4th October 1814: Dancing with horses

"Yes, he would fit very well with Sympher for mirror moves - they both have the same type of horse, and I must say that seeing that strength so well controlled looks very impressive", Edward agreed. "I think we would do best to set the pairs according to the types of horses and riders, not the colour."

"Indeed he would.  I was debating whether to mirror them by colour.. but what you've mentioned does make more sense or at least be considered first, and colour order, as second, if possible." He observed as the dragoon neared the end of his performance. Yes, he would really fall in nicely with Sympher.

"Would you mind to meet at the theatre? My cousins have not seen the performance and I was contemplating whether and when to take them...Of course, it can be another day.." He said, his eyes again on the dragoon.

"I am thinking to host a small celebration or something of similar standing on the 7th or 8th, after we have ended the question of whether the military is apt at riding horses."

"No, I am sure Bella would like to meet them again, and I can't say that I would mind your company either."

The engineer stopped talking for a moment, studying an elegant combination of steps, and made another note in his book.

"I'm rather sure we will win - I have no doubt that Alconbury is good, and Fontsbottle-Wickenham, despite his truelly regretable name, is excellent, but they, too, have eight riders on their team, and I don't think that all are of that quality, and even fewer will have enough experience in synchronized riding to take to new routines quickly."

Willoughby glanced with mild curiosity at the note book he had not earlier noticed and more so at what notes he might have perhaps written inside of it.

"Shall we be privileged to see what you've written there, later?" He asked quietly, then gave a light nod. He would ask whether his cousins would want to come - which would probably be a very fine affirmative - and then exchange the plans on when to meet and where. The later was probably answered as the theatre grounds, but still.

"This is more unofficial, though I shall write an additional one in paper later, but would you have time to come visit on the 8th?"

"Just a few ideas for our performance and a few notes for myself. You are welcome to them if you think they might be of any use."

Finishing another quick annotation to his previous sketches, he held out the notebook to Willoughby. On the page were drawn a number of possible patterns and figures for their quadrille, a smattering of observations about the different riding styles, some more sketches detailing the previous performances, a list of suggestions and a number of lines that were so cryptic that Willoughby was not able to make much sense out of the engineer's shorthand.

"I will make sure to be there!", he promised.

Willoughby observed the note book and tried to read some of the writing though he failed at most of it. He leaned back in the saddle and nodded. "That should prove very useful. Would you share it with the rest?" He asked then he was just about to confirm that a note would be sent on the same event when he thought of which date he had given.

"Wait... what date is it today?" He began than answered his own question. "Ah..pardon. I have misinformed you. I meant it for the 14th, Friday."

"It seems to me that the cavalry like ordering things by the colour of the horses first," Vickery said lightly. "Having all of one troop mounted on chestnuts and another mounted on bays may be very well for parades, after all, but I think we would be much better suited to arranging things by the style of riding and the build of the horses. And today is the fourth," he added, in answer to Willoughby's question.

"The cavalry orders their horses by skill first and then also by colour, for while skill is brilliant, if there is no sense afterwards in what goes together... the performance looks much like a ragtag circus act of things thrown together." Willoughby responded in an equally mild tone before inclining his head lightly.

"Thank you,...it seems that on the 7th we will compete and it is fortunately so. The wedding of my fellow officer in the 15th is to happen on the 8th."

Torrington frowned while thumbing through his notebook until he found the page where he had written down his engagements for the following week.

"There is the Basingstroke's rout, to which I suppose I was meant to escort Bella, but now that James is in town, I think I can beg off."

"Oh.." Willoughby was clearly contemplating the news. He did not wish to make it too obvious.. "..What date would be more suited for your household?" He could always have Anne to blame for the change of the date, though perhaps her mother would not be too appreciative of it. At least not in terms of the young James with whom she did not see the prospects her youngest, she was convinced, should have.

Edward raised an eyebrow, but then answered readily enough:

"Monday? As far as I can see, there is nothing definitive yet. That is, if you wish to include more than just me into the invitation?"

"You are welcome to bring your cousin and sister as well, certainly.My invitation extends to your household." He paused and added, as if to assure Torrington, that should his sister come, she would not be the sole lady, among men. "My cousins, lady Catherine and lady Anne, will also be present." He believed that Catherine will gladly take over the planning and organising of the dishes and similar, and Anne would not be far behind her.

The dragoon had finished his performance with a fine stand of the horse on his hind quarters The animal held this position for a while longer and then stood properly again. It was a levade.

He congratulated also this rider and then turned towards their last performer. "It is your turn, Lieutenant." He turned towards lieutenant Darymple, of the 37th Regiment of Foot.

"Bella will be glad to meet them again, and I think I can safely accept for my cousin as well. We'll be glad to come."

Torrington wrote the appointment down, then looked up to gratulate the dragoon. Another few comments were put down on the page with the individual performances, and the engineer also added a note on another page.

"Excellent. I will of course send my invitation in writing and will count you as present." He smiled and then shifted in the saddle. It would not do if he was not to invite Major Vickery. "Sir." He inclined his head. "Would you be available on the Monday, the 11th in the afternoon?"

He glanced at the redcoat officer to see whether he would perform and what would his performance consist of, perhaps rather curious of it too.

"I shall make certain to keep Monday afternoon free for you," Vickery said, hiding a smile of sympathy at the sudden grimace on Dalrymple's face.

