Changing Strides

~Chapter 5~

  I eased Storm over the small oxer. I maneuvered Storm slightly to the left following the line of fences left to clear. We sailed over the next jump and aimed for the final. Storm launched from his hind hooves catching more air beneath him as he easily defied gravity. His hooves struck the ground and he started to land when I heard a thud from behind. I caught Meg out of the corner of my eye watching, interested in how Storm would react. The pole struck Storm's hind hooves when he tried to land. The pole landed into the dirt with a hollow sound. Only the tip of Storm's hooves touched the ground before they slipped out from underneath him, because he landed on the pole. I urged Storm to move forward. He compiled thrusting himself forward from his front feet. He galloped away from the jump. I brought him into a controlled canter and slowly cooled him, laping Meg a few times. I pulled up beside Meg once Storm had calmed. "You okay?" Concern was all I could read off her face, I hated when someone gave that look. I simply nodded, inquiring what to do next. Meg slowly wiped concern off her face and thought for minute. "Um, hmm. Um, you can cool him off, we won't go anymore today. Though leave Moon alone, I just need to check something real quick." Meg turned on a dime and took off briskly down the aisle of stalls. I did as told, cooling Storm off and grooming him and all that jazz, but my mind wasn't obeying Meg. My mind whirled about school, and my birthday. My birthday was in a month, or about a month. I had made no plans but mentally wrote that idea down. I quickly buried that thought as Meg approached me and tug at my sleeve.

I was half dragged to Miss. Woods office and was plopped down into a chair before I could comprehend what Meg was doing. Miss. Woods entered the room and went behind the desk. Her tall frame hoovered above me waiting for the formal greeting. I stood up, connecting hands with her before smoothing out my clothes and taking my seat once again. Miss. Woods sat politely erect in her office chair. She had a slender but not skinny frame. Her legs were long and muscular. She looked not much older than Meg, and she didn't even need much makeup to look young. Her skin was taunt around her nose and cheekbones. Her face was a slight tan, mostly from standing outside at events, only her hand shading her face from the violent rays as she proudly watched her riders perform in the circuit. Her naturally red hair dusted with golden highlights extended just past her shoulders with a slight bounce to it. Today she wore her tan jodhpurs with her chocolate brown leather riding boots and a long sleeve tee covered up with a green and purple vest with Pine Wood Stables embroidered in silver threading. She asked how progress with Moon was and a couple other things before leading me out to Storm's stall.

She stopped at the door and stroked Storm as he came to see his visitors. "I have heard from Meg that you have done an excellent job with Storm so far. I even saw you guys today, and you had good control when he clipped the jump." I accepted the compliment with a polite nod hoping she wouldn't notice that I had blushed. "As you know, every year we go to Stone River for the Jump-Off. You also know that I only pick five of the best riders to go. Now I only have to pick four." She flashed her white smile at me. "Why, thank you! This really means a lot, I've been yearning to go since I first heard of it." Miss. Woods raised a finger in caution. "Though, that's only four months away. So you better come here a little more often than every other week. In addition, I wouldn't have you up on Moon. I'd put you on Storm. If you decline, don't feel discouraged. I'm asking more of you than I would any rider, but seeing the two of you ride gives me a thrill I haven't felt in a long time. What'ya say?" I thought for a moment, I had really hoped I'd be riding Moon. But this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. "Yes, I will do it. I will come more often and agree to ride Storm in the Jump-Off." We exchanged the a few words before I felt my phone buzz, telling me that I was done with my shift at the barn. I walked to Sammy's car, hopped in, and Sammy drove down the gravel drive aimed for home.