Galloping Hills Academy Book 1: Secrets

Chapter 5- Something Wonderful

          I had survived my first week at Galloping Hills. A couple of times I wondered if I was going to drown in homework, but I didn’t. I had to test for the riding team tomorrow, so I had to go to the barn and practice and so did Sadie and Katelynne.

          “Hey, guys you ready to go to the barn.” I asked

          “Yeah, so ready! Lets go.” We walked out of the door and down the sidewalk, to the barn. When we got there Edward was riding. We were all dressed in tan riding breaches and yellow shirts, we had decided to all match.

          “Hey, how’s Yaida doing?” I asked Edward.

          “Good, we need to work on our leads though, he seems to want to pick up the wrong lead.”

          “Can we practice with you? If you don’t mind waiting ten minutes for us to get ready.”

          “Sure, meet you in the schooling arena in ten minutes.” Edward answered.

          I walked to Justin’s stall and walked inside. “Hey, boy.” He reached out and rubbed his head on my arm. I put his halter on and hooked the lead line to his halter. We walked out into the aisle and got the pair of cross-ties right in front of his stall and Katelynne was at the pair in front of us.

          I went through the motions of grooming, Curry comb, hard brush, soft brush, hoof pick, and mane and tail comb. Then I put the light blue saddle pad on his back then the black gel pad. After that I placed the saddle gently on his back and fastened the girth under his belly. He stood quietly while I tightened it then I got my helmet on. I put on his bridle and waited for Katelynne to finish putting the bridle on Cheyenne.

          We walked out of the barn meeting Sadie out there at the same exact moment. We mounted our horses and walked to the schooling arena. Edward looked like he was day dreaming.

          “What are you staring at?” I asked. He jumped when I said it.

          “Oh nothing.” He said in an innocent voice. Sadie, Katelynne, and I walked in and stood beside Edward.

          “How about we do flatwork then jump?” Edward suggested.

          “Ok sounds good.” I answered smiling at him. Sadie and Katelynne agreed too.

          We spread out and started walking. I walked for a lap then did a posting and sitting trot. I dropped my stirrups and did posting and sitting, then I did some stretches in my saddle. I cantered a little each direction working on keeping an even pace and doing flying lead changes.

          “Ok, I’m ready to jump when ya’ll are.” I said pulling Justin up.

          “Ok, the jumps look like there about two foot four so that’s good. Who wants to go first?” I asked.

          “I'll go” Katelynne said.

         Katelynne collected Cheyenne and turned her towards the first jump at a rocking horse canter. They soared over the first purple and yellow jump and moved toward the second black oxar. They kept moving around the coarse and Katelynne rode back to us beaming.

         “That was really good. You should make sure you don't throw yourself at the jump and keep your hands down and together.” I said.

         Everyone else gave there feedback and then it was Edward's turn. He turned Yaida at the first jump and jumped it cleanly. They soared over the rest of the coarse and he rode back to us. For some reason he was frowning.