"Really, to ask a man to follow the levade? Most unfair of you," Vickery said and fell silent as the Lieutenant took his bay out into the ring.

Rather than design a whole new routine on the fly, he took his mount calmly through the routine performed by the first riders, finishing with a courbette of three hops only, but those neatly and tidily executed.

"We are here to see what each of us can perform and not to compete at who does it better." Willoughby answered, not feeling it unfair himself. He would of course have expected the ones who had trained vigorously at dressage or had been exposed to it daily through training in the cavalry, to have fewer problems.

"It does not make us think less or better of someone, if there are kinks or mistakes in their riding." He had observed the last performance and once complete had Herrero walk forward and turn about.

"May I suggest the last bit of practice till we take a pause from riding and...would you, Lord Torrington, be willing to share with us some of your ideas then? " He smiled. " The sooner we have the course of performance ready, the sooner we are able to practice and fix any problems that we might encounter on the way."

He patted the side of Herrero's neck then straightened in the saddle. "As for the last practice.. we will ride in fours, then on my or..." he looked around for any one to volunteer to give the signal or lead that part of practice."... signal split into pairs  and pass the other group. The groups of four will mirror each other. This is to see whether we need any emphasis in training as a troop." Which he did not believe for at least some of the participants, having had to do is always, but never the less even the size and gait of the horses could affect a nice lineup. Riding synchronized, at the correct speed and step wit horses flank to flank was not easy, though if done correctly it could easily appear to be so.

Torrington nodded, padding his horse's neck. Trueno was getting restless again. "Certainly."
Sympher, used to this kind of thing, nodded slightly, indicating that he was quite willing to lead, should Willoughby want.

"Perfect." Willoughby nodded to Sympher. "Then, please do the honours of leading the first four. And if you please, choose which you would like in your group." He looked content to have someone of greater experience take this under his wing. They would sort the order of the second group as well so that there should be no question of who followed whom and who rode in which order.

Sympher looked over the riders, thinking carefully.

"Myself, Captain Burlingham, Lieutenant Dalrymple, Major Torrington", he decided. It was perhaps not the best balance regarding their branches, but it should do quite nicely regarding the horses and their riders' abilities.

Torrington, taking this to also include the order in which they were to ride, backed his horse a few steps to make room for Burlingham and Dalrymple.

Worchester, concluding logically that he was in the other set, looked at Willoughby with raised eyebrows, quite clearly waiting for instructions where to stand

Willoughby looked indecisive. He was outranked by all of the men that now stood in his group. That Worchester looked to him for the decision of the order did not make his decision any easier.

"Me...." His tone of voice allowed for any to protest and be heard. "Vickery, ...." He looked at the Dragoon and the Hussar then at the other side where the Horses had begun to be shifted into the order of call.

He could try to match the horses at least. It would be a sound decision. Darlymple's probably made a better fit with Worchester's than Bernard's.

"Worchester,... Bernard." He finally uttered. While Worcehster's horse was not an exact match to the arabian, his body type was a better match than a big Irish draught stallion that belonged to Bernard.

Worchester nodded and turned to bring his horse next Dalrymple's.

"Well, here's to success ... Captain Bernard, I hope your horse is not a biter - comperative heights seem to put my Hampton's rump in a rather inviting position."

Bernard guided his horse behind Worchester and then brought a small amount of distance between the rump and the mouth of his animal. "He might be sometimes, but I will keep him in check Have no fear." He answered and checked the horse when the animal attempted to prove him wrong by reaching forward in an attempt to nip at the horse that now stood in his way.

Failing to succeed, Abaccus flicked his tail irritably at the left side of his rider but steadied himself in place never the less.

Willoughby rode forward to stand beside Sympher. They could begin as pairs, one from each group and then fan out into a whole line then break off into fours. While he waited for others to shift into their place, Bulingame coming alongside with Vickery his horse twitching his ears in the direction of its new companion. It turned briefly, observed the other animal then flicked his tail lightly, raising his head.

"When we are all ready, you can begin, sir." Willoughby shifted in his saddle and peered over his shoulder to see if they needed to wait for much longer or could proceed. He was curious to see how well they and their horses would do.

Torrington murmured a brief acknowledgement to the dragoon whom he had only met briefly. Then he concentrated on the work at hand.
Sympher was starting them slow, giving each the chance to find their rhythm. He called out commands in his accented voice and took them through a series of tempo changes, stops and starts, and turns. While at first, there was enough time to find one's place if something did not work out, gradually, the commands came faster.

Occassionally the artillerist turned to look, but mostly he left it to those behind him to observe and grade their own performance.

Willoughby studied the rhythm of the artillerist and matched it with herrero after a few starting steps where the other horse needed to find his pace. He mirrored his motions where needed and held to a steady leading pace when the four of his group needed to fan out around the dragoon as their anchor.

Burlingame kept pace with the one infront and checked to see how the rifles officer was doing.

Bernard needed on one occasion to slow his horse, as his steps made him faster as some that were lither in form. The animal however was quite obedient and shortened step until he was keeping the line with his fellow or fellows rather nicely.

It was clear with the cavalrymen that synchronised riding was something they did as part of their service and when their animal might move ahead a step, or be short of one, they knew how to check them back in place rather quickly.