Changing Strides

~Chapter 8~

  I rolled my shoulders and shook out my hands hoping to relieve myself from the nerves. I arrived at Stone River earlier than planned, so I walked the course. I carefully placed my feet, planning out each move Storm would carryout. I saw that some jumps got to be almost as tall as Storm. He had never jumped that high. We practiced making sure he could get the length and height but taking it little by little and growing his muscles. I was back at the barns when I heard a voice on the speakers, "Alrightly ladies and gents. Welcome to the Annual South Elm Jump-Off Competition! We will be getting our activities underway in just a couple minutes. Riders, please sign in and grab your number. Then, please report to the judges table when your heat is called. Thank you everyone for coming today, again welcome!" I turned out whatever the voice had left to say. I looked at Storm in his stall. Someone had groomed and tacked him up and his practically gold coat shone brightly and his saddle pad, saddle and bridle made him look sharp. I walked Storm over to the judges. They asked us to enter dismounted for the initial sign in. I stood third in line. "Claire Willows?" I saluted fittingly and the judges bowed in return. I was summoned to walk the ring. I followed the other horses and riders showing Storm what I had in mind. I imagined his every move and it felt as if Storm knew exactly what I was thinking. We finished the course and exited the ring. I walked Storm in the fresh air, then mounted him exercising him outdoors in the warm up ring. He glided over the small oxers easily, he was stretched and warmed up, and that's when my nerves spiked.

"Claire Willows and Golden Eagle, please report to the judges." I led the steed back into the crowed arena and pulled my horse near to the center and saluted the judges. They bowed, and I was ready. I veered Storm towards the first small oxer and led him at an easy canter. He cleared with plenty of room. Storm then gathered his haunches and fluidly leaped over the fence. We easily cleared all the fences, two more left. The second to last fence was the tallest, as tall as Storm. I led him to it, but something didn't feel right. It wasn't Storm so I continued to lead him over.
  He sailed over the fence. I crouched over his neck, and my stirrup broke. Pain flashed through my leg as it slipped, it also spooked Storm, mid jump. He landed awkwardly hitting the the top pole. It came thundering to the ground. Storm tripped and started to fall. I tried to help him balance, but with no luck. He still fell to the ground, I came flying over his neck, my back landing hard on dirt. In a heartbeat, it was over. I lay in pain on the dirt, I just hoped Storm got up. I opened my eyes to see a one white nostril. At least Storm was alright. I was swarmed with people and Storm was shooed out of the way. I heard one voice the clearest, Meg's. "Claire, are you alright?" I just groaned in reply then I heard the sickly noise of ambulance sirens. Paramedics were taking over in a hurry. They insisted to know where it hurt. I half mumbled l, half groaned my reply, "My back and the back of my left ankle." I was put onto a stretcher and lifted into the ambulance. I was asked a million questions, but I didn't feel like comprehending. They asked how bad the pain was. I thought to myself, I ride horses. Not much hurts me, so if I'm forced into an ambulance because I can't get up, you should be able to guess the pain. Instead, I replied, "Beyond comprehension." I didn't remember much of being transported into the hospital, except the white walls, white, white, chalky white walls. I laid in a bed when the doctor walked in. He came over and gently examined me. "'Ms. Willows, you have Achilles Tendinitis in your left foot and you have a muscle strain in your back. You recovery process will be put into more detail later, right now we just want you to rest." The doctor left the room leaving attempting to sleep through the pain.