Changing Strides

~Chapter 1~

  I strolled into the Pine Wood Stables, hoping I would get to work with my usual horse, Moon. Her show name is Dynamic Blue Moon, she's 15.9 hh and is a light gray Appendix Quarter Horse. She did mostly jumping, but she always loved a good trail ride every few months. Today, I was hoping to take her to an eventing ring just a short trail ride through the stable's woods. I walked into the little hang out space to find my instructor washing her hands. I walked in and set my stuff down and put my snack for later in the dorm room sized fridge. She turned around and greeted me with a warm smile, "Hi Claire. Ready for today?" I nodded eagerly like the seven year old I was long ago ready to ride for the first time. Meg just laughed. She insisted I call her Meg plus we were only about ten years apart and we acted like good friends. "So today, Miss. Woods wants to show you something." I furrowed my eyebrow in suspicion. Meg motioned for her to follow me. We walked out of the cozy lounge and made out way over to one of the stall doors. A golden head popped out of the stall. The head had a big white blaze down his forehead that covered one nostril. I put my hand out as a hello. The horse snorted, bucked it's head up, and marched into the far corner of his stall. Meg just looked at me, "This is Golden Eagle, or Storm. Ex-racer he was abused. Miss. Woods wants you to train him. I'll supervise the sessions you'll do with Storm. He should be gentle once he gains your trust. I know he accepts all tack and rider, he just needs someone to love." I nodded and the session quickly went underway.

  I led Storm into the vacant indoor arena and just walked him for about ten minutes. I then led him to the middle of the arena testing his knowledge of basic commands. Meg walked up to me after I finished groundwork. "Good job today. We don't want to rush Storm, we'll take it slowly. You can put him away, then I have a surprise." I just nodded and groomed Storm and put him back in his stall. I put his lead rope by his stall door when I heard the unmistakable sound of horses hooves approaching on the concrete. Meg appeared first, leading two horses into the isle. She stopped and looked at me, "Don't just stand there, go get your helmet." I retrieved my helmet and grabbed Moon's bridle. I followed Meg and her warmblood, Leo out into the cool air. Summer clinged in the air which brought a warm breeze. We mounted and rode down the trail in an easy canter. Together we started warming up the horses with a few simple jumps before racing through the eventing course.