Equine Strike Hills Academy (A Place in the Saddle) #1

Chapter 12: Home Sweet Home

Once we pulled into the garage last night I felt like I could finally breath again. ESHA's classes had been grueling these past three weeks. My math grade was slipping dangerously low and I was studying for more than three hours every night just to keep up with everything. I flopped onto my bed, feeling happy to be in my familiar room again. I slept better than I had in weeks and woke up to a home-cooked breakfast.

"Two weeks until the state show," I told Mom and Dad as I ate my chocolate chip pancakes.

"We're definitely ready to see you and Limitless riding again!" Mom exclaimed.

"I hope you're ready for tons of pictures," Dad said as he stood to put his plate in the dishwasher.

Mom checked the clock. "We better leave soon if you want to get over to Cottonwood."

After helping put away dishes and wiping down the counter, Mom and I left. The Texas country-side was gorgeous as we drove down the winding road. The trees had hints of yellow and orange showing among the leaves, fall was near. The September air was crisp and the sun began to warm the afternoon, warding off the early morning chill. We rolled up the gravel drive to Cottonwood.

The first thing I noticed was the new iron sign along the highway stating the stables name. After exiting the car I walked towards the main barn. Most of the students were in school so the stable was oddly quiet. "Hey Pepper!" I exclaimed as I rushed to her stall. The flea-bitten gray mare peered her head over the stall door. Pepper was the first horse I had learned to ride on. "Long time, no see!"

I made my way down the narrow aisles. I saw a couple of college girls with horses cross-tied by the tack room. As I made my way deeper into the stable and saw that Gloria had a bunch of new boarders. Stepping into her small,cluttered office I called out, "I'm ba-ack!"

Gloria turned around in her chair. "You made it!" She exclaimed as she wrapped me in a tight hug. "You look great!"

"Thanks. Cottonwood has changed a little since I was here last." I stated. New fencing wound around the property and the stable had a new coat of paint.

"Do you like it? I added improvements to help draw in more clients."

"So what have you been doing lately?" I asked as I took a seat across from her desk. "I noticed you have a ton of new boarders."

"Yeah. I guess word got around that one of my students got excepted to Equine Strike Hills Academy and people have come to sign their kids up for lessons."

"That's awesome."

"I've gotten a lot of talented riders in my upper levels. I think we're going to do well this show season." Gloria said as she shuffled through some files.

"I'm happy the team is doing so well. Are you upset that I left for something better?" I asked, twisting my hands together.

"Oh Kiera, not at all. I taught you all I could. If you had stayed here you would be stuck at the same level for three years while everyone around you progressed."

"It's weird riding for someone else. You've been my instructor since I was six."

"Things change. But it's all for a reason. You'll look back on your time here and think of it as a stepping stone. Do great at ESHA and show them what you can do." Gloria soothed.

"I hope you have great teams this year." I said.

"I know you do. So how are things with Tiffany?"

"Never a dull moment. But I'm just focusing on the show and Limitless right now."

"That's the best way to deal with those types of things." Gloria said. "And how has he dealt with all of this?"

"He loves his stall and gallops up and down the fence line whenever I turn him out." I laughed.

"Sounds like he has adjusted well then." Gloria smiled.

"I hope I do well at the show. Limitless and I have been practicing non-stop."

"I know you'll do great. If you give ESHA half of what you gave me, you will never disappoint."

"I better head out. Mom's probably waiting for me." I said checking the time on my phone.

After we exchanged good-byes and hugs, I left Gloria too work in her office. I headed over to Limitless's old stall to take a quick peek.
His nameplate was gone and the box stall was dark and empty. The first time I had ridden him at Cottonwood rushed back to me. He spooked at everything and bucked me off for the first week and a half. I was afraid Limitless was the wrong match for me, but after a month we fell into a rythm. That's when I registered him with the name Sky's the Limit. He made me feel like I could do anything.

Mom drove up the drive and gravel crunched under the tires. I missed this place so much, but now I missed ESHA too. I wrapped my jacket tighter around my body as a sudden breeze picked up. After climbing into the car I watched Cottonwood get tinier and tinier as we drove away, until it was nothing more in the rear view mirror.

///###///
Hey! Hope everyone is having a great summer and thanks for almost 400 reads!!! Comment, vote, and follow!!! ~Skylar