Page 50 of Beyond Her Manner
It would be interesting to meet someone close to Viola; she might be able to gain more insights into the woman.
“Shall we ride whilst there is a break in the rain?” Gillian suggested, keen to impress Viola with more of her skills. “I’ll pop up and change.”
Viola watched as Gillian demonstrated how to tack up Dudley, her hands deftly adjusting the straps and buckles. Her movements were precise and practised, her fingers strong yet gentle.
There was something undeniably captivating about the way she moved that turned the heat up inside Viola. Gillian’s focused expression, the enthusiasm that lit up her face as she explained each step, only heightened her heart rate. She was completely captivated by the vast knowledge and passion she was exuding, particularly whilst clad in a pair of jodhpurs.
Having equipped Viola with riding boots and a hat, Gillian turned to teaching her the correct way to mount and dismount. She noticed a hint of surprise in Gillian’s eyes when she managed it easily. Although the thought of feigning difficulty for some extra “assistance” certainly crossed her mind, she found herself genuinely wanting to impress Gillian instead.
Gillian reached up and took her hand, adjusting the reins. “There. Now relax.”
Viola slumped, causing Gillian to press her hand firmly into Viola’s lower back.
“Don’t slouch.”
Repositioning again, she found Gillian’s hand on her side.
“Relax your hips.”
Being touched by Gillian every time she got it wrong was not exactly going to entice her to get it right.
Viola adjusted her posture, feeling more secure in the saddle. “Like this?”
“Exactly,” Gillian confirmed. “We’ll start by walking to the paddock to get your body used to the seating position and movement. Keep your heels down and close to him; feel his rhythm beneath you. To start moving, squeeze your legs together. To stop, pull back on the reins lightly. Try it.”
Viola took a moment to absorb the instructions, then pressed her legs in. Dudley began to walk, and a laugh of delight escaped her lips.
“That’s it,” Gillian encouraged, following beside her. “You’re doing great. Now, to steer him, gently pull the reins in the direction you want to go.”
Viola practised steering, marvelling at how responsive Dudley was to her commands. Each successful turn boosted her confidence a little bit more.
“You’re a natural,” Gillian said, clearly impressed. “Keep your back straight and those heels down. Imagine a line running from your head through your spine to your heels. It will help you maintain your balance.”
As they reached the paddock behind the stables, Gillian went ahead and opened the gate.
“To maintain a steady pace, keep a light, consistent pressure with your legs. If you want to speed up, squeeze a little harder. Always stay relaxed.”
Viola did as instructed and found that Dudley obediently followed her command as he began to trot.
“Remember to look where you want to go, not down at Dudley.”
Viola nodded and looked up. Gillian continued to provide her with tips and corrections as she moved Dudley around the paddock. With every passing minute her confidence in guiding the beautiful beast increased. After half an hour Gillian suggested they head back to the stables.
“Dudley is a great horse to learn on. He’s a gentle giant,” Viola said, leaning forward in her seat and patting him affectionately whilst Gillian closed the gate behind them.
“He’s my best friend. I find horses more tolerable than people,” Gillian said, her tone thoughtful as she walked beside them.
“Why?” Viola asked with curiosity in her eyes.
Gillian paused, gazing at Dudley with a fond smile. “Horses are honest,” she began. “They don’t hide their feelings or intentions. If they’re happy, you’ll know it. When they’re scared or uncomfortable, they’ll show it. There’s no deceit, no hidden agendas. With people, it’s often hard to tell what’s going on inside their heads. With horses, what you see is what you get.”
Viola considered this, nodding slowly. “I guess that makes sense. It must be nice to have that kind of straightforwardness.”
“It is,” Gillian agreed. “And there’s something incredibly calming about being around them. They live in the moment, responding to what’s happening now, not worrying about the past or future. It’s a good reminder to do the same.”
Viola smiled. “There’s a kind of purity in their nature.”
“Exactly,” Gillian said, her eyes meeting Viola’s. “Horses are majestic and intelligent. They can teach us a lot about trust and patience. They’re always willing to trust and give us their best despite many of them having been poorly treated or having negative experiences with humans. They’re still willing to let us sit on their backs where they are most vulnerable.”
