Deer Hill Riding Academy

Chapter 3

Mum's old ute drives our 3HAL float to the show that I am entered in with Cherry. The ute rocks over the many bumps in the unkempt lane to the parking area.

"Are you excited? It's your first show with Cherry!" Lucy says, nudging my shoulder playfully. We both had our hair tied up into a slick bun for our rides.

"I guess so. I mean, even though I love riding Cherry, I feel like we are going to do more competitions at school, so there's no reason to waste our money at this one." I sigh, eyeing the arena as mum parks. Once the ute stops, Mum glares at me.

"It's to make sure Cherry behaves well in competitions when you're at the academy, so it isn't a waste of money because it will keep you safe when we don't attend the shows." She says grumpily.

"Ok, ok." I say, opening my door to be met by the cold wind. "Does the weather have to be so cold? I'm freezing to death."

Lucy shrugs as she unloads the horses. "It's weird I guess, but we'll just have to ignore it. Here, can you take Cherry and tack her up?" She passes Cherry's lead rope to me. I pat her neck before I tie her to the float.

Cherry's saddle is black, which looks good with most colours, but I settle with a pale blue saddle pad with silver twine on the edges. Once I place them on her back, I lean down to do up the fluffy girth.

"Need some help there?" Mum says after watching me struggle. "Please do." I move out of the way and view mum tighten the girth and put on the bridle. "Here you go, make sure to warm her up well, because I entered you in a 1m class."

"Thanks mum." I grab the lead rope from her without fully processing what she said. "Wait, 1m?!" I swing around to look at her, but she was already speaking to somebody.

...

Cherry and I have jumped 1m a few times, but I'm still nervous. "Could Elise Harvey please enter the arena?" The announcer says. I click to her and draw in my heels gently to walk her into the arena.

Once I've gotten Cherry into the arena, I trot her in a few circles before I head her towards the first jump of the course. She enthusiastically canters toward it and leaps over it with ease. As we land, I swerve her to the second and third jump. She hops over the second and then jumps the third and I grin before she turns to the next couple jumps.

Cherry clears the remaining jumps with a couple close calls and I pull her to a stop. My hand gently pats her smooth neck and I walk her towards the exit. Lucy and her friends face up to Cherry and I to congratulate us. "That was so good! I'm certain you'll place, most of the others knocked few poles." Lucy's friend, Maddy, holds her hand out for a high five, and I gladly accept it.

"Pretty sure they are announcing the places now while you guys are still on your horses." Lucy says.

"Ladies and gents, please listen up for the placing of the 1m class." The announcer says, confirming Lucy's words.

"In 6th place, Molly Husten." A short girl on a palomino horse, around 15hh, start the line up of the people who placed. "5th place is Max Windell." A handsome guy with dark curly hair trotted his big warmblood gelding in line. "4th place, Casey Burger." The 'Casey' girl's cheeks turn red, probably because of her last name, as she lines up her stocky skewbald mare. "In 3rd place, Polly-Anna Merton." A girl on a dapple grey horse trots into line. "In second place, Tilly McDonald." I recognise Tilly from the last show I was entered in as she joins the line with her fancy jet black stallion. "And in first place, Elise Harvey!" I cover my mouth with surprise, and hug Cherry before I line her up.

The judges hand out the rosettes and prizes. Cherry seems happy with her achievement, standing as though she was the best horse in the world, which in my eyes, she is. The prize I get is a pretty dark brown and gold bridle, which is beyond stunning, although it doesn't match my saddle.

Before I left the arena, I notice a the principal of DHRA grin and give me a thumbs up.