Seth strode down the gravel driveway from the dorms, wearing dark blue jeans, a plain light blue t-shirt, and his riding boots. He ran a hand through his hair as he walked, making it messier rather than neater. As he reached the barn, Seth inhaled the fresh smells of horse dung and hay. Several friendly nickers greeted him, one being from his own bay thoroughbred gelding, Something Wicked. The bay gelding tossed his head and looked out over the stall door as Seth approched, obviously happy to see his owner and rider. Wicked nuzzled Seth, searching for the usual treat that he always carried. With a laugh, Seth relented and held out the sugar cube in his palm, only to have a soft muzzle snuffling his hand a second later.

"Thats' all for now, we're going for a ride then maybe you'll get more later." Seth said, scratching Wicked's neck, talking to him as if he understood every word. Seth reached beside the stall for the dark navy blue halter that was hanging on a nail, casting his gaze around the barn as he did so. No sign of Jess yet, though she had a head start so he figured that she was probably out there riding already. "Come on," Seth muttered, slipping inside the stall and wrestling with the straps on the halter until they were no longer tangled, then slipping it over the gelding's head and buckling it. He gave it a gentle tug, waiting until Wicked took a step forward until leading him out of the stall and outside. Once outside, Seth took another look around, not seeing Jess, and looped the lead rope around a post, tying it into an easy slipknot.

---

Once Seth had gotten Wicked tacked up, which involved fighting with the bit again, he grabbed the reins and led the bay towards the indoor arena. If Jess wasn't in the outdoor arena, which Seth could easily see from the barn, then she had to be in the indoor arena. That was assuming that she was actually there already, and not later than he was. "Whoah," Seth said, swinging his jean clad leg over Wicked's side and shoving it into the metal stirrup. The gelding side stepped as they walked through the metal doors into the indoor arena.

{reserved for Jess}

Seth turned around in the saddle, hearing Jess call his name. "Hey! It's no problem, I thought that I was late." He laughed, turning to face forwards again and nudging Wicked into a trot. He easily posted to the bouncy gait, and directed Wicked into the middle of the arena where several jumps had already been set up. They about 3 feet tall, making them an easy height for Seth and Wicked. They'd jumped higher before, though not by much, the highest they'd ever jumped was probably around 3 feet, 6 inches.

"Come on, Jess, let's see what you guys can do!" Seth called over his shoulder, then clucking to Wicked. The gelding broke into a canter as they headed for the first jump. They cleared it easily, with room to spare. Seth pulled on the reins almost as soon as they landed, preventing the bay from continuing on to the next jump as he normally would have. In response, Wicked tossed his head and snorted.