{"id":11091,"date":"2014-10-05T14:18:16","date_gmt":"2014-10-05T18:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thegreathorse.com\/?p=11091"},"modified":"2017-06-04T12:58:28","modified_gmt":"2017-06-04T16:58:28","slug":"book2-excerpt-4-we-are-not-leaping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/2014\/10\/book2-excerpt-4-we-are-not-leaping\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cWe are not leaping…\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"GH2-2ndEd_cov_5FIN_142px\"
\nThis excerpt is from The Golden Spark<\/strong>, Book #2 of The Legend of the Great Horse<\/strong> trilogy, an adventure through history\u2015on horseback. <\/p>\n

The year is 1666 and Meagan is watching a riding demonstration of her rescued horse, Nero, at the Court of Versailles.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
“They say princes learn no art truly,
\nbut the art of horsemanship.
\nThe reason is, the brave beast is no flatterer.
\nHe will throw a prince as soon as his groom.”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\u2014Lord Byron (1788-1824)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Meagan was dismayed<\/span> to see a thin male form hurrying through the entrance. It was Robert Cheveley, pulling on gloves as he strode across the arena. \u201cYour Majesty!\u201d he called out boisterously, \u201cI apologize for my tardiness. I was in the process of losing a tournament of cards.\u201d He went quickly to Nero and lifted his leg to mount. No one moved to assist. Meagan wished it were acceptable to boo.<\/p>\n

\""Capriole"<\/a>\u201cPardon, monsieur,<\/em>\u201d Pierre said diplomatically, \u201cbut the demonstration is today given by riders of the Court.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that. No need. I shall ride my own horse, and no one else need bother. This dressage riding is in fashion and I am ready to restart my tuition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut not today, Monsieur, I beg.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, today. I am here, am I not?\u201d<\/p>\n

The King cleared his throat. \u201cPerhaps, Instructor, this could be a test of the man\u00e8ge <\/em>art. Surely our English guest\u2019s skills are not less than the average cavalryman\u2019s … ?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui, Majest\u00e9,<\/em>\u201d Pierre said in surrender, giving a signal to his assistants. They busied themselves adjusting the tack and helping Robert to mount. Swinging his leg high, Robert sat upon Nero with a hard thump\u2014the horse jerked his head up as if awaking to a bad dream. Robert tugged on the reins and Nero swished his tail, tucking his head behind the bit and chewing voraciously.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seems a bit sluggish,\u201d Robert commented loudly. \u201cWhy? He used to be so spirited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, monsieur.\u201d Pierre wrung his hands. \u201cPetit \u00e0 petit<\/em> the horse is become relaxed and calm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalm? But I want the horse to leap and kick. I do not want him calm<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe horse needs this calm to perform the leaps with \u00e9lan<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome now, let us not argue. You are the instructor. Instruct.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pierre looked at the chandeliers of the Court man\u00e8ge <\/em>for a moment, and then spread his arms. Music commenced. \u201cYes, monsieur <\/em>… please lower the heel. Maintain the soft contact. The heel <\/em>is lower, please. Tighten your thigh, shoulders back, do not lean! Heels lower, if you please, monsieur<\/em>. Head up<\/em>, elbows not <\/em>press, wrists out<\/em>, fingers closed<\/em>, hands off <\/em>neck. Look up from the ground, monsieur<\/em>, heels lower!<\/em> Lower, if you please<\/em>, monsieur<\/em>, we are not dancing the ballet. Wrist strong, head up, knees back, chest open … heels<\/em>, monsieur! Heels!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert\u2019s face was getting redder and Nero was champing on the bit, ears pinned back. Nervous sweat was beginning to show on the gelding\u2019s neck. Finally Robert shouted and jerked the reins. \u201cThis may be well and good, but I want to do one of those Airs!\u201d
\nPierre glanced unhappily at the King. Meagan almost stood to give her own comment, but realized her place and remained silently stewing.<\/p>\n

\u201cProceed, Instructor,\u201d the King said mildly.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, Majest\u00e9<\/em>. Very well, Monsieur <\/em>Cheveley. The first principle is calm, the second is balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBother calm. We have talked of nothing else since we began. I want to leap!\u201d<\/p>\n

Pierre looked a final time to the King and, defeated, indicated to the attendants to stand close. Men took Nero\u2019s bridle and Pierre took up a position near the horse\u2019s side. Nero shook his head and yawed his mouth, prancing tensely. \u201cMonsieur <\/em>Cheveley, please attend. The leap is resulting from the horse\u2019s obedience to the driving aids, made con brio<\/em> with the aids of holding. The horse releases himself when the point of tension must become equilibrium.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not leaping…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Capriole<\/em>, monsieur<\/em>, the height of the leap is of second importance to the forward spring and the kick. If the kick is well finished, the landing will be light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert shrugged irritably. \u201cThis is quite tedious. Just tell me what to do!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, monsieur<\/em>, of course. Commence the Piaffe<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert lifted his reins higher and spurred. Nero nearly escaped from his handlers, but they hung on grimly and the horse threw himself into an uneven fidgeting-in-place.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d shouted Robert.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not … raise the hand slightly, monsieur<\/em>, slightly. Remember to be the velvet glove over the iron fist! Now, softly apply the leg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert hauled the reins high and clapped his legs on Nero with all his strength. The horse did, in fact, abandon his calm: he struck out a hind leg, tore his bridle from the attendants\u2019 grip, planted both feet in the finely raked dirt and flung Robert off with the first hitch. The incensed gelding continued plunging across the man\u00e8ge<\/em> … scraps of Royal tack scattered in a colorful stream behind him.<\/p>\n

The King rose and Pierre, shaking, took the Royal chair. Meagan sat stunned in the gallery as the orchestra fell silent, though one flutist tried for a time to accompany Nero in his circuits around the arena.<\/p>\n

Robert waved away assistance and stood, brushing himself. \u201cI say, the horse was much better before all this training<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must thank Monsieur <\/em>Cheveley,\u201d said the King gravely. \u201cHe has made our own riding seem beaucoup plus expert.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Robert picked up his hat from the dirt and shook it before bowing low to the King. \u201cIt is my pleasure, Majest\u00e9<\/em>.\u201d\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n__________<\/p>\n

Quick Links:<\/p>\n

<\/strong>\n<\/div>\n

\u00bb See All Excerpts<\/strong><\/a> from The Legend of the Great Horse<\/strong> trilogy.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Read the 1st Chapter online<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00bb Check out Reviews<\/strong> <\/a> for the trilogy.<\/p>\n

\u00bb See the Media Kit<\/strong><\/a> for more information about the trilogy.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This excerpt is from The Golden Spark, Book #2 of The Legend of the Great Horse trilogy, an adventure through history\u2015on horseback. The year is 1666 and Meagan is watching a riding demonstration of her rescued horse, Nero, at the Court of Versailles. “They say princes learn no art truly, but the art of horsemanship. … Continue reading “\u201cWe are not leaping…\u201d”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[315],"tags":[118,332,376,396,301,377],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11091"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11091"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15258,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11091\/revisions\/15258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thegreathorse.com\/book-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}