Seeing The Light

Chapter 1

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A black Suburban rolled slowly into the gravel drive of the elite Rolling Ridge Riding Academy. Birds chirped and colorful windflowers danced in the warm summer breeze. Acres of beautiful pastures were capped with cloudless blue skies. Beautiful horses dotted the horizon, coats glistening.
Katherine Meyers appeared shortly after the vehicle screeched to a halt.
"Bye Mom!" She chorused.
"I'll be back at 6:00, sweetie," her blond-haired-blue-eyed mother called back. The two looked nearly identical.
Katherine tossed one last wave back at her mother before slamming the door shut.
She jogged to the entrance of the huge facility.
Katherine sighed deeply. She opened the barn door and inhaled the sweet smell of her favorite place. Her eyes scanned the aisle way as she walked. Horses poked their heads out of their stalls, greeting her with soft nickers as she passed. She stopped a few times, petting her favorite horses and ponies.
"Hi Vincent," she called softly to her most recent lease horse. She opened the door and entered the stall. The black Hanoverian approached her slowly before nudging her with his velvety muzzle. She fingered his forelock, revealing a white crescent on the gelding's forehead.
"I missed you too, boy," she giggled. Katherine couldn't help but feel sorry that she neglected to spend time with gelding since she bought a horse of her own.
"I'm sorry boy, I'm out of treats," she told Vinny, when he continuously nudged her breeches pocket.
"I'll hop on you tomorrow, and bring treats," she promised the stunning creature. And with one more pat on his broad neck, she strode away.
Katherine approached Marvin's stall shortly after.
"Hey buddy," she called softly to the chestnut. Marvin stared back at the girl with wide, almond eyes, an apprehensive look written all over his face.
"Want to go for a little ride today, Marv?" She asked, opening the Dutch door latch to the interior of the roomy stall.
Katherine slipped his stitched leather halter over his muzzle, then ears.
She walked the gelding out of his home and into the matted barn aisle. She clipped cross-ties to either side of his halter, and headed off to the tack room. Katherine retrieved Marvin's saddle, pad, girth, and finally bridle, slinging that over her shoulder. She grabbed her grooming tote with both hands and returned to her mount.
The girl went to work, humming softly as she groomed and tacked.

When the job was done, Katherine led her new horse out to the mounting block for their first ride as horse and owner.
The girl drew in a deep breath. She slipped the reins over his head, planted her left toe in the stirrup, and flung herself aboard with ease. Katherine drew up the reins and clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. The gelding responded, beginning to walk into the stunning outdoor arena.
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After a few laps of walking in each direction, Katherine gently squeezed her legs against Marvin's sides, signaling for a trot. He obeyed, stepping into an even trot. She began to rise up and down in the saddle, displaying her natural seat.
Finally, Katherine planted herself deep in her tack, squeezed her outside leg, and Marvin fell into an easy canter.
She sat almost completely still, the quiet motion of the horse's gait calming all her senses. This is what reminded her of where she belonged, upon these beautiful creatures.
It felt like they were meant to be together. A perfect match, not reaching their full potential apart from one another. Two beings becoming one.
Soft hoof beats echoed in Katherine's mind, mesmerizing every part of her.

The pair sailed gracefully over one jump, two, three, all in perfect unity. As if this was their sole purpose for creation.

When riding Marvin, every worry, every fear, every sorrow, every regret was washed away.
Of course Katherine fell in love with riding other horses, but this feeling she had never experienced in all her life, all the fourteen years she had been on this earth.

Strands of platinum blond hair escaped from her messy ponytail and clung to her sweaty face.
Foam was seeping from Marvin's mouth and the pair was breathing heavily.
"Alright boy, that's enough for today," she finally spoke, a gloved hand reaching down to pat the horse's now sweaty neck. Katherine brought Marvin down to a walk and dismounted.
She led the gelding back into the facility. She undid his girth and slid the saddle off his high withers.
Katherine then proceeded to hose off the sweaty horse in the wash stall.
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Katherine walked Marvin into the back paddock where a chubby, grey pony dozed in the setting sun.
The girl buried her face deep in the chestnut mane, inhaling the sweet scent of hay. She then slipped the pricy halter off the beautiful animal's nose, and with one more pat, the gelding ventured toward the pony.
After shutting and latching the gate, Katherine leaned casually against the white picket fence. She cupped her broad chin in her small hands and observed the pair.
They nipped each other playfully and chased each other round and round the enclosure. When they two grew tired, they dropped their necks and grazed tranquilly.
She giggled when Marvin slowly knelt to the ground and rolled on his back. Katherine watched intently as the gelding scraped his back on the ground, rubbing dirt profusely in his shiny coat.
"All my hard work!" She mock-scolded at him, chuckling.
When Marvin had his fair share of rolling, the chestnut triumphantly lurched to his feet, taking off in a powerful gallop.
Katherine observed their behavior in this fashion for a while longer, until the beep of a horn was heard. Her ride.
"Goodbye,"she whispered. She blew a kiss to Marvin and skipped off, feeling idyllic.