Silver Hawk Ridge: Winds of Change

{ Chapter 12 }

   I sleepily muddled my way through breakfast while I sat outside Rega's stall. It had been way too loud in the dining area at the hotel thanks to someone's bachelorette party kicking off. The Texas morning had a little bit of a bite compared to yesterday. Between coaches and riders, we all agreed that, while the widespread stables and expansive ground allowing for multiple dressage rings had reduced could have been two days of dressage competitors (not counting 3 divisions of teams), the walking back and forth between all the rings had been brutal. I had the morning run again today, and if I could maintain the lead, I would go last tomorrow in the show jumping phase, but dare to dream.

"Hey kiddo, got some room on the trunk?"

I looked up and saw Coach Flint holding a stainless steel coffee thermos. I patted the spot next to me on the trunk. Compared to her polished look yesterday, she'd traded her tall boots for short paddock boots and her polo for a green school quarter-zip. She also had a crossbody sling bag.

"Whatcha got there Coach?" I asked, nodding my smoothie bottle towards it.

"I try to be at the finish line ASAP if horse and rider teams have a problem. Vet and med triage can be anywhere from ghosted to overrun. In the case of the latter, it helps to be able to do the basics until assistance can be reached. Anyway, you ready? I know you're slated early". I took a another swig of my smoothie.

"I'm ready to go. I don't think the adrenaline signals are hitting quite yet, so I'm just rolling with it" I said, huffing a laugh at the end. Competing at this level at this age wasn't really a new thing for me anymore, but this was the first time I was in competition with a field closer to my age.

"Good, I'm gonna go get some stuff in order. Make sure your med card is up to date. I'll catch you at the finish, you'll meet Coach Victoria by the starting area. Knock em dead kid" with that she shoved off the trunk and strode out of the stable block with a newfound spring in her step. Checking my watch, it was time to get ready to go. After making sure Rega was tacked up and spotless, I pulled off my warmups to reveal spotless tan breeches and the school's green polo. I was sure I would regret it later with the bipolar temperatures, but I didn't bother with putting an under layer on. I would sweat too much. I took out my skull cap and cover, plopping it over my barely contained hair. Upon passing my inspection, I secured my safety vest and threw the competition number jersey over it. My watch, medical armband, and road ID bracelet were the last things on, so naturally I felt akin to a light paratrooper with all the gear on my body.

   After a 35 minute warmup, I was mounted and standing with Coach Victoria near the starting line. The rest of my advanced division teammates all went in a near back to back cluster at noon. She started talking quietly with me.

   "Okay Savannah, you probably know, but Brianna King will be coming at it with full jets today. We're still not sure how she snagged second yesterday, but she's only going to get better between today and tomorrow, so watch your pacing. This course has already sucked at least two riders into some time faults today and it's early. You have a ten point lead, but don't you dare get comfy, you hear me?" I nodded. "Good, you're gonna do great, just breathe". She gave Rega a gentle pat on the neck and stepped further away. Before long I was waiting at the line. The bell clanged and we booked it towards the trail.

   Time faults was right! I could tell from the first hedge that I was in for a daunting ride. It was a bit of a steep uphill for the bank that followed, but Rega's 18 hands made it quick work. I intended to use every flat stretch I had to make up ground on timing. Then onto the sharp turning double corner fence, that propelled us into a downhill slope towards a bank. That lovely splash didn't make it further than Rega's knees this time, so I wouldn't look disheveled early on.

   "Good girl Rega, good start" I called, her attentive ears swiveling back at me. By the time we had reached the entrance to the woods that signaled the halfway, my nerves were almost shot. I'm not afraid of much of anything in this sport, but there were enough long spots that might make the best of them squeal. The entrance to the woods was marked by a suspiciously small looking keyhole. I flattened into my two-point and ducked my head to miss the top of the hedge. Sure enough, I was regretting not wearing an under layer after the weather had cooled off. Thankfully the woods would offer shelter from the wind. A trout shaped skinny met us next. I felt Rega want to slam the brakes.

   "No no no missy, we're not doing it this. You've done too well" I cajoled. One kick at the base and she made it over without further complaint. Another log and she was her usual, wholehearted self. Coming out of the woods with the bank we encountered the wind again. Oh well, just gotta grit your teeth and bear it. A sharp left turn into the uphill signaled the upcoming final straightaway (which with 12 obstacles makes me question what was fully final about it). The flower filled ditch proved to be a welcome and easy sight. Pulling up to reduce her strides she made it through the triple log combination like the champion lady she was. Over the final trailer fence painted to look like a barn and we were done. I was grateful to pull up.

   "Good girl!" I crowed, pumping my fist in the air. Immediately I was met by coach Flint and a water bottle.

   "Nice run you two. No time faults and that had to be one of the best times of the day so far. Anything seem wrong?" I shook my head. A quick, but diligent once over proved us correct. Once in the stable block after her cool down, she had a light sheet on and was noisily slurping and splashing in her bucket. I waited till the timer went off for her ice boots before chucking them back in their storage container. I got about 10 minutes of relaxation before I was called for work again. Kennedy and Emily were immediately one after the other at 10. I was with Kennedy while Coach Victoria walked Emily through the course.

   "Alright timing tricks aside, you and Apollo have this in spades. Careful when you get to the woods though. I know Apollo doesn't exactly like anything that doesn't look like a paddock or stall. Just keep him under and keep his confidence up. Any questions?" I asked. As I stroked Apollo's neck, I could tell he was starting to get a bit antsy.

   "No, but I hope this pushes us a bit. Yesterday was good, but it would be better if we could knock Brianna down in the rankings. I don't want to disappoint our coaches" Kennedy sighed.

   "Remember, they'll be happy with your effort as long as you did your best. And besides, you and Apollo are a crack team when you both put your hearts to it. Alright, your about up. You can do this Kennedy". I walked away to the edge of the path. The bell rang out, signaling Kennedy's start. My heart went into my throat when Apollo danced in place at the start, refusing to go. Finally one good squeeze and they took off down the trail with a vengeance. I caught a glimpse of some coaches from Wilshire headed to the finish line.

"Wait up!" They turned and I hopped onto the back of the golf cart along with a couple of their kids. We pulled up to the end about 3 riders before Kennedy. I waited patiently beside Coach Flint.

"Hey Savannah? I think the grass can feel you fidgeting" she joked, I jokingly rolled my eyes.
After about 5 minutes, Kennedy was bolting to the finish. Emily soon followed with Ace. Both horses were sweating, but well and satisfied. After that was downtime until day 2 interim results.

~~~~~~~~

"Well that was a total bust!" Emily groaned. She had fallen behind Brianna. The rest of the advanced division had stayed in their places. However, Callum had a good day. One DQ and some rough days for the other competitors and he'd managed to get comfortable into 4th place.

   "Hey hey now, that's not the way to talk" the male part of the Coach Bailey duo scolded. "I know it wasn't how you imagined, but there's still another day, and those horses deserve to have someone proud of every part of their efforts".

   "He's right, you know" Kennedy said gently. "I know that it could have gone better, but you and Ace did well today. You both love cross country, so consider this a personal win". Kennedy may not have always had the most sensitive attitude, but she was great with pep talks. That being said, it was time for another day to begin, and we were all more determined than ever to make the final day count.