KhanRose Riding Academy

Chapter 17: Tryouts

I stood there watching as Scarlet and Chase kissed. I awkwardly backed up, and got out of the way before Scarlet could see me. I started to walk towards Sterlings stall to see how he was holding up. I passed multiple people I had seen before, and gave them a good luck on the way to the arena. Once I had finally reached his stall, I found Katherine there petting his nose.

"Hey!" She said once she saw me.

"Hey, he sure is cute isn't he" I replied gesturing to the gelding.

She nodded and said "He really is! He looks familiar, probably have seen him with my dad at shows. I have got to go get Ace. I'm trying out after you, so I suggest you get tacked up and warm up and change into your white polo" she said nodding to it hanging by his stall.

I started to go in his stall and run a brush over him, he only had a thin layer of dust. Once I did that, I grabbed my tack and placed it on him. I had a white sheepskin half pad along with a white square pad. Once I pulled up the girth, I slipped on his corkscrew bit and bridal.

I grabbed my shirt out of its bag, and took off the one I had on. I had a under shirt, so I was ok to change in his stall. After I had my crisp white polo on, we made our way to ring C with my gloves in my hands and my helmet on my head.

After dodging many people, I mounted and started with a brisk trot. I already seemed used to him, but I was a nervous wreck. So many things that could go wrong went through my head. What if I fell? What if he asked for some really hard thing? What is Sterling got hurt jumping, like Keller did. The thought of Keller jumping and getting hurt ran through my mind as we went around the ring. Sterling looked at other horses, but didn't seem to mind them. I didn't want to wear him out, so I walked and them asked for a canter. He gave away, and we cantered for half the ring before stopping. I saw many people giving us double takes, and I grinned to my self about riding such a beautiful horse.

A short woman appeared in the entrance, and called my name. I walked over and to Ring A as Sterling sighed deeply. Inside Mr. Odell was in the center waiting for me. I lined up in front of him and he started.

"Hello Ms. Jenson. So today I will evaluate your riding skills. You will do as I say, but if you don't understand what I am saying or don't know how to do it. Halt. Go on the rail at a free walk."

I directed Sterling to the rail, and he walked freely.

"Sitting trot"

I collected him, and sat to his bouncy trot. I pushed my heels to the cream sand under us, and kept my back straight. After a while he called something different.

"Extended trot"

I kept a easy hold on his mouth but asked him to extend his already large trot. He did so and took my breath away at his swinging gait.

"Halt. Then canter."

I pulled back, and once he halted, asked for a canter. He bounced into a sweeping canter, and I sat as good as I could.

"Across the ring with a lead change" he demanded.

I directed Sterling across the ring, and he popped a flying lead change out. He asked for circles and such before we were done. After going on the flat for some time, he asked for me to walk.

"I have seen enough basic work. I can already see where I'm putting you. Let's pop over this line. It's very simple, because I understand your horse is already been worked. It starts at 3 foot, and increases with an oxer after the vertical. It goes to 3'3, 3'6, 3'9, then 4 foot. Then a roll back to that vertical and across the ring over the ascending oxer and halt. Got it?" He asked.

I nodded and turned nervously to the course at a canter. I held his mouth up to the first one to keep him slow and steady. I sat deep in my saddle and tightened my leg to the leather saddle. He tucked his knees in and flew over it as my hands followed his movement. Three strides later we popped over the oxer. I kept my heels facing the earth and my hands up. My elbows were tucked in and my leg was secure. The next oxer was rainbow, and looked big compared to what I had just done. It had four long strides or a very tight three. I pushed on for the four and he took it like a pro. We were in mid air, then started to make our way down. Once we landed I immediately slowed him with my seat and hands. The three tight strides fitted ok, and he soared into the sky as I went into my two point. My hands were dropped on his neck and my leg was with the girth. I would feel the extra effort of him pushing off to not knock the rail. Once we got back to earth, I pushed him very hard to get the sweeping four strides to the four foot jump. It was dark pink with yellow stripes on the rails. My heart skipped a beat as we took off from the slightly long spot, and he grunted in desperation. I held on to his mane as he lifted as high as he could to not hit a rail. I had almost forgotten he was green at jumping, but was reminded when he leapt into a crow hop once we hit the ground.

I heard his hooves land, and I pulled on my right rein to get to the next jump. It took a steady hand as we approached the smaller vertical. It was a easy three foot jump, and Sterling took it in stride with an extra flying buck. After that I turned him across the ring with all of my body and asked him for a slightly longer stride to get to the perfect spot. Once we did he jumped over the 3'3 jump with a buck at the end. With a spoken woah, I used my hands, legs, and seat to stop him. He rocked back on his haunches and pulled to a stop.

"I must say, that was amazing. He is new to you and you tried hard to keep him in line. Thank you and the teams will be listed tonight by email. Thank you Ms. Jenson." Mr. Odell spoke.

"Thank you" I said and walked out of the arena.

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-Sophie