BRIAR RIDGE ACADEMY// ELITE

A Bittersweet Beginning

I gently untack the chestnut mare, stroking her mane. She was perfect today. We got over every jump, didn't knock any poles, and won two firsts. No grand champions, but that's fine. The only grand champions are the kids from Lacey Academy, Winchester Prep, and so on.

"Good girl Clover, good girl." I say softly, as I pull her into the stall she's using for today.

I close the stall door, and sigh a bit. Clover's not my horse, but I treat her like she is. My family doesn't have enough money for me to own. Even though she's not mine, I love her above and beyond. Clover is perfect to me.

I pull off my helmet and let my brown hair out of my hairnet. I practically sprint to my bag in the Hillcrest Stables tack area, and pull out a brush. I yank it through my tangled hair, and put my helmet in my bag. After brushing my hair, I take off my paddock boots and half chaps in exchange for a pair of black Hunters. Then, I walk back over to Clover's stall with a couple horse treats and a carrot.

"Here girl, c'mon." I click my tongue, and Clover's ears flick forward.

She walks over to me, and nibbles of a treat through the stall door. I smile at her, as she grabs the carrot out of my hand.

"Hey!" I laugh as she bites it, "Bad girl."

I give her a couple more treats, before making my way down the aisle. I take my phone out of a pocket in my Hillcrest jacket, and look down at the flood of texts I received. All of them were something like, 'Great job', 'Congrats' or 'Yay!'. As I respond to them all, I crash into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" I say, as I begin to get up.

"No, really, it's fine! If anything, I should be apologizing to you! After all, you're the one on the ground, not me." The person, a woman with light blonde hair cut in a bob, laughs a bit, and sticks out her hand.

I grab it, and she helps me up.

"My name is Dana Roberts, from Briar Ridge Academy." She smiles slightly.

I catch my breath a little. Briar Ridge is my dream school; one that I could never afford.

"Kennedy. Kennedy Blackwell." I shake her hand.

"Oh, really! You're actually who I was looking for!" Dana tells me.

My eyes widen a bit. A person from my dream school was looking for me.

"I have information about a full scholarship to our school for the upcoming school year."

"Oh wow, okay." I say, shocked. They want to give me a scholarship? This day has got to be a dream.

"So if you could do me a huge favor, that would be greatly appreciated. I need to find Samantha Tessori."

My smile falters. Sammy? They're giving a scholarship to Sammy? Of course. The super talented, well known, rich girl from my barn. My only friend from my barn, really.

"Yeah, um, sure." I respond, slightly shaken.

I begin to walk past Clover's aisle, and go two down. Sammy is standing off to the side, talking to a girl in a jacket from Lacey Academy. The two hug, wave, and the Lacey girl walks away. Sammy turns to her horse, Jewel, and rubs her face.

"Sammy!" I call, and she turns her head.

"Kennedy!" She responds, and runs over.

"Great job today." I tell her, pointing to the four blue ribbons attached to her bag.

"Well, yeah," She laughs lightly, "Who's your friend?"

"Dana Roberts, from Briar Ridge Academy," Dana politely says, "Are you Samantha Tessori?"

"Yes, I am. But most people call me Sammy. Nice to meet you." Sammy sticks out her hand and Dana shakes it.

"I am here to discuss a full scholarship to Briar Ridge." Dana says to Sammy's shocked face.

"A- A full scholarship? To Briar Ridge?" Sammy gasps.

"Yes! We can discuss the details later, if you introduce me to your parents." Dana suggests.

"Of course! I'll show you them right away!" Sammy starts to run off.

Dana follows, but turns her head to look at me, saying, "Thank you Kennedy. I'll keep you in mind."

I stare at the back of them, both blondes, talking like friends, even thought Sammy is 14 and Dana looks to be about 35.

I sigh, and start making my way back to the tack room. People are bustling around, taking pictures, showing off ribbons. Everyone is so happy. It's the last competition of the Summer Series, and time for several friends to say goodbye, until the Fall Series 1. And although I am happy of how I did, I can't help thinking that if I were better, things would've turned out differently.

The riding season ends today, and yet it feels like the beginning. The beginning of a time without Sammy. The beginning of a time where I will work as hard as possible in riding. The beginning of a time where I will be the best.

A bittersweet beginning.

•••

A/N

Hi everyone! Equestrian here, with my first chapter/ prologue of Briar Ridge Academy! The horse above it of Clover <3 Thanks for reading! Vote, Comment, and Follow!

Keep Your Heels Down and Your Head Up

-Equestrian