My southern Valentine?

Winners and new beginnings

"And in first place we have Spartans Hero ridden by Tegan Lynch owned by Lynch Stables." The announcers voice boomed through the speakers.
I had received my blanket,trophy and the  bundle of flowers. I quickly dismounted as my trainer brought over my new blanket once it was secure I got a boost and did my victory lap. I could hear the snide comments from the other show parents. They where right though this was my 35 win this season and it's barely begun. Once our pictures where taken my trainer Caleb escorted us out. I had just begun to undo my cinch when I felt a tug at my leg. I stopped my job took a step back and looked down. There stood a small child no older then 5 looking up at me. Her hair neatly tucked under her helmet and a matching riding crop. I couldn't help but give a small awe. She was basically a mini me of when I was younger.

"Exuse me miss, do you tink I could pet your horse?" She spoke calmly and fairly fluent for such a young age.

I had bent down to her height " I have a better idea, would you like to help me untack him and brush him out?"

She gave a small squeal but quickly collected herself  "Yes please."

I chuckled as she carefully took off her gloves and placed them down on the ground beside her riding crop. She walked back over to me letting my gelding sniff her hand. He soon realized that she had a treat and nudged her shoulder. She giggled and produced a carrot from her back pocket. She looked up at me with admiration, "Can I feed it to him?" I laughed "Yes you may but let's unbridle him and put his halter on so his bit doesn't get all icky." I quickly unbridled him and tied him to the trailer using the slip release not. Spartan looked at the small child and nudged her arm again. She laughed and fed him the treat which he gobbled greedily. By this time I had already unsaddled him and put it away with the cover on. I walked out of my walk-in tack compartment to see my trainer with Veronica Huresly's mother. I stopped and listened in.
"I will pay whatever amount your stable would like for that horse no matter how high but still within reason" it was almost as if she was begging.

"All do respect ma'ma but this gelding is not for sale. He is a one horse rider only and his rider is Miss Lynch, she raised him as a foal bought him from her mother, and trained him to the horse he is now." My trainer spoke with his don't try and cross lines here miss. Ah I love Caleb for this reason. He doesn't care who you are he will you his trainer voice when you start to make him mad.

"Do you know how embarrassing it is to have your top student on the best horse at your stables lose to a a girl who has only been in the show circuit a few years?!" This time it was a hushed whisper.

By this time Caleb saw me and gave me his "ok now you can be a shithead" look. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I grabbed all my ribbons from today and my ribbon box which still happened to be overflowing from the last show.

"Caaaaaaallleeebb I don't have enough room for my ribbons!!! And the walls are already covered and I don't know where to put them!!" I whined as I stomped my foot like a toddler. I wasn't sorry who does she think she is, coming over here trying to buy my horse from underneath me. She knows I'm the one that owns him. She tries to buy him at every show. It's not my fault her daughter has no connection with animals and can't ride worth crap!

"Miss Lynch we will get you a bigger box when we return to the stables. And Mrs. Huresly I'm sorry I must help my student. Please have a wonderful day." He told her shooting me a thankful look, you see Caleb doesn't like her either she tried to steal our long time borders and run us out of business but that epically backfired on her when my mom called a building inspector and almost closed down Huresly stables for good. But they sold Spartans mother to us. She died a few days after Spartan was born so I raised him from a wee little bastard to the gelding he is now.

I smiled in triumph and went upon loading my horse and doing my door check. I returned to the cab of the truck where he was waiting. I gave him a quick nod saying yes I had done a door check and everything was good. This show had only been a 15 minute drive away from my house. I must have slipped into dream land because soon I started to see the familiar black fencing and the large barn up on the hill. I got out and unloaded everything and put Spartan out in his stall that was connected to his paddock. I took off his blanket and unlatched his other door to go outside. I gave him a quick pat and a treat before letting him go outside. I put my equipment away and went upstairs to my loft above the barn it was set up in an apartment style and it was perfect. I changed out of my show clothing putting them in the correct laundry hampers before putting on my barn jeans and western boots with a doctor who tank top. I took my hair out of my tight bun and let it loose. I cleaned up my little mess in the kitchen and grabbed a coke heading downstairs to the barn to see if my mother came up yet. Sure enough there she was with a Cheshire grin and a very attractive guy beside her.

"Oh Hun I'm so proud of you. That horse has taught you many things over the years!! Ugh I'm just so proud of you!!" She was pulling the show mom part hugging me to death. The very attractive guy made a noise and looked extremely uncomfortable. Mum stood up straight and dusted herself off.

"Right back on track. Tegan this is Valentine you're new groom, I hope you will help him shape up as he's not very fond of the equestrian world. I shall be on my way. Once again I am very proud of you from today's performance." She spoke as if she was hiding or planning something. And then she was off on the quad just like that.

I looked over to my new groom and found him smirking. Dear god he looked attractive and those wranglers fit him just right. I snapped out of my day dream and got back to reality. I stuck out my hand for him to shake. "Hello Valentine my name is Tegan but you can call me Tegs." But in stead of shaking it he gently took my hand and kissed the top of it. Que the blood rush to my cheeks. "Hello there darling my name is Valentine." He had a strong southern accent.

Dear lord I will not fall for my groom.

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Hey everybody!! I hope you liked this first part of my book.
The horse to the side is my gelding Spartan.
But comment, vote, share the book to others who might like it and don't forget to give me feed back.

Peace my little equestrians. ✌🏻️