Mounting up

Chapter 1

I licked the envelope closed, hoping the video of my best riding was enough for Windsor. I shoved it into the mailbox, tired of staring at the cream covered envelope. I went back inside and sat cross-legged on my bed. I wouldn't hear back for 4 weeks. Great. Those 4 weeks would be awful. I brushed out my hair and put into a braid. I grabbed some breeches and put those on. Smiling, I slipped on my riding boots and went downstairs.

Mom greeted me. "Did you send the letter?" She asked eagerly. I nodded and grabbed my cellphone. I texted Brittnay. Oddly, She didn't respond right away. I slid into the car, waiting for mom. She drove me to the stable and said as she prepared to drive away "have a good lesson with Elle honey!"
I thanked her and went into the breezy modern stable. The stable had just finished being redone. I groomed Elle quickly and tacked her up, all of that in 5 minutes.

I mounted her inside the arena and winced as my bruised butt cheeks started throbbing. They had gotten bruised when we did a lot of trotting the last lesson. OW! Ms.BriarWood walked in. "Good Afternoon intermediate team." She says cheerfully as she takes attendance. We all waved. She made us do some warm ups of pole bending. We worked hard on jumping for the next hour. We jumped without bridles, jumped without stirrups and even practiced our 2-point positions.

After the lesson, Mom drove me back home. "So. It's your birthday coming up. I have a surprise waiting for you at home." She said when she pulled into the drive way. My birthday was tomorrow. I ran inside the house, I could barely contain my excitement. I ran to couch and sat down. Mom told me to close my eyes and I did as told. Mom placed something on my lap and I felt soft fur. I opened my eyes and in front of me was a light golden puppy who had big black eyes and big round, wet nose.

I cooed and held the dog tight. "It's adorable! What's it's name? Thank you Mom!" "Well it's a boy so I thought you could name it." She responded kindly. I held the puppy for and stared at it. "Finely." I said firmly. Mom smiled "That's a perfect name." Mom excused me from helping with supper and let me play with Finley. I hugged him tightly and threw a tennis ball. He chased after it and brought it back, his little tail wagging. I chuckled and petted him softly.

Later that night, I was fast asleep on the couch with Finley cuddled up beside me. Mom covered me with a thick winter blanket and turned off the tv. She dimmed the lights and turned around before leaving. She pursed her lips as she whispered quietly "Goodnight Eleanor Baby. Happy Birthday." A smile crept up on my face, while I fingered the soft fur of Finley.