4th October 1814: Dancing with horses

Torrington took a deep breath.

"Well, somebody has to ... Don't expect too much."

Pulling his cuffs into place and gripping reins and whip correctly, he guided Trueno forward. For most parts, he repeated Sympher's performance - perhaps the best way to get a direct comparison. While he certainly was good, the differences were quite easy to spot; both horse and rider seemed to be slowly feeling their way back into things, and while they managed all the figures, it was with less ease and with a few false starts, and during an attempted half-pass a misunderstanding arose which left the stallion to actually buckle for a moment in an attempt to straigthen out his legs the way he wanted. All in all the engineer was not very satisfied with the performance.

They ended on a capriole, nicely executed; but as that had been one of the few things Torrington had regularily practiced and occassionally done to show off a bit in the Peninsula, the leap, while very difficult in itself, did not deter from the fact that he was not as good a dressage rider anymore as he wished to be, and that his horse too would need some practice again. With a rather sour mood, which he tried to hide, he returned to the others.

"You will also be good to perform those." Willoughby nodded. While there were flaws in the presentation and some mistakes, the rider and horse knew well enough what they needed to do. They needed some polishing and some practice but there was not a need to learn it from the beginning, which was certainly promising.

"You've done well, Major." He said as Torrington passed him, wishing to lift his mood up a little, for it had felt as though the man was not entirely pleased with how he had done. "We are at this moment only seeing what you can or know how to do so that we may polish our performance into displaying ourselves to the best of our abilities and not to miss showing something we could have done." He explained again.

"Alright. we need our next volunteer. We will all have to do it." And though he was not volunteering just yet, he would not have had a problem, should he need to take a turn either. Herrero stomped his foot and neighed at Trueno, his ears twitching once or twice.

Torrington acknowledged the praise silently and a little irritably, perhaps the best indicator of his mood. Trueno, feeling it, snorted at Herrero, using his rider's distraction to sidestep and face the other horse.

"I used to hate dressage when I was younger," Vickery remarked. He had no fears that Brandy did not know what to do - it was why he had chosen to ride Brandy in this particular challenge, after all. "One volunteer, and all that - I shall go next unless anyone particularly wishes to go before me?"

Herrero snorted back and thrust his head forward in an attempt to nip and bite the other horse only to be pulled back by it's rider. it did not stop him from trying the challenge again , with the bite from the side this time.

Willoughby tightened the hold on his reins then nodded to Vickery. "Your turn next. Go ahead." He smiled at him glad to have a volunteer rather than a surly face who had to do it just because they were made to.

Vickery carefully took Brandy through the same exercise performed by Sympher and Torrington. The figures were a little rough in places, which was only to be expected from a fighting horse which had not performed dressage in some time, although he certainly knew the movements required.

Vickery was a natural rider who had spent long hours in the saddle of this particular horse in Spain and was finely attuned to the animal, sitting upright and with very light hands on the reins. He made allowance for the thoroughbred's less powerful hindquarters by finishing with a neatly-executed mezzair.

"It seems that Alconbury should have wished never to have spoken ill words about the service. "

Willoughby nodded. "Fine work, major." He gazed at the remaining men, who were actually one redcoat, two Hussars and a heavy dragoon and of course himself as the third.

"So, the Foot officer, Hussars and a Dragoon left to perform." He said gazing about. "Any preferences on who wishes to go next?"

"Well, might as well get over with it ...", Worcester sighed, while Torrington and Sympher quietly gratulated Vickery.

He executed a different routine, one that the hussars did during their training, embellished with a few more advanced figures and steps. It emphasized more the practical demands of control, flexibility and collection, and he finished it rather logically with the Pesade, but did not attempt anything more, knowing that he would look worse for trying and failing something above his competence. He felt that he might try a levade later, perhaps, but for now he wanted to emphasize his stronger points, and the Pesade looked impressive enough, after all. If they could each perform a different solo piece, it would look more impressive anyway.

Willoughby nodded. "Very good." After the man has finished. There was one display of the cavalry so far, a redcoat was still missing his own and then the other three. He debated whether to volunteer next or be the last, since he had been the cause of this all anyway.

" Lieutenant Dalrymple, would you like to go next?" If the man was not ready yet though, then either he would volunteer, or let either of the remaining men do so.

Burlingame's horse thumped the floor impatiently though he was quickly reigned in again, while his rider glanced at the 'near late' arrival. Would he choose to perform first or would there be a hussar or a dragoon that was next? He did not particularly fancy going next, but after that or as last, he would not have minded.

Worcester's horse snorted and and tossed his head in reply, and the ADC quieted it and suggested:

"Perhaps you would care to go first, Captain? Rescuing the honour of the hussars, and all that ..."

