Small but mighty

Chapter 1

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(Based on a real horse named Tommy, his rider Jackie Wright)

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I turned restlessly in my bed as I stared up into the black abyss of my roof, shadows flickering over the wooden wall that held my countless ribbons. I felt sick to my stomach as I thought about what was tomorrow, my first time competing in a 1* event. 

The rising sound of my alarm pounded in my head. I groaned as I glanced at the clock, 5:20 AM. I squinted my eyes at the beaming lights against the bitter darkness, today was the day.                    

I tensed as the textured timber hit my feet, I sat and took a deep breath as I tried to kill my nerves. The icy breeze welcomed me outside, I shivered in its presence. the sound of crunching gravel under my feet slightly calmed me as I made my way to the barn where I kept my three eventing horses. Only one would be coming today but is the smallest of them all. Vera my 13.2hh pony would be the first horse to qualify me for a 1* event.   

I quietly opened the large doors into the barn, warm greeting of nickers from inside each stall made me relax instantly. Vera pranced in her stable, she knew she competing. Although I had all the time in the world to get ready, I rushed into the tack room and snatched Vera's shiny leather halter off of its rack. I paced back into the barn, Vera sensed my tense activity and held her head high with pricked ears, staring at me until I walked over and soothed her with calming words. She relaxed slightly as I lifted the halter over her dainty ears, I could tell she was excited, and deep down below all of the nerves, so was I.

My heart pounded in my chest, but as time passed sitting in the car listening to the buzz of the motor, nerves were replaced by excitement, hope, and most importantly no expectations. Both of my best friends would also be coming to compete in the 1* today, although they were both pretty experienced in this level, they were coming to support me and Vera. Our last competition had resulted in another first place, and I felt Vera was ready to step up.