Settling In

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

A silver SUV signaled a left turn down the driveway. The tall oak trees were like a canopy over the black asphalt. White fences lined the property and channeled the car down towards a fork in the road. One way lead to the house and the other to the grand white barn that showed itself as the driver came over a small hill. He parked the car and went through the double dutch doors. It was very clean and gleaming, well-bred horses hung their heads over their stall doors. Some even greeting the strange man. Gryphon stopped to pet a few of their soft noses. the brass nameplate on this bay's halter said "Gulliver". He moved on and finally found the office. "Hi, I'm Gryphon." he said and extended his hand.

[*~*Lauren*~*]

A woman with brunette hair lifted her eyes from her Practical Horsemen magazine and smiled "Hi, Gryphon. I'm Mackenzie. She stood up and walked around the desk. I'll take you on a tour." She lead him back into the main aisle of the barn. She walked down explained all the amenities you get with boarding "This is our main barn were clients keep their horses, they get fed hay and grain twice daily, turnout in a group or by themselves, stalls picked twice and we'll groom them and clip them when you're not coming out." She headed outside now and briefly showed him the sand and grass rings "So, Gryphon will you be taking any lessons or need any exercise riding for your horses?"

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

Gryphon gave a long low whistle "Fancy." Gryphon had just moved back into the country from a private boarding school in France to live with his sister whom had graduated 2 years early. Gryphon still had to finish his last year of high school, but he couldn't finish in France after being kicked out for what happened last year. "Well, my sister, Harrlow, is just learning how to jump so she'll definately need lessons and I'll probably take the odd lesson with my guy." Gryphon smiled at her "If you're the coach." He thought Mackenzie was very attractive "You know I don't anyone besides my sister in this town maybe we could hang out sometime." he said in his charming french accent. Seconds later he saw a large transport truck come up the driveway it said "Equine Worldwide Transport" on the side.

[*~*Lauren*~*]

Mackenzie smiled back, but also a hint of color entered her cheeks when he looked at her. "Yeah I'm one of the coaches here." She too saw the large transport and started to walk towards it. "I guess to could show you around and introduce you to some people." As the truck came to a stop she helped the driver put the heavy ramp down. The truck driver then went up the ramp and pulled two horses off.

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

"Can't wait." he smiled and walked with her to the trailer. He was so excited to see his horse Kingsley. His horse. He still couldn't believe that his parents bought him. It had been over a month since he had seen him, because he had moved here and then had to wait for Kingsley to get approved and through quarentine. The truck driver handed of the bay to Mackenzie and gave him the black stallion. Gryphon stroked his face Hey boy how was your trip? This is going to be your new home." He lead Kingsley to a stall. "So this is my horse Kingsley and that's my sister's horse Winston."

[*~*Lauren*~*]

"They're both gorgeous." Mackenzie looked Winston up and down "Your sister rides this horse?" She couln't believe that a novice rider was riding a horse bred for international jumping. Just then her 14 year old sister walked by with her hunter Mags in tow. "Hey Kenzie! I'm just going to take Mags on a hack wanna come?" Mackenzie shook her head "Sorry Soph I have a bunch of horses to school and I still haven't ridden Gavin yet."[/img] Upon hearing the name Gavin a dark bay horse poked his head out of his stall and nickered. "By the way this is Gryphon Berkley. Him and his sister are going to board their horses here." Mackenzie turned back to Gryphon This is my sister Sophia." Sophia flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and gracefully extended her hand "Nice to meet you."

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

Gryphon sensed the tone of her voice "Mommy and daddy's little princess can only have the best." he laughed. He loved Harrlow and his parents, but always felt that they spoiled her. They were reluctant to even buy him a horse and he was the one that could actually ride. "She's only been on him a few times, but that was when she was trying him while visiting me in France." Gryphon laughed again. "Maybe you could ride him for her? Just to keep him fit and well tuned. She'd probably like it if you could show him too. Harrlow loves sitting in the owner's box." Gryphon was introduced to the blonde Sophia. As he released her hand from his grip he asked he if he could go with her "Kingsley would love to stretch his legs on a hack."

[*~*Lauren*~*]

Mackenzie's eyes widened "Really?! I'd love to!" She'd be crazy not to ride this horse. "Thank you so much Gryphon." Sophia nodded and said that she could show him the best trails around the farm. "Have a good ride guys." Mackenzie walked away into the tack room to get her next horse's bridle. Sophia turned back to Gryphon "Mags and I will be outside waiting." She turned the little bay mare around and headed out the back door. She mounted up and walked around in circles waiting.

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

Gryphon quickly groomed Kingsley and then ran to grab his tack from his car. Kingsley danced in place while Gryphon did up the saddle. The black stallion couldn't wait to get out. He'd been stuck in a stall for weeks. Gryphon fastened his helmet and then put Kingsley's bridle on. In seconds he had the straps done up and headed out the door to meet Sophia.
Gryphon lead his horse to a mounting block and easily climbed on. He rode over to where Sophia and Mags were. "Alright we're ready."

[*~*Lauren*~*]

Sophia smiled at him when he rode over to her "Alright let's go!" Mags broke into an easy trot down between the paddocks. They went past the riding rings and a few minutes later they reached a groomed trail that ran between a thick boreal forest. Sophia asked her mare to canter. The little bay mare tossed her elegant head and willing went to a canter. The soft moist ground muffled the sound of the horses' hooves. Soon the forest trail opened up into a wide meadow with tall soft grass. The mare leaned more on the bit now urging her rider to ask her to go faster. Sophia picked up on the mare's needs and let her go. For 15.2hh Mags had a huge stride. Now she stretched out her legs and galloped.

[♥FunnyHorse♥]

Kingsley willingly followed the bay mare. He pranced a little as he adjusted his stride to hers. Gryphon was glad that the thoroughbred was behaving himself. He knew that it had been a long time since he had been ridden. Kingsley did not have to be asked twice to canter, he wanted to race Mags, but Gryphon half-halted and kept him behind Mags and Sophia. When they reached the meadow Gryphon let the stallion loose. Kingsley extended his body in a full out gallop his black coat shone in the sun