KhanRose Riding Academy

Chapter 3 Bridals arn't always the answer

I walked across the beautiful campus. The buildings had a Victorian look about them. Tall pointy roofs, framed windows. The grass was kelly green with small yellow daisies popping out. Along the white swept side walk were small foot high bushes. It was a 5 minute walk, and I enjoyed every part of it. My hair swung in the hot breeze, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

I glanced at Scarlet, she took an easy step as her black shiny hair swayed with her. She really was pretty, and I liked her so far.

"So, do you know if the food is going to be good?" I asked with a laugh.

"It's supposed to be amazing! Well, that's what I heard." She replied with a smile.

Before I knew it we were here, in side were many round tables with chairs. Up front was a salad bar, pizza, dessert, and a soup line.

"I'm going to get a salad, il meet up with you in a second" I told Scarlet as we split.

I had grabbed a Caesar salad, sweet tea, and a slice of red velvet cake. This was the life! I saw Scarlets purple breeches and followed her to a round table. Sitting there were two girls. Each had brown eyes and brown hair. They were twins!

"Hi! I'm Erin and this is Caroline!" One of them said in a British accent.

"Ella Grace, or just El" I replied with a smile. "What are yall here for?"

"Riding, we have twin horses as well." Caroline replied.
She showed me a picture of two albino mares.

We small talked until Scarlet and I decided to leave and see our horses.

The small walk to the barn was great, Scarlet and I talked about school, and learned that we had two classes together when school started in three days, Monday. I would definitely ride this weekend and in the evening. Keller was a great boy, he tried so hard, but I needed to work on dressage.

We walked into the spectacular barn, and I saw a rainbow of horses poke their carved heads out.

"Want to see Royal? He's in the first row." Scarlet asked.

"Yea! Kells in row two, so we can see him after" I replied with a grin.

Scarlet led the way to a beautiful penny colored head with a thick white blaze down his soft face. As we walked up, he nickered to Scarlet. As she stroked his face, he closed his warm eyes and let her hold his big head.

"He clearly loves you, I mean look at him!" I complimented.

"Well, thanks, it's been tough." She blushed.

We sat there a few minutes more before going to see my flea bitten boy.

I reached his stall, and he walked up to me after being at his filled hay rack.

"Hey boy" I greeted him. "You wanna see a trick?" I asked Scarlet as she gave him a baby carrot.

"Omg yes!" She explained.

I grabbed his halter and lead rope, and got his neck rope out of my tack locker. We walked out, and into the large, I mean giant, indoor arena. I noticed a bleach blond hair girl collectively trotting a Cleveland Bay. He tucked his head in nicely, and she sat to his smooth but bouncy stride. I turned to my boy, and took his halter off and gave it to Scarlet, as she walked to the center. Taking a deep breath, I vaulted into Keller. I grabbed my neck rope and made him trot. I sat to his trot, and let him extend his head out.
I couldn't keep my eyes off of the girl on the bay. She was amazing! She looked effortless as she worked with her dappled bay. His strides ate up the ground as he cantered, and reversed and flew into the next lead. Her eyes were up, and she barley rocked with his sweet canter.
Asking Keller to canter, he speed up, but then went into an easy swaying canter. I asked him to do a circle, and he did so willingly.

"EXCUSE ME?! Put a bridle on your horse?! What idiot rides a horse like that?" Screeched a girl.
I halted Keller, to see Scarlet frozen, and the girl in front of me with her horse halted. Her green piercing eyes bore into mine, she turned her perfect nose up at the sight of my horse.

"It's called liberty, it's actually safe with a horse like mine, trained to do this." I said cautiously.

"Listen, either ride that poor thing with a bridle or don't ride at all" she retorted.

"Jax! That horse is amazing!" I heard Scarlet warn.

The girl- Jax- just kept riding.
I reversed and kept riding for a few more minutes before putting Keller up.

My first time riding in the ring, and some one already hates me.

"Who was that?" I asked after we had put Keller up and were making our way to the dorm.

"That's Jax Dullay. She's queen bee here. Watch out." Scarlet warned.

"Whats her horses name? I think I've competed against her."

"That's Master, or Sophisticated Triumph. He's quite the gelding."

I thought for a second, then it hit me.

"She's the girl I beat in Cross-Country! She got all mad and came over and said that I would see her soon!" I exclaimed.

Scarlet shot me a worried look, "Well then do you know her little side kick?"

"No, not that I know of"

"Her name is Abigail Rocket. Her horse is a big palomino Oldenburg mare. She's pretty, her name is Fly, or To Fly For You." Scarlet explained.

We made it to the dorm, and began to unpack, chatting away about everything under the sun. I really hoped I hadn't bit off more than I could chew.