A Medallion

Chapter 35

The weekend was over, but the impact it had had on me and Medallion would stretch far into the future.  Tessa lent me two of her classical dressage books that she said would help me, and gave me more things to work on with Medallion. 

Leaving felt like having to abandon a sanctuary for Medallion and I.  In this place we had finally begun to learn to work together, and there was a part of me that was afraid that back at Vantage Point, things wouldn't work the same.  

But there was no way to find out but to try.  

After having been at Star Run for two days, Vantage Point seemed even more luxurious and expensive.  It also seemed less cozy and friendly.  

Instead of leaving Medallion to the grooms to take care of, I decided that I wanted to be the one to do it.  So I unloaded Medallion myself.

A groom was standing by, obviously expecting me to hand off Medallion.  "You can go, I'm going to put her up," I said to her. 

Her face registered surprise which she quickly covered up.  "Alright, Miss Ireden."  

Seeing her so surprised made me determined to change that.  From now on, I would take care of my own horses.

I led Medallion to her paddock and let her loose.  "Enjoy," I murmured to her as I slid the halter off her nose.  She snorted and wandered over to the water tank.  

"How was your visit to the Wellens' stable, dear?"  My mother asked as we slid into our chairs at dinner time. 

"It was awesome."  My face lit up.  "I learned so much and actually got along with Medallion.  I even got to jump her!" 

She raised her eyebrows as she picked up the silverware.  "You jumped Medallion?"  

"Yes!  Well, okay, it was just over a cross rail," I clarified.  "But I've never jumped her before, so that's a big thing.  For the first time, we worked together and she listened to me.  She didn't try to run away or anything like that."  

"Well, it looks like your decision to keep her will pay off after all."

I knew what she meant by 'pay off'.  She meant that it looked like Medallion would be a ribbon winner after all.  But I didn't bother to argue with her.  I was in a good mood and wasn't eager to potentially ruin it.  So I nodded in agreement.  After all, it would 'pay off', just maybe not the way she or I had thought it would.

"Yeah, I think she's going to make me an even better rider." I leaned forward slightly.  "She felt amazing under me.  Like, she didn't even just step over the cross rail, she jumped it like it was a two foot vertical!  She's still young yet, but she's already showing so much boldness.  I don't think she'll be afraid of anything in cross country."  

Mother cocked her head at me, a thoughtful look coming across her face.  "You know, I haven't seen you talk about a horse like that in awhile.  Not since Tab left."  She looked down.  "You're so excited about her."  

I sat back.  "Yeah...  She... Well.  She's the first horse that I've felt this way about since Tab."  

I thought about this for a moment, running my mind through all the former horses I had / did own, including Win.  It was true, I hadn't been this excited about a horse and what they did since Tab. 

Maybe I would learn to love a horse again after all.