He seemed to be slightly dampened by the fact that the riders before him had performed more showy pieces, and some of them much better than he had, although he knew that riding those figures in a synchronized way would be vastely different. He wished his favourite horse of the Peninsular campaign hadn't been hit the day before Tolouse. But if wishes were horses, Forester would be here, and there was nothing for it - they would have to work with what they had. And if he vowed to spend the afternoon on horseback, that was his private business.

"Well then.."Willoughby gave a last glance to the redcoat, waiting a moment more, before nudging Herrero forward, giving Worcester a light nod. "You were very fine, sir. No need to be rescuing anything." He smiled as he passed him. He took Herrero further on a good few steps before they turned, the horse's hind quarters remaining in the spot, while shifting the rest of the body around so that they were facing all of the officers again.

Herrero held his head high yet in a nice baroque curve as well, his steps confident and proud. Both the horse and rider were lost in concentration, one feeling the motions, nudges, squeezes, touches of the other, even simple shifts of weight that could tell him what his rider wanted of him.

It began with a few simple dressage steps, a passage that led him in a straight line, smoothly alternating that into a half pass. They danced diagonally first to the left, then alternated direction, still sideways to the right. After that, Herrero was given command to straighten the head and did so, while countinuing with the 'leg-yield', his direction unchanging.  

After a few more steps he straightened fully and walked forward again, then slowed into a controlled piaffe.
Only a moment later the horse exploded in a furry of motion, first with the pirouette then with the turn that felt as if though the horse had gone mad. Then just as suddenly they stopped, chose the opposite direction for a turn stopped again and then moved forward. After a few controlled steps, Herrero gained a little bit of speed then began with a fours, threes until he got down to changing the leg with each stride. It was executed well, with the horse and rider progressing smoothly through the steps and figures, as if having become one.

It was clear that Willoughby must have trained with Herrero even before returning home and though perhaps only as much as time permitted, it was clear why pubs were not a place to find him. Each time, the performance had risen in level of complexity though it was followed by parts which were easier on Herrero - allowing him some rest - only to bring him to do something physically demanding later.

When he came around the next circle though, Willoughby nudged Herrero to quicken his step, and then without warning disappeared from the saddle only to be seen still holding the horse, with his legs straight and pointed at the ground. He kicked from the ground and landed smoothly in the saddle again facing the direction they rode in. He grinned. In the next turn again, with Herrero not alternating his pace as if aware that he was supposed to keep it even if his rider was no longer applying the command, he slipped down, kicked from the ground, a full turn this time, as he sat infront of the saddle, facing towards Herrero's hind quarters, then with a quick twist, again sat in it.

Trick riding, by which he had been inspired as a child, when he saw it done at a horse fair, seemed a perfect thing to do in all those games with his peers.

The next performance, still done with ease, had brought him over the horse, kicking back at the ground on that side to land in the saddle again. The last of the tricks seemed as if he had intended to pick something from the ground, only more gracefully, leaning over the side, with his hands close to the ground. when he was back he briefly glanced at his boots and decided to leave the last idea he had for another time.

His boots had not been best for that trick and he really loathed to slip and make a mistake at this point in the ride. Herrero slowed to a comfortable canter and then trot, his legs of good composure and control.

With a dance like motion which was followed by the horse walking backwards in a semi circle, and halting again at the ready for the final part of his performance. A balottade was performed exactly as it was supposed to. Herrero must have wanted to show off, for he was so obedient and careful of the manner in which he performed, that it surprised even Willoughby.

With a few more steps to ease the muscles and prepare them again for pesade, Herrero balanced himself on his hind legs, helped by the shift and position of his rider, while his front had risen at an angle.

He refused to lie down at first try, but at another slowly lowered himself and lay perfectly on his side. Willoughby was equally affected by the strain of the performance. He patted the horse's side and they stood up again, the rider still in saddle, though with a side covered in some of the sand from the ground.

Herrero dipped to one leg as if giving a bow, his head lowering as well and then stood, breathing deep breaths, proud, confident and casting a look at the other horses. He neighed and stomped his foot, his ears straight ahead.

Torrington raised an eyebrow. "Impressive! Is that the same trooper horse you bought of the army?" Worcester too looked quite satisfied and impressed.

"I think that might see me off, and not merely Alconbury," Vickery said cheerfully. Brandy whickered, whether in agreement of his master's words or in annoyance at the fine performance they had just witnessed, Vickery couldn't tell.

Willoughby's cheecks were not red merely because of the earlier performance, which required physical effort, but also at the the kind compliments of the officers.

"It is. Herrero. " He patted the horse lightly on the neck, running his fingers along the mane. "I've been quite fortunate in getting him in retrospect. He's intelligent, eager to learn, as long as he feels that it is not beneath him." He chuckled. "...At least it paid a little on not having spent time as much in those pubs and places in the Peninsula. Though Herrero might disagree that the alternative was more relaxing for him!"

He smiled, wiping a little bit of sweat from his brow. "Thank you." And then he thought it was best to be back to business again.

