The Riders Academy

I trotted Taz in and saluted the judges; Samantha, and two proper dressage judges, and started my test. Canter at A, figure of eight, change the leads. Extended trot at C and at H a change of the rein. Piaffe at E, then half-pass to M. Then into a collected canter around the school, and at A straight into walk and turn onto centre line. At X halt, immobility, salute. Taz did amazing, and it might just have been the best test of my life. Obviously the judges agreed, because when I got my score sheet, I realised I had gotten 1 eight, 10 nines, and 5 tens- the best score ever! The judges comments were 'The horse is young and inexperienced, and a difficult horse to ride, but this insanely talented young lady has made one of the hardest tests in Dressage History look like a piece of cake! Very well done- Kirstin Mackenzie.', and, 'She is a very talented rider, the connection between her and her horse is stunning, and she's managed to pull of a very good test. -Chloe Burnett and finally, 'Very Well done Ashley and Taz! Taz is a difficult horse to ride and you make him look easy, be proud! :-) - Samantha Clark' I was shocked. I knew I did good, but not this good! I got a few grudging congratulations, but a few glares from Rachel, Lucy and a few others.

I put Taz's aqua boots on, making sure to put my body protector on afterwards, and brushed his silky mane. I took my gorgeous palomino gelding out into the arena, and Chelsea and I made our way up to the cross country field. When we were there, I warmed up Taz, and watched others struggle with the complex course laid out infront of me. Everyone was having a hard time at the water jump, and a few couldn't get past the up-ward drop, the bank or this absolutely massive log. Taz wasn't the best at cross country, but he'd try.

"And now, we have the winner of this mornings dressage, Ashley Hunt, riding Taz!" Alex said. We set off at a strong canter, easily clearing the first few jumps, and then turned into the up-ward drop. We cantered it, and Taz was really enjoying himself. We then went onto the bank, and managed to get down it with ease. We cleared a few more jumps, and turned to the water jump. We approached it at a steady canter, with me checking Taz, and we suddenly found ourself in water. Taz started pawing at the water, and playing around, so I had to try really hard to get him going again. We were onto our last jump, the massive log. Taz got into a very strong, impulsive canter, and we cleared it! We didn't have the best time of the day, thanks to Taz wanting to play in the water, but we got the second best time, which meant we were still in 1st place!

The last event was show jumping. There was a course of about 12 jumps. Taz and me were on first. I walked the course, taking a look at the jumps as I went. There were a few difficult ones, like the oxar, the treble and the spread. I went back to Taz and tacked him up. I was really nervous! I jumped on, and warmed him up, "And now, please can we have Ashley Hunt, and Tasmanian Devil?" I galloped in, and waited for the bell.

I had done a perfect round when we were coming up to the last few jumps. I slowed Taz down, and we cleared the oxar and went on to the last jumps; the treble. We cleared the first jump with ease, and the second, but as we landed Taz stumbled but heaved himself over the last jump. The pole wobbled, but didn't fall. We crossed the finish line with the winning time! We'd made the team!