Unbridled Beginnings

Chapter 16: A Possibility

Once again I sit on the old wooden bench and wait for the bus to come. When it finally comes to a stop, I jump on and take an empty two-seater like I normally do. I know that Hazel will get on the bus soon, and I won't be alone anymore. While I wait for her to show up, I glare out the window at the familiar surroundings.

When we reach Hazel's point where she usually gets on the bus, I search for her in the crowd of people that push their way to a seat. But sadly I can't see her and realise she must not be here today. 

Another boring day, I think and turn back towards the dust covered window until we arrive at school.

As I merge into the isle and step down off the bus, I see a big group of people surrounding the notice board inside the main school office. The notice board is where important announcements and upcoming events are shown for the kids to look at. I decide to go check it out for myself. I have to stand on my tip toes to see what the fuss is about but then I see. Students are discussing and pointing at the new school leaders for next year. They all have mixed feelings about who has been chosen.

"Evan is a horrible leader, it should have been me," I hear someone whisper to their friend.

"These leaders are a great choice!" A group of people agree.

As the children start to disperse I make it to the front of the crowd. As I look towards the list of leaders, something else catches my eye.

 UNBROKEN HORSE CHALLENGE 11TH OF DECEMBER

'A great day to be out and about if your either riding or watching. This competition is open to anyone who has been training and unbroken or wild horse. All you have to do is show off to the judges what you and your horse are capable of doing! The judges will then decide who is the best pair and who has put the most effort into training their horse. Whoever has the best scores will win the competition. Prize money for 1st place is 100,000.'

My mouth hangs wide open, staring at the bright red and yellow flyer pinned onto the board. I forget all about looking at the new leaders and reach up to grab the paper. I turn my head around making sure nobody is looking before quickly folding it and placing it inside my bag. 

I have to show Janet this. If I win I could save Mayfield Ranch and we would have plenty to spare.

......

The day goes slowly because all I want to do is get to Mayfield Ranch and show Janet the flyer. But once it's finally over, I rush to the bus and luckily this time I get a seat. On the bus ride I can hardly stop fidgeting. I'm so excited about this new possibility of saving the ranch.

When I arrive, I run down the drive shouting Janet's name.

"Janet! Janet!"

She appears from inside the stables, a concerned look across her face.

"Janet look at this!" I puff when I reach her, taking the flyer out from my bag.

As she reads I glance at her. When a smile creeps upon her face and she looks at me I know that it can only mean great news.

"Hayley I'm very impressed at this great idea and I will let you continue to train Nova for it. But you have to be careful and remember you don't have a lot of time." She says, still smiling.

"Yes, yes of course Janet," I reply a little more calmly.

I've only got two weeks until the competition, so I guess I had better start training.

......

Once again I watch Nova walk around in circles on the end of the lunge, the stirrups flapping on the saddle. I pull her in towards me and then drag the mounting block to her side.

Now is the test. Will she let me sit on her back?

I slowly lean forward putting my body over her back and carefully put my weight down. She flicks her hind end away from me but I lead her back and try again. I do the same thing over and over until she stands still and willingly lets me put my weight over her back. The next step that I try is lightly putting one leg over the saddle. Surprisingly she accepts it calmly and stands stationary. I gradually move more of my weight on her until I'm nearly upon her back. She turns her head and sniffs at my hand to see what I'm doing so I freeze. But I continue to glide over her back once I'm totally seated and slide my feet into the stirrups.

Everything seems fine so I pat her neck. But obviously already frightened, Nova spooks at my movement and leaps forward, rushing into a fit of bucks and wild rears. I manage to stay on for a while, but soon she turns sharply, hauling me off the side and onto the hard dusty sand.

I quickly jump up even though my arm is aching from the fall, and walk over to Nova who is standing a few metres away from where I lay. Her nostrils flare wildly and the whites of her eyes show as I near her. 

I can't see Janet through the clouds of dust that have risen from my impact so I decide to put Nova away.

......

On my painful limp home, I comfort my arm. 

What will I tell Alison, Jack and Janet when they see my bruising?