to respond to their cues.

Astrid was pleased with how their agility ride had gone, the three of them had had fun together and had learned they could trust one another a little more. Now she was going to try the mounted archery. It wasn't something they had done a lot of, and never competitively, but she was glad Jimmy had recommended it. She didn't care if she even hit the target once today, she was simply looking forward to playing with this horse she was still surprised she could trust with such small cues.
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