Hope & Skydancer (Book 1)

Chapter 18

The drive took a few more hours. Most of them were spent laughing, avoiding the sore subject of the competition.

Cassidy pulled up the campground entrance. Before we pulled up to check ourselves in, we checked on the horses. It had been a long ride for them, so even I would be a little restless.

"Guys, I have an idea." Cassidy almost burst out laughing at her own silly idea. Sometimes it's hard to believe she's 18.

"Shoot sis." Hazel smiles at her big sister.

We pulled up to check in. The guy checks our reservations, but then asks the familiar question.

"Do you ladies, happen to have any pets with you."

Cassidy began with her plan. "Pets? No. But, we do have two horses and a... Um..."

Just then, I ordered Faith to poke her head out of the window. The guy jumps back in fear as Faith put on her goofy grin.

"Oh, and we have her." Hazel points to the white dog sitting on her big sister's lap.

The guy, stood up and straightened his shirt. "Very well, then. She," he points to Faith, "is to be on a leash at all times." He scowled as Faith retreated back to my lap. I slipped her harness on, along with her lead.

"Very well sir," I began to talk with an annoying tone, "here are my permits for the possession of my service pet.

He looks them over before returning them. We left the registration to head toward our campsites, laughing the whole way there.

"He was so scared of her, Hope." Hazel said between breaths.

"Ah, thank you, thank you very much." I did a little fake bow, before continuing to cuddle with my pup. "You are my good girl, aren't ya." I began to baby talk to Faith. That earned me some kisses. Wet slobbery, kisses.
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I watched as Skydancer paced around her makeshift stall. It truly was amazing what you could do with canopy and some rope.

Skydancer remained restless as the sun rose that morning. Hazel came out of her tent, throwing me a bag.

"What's this?" I ask.

"A gift for Sky." I opened the bag and pulled out a beautiful lime green halter. My eyes shifted from the new halter to Sky's old, beat up one.

"I love it." I held it out in front of Sky's face. She whinnied and nudged it. I began to laugh. "And she loves it."

I hugged Hazel, squeezing harder and harder each second.

"You ready to train?" She asks me. I gave her a funny look, and she began to laugh.

I broke away toward my tent. I put on a simple outfit, and pulled my hair back into a loose french braid.

I went back outside and groomed Sky. I tacked her up and pulled myself into the saddle. That task has gotten easier for me, but it sure does look awkward.

Hazel and I set off walking down the quiet dirt road. People at other campsites gave us awkward looks or just dropped there jaw in awe of the two galant show horses walking down the way.

Eventually, I pushed Sky into a brisk trot and then a canter. Hazel caught up and the two of us laughed as we enjoyed a joy ride.

The surrounding scenery was gorgeous. Everything was at peace as we rode through the street.

Hazel slowed back down to a walk, and I followed her actions, slowing Sky down.

"So, what's on our to-do list?" I ask her, knowing she was going to bring it up anyway.

"The basics. Confidence and simple riding 101. Also working on our 'special' techniques to help you in your case." She replied. She obviously went through all of this in her head. I nodded, showing that I understood.

"So, what is this competition about? It's obviously special if we have to train all of this." I was truly confused. Jumping? Dressage? I really had no idea.

"It's a special 'cross country' type of competition. It test both horse and rider; both of their abilities and their bond with eachother."

"Oh, it sounds interesting."

"There are three parts to the competition. There is the beauty, talent, and race portions."

"Well, my big baby right here just won the beauty competition." I began to stroke Sky and giggle

"And you are very talented with your horse." Hazel confirmed, a smile spreading across her face. I nodded as we continued down the road in silence.

We rounded a corner, noticing a girl walking down the street, holding her mom's hand. As we got closer and closer, I noticed something was different about her, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

When the girl noticed Sky and Daisy walking closer to her. She stopped in absolute awe. She pointed to the two big horses in front of her. Sky stopped, gesturing her head to my right, toward the girl.

Her leg! She has a prosthetic leg. I can't believe I didn't notice it. Before I knew what was happening, Sky had started walking, turning around. My left side was now to the little girl.

She gasped, and ran over to me and Sky. She reached her hand up and touched Sky's nose. Then her fingers slowly moved from her nose, to my leg.

She was really little. Probably like five or so. I swung myself out of my saddle, and grabbed my crutches from my bag.

I steadied myself and then hopped over to the girl. I picked her up and hoisted her up onto Sky's back.

"Her name is Skydancer." The little girl nodded, and then leaned over and hugged Sky. Sky brought her head around and touched her nose to the girl's prosthetic leg.

The girl began to giggle and then slid her way off. She walked up to me and wrapped her arms around me.

"Thank you." She whispered into my waist before heading back toward her mom. She waved to Sky, and the. sky replied by bobbing her head up and down. This made me chuckle.

I hoisted myself back up onto the horse. Hazel and I began to walk quietly back down the road, back toward our camp.

It was silent for a while but I broke the silence. "When I grow up, I want to help kids like that." Hazel turned and gave me a funny look.

"Why do you have to grow up before you do that?"

I answered her question with a question. "What do you mean?"

"That little girl looked up to you. You inspired her. And remember Maysie? She told me that she wanted to grow up to be just like you." She paused. "Hope, you already are an inspiration. You are helping people by getting back up on your horse and moving on through life with your head held high."

"Really?"

"Really."