POLISHED` (reese)

[Leslie Hawthorne]

{ DRESSED for the EVENT }

It'd been perhaps a week since she'd up and left Hawthorne, and today she was here with her new, temporary barn, showing the hell out of some horses. Leslie was working her board off by training and giving lessons, and was still making some cash. Today, she was astride a large bay pleasure horse, looking the part as she prepared to ride into the ring, her hair curled neatly and put into a pony tail that sat tamely behind her.

Schooling him moments before her class was called, a focused look was on her face and she took on a very poised position. Chin up, eyes high, she jogged him into the ring, sitting him nicely and looking very much the part. The horse kept his head low, and his pace slow and even but correct. He was finely trained, and Leslie complimented him well. When all were in the ring, the judge called for the lope. Without a misstep, he took up the lope, never missing a beat, or adding one. Oblivious to who might have been on the rail, the young woman was showing the horse to her full ability. It was clear she'd been drilled before. Calling for a walk, the big bay took up the lazy gait, keeping his frame, eventually reversing, only to go through it again.

As they called for the line up, they waited patiently for the placings. Names rang out, as the crowd thinned out, riders exiting the ring to collect their prizes. "And your first place winner in Western Pleasure Open is Leslie Hawthorne aboard Zips Been Chipped." Patting the horse on the shoulder, she jogged him out of the ring, collecting a nice little check along the way.

[Reese Miller]

The first day of the show wasn't much excitement. He wasn't showing until later in the evening and until then he was being his moms slave boy. His mom was having some separation issues since he moved away and used the excuse of a show and opportunity to pick up a few new horses to come check up on him. She didn't really trust him living by himself and these visits would probably keep happening until he can settle her mind. He could try to hid it all he wanted but it was nice to have some familiar faces around. His mom had brought along two riders from her stable and about five horses, planning on leaving with around 8.

The show was packed. Each class seemed to have no less then fifteen people. He spent his morning clipping,bathing, tacking up, warming up, and even cooling off horses. He also the look out for any horses for sale, which he was doing a poor job of. Weekend long horse shows were always eventful, well, except this one. The sun had stayed hidden behind the cloud for the first day and which was a relief. The list of classes for this barn were low in the beginning, taking this opportunity he retreated back to the stable area to they're set up.

There Chaos stood lazily in the back of his stall, he was an old pro at this and the environment didn't stress him out the least. Tossing him another flake hay as he passed Reese started tacking up one of the other horses. Once out of the stable area he mounted and followed the sea of horses and riders toward the arena. Moving into the practice ring he wasted no time putting the gelding to work. The gelding seemed a little on edge, which was typical for a three year old. Paying no mind to it he continued warming up, throwing in a few leg yields, roll backs, halts, back ups, and direction changes to keep the horse's mind off the over crowded warm up ring.

Dismounting he made his way to his mom and one of her students who were positioned on the rail. The name over the loud speaker caught his attention and as the realized who it was she was exiting the ring. "Nice job cowgirl" He shouted helping the student on the horse, giving the horse quick pat on the hind end he sent the horse and rider toward the arena.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

She found a spot outside of the crowd, keeping her horse in some isolation for a tiny break before the horsemanship class. Talking to her peers, something caught her attention in the chaos.

That voice. That name. She looked over her shoulder seeing him, and smirked, "It's Miss Cowgirl to you." Walking the lazy bay up near him, she looked down to him, "So who are you being a rail bitch for on this fine day?" Amused by this, the smirk on her face grew. Mister Macho Reese, grooming up and putting a shine on little pleasure horses all across the land. It was cute - adorable even.

"You showing today?"

[Reese Miller]

"Nah I like cowgirl better." He grinned up at her "I'm being a mommy's boy for the day."He motioned over to his mom who was now barking orders at her student from the rail. "I'm showing good ol' Chaos in Freestyle tonight and Drake in Rookie Professional in the morning."

"You showing anything else besides this 'peanut pusher'?" He asked playfully. All of this pleasure shit was starting to bore him, the real stuff started tonight. He was reining in two classes, one with Chaos and another with a horse his dad sent down to sell. It had been awhile since he had shown and his excitement proved how much he had missed it.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

"Aww, a momma's boy - how cute," the amusement ran rabid on her face, keeping from bursting out with laughter, "You're a cutie."

