Never Apart

Riding

Featured are Lauren+Ty (:

I awake to a cool summer breeze and the sound of the horses tromping around. I eagerly hop out of bed and take a shower. I brush my hair into a long braid and rush downstairs. Today is the day that Rocky comes!

1 day ago*

Ugh. I don't want to ride Rosie! I reluctantly climb out of bed and change into breeches and a teal polo shirt. I go downstairs and grab a protein shake and cereal, then shove my golden hair into a tight ponytail.

About 15 minutes later, mom comes down and grabs herself a muffin and water.

"Are you ready to go Amy?"

"Yep. I just gotta grab my saddle from the barn."

I walk out to the barn and divide flakes of hay into 3 piles. I throw them over the pasture fence. I go back in, get my grooming kit, saddle, and pads, and rush to the car.

As we arrive, Rosie is in the pasture rolling in mud. You would think she was bay!

"You can drop me off here, mom. I'll bring her in."

"Okay sweetie." I hop out of the car and slam the door just a bit too hard. I grab her neon pink halter and jump the fence.

As soon as she sees me, she takes off galloping across the 20 acre field. Great. Now I'm definitely going to be late for my lesson. I take off after her and get her to the back corner. You can't move now? Can you, mare? I swing the lead rope over her head and clip the halter around her face.

"C'mon Rosie, we have a lesson to get over with!"

When we get in the barn, I clip her on the cross-ties. I get to work on her body with a currycomb. Soon, you can actually tell she has a white body! I finish grooming her, then I lift my saddle pads on her broad back, then saddle, then girth, then I bridle her. I put my helmet on and lead her to the indoor.

I walk around until Sarah gets in.

"Hi Amy. You're late. How is Rosie, and how did you get so dirty? You look like you belong in the slums or something. Not as a young adult riding champion."

"I'm sorry for being late. Rosie's fine." I decided not to tell her about how she got us both dirty, or how it took me 20 minutes and a 20 acre run to catch her. After all, Rosie is the favorite child.

"Well since you already walked her, go to a posting trot." I kick her and she starts to trot and then stops. I kick her again. No movement. Again, no movement.

"Hmm. She's probably just tired today. Aren't you Rosie?" She starts mumbling to Rosie in a sing-songy voice. I kick her again. This time she walks. Then trots. Yes! Correct diagonal! I silently cheer. After about 30 minutes of posting, she tells me to walk.

"Alright Amy, do you think you can canter?"

"Yes, I can."

"Alright. Pick up left lead on the long side."

"Okay."

I walk her over and then dig my right heel and pull my inside rein gently. Instead of picking up left lead, she picks up right lead and tosses her head. I slow her to a walk.

"Rosie would never do that on her own so what did you do wrong?" Sarah barks.

"I don't know, I used my inside rein and outside leg correctly."

"Well you did something, so figure out what it is. Try it again."

I go to the rail and do everything again. This time, I get the lead! I go up into half-seat because she has such a bouncy canter. I go around a few times, then I slow her to a walk. I pat her sweaty neck.