Lyneham Academy

~Chapter 14~

@SalazarinaMalfoy7  , thanks for inspiring me to write another chapter

When the bell rang to signal the end of lessons, Evie bolted out of the classroom to get changed to the team's practice. She quickly changed into the maroon breeches, white and maroon polo shirt, and the maroon hoodie before putting on her riding boots and sprinting to the barn.

"Where have you been Evie?" Mae asked as she saw Evie heading towards Ellie's stable.

"French. I don't even know why I took it, only mum thinks it's a good idea to take a language." Evie managed to speak between heavy breaths.

"I've tacked up Ellie for you anyway, I think everyone's already in the arena."

"Thanks, Mae." Evie led Ellie to the arena, just behind Mae, and mounted in the middle; looking around, Evie realised Abraxas and Africa were not there. Just after she and Mae had arrived, Abraxas walked into the school without a horse. He headed for Chapman, saying something very quietly before heading back out.

"Right team. Today we will be working on team building. I would like you all to follow each other in a straight line, making sure to change gait at the same time as the others. I will not put up with any pettiness on this team, as you all must act as role models to the rest of the riders. Alfredo, if you go on the left rein first, then I'd like Quinn, Ava, Mae, Evie, Elias, and Nicola." The team rode to the edge and turned left, almost all at the same time, following Alfredo. "Now, ride a 20m circle at C before changing the rein H to F and riding a 15m circle between V and E, taking up a collected trot once you reach E after completing the circle." Evie followed Mae, managing to get Ellie into a nice collected trot slightly after E.

The rest of the practice consisted of more team-building exercises – which included some mounted games – and a short jumping course set at 1.2m. Evie was quite pleased with Ellie, giving her a carrot once Chapman told them to dismount.

"Whew, glad that's over," Mae said to Evie as they led the horses back to their stables.

"Yeah, that was hard." Evie agreed, untacking Ellie. Suddenly, Ellie's saddle fell off the door, landing in a pile of poo and straw.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't notice you there." Ava walked past, "I suppose you're going to have to clean that saddle now, although it'd probably be easier just to buy a new one."

"Shut up Ava," Mae shouted from inside Bear's stable.

"Never. I'm going to ride my Olympic-level horse who will get further than your mutt of a horse." Ava laughed before walking away.

"She's such a b*tch. Why can't she just leave us alone?" Mae asked. She had finished with Bear so stood outside Ellie's stable as Evie picked up the saddle.

"I'd better clean this, otherwise it'll dry and leave ugly stains." Evie picked up Ellie's bridle from where it had dropped onto the floor and held the saddle gingerly between her hands.

"I'll help you." The two friends headed to the tack room where Evie found her saddle cleaning kit and they got to work.

"You alright there Evie?" Alfredo asked as he put his tack away, sitting down on the floor next to the girls.

"Yeah. Ava decided to knock Ellie's saddle off the door and into poo." Evie replied as she scrubbed a particularly stubborn stain with saddle soap.

"That's horrible. I don't know what's got into her this year, last year she was alright." Alfredo seemed surprised at Ava's behaviour, staring at the saddle for a moment before coming back to reality, "I'll help clean this off." He grabbed a sponge and started to get rid of some of the stains.

"I never thought I'd see this," Mae piped up shortly after, "Alfredo Sarto cleaning sh*t stains off a saddle which is not his." Evie laughed.

"Where were Africa and Abraxas earlier anyway? Why weren't they at practice?" Evie questioned; it had been playing on her mind ever since she noticed they were not present.

"Don't really know to be honest. All Brax told me was that they had extra training, but I don't know where."

"Extra training? Surely team practice is enough." Mae asked.

"They're training for Burghley next year once they're 18."

"Woah, that's wild," Evie said. Silence encased the trio as they continued to clean the saddle, brown-water pooling underneath.

After what felt like years – but was actually 2 hours – Ellie's saddle was clean with no stains. Stretching their muscles, the three stood up and Evie placed the saddle back on the rack. Evie grabbed a broom and swept the puddle into a drain in the corner of the room.

"Finally finished. My back is absolutely killing me." Mae said, twisting her body, "that took so long it's now food time." Mae grabbed Evie's arm and pulled her out, Alfredo following.

Just outside of the barn, the three bumped into Abraxas.

"There you are Al, I've been looking all over." Abraxas said as he hugged the smaller boy, "how was Chapman earlier?"

"It was bad, he made us do team building. Ughh." Mae answered, clearly annoyed at what Chapman had made them do earlier.

"You poor things, did he extend practice?"

"Nah, Ava knocked Evie's saddle off the stable door and into a pile of sh*t so I stayed and helped them clean it off." Alfredo replied.

"We're gonna go grab some food, see ya later guys." Mae pulled Evie away, "well... that was awkward. I hate third-wheeling."

"Yup. Thanks for getting me out of that." The two laughed as they headed towards the hall.