Leslie watched him for a moment and giggled with Zip nudged him, "Well, I suppose he thinks you're a peanut, as he just pushed you... I'm done showing for today, but I have a lot of youngsters to ride in the snaffle bit classes tomorrow." Zip's eye started blinking, obviously falling asleep, "You're showing this evening then. I'll be on the rail, silently judging you... How are things holding up at old Hawthorne?"

Honestly? Leslie didn't miss it. Sure the facility was nice, but state of the art buildings could not cover up the obvious bullshit around that place.

[Reese Miller]

"Hey what can I say she is a good cook" He laughed and ran his hand down the horses neck a couple times. "Ok, you can be my other judge then." Stepping back he added "See you tonight cowgirl."

The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, the lights in the barn set a dim light over the horses. Checking over Chaos one last time he led the half asleep stud from his stall. Mounting he slowly made his way back to the arenas. He wasn't going to warm up that much, just enough to loosen Chaos's muscles. He didn't like focusing on the slides because it gave everyone a heads up of the horses and the riders ability. Pushing Chaos into a lope, Reese focused on moving the horse off his leg; changing directions through the middle, lead changes every other strides, half passes, leg yields and roll backs. Feeling pretty good he exited the ring and stood by his mom and her students taking in the competition.

"Reese Miller aboard Causing Chaos, riding to Whistlin Dixie by Randy Houser" A determined look came across his face, riding into the ring at a walk he let Chaos take a look around as they made their way to the center of the arena. Once there he sat back a little halting the horse, pressing his leg into the horses side they turned toward the left side of the fence as the music began. Keeping the reins slacked he touched Chaos with the spur and the pair set off on the left lead hardly staying in a lope. Completing two large circles, Reese sat back a little slowing the gelding down and the pair moved in a smaller circle at a pleasure lope. Reaching the center again they stopped, hesitating for a second, sitting deep in the saddle and leg pressed against Chaos's side he set the stud off. Chaos kept on foot grounded as he set off in a flurry if four spins. Quickly taking off the leg pressure the Stud stopped, huffing slightly. Kissing, Reese leaned forward a little allowing the gelding to have his head they set off on the left lead in a gallop. Cutting across the middle he shifted his weight asking for the change. Continuing around the previous circle to the left they galloped up the right side, right past the center marker they exacted a right rollback. They continued the same thing on the left except a left rollback. Taking more weight off the saddle he asked for more speed as they made their way around the previous circle, galloping up the left side. As they reached the center marker he sat deep in his saddle, and lightly touching the reins. Chaos pushed his hind end under him and slowed his front end down. Slinging rocks and dirt at the walls of the arena. Keeping his weight back the stud started to back up. Reaching the right distance they did a left rollback and set off in a gallop again. Galloping up the right side they did another sliding stop at the center marker. This time the pair backed up until they reached the center marker. The song ended seconds after. Reaching down he gave Chaos as few slaps for a job well done as the judges dismissed him.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

She was waiting for him by the gate. Oh yes. She was waiting. With her arms crossed and a stern look on her face, one that read she might really rip into someone here soon. And oh, how she was fighting to maintain that look. Thank God for those years of drama club. "That was awful. Horrible. Your poor horse did his job, but you didn't do yours... I am disappointed in you Reese Miller. Disappointed at best." Looking at the man, her eyebrows raised with the corners of her mouth, "Okay, I'm kidding. That was actually pretty good."

Their little meeting was interrupted by an overenthusiastic youngster, "Miss Leslie! Miss Leslie! Come look at Gus' mane!"

Thinking perhaps it'd been chewed off she nodded, "See ya around, Cowboy." Though when she got to the stalls, she realized Gus had been prettied up in pink and purple. The big gray horse didn't seem to mind it, but Leslie couldn't help but laugh, "He looks dashing."

As the evening settled in more so, Leslie found herself outside her trailer, by herself, basking in the warmth of a campfire. Beer in hand, feet propped up on someone's chair. This was the life, her eyes shutting in the moment of peace she had, and a content smile on her face as her barn peeps went off on a visiting mission to other exhibitors.

[Reese Miller]

"Well I'm glad I could impress you cowgirl." As she disappeared into the crowd he dismounted and led Chaos toward his mom and her students. They chatted about his performance and the others until the class was over. He didn't have time to get Drake ready, thankfully one of the students ran off and got the gelding for him. the placings for the freestyle weren't his best, third out of fifteen was good in most peoples eyes but not Reese. More determined then before he mounted Drake and went into their class. This class wasn't as laid back as the freestyle, giving Reese more concentration. This time he came away from that class with a win. Not bad for his first show since stopping a for a couple months.

