The Great Expedition

Chapter 6

The next trail ride was a couple of rowdy teens Kristie's father took them down to river, where they came back drenched from head to toe in water. Once they left her father told her all about the trail ride. Apparently two of the boys thought that is would be a good idea to go swimming in the river. Then the other boys thought it would be a good idea to go really deep into the river which the horses they were riding did not like that so they promptly bucked them off in the water. After filling up all of the water tanks again Kristie went into the barn and there was a boy leaning into the stall to where Stardust was stabled. 

Hey. What are you doing? Kristie demanded. The boy turned around. Kristie recognized his face. It was Logan from school but was better known as Kristie's crush. 

S-sorry I was just feeding her some carrots. She looked sad and lonley in here by herself.

It is ok I'm just very protective of her. 

Is she yours?

Yeah.

Breed? Age? Name?

Her breed is throughbred. She is 8 years old and her name is Stardust. What are you doing here?

My mom booked a trail ride for me. 

Do you want to go choose your horse you are going to ride?

Sure. I saw a pretty grey horse out in a feild when we were driving through the gate.

Ah Willow I will go grab her for you. Once Willow was tied up in the barn Kristie grabbed her grooming kit and a spare grooming kit for Logan. Kristie then opened Stardust's stall, went inside, clipped the halter over her face, lead her out and then tied her up ouside the stall. After about 20 minuetes both horses were tacked up and rarin to go. As the horses walked down the worn down trail Kristie and Logan talked about anything and evrything. 

Do you want to trot?

Sure. After trotting for several minutes they reached a clearing that stretched for miles. Clusters of thick trees surrounded either side of the clearing. 

Do you want to canter a few laps then race?

Sure. Each Kid went off in there own direction to warm up thier horses. While Kristie was cantering figure 8s, a bird squaked really loudly which caused Satrdust to ubruptly stop, jump up twisting in the air. Kristie who could normally hold on fell to the hard grass while Stardust galloped madly around the clearing. Kristie got up dusted herself off and started to walk towards Stardust, who had stoped galloping around like a chicken with it's head cut off was nibbling grass. Kristie slowly reached out a grabbed the reins attached to Stardust's bridle, walked over to the left side of her, put her foot in the stirrups and pushed herself off of the ground. Once mounted Kristie shortened her reins and squeezed her legs against Stardust's side. Kristie then pushed Stardust into a canter and restarted her figure 8s. After completing three perfect figure 8s, Kristie let Stardust walk on a loose rein. While they were walking Logan rode over and asked. 

Are you ok? That looked like a pretty hard fall.

Yeah I'm fine. I have had worse.

Like what? 

Oh I had a horse lay on my knee, trapping me under her until I could wiggle myself out.

Really?

Yeah we were going over some poles at the canter, she was not paying attention and when we got to the corner she tripped fell to her knees, It happened so fast I did not have time to react so I got trapped under her.

WOW!!!

You ready to race now??

Sure. 

Ok we will line up at the start of the clearing And race untill that big boulder. Kristie and Logan walked back to the start of the clearing and lined up. Thier horses sensing something big was going to happen started prancing on the spot.