"Well, we have.." He breathed in. " three more to perform, then we will all gather up I think.. and then start planning on what to show Alconbury and his lot. If that is allright with all of you? ..Ok, and who wants to go next?" He glanced at the remaining trio.

Torrington nodded. Since they had started that way, it was only sensible to see it through. He already had a few ideas what they might do, and was quite eager to discuss them later. Not to forget anything, he pulled out his omnipresent sketchbook - this time properly in his sabretache - and started to sketch out his ideas in nice little stick-figures.

"Well if nobody else wishes to volunteer, then I'll be next." Burlingame grinned at his friend. "I'll be quick. Oh. and I must add, you'll see the skill of the cavalry even better when we ride together and need turning or copying each other's moves!"

He Willoughby grinned back at him. Captain Burlingame was always talking more when his nerves at doing well, were trying to get the better of him. "What are you waiting for Captain. We've got only two more days after this!" Willoughby called to him teasingly, yet encouragingly too.

Burlingame nodded quickly. "Very well.." He gave a small bow then lead his horse forward. He had followed the presentation that had been first started by Sympher only adding a few of his twists and certainly adding the speed to it where he could get away with it. His presentation was explosive, wild and yet loosing none of the control, which such a performance could quickly do. He was quite good, with the exemplary halts where his horse would quicken up with the different steps and then stop nearly at the same spot, turn about smoothly and continue with an elegant dressage step. His animal responded well to the light nudges and squeezes and tugs, and it seemed that he had spent much of his time in the horse's company. Perhaps though not exactly as much as the other Hussar, because there were fun times to be had when off duty!

He finished with a rather forceful yet elegant kick to the back, one version of the croupade, and once standing still again, looked quite relieved to not have flunked the 'exam'.

"Very elegant, Sir!", Sympher commented, quite impressed. "Your horse seems to be very adept at performing turns correctly at quite a high speed - might I ask what exercises you use to train this?"

He guided his horse a few steps to the side to allow Burlingam to get out of the way for the next performance.

"Thank you." Burlingame answered and then as he moved closer to Sympher began to explain where and how they had trained for certain routines. He exchanged a grin briefly with Willoughby. He was glad not to have done badly, especially as it felt as if he was representing their colours.

The dragoon stepped forward, volunteering to go next. He thought it would roundup the presentation of the cavalry nicely and then allow for the last, this time a redcoat, to do his before they were all finished at last and could focus and train together in pairs and in fours to see how good they were at teamwork in riding.

Willoughby shifted back a little and looked at Torrington. "Of what I've seen..I think we have more than a chance to show them off." He smiled. "We will have peace for the rest of the season.. hopefully even longer."

"If we manage to do only half as well all together, we certainly will." Torrington agreed. "Well, show off, that is - I won't guarantee for the peace."

He grinned slyly.

"I would say it will only increase the number of your invitations."

Willoughby observed as the cavalryman began his own display. He certainly showed the better sides of what a heavy dragoon would need to know and perform, and there was some weight that could be felt in the performance of his horse, but rather than making him appear brute and coarse, it felt more as if there was power behind it.

"Increase the number of my invitations? To what?" Willoughby raised a brow, briefly glancing at Torrington before part of his attention was back on the performance. "Do you think, we will be asked to perform at every given time and place after this?"

"Well, that might happen as well", Torrington answered with the terrified fascination of somebody who had just discovered a new deadly species of snakes.

"But I rather meant balls, soirrees, breakfasts, expeditions to Richmond and other places, theater outings ... well, anything were you would accompany very young girls wearing your uniform."

"Well , at least I shan't be alone in this." He did not look forward too much to being dragged about and he was not at all fond of any young girl wearing his pelisse! It would get dirty or damaged!

"It will be bearable as I have you to play cards with or some other similar fine excuse of doing something and being busy due to it." He nodded appreciatively at the performance. He was speaking rather quietly, and so did not disturb nor cause any offense by it.

Torrington, who rather liked to dance at balls and tended to ignore everything but the stage in the theater, chuckled quietly.

"The sole reason for card-rooms at balls ... though I think they won't let you play at the theater. I'm afraid to escape there, you will have to decline those invitations and incure the reputation of being either uncultured or unsociable. Speaking of which, I'm going to escort my mother and Bella tonight. There is a new production of some Italian farce that is said to be very good."

"Very true." He enjoyed the performance of the dragoon quite well too, the horse seemed in synch with his rider and apt at the moves that he was asked to do, though perhaps not as much as one who would have practiced dressage day in, day out.

"I do not recall having seen that one yet, though my grandfather has a box at that theatre." He answered thoughtfully. "Now,.. before you take me for a gambler and an unsociable slob," He smiled. "I'd not have played at a theatre nor would I have done so at a dance. ...it is merely that the knowledge you are quite safe to escape among friends, should there be a need to, that keeps one calm." He indicated the dragoon. "I liked the last part he had done. Some heavy dignified manner of carrying himself, that the horse has!"