Galloping Hills Academy Book 1: Secrets

Chapter 8- Surprise! Thunk!

          I got out of bed at six fifteen on Monday morning and Katelynne and Sadie got up too. We put on our riding cloths and went to the cafeteria to choke down some food. I got a bowl of lucky charms and strawberries.

          Twenty minutes later I was at Justin’s stall putting him in the cross-ties. I brushed him in record time and got him tacked up in ten minutes. I walked to the biggest outdoor arena and mounted. I started warming Justin up while I waited for the others and Mr. West.

We warmed and by the time we finished everyone was there, plus Edward and Isabelle. This was going to take forever. How was I going to do this? Stop it, you know he's nothing but a jerk.

"Alright everyone, it's time to do some jumps." Mr. West said. "Natalie gets to go first, then, Sadie, Edward, Katelynne, and then Isabelle. Isabelle, would you mind setting up the jumps at 2’4?" Just then an evil smile crosses her face and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Why of coarse Mr. West." She says sweetly. No, no, no...I thought in my mind. She was going to raise the jumps. I wasn't positive she was going to do that, but it would be better to not look like an idiot and tell on her then to just make the jumps.

"Alright Natalie, you're up." Mr. West said after she finished raising the jumps. "Wait, Isabelle. Did you raise the jumps to 2’4?" He asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask that?" She replied sweetly.

"Because the jumps just look a little taller than they need to be." Mr.West said.

"Trust me, they're at 2’4 foot." She said firmly. They are sooo not at 2’4 foot. I thought.

"Ok Natalie are you ready?" Mr. West asked.

"Yes sir." I replied firmly. Isabelle smiled an evil grin at me. I ignored her and circled Justin twice. I headed for the first jump, a simple yellow and purple striped jump. 3, 2, 1. We soared over it and landed perfectly. We still had 3 more jumps to do. I collected Justin and we went over the second jump much better than the first. The third jump was a double oxar. I pushed Justin a bit faster and he clipped one of the rails when we went over it, but it didn't fall. Okay Justin we can do this. I thought. 3, 2, 1, the feeling was amazing, we had done a perfect job, considering Isabelle had without a doubt raised the jumps higher than they should've been raised. Plus, it was suppose to be practice, and that was NOT practice. I had just proved to Isabelle that she should not underestimate me.

"Excellent job Natalie!" Mr. West praised me. "The only thing I want you to watch out for is the double oxar."

"Yes sir, and thank you." I said.

"Alright Sadie, your next." Mr. West said.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. West?" I new that voice. I turned around and nearly fainted. It was Carson! He was here! He had gotten accepted! I pinched myself so I wouldn't run over there and give him a giant hug. He had done this for me, and I knew he worked so hard. I beamed at him. His face softened into a smile once he saw me.

"Yes I am, and you are..?" Mr. West asked.

"Carson Sillow." He replied.

“Ah, yes I’ve been waiting for you to arrive.” Mr. West said.

“Were should I take my horse, Cherokee?” Cameron asked, holding the black horse.

“There is a stall beside Natalie that you can take him to, Natalie can you show him were that is?” Mr. West asked me.

“Absolutely.” I motioned for Carson to follow me and Mr. West resumed the lesson.

“I missed you SO much.” Carson said as soon as we were out of earshot of the others.