Capítulo 130: Horse riding
In Northern Ireland, at Castle Ward, Lucas dyed his hair a rich red-brown to complement his striking blue eyes. This choice was inspired by the book's depiction of the character Robb Stark. Since Lucas already possessed the same intense blue eyes as described for Robb Stark in the novels, there was no need for contact lenses. His natural eye color perfectly matched that of the character's description.
After undergoing makeup and donning the costumes provided by the wardrobe department, Lucas headed to the set.
Meanwhile, the production team was busy preparing the horses for the cast members' scenes.
Upon seeing the horses, Lucas turned to Kit, who was beside him, and asked, "Do you know how to ride a horse?"
Kit chuckled before replying, "I've been training to ride since the original pilot was filmed." Then, turning to Lucas, he inquired, "What about you? Will a stunt double take your place in the scenes where we ride together?"
Lucas remained silent for a moment. In truth, he had been practicing horseback riding in his Mind Workshop, gaining at least some practical experience. His time training for "Inception" had taught him the value of such mental rehearsals, as they significantly enhanced his performance in physically demanding scenes like the rotating hallway.
Therefore, Lucas had informed casting directors and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss that he possessed modest experience in horseback riding. As a result, the production team decided not to assign a stunt double for Lucas in the pilot since there's no scenes where Lucas or other main casts members needs to ride the horse at a fast speed.
Although Lucas lacked real-world experience in horseback riding, he wasn't entirely untruthful about having practical experience. Through immersing himself in the role of Robb Stark and rehearsing in his Mind Workshop, he had mentally practiced horseback riding extensively.
This form of mental rehearsal was sufficient for Lucas to gain confidence in his abilities, almost as though he had been riding horses for years. After all, much of learning takes place in the mind. While Lucas had yet to physically mount a horse, he had vividly experienced it in his mental rehearsals.
On the set, the animal wrangler, responsible for the safety and handling of the horses, was guiding them towards Lucas and Kit. The wrangler's role was to help the actors get acquainted with their respective horses, ensuring they felt comfortable and secure before filming the riding scenes.
One of the animal wranglers from the production team, Julie Tottman, walked over to Lucas and Kit. With a warm smile, she said, "Alright, Lucas, Kit, let's get you introduced to your horses. Meet Shadow," she gestured toward a serene, dappled gray horse, "and this is Storm, a robust yet gentle black mare. We'll start with a gentle walk around the fields to help you understand their movements and personality."
Kit, already accustomed to the routine, nodded, while Lucas paid close attention, though he felt somewhat prepared due to his Mind Workshop experiences.
Julie continued, "Kit, you've been through this, so you'll pair up with Storm. Lucas, Shadow will be your partner today. She's incredibly patient and ideal for beginners."
Lucas replied, "Okay, sounds great. What's the first step?" Despite his mental preparation, Lucas wanted to ensure he understood the real-life basics.
With a reassuring smile, Julie instructed, "First things first, walk up to Shadow calmly, let her smell your hand, and then gently stroke her neck. Remember, horses can pick up on how you're feeling, so keep calm and assert confidence."
As they began their session, Kit, already forming a bond with Storm, shouted over, "Ease into it, Lucas. Horses are more perceptive than you might realize."
Julie nodded in approval and added, "He's right, Lucas. Once you feel at ease, we'll adjust the stirrups to suit your height and I'll guide you through the correct way to mount. Always remember to approach and get on from the left side."
They began to lead the horses around the field, and Julie offered more advice: "Hold the reins gently but firmly, and keep your posture upright. Communicate with your horse using soft commands and minimal movements. We're only going for a light walk today, so there's no need to hurry."
Lucas, despite his virtual practice with horses in his Mind Workshop, started to loosen up and really immerse himself in the real-world experience, attentively following Julie's guidance.
With a proud smile, Julie cheered, "You're both doing wonderfully! Look at you two, already looking like seasoned riders. Just remember, this is about forming a bond with your horse. Mutual trust and respect are key."
Kit responded to Julie's praise with a smile, gently patting Storm on the neck, while Lucas offered a thankful nod. He reached out, allowing Shadow to sniff his hand, blending the guidance from Julie with his own mental practice, which seemed to earn a small sign of approval from the horse.
Julie then suggested, "Let's take another walk around the field, allowing you both to become more acquainted and comfortable with the horses before we start riding."
However, Kit interjected confidently, "I've ridden Storm before, right? I should be able to ride her again without the warm-up."
Julie shook her head and replied, "It's been a few months since you last rode Storm. You need to reacquaint yourself with her."
Kit sighed, "Alright then," showing a touch of impatience.
Julie turned to Lucas and said, "And you, Lucas. The production team mentioned you have some experience with horses. However, it's important to revisit the basics to ensure you're fully prepared."
Lucas nodded in agreement and continued to walk with the horses. When the time came to mount, Kit confidently got on Storm and began riding across the fields.
Julie turned her attention to Lucas, expecting to have to guide him closely. However, to her surprise, Lucas mounted Shadow with ease and poise, taking hold of the reins expertly. Under Julie's astonished gaze, he rode Shadow with such skill that it looked as if he had been doing it for years.
Watching Lucas catch up to Kit in the distance, Julie couldn't help but mutter to herself, "It seems I've underestimated his riding skills." Lucas's ability to blend his theoretical knowledge with practical guidance had clearly paid off, demonstrating a natural talent on horseback.
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