Horses In My Heart

Getting the Games On

I woke up well before my alarm rang, as I couldn't wait for the first day's games to begin. The first weeks games were meant as an evaluation to see our strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has a chance to show off how well they and their horse work together, and what needs improvement. After the first week is over we get a normal schedule with classes throughout the first half of the day and horse management and riding lessons in the last half.

I glanced at my clock, 5:00. I yawned got out of bed, showered and dressed into my dorm-coloured polo and jhodpurs, thinking to myself if I got ready early then I could go and visit Teagan and groom her before breakfast (which was at 6:50). I figured if I finished my visit by 6:30 I could get back here to wake up Del and Courtney at 6:40ish. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my phone and key card before leaving my room and making my way down stairs, past the lobby and outside towards the barns. I quickly looked around and saw the barn which Tess had helped me put Teagan away yesterday and headed over.

I walked in and smiled at a woman who was feeding and watering. She smiled back "It's finally nice to see some one who thinks of their horse as well of themselves" said the lady and got back to feeding. I walked down the aisle until I located Tee. She was dosing in the back corner of her stall. "Teagan!" I whispered quietly. She jerked her head up and snorted, quickly trotting over to where I was standing waiting for her.

I grabbed my grooming kit from my personal tack-closet and clipping a lead to Teagan's halter I led her into the aisle and cross-tied her. I quickly groomed her coat until it was nice and shiny. Then feeling a little creative I braided a couple strands of peach-coloured ribbon into her tail to show a little team spirit. I glanced at the clock on my phone and seeing as it was 6:30, I put Teagan away, gave her a treat and told her that I'd see her after breakfast to tack up and get ready for the games.

I walked back to the dorm and unlocked room 7, where Courtney and Del were still sleeping. Taking a deep breathe I grinned and shouted "EVERYBODY UP!!!!!" Courtney groaned and rolled over, and Del shot out of bed. Del rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and stretched. "I better get dressed" she said and grabbed sown clothes and walked into the bathroom to shower and change. Courtney got up just as Del walked out of the bathroom, her hair pulled into a ponytail. She traded spots and showered before coming out fully dressed as well.

"Where were you this morning?" asked Del. "You seemed wide awake when you woke us up!"

"I was down at the barn, grooming Teagan" I said and grinned "you know how dirty Greys can get!" I said and ran into the bathroom and braided my hair, pulling a couple prices of straw out as well.

"Shall we head down for breakfast?" asked Courtney.

"Sounds good to me" I said and we all grabbed our crops and helmets and Courtney her eventing vest. We stopped by to pick up Hailey, Tess and Courtney's mentor Jane before heading down to the dining hall.