"It's not Nero I'm worried about!" Ellie chuckled, her smile only growing, "I don't wanna die!" She squeaked, rubbing the back of her head softly. Ellie had full faith that Sam could teach her, and that his horse could jump, but she didn't know if she could pick it up in just a few weeks. But after all, going from western to English seemed much easier.

Ellie simpered lightly, looking thoughtful of his offer. "Well..." She started, "That might be a deal I can't refuse." Ellie laughed, shaking her head. Really, anything was better than pot noodles, so there truly wasn't a decision to be made

Sam laughed at Ellies fearfullness. "dont you worry, crosspoles are nothing for Nero. All you have to do is hold on, sit deep and let him do the rest." Sam said. He noticed that the sun had set a long while ago and he was getting tired. "well tomorrow ill give you a lesson if you like. I allready feel so much better. And then lets have that dinner i talked about...say, poached salmon with grilled asparagus, honey and lemon sauce, with a side of buttered crispy french potatoes? and...cheesecake?" he said to Ellie. It was a dish he had cooked before many times.

Ellie didnt really seem to follow allong with Sams list of a meal, but she was still beaming. "Sounds perfect!" She chuckled, "and I love cheesecake so even better," Ellie added, setting her mug down just next to her. "And I'm glad you're feeling better, but still take things easy, alright? Look after yourself." She murmured, standing up and offering a hand to help Sam up.

"thanks, i will." Sam said, taking her hand and hoisting himself up from his chair. "allright, well, im off to bed." He said, yawning again. "Night, Ellie." Sam smiled softly at her before turning and walking in to his bedroom, where he changed into his cosy pyjamas and lay down in bed. He was looking forward to tomorrow, teaching Ellie would be interesting to say the least.

(sorry its short, i fell off my horse today so my wrist is a little funny)

(Shit, hope you're alright! Mine is a little dodgy, my whole house has covid yet again so not feeling so good.)

"Night," She smiled, giving a small wave as she turned to leave. She did one last check on the horses before heading back to her own little cabin, showering and getting into some comfy PJs. She swiftly settled into bed, realizing how giddy - yet nervous she was about the next few weeks. She really - really didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Sam, yet she couldn't let him down either. Still, she found herself drifting off into a peaceful sleep until morning finally arrived.

(im ok, getting a little better. I got thrown straight in to a brick wall so thats never fun)

Sam awoke the next morning, feeling groggy but almost completely fine, recovered. He got out of bed, dressed in his riding clothes and went out to fetch Nero, grabbing an apple for them each on his way out. Once he had taken Nero in to the yard, groomed him and tacked up, he grabbed a lunge rope and went in search for llie. It was lesson time after all.

(o-o Yeah, that doesn't sound it. Hope your wrist gets better soon!)

Ellie had been down at the yard since early morning, grooming, mucking out, along with a few other little jobs around the yard to make everyone's lives just a bit easier. She had just finished up, about to go back to her accommodation, but when she turned the corner, she bumped into Sam. "Oh, sorry!" Ellie blabbered out quickly. She had almost forgotten about their little deal, but the sight of him brought the memory back. "It's lesson day, right?"

(thank you!)

Sam laughed, shocked at ellie running directly into him. "and yep, it is." he said, leading her towards Nero who was round the back. "also, theres no backing out now, i allready entered both of us into the show." he laughed a little at Ellies expression. They reached Nero. "right, so today is just the basics. Of course you allready know how to walk, trot and canter, but not in an english saddle. So we probably wont do any jumping today. this is also so you can get used to how nero feels." Sam said, adjusting the stirrups to fit her better. "allrighty, lets go!" Sam said, walking with her and nero towards the large indoor arena, where some jumps and rotting poles had been set up a while ago. Once they were in, he said "right, i guess its best to get right to it. Ill give you a leg-up, dont worry he's not going anywhere." he said, cupping his hands around her lower leg, and on the count of 3, he hoisted her up onto nero's back.

Once Ellie was sat steady in the saddle, she found herself noticing how short the stirrups were. Normally, when she rode her two, she could only just reach them... and they were so light. Nero had such a different shape to her two, slightly finer, so she couldn't help but feel a little unbalanced like she had nothing to hold onto, "Sam, this feels... Awkward, and we haven't even started!" Ellie complained in a jokey manner. The whole feel of the English saddle just felt off to Ellie. It sat her up straight rather than letting her lean back, and everything felt a lot more compact, while Nero felt a lot bigger than what she was used to. "I'm gonna make you have a go at western after this." Ellie threatened with a quiet chortle. "Ok, so how does Nero work?" Ellie asked with a simper.

Sam chuckled at her awkwardness in the saddle. "first of all, you need to relax more. Your'e wayyy too tense up there." he said, surveying her position in the saddle. "you dont need to grip so tight with your legs, loosen them and relax." Said sam, taking the reins and showing her how to hold them at the correct length. "keep your reins like this and if you need to, hold on to the neck strap ive put on him for you." Once she looked settled and more relaxed, he said "ok, do you want to just squeeze very lightly with your lower leg. With him you have to be delicate and quiet, he's sensitive sometimes. But thats a good thing." he said, clipping her onto the lunge line so that when she went forward in the walk she would have a little more security. She was now walking, swaying back and forth lightly in the saddle. "youre a natural!" Sam chuckled a little. "how does it feel so far?"