Saddling Up {thewattys2015}

Chapter 9

It was 9:30 on Saturday morning and I was questioning the reason why I had to get up at such an inhumaine hour.

I was at the stable and heading to the tack. I stifled a yawn as I grabbed her bridle and saddle pad. I threw her bridle over my should and carried the saddle and saddle pad with my arms.

I approached the stall and layed her saddle on her tack trunk and slung the bridle over the stall wall. I clipped on some cross times and groomed her shining chestnut body.

I lead her out of the polished wood oak stable and mounted her once we were near the outdoor arena.

Mr.Rossi smiled when he came into the arena. "Alright! We are doing cross-country today! Our stable hand Robyn has a blue safety vest for everybody, so ride on up and grab a safety vest."

I said thank you and fastened the Velcro on the vest around my body. I slipped on my black leather gloves I always kept in my breeches pocket. When I rode cross-country, my hands often slipped on the reins so I made sure to put on non-slip leather gloves. Mr.Rossi showed us to the trail as he rode on his gelding Lexus in Motion or Lexus.

He stopped Lexus and called over his shoulder at us "alright! I will ride with you and watch you take the course. The course goes as follows: a log, a fast-running creek, fence, picnic table, and finally a challenge jump, a stone wall. I will be timing you as for your first show you are required to etheir take show jumping or cross-county."

I nodded to myself, smiling. I loved cross-country, and Elle adored it too. I had my doubts about the fast-running creek as Elle didn't really like water jumps. "Alright, Paige you'll go first, then Eleanor, Then Brandon and finally Alyssa." Mr.Rossi added as he rode to the side of the starting line. He started his watch and yelled "GO!" Paige took off at a canter and turned into the bush as she flew over the log jump.

Mr.Rossi and Paige trotted back to the rest of us. "Paige's time: 2:35. Eleanor, you're up."

I nodded and tapped my helmet. I squeezed Elle's sides gently and she took off at a rocky trot but eased into smooth canter. She cleared the log and hesitated a little at the water but jumped it anyways. I let her have more rein as we approached the fence. We flew over the fence and she arched her body a couple strides later and lept over the picnic table. I got into a jockey position and let her into a slow gallop. The trees whizzed by as we grew faster and faster. We flew over the stone wall, I didn't even see it coming as we were going a full speed gallop. I slowly slowed into a trot and finally, pulled to a walk.

Mr.Rossi smiled and said "welcome back speedy mcgalezas. What made you choose to let Elle gallop the last leg of the course?" I shifted under his gaze and said "Well, I knew after a little bit of hesitation at the creek that slowed our time down and at a real show, we would need good time to make up for that refusion. I also realized Elle is a born and raised cross-county freak so I trusted her with the extra speed."

Mr.rossi smiled "it was a good choice. Your time is 1:54. Good work Eleanor."

I smiled gratefully and joined the Paige at the back of the line. The rest of the group had good times but at the end of the lesson, mr.rossi passed out the hunterwood autumn show eventing sign up sheet. I put my name next to show jumping and put my name also next to cross-country.

I left winter tacked and waiting in he stall while I knocked on Mr.Rossi's office door. "Come in." He said, his voice echoing loudly in the stable. I opened the door and said "Hi. I'm wondering if I could possibly use a school horse to teach my roommate Brittnay how to ride?" Mr.Rossi smiled "Yes. Has she ridden before?" "No. She's never been on a horse, so she'll need a calm and gentle horse." I said, putting a little dollop of my pocket hand sanitizer on my hand.

"Alright. You can use Hershey Kisses. He's a black gelding with a white blaze. If she turns out to like riding, I will place on the beginners team if she wants." Mr.Rossi said kindly. "Ok! Thanks, I'll tell her that." I replied.

I called Brittnay on my cell. "Hey Britt. I'm at the stable and I got you a horse." "Great! I can't wait. I hope you don't mind, I borrowed a pair of your old brown breeches. And your too-small paddock boots that fitted me perfectly." Brittnay said excitedly through the phone.

I laughed heartily "No I don't mind. Mr.Rossi said that if you enjoy riding, he'll put you on the beginner team and he'll let you lease out Hershey kisses!" I smiled. "Fabulous! Let him know I'll def go on the beginners team!" Brittnay giggled. I laughed and said "I'll tack up Hershey kisses for you and then meet me at the stable entrance." Brittnay said "Sure! I'll be there in 5 or ten..." I smiled as I hung up and went to tack room and grabbed Hershey's tack. I groomed the calm and easy-going gelding and quickly tacked him up.

I lead both him and Elle out of the stable.

I met up with Brittnay at the indoor arena and she ran up to Hershey and kissed him. "Hi boy." She said kindly. She patted his flanks and said, looking confused "So, do I just jump on him or do you have like a stool to like get up on him?" I laugh "yes we have stools called mounting blocks. Here's one." I said dragging a mounting block over. She nodded and stood on the mounting block. "So like how do I sit on him?" She asked.

I smiled and got up beside her. I mounted Hershey and said "just like this. You will grab the reins in your left or right hand and put your right foot into the stirrup. Then you are going to push off with your left foot and jump into the saddle, then you will put your left foot in the stirrup."

Brittnay nodded and grabbed hold of the reins. In one fluid motion, she was in the saddle and holding the reins.

Brittnay rode for two hours and in those two hours, I taught her how to walk a be trot. I taught her how to do a sitting trot and posting trot.

She decided though, after riding for two hours that she did not want to be on the beginners team. She liked riding but didn't want to be put into a competitive enviroment just yet. We agreed to continue have lessons, so maybe next year she could go on the beginners team.

------ NOTE -----

Hi guys! It's Emma here. I couldn't think of a picture to put in this chapter, so I decided to put a picture of my horse and I at a show last weekend.

Lots of love,

Emma