Once the horses were put away for the night he bid his mother and students goodnight in their camper,disappeared into his camper to grab a drink and went to wonder around the grounds. It wasn't long before he stumbled apon Leslie "Relaxing Cowgirl?"

[Leslie Hawthorne]

"That depends on who's asking and why," opening an eye with a grin, "Yeah, while I can. Heard you had a pretty little run on your other horse." Both eyes opened, she motioned with her hand, "Sit down... there's chairs everywhere." And there were. The campsite becoming the center of a pow-wow almost.

Stretching her legs and bending her ankles to pop them, her head rolling over to get a better look at her visitor. By now, she'd had a couple of beers. Enough to either make her, or break her, "I mean what I said earlier... about you being cute." Well, it wasn't too ugly. Not yet.

The way she saw it, is that she had a bunch of kids to prepare for showmanship in the morning. That would cause damn near anyone to drink. Noticing a drink in his hand, she inquired, "Whatcha drinkin'?"

[Reese Miller]

"Yeah I guess you could say that." He said sitting down "don't know how, he spun bad at then end." The thought of the run made him a little mad at himself. He had relaxed during their last spin, not putting enough pressure on with his leg allowing the horse to move his hoof that needed to be plated.

Gazing into the fire he dwelled on the run for a few more seconds before returning to reality. They won the money and allowed a lot of people to see the horse, hopefully sell it too. "Oh really?..and how much have you had to drink?" He asked shacking his head in mock disgust. "Coors Light."Holding up his can masked in a koozie.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

"Just a couple... Like three... so that's a few isn't it? And this?" she held up the on in her hand, "..Is lucky number four." Wrinkling her nose, "Nevermind, I don't want any." Ankles crossing in front of her, she sighed. She didn't mind coors actually, she just liked giving him a hard time.

Taking a sip of her own Michelob Ultra, she started again, "You are cute though. Except when you go from all Reese to Rawr in two seconds. Then you're kind of studly, but who's keeping track?" Oh Leslie. Dear little Leslie. "And it's sweet how you're helping your mom, and she's helping you and you're all like... a little family... which you are - but I mean, you're not getting paid to act that way. It must be nice."

[Reese Miller]

He sat back in the chair and listen to her babble on "you sure are getting pretty loose." He laughed raising his brow at her as she went, looks like he was going to learn a lot tonight. "Yeah I guess we are cute little family."He joked."I get payed by not paying for my class fees and all that good stuff...I'm not a big fan of all the helping though but someone has to do it."

Finishing off his drink he put the empty can between his feet and watched the fire. "I think three is your limit...you're going to say things you'll regret"He said smirking at her through the fire.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

"Oh, I'm fine! I could have six more and be just swell. Don't make me come over there... or else... I might fall and hurt myself," taking another sip, "And not because I've had four beers... just because I'm that clumsy." The beer in her hand had finally had it as she finished it off, her eyes dazing out into the flames that rose from the fire.

Anytime she'd gotten support at a show was because it was either paid for, or through default. Such as working for someone. Keeping these little troubling thoughts inside of her, she looked up, "Oh stop looking so pleased with yourself, Cowboy. It's off putting," it wasn't. Not really. Leslie rather enjoyed his presence. Tilting her head, "And why do you think I'll regret the most raw of truths?"

[Reese Miller]

"If you have six more then I'll have to find someone to put you to bed." He laughed. It was now completely dark other then the orange glow of a few fires and the dim light from the campers. There was nothing like it, horse shows always had a since of piece about them, well his idea of peace.

"You'll regret it because usually the most raw of truths are the most embarrassing." Speaking from experience. He wasn't the most responsible drinker at times.

[Leslie Hawthorne]

Arm propped on the armrest, her cheek resting against her knuckles, she shrugged. "I've drank more." And as time sank in, so did her alcohol. It got her thinking. These thoughts, under intoxication, usually became vocal, her face bearing the look of question. It looked like she was actually pondering something rather important.

That's when she looked back up at him. Ah, raw truths would be leaking from those beer tainted lips of her, "And why find someone else? I wouldn't mind it if you put me to bed. I quite like that idea to be honest," And... there it was. Too drunk to care really, she didn't let on as if anything had happened, as she gazed back into the fire. This weekend was going to be one hell of a memory, wasn't it?