Unbridled Beginnings

Chapter 19: Final touches

I rub my eyes and roll over, trying to free my legs from the tangle of blankets and listen downstairs for any noise. When I don't hear a sound from either Jack or Alison, I stand up and open the beige curtains that cover my window. As the sunlight seeps through I have to shield my eyes from the light until they adjust.

I continue my normal morning routine of preparing to go to Mayfield Ranch and once I'm ready I head outside. I grab the rusty purple bike off the front lawn and pedal up towards the now familiar main road that leads me to Mayfield Ranch.

Once I'm past the three oak trees I realise that it's only one week until the competition and all Nova and I can do is trot. I start to fret, the truth of not being ready for the competition showing it's true colours.

I arrive at the Ranch and lean my bike up against the stable like I usually do before walking inside. Janet and Damien are inside cleaning out the stalls when I greet them. I continue to walk past them towards Nova's paddock and when I reach her she acknowledges me with an excited neigh. I stroke her pale white blaze before haltering her up and leading her to the stable. 

When I've finished grooming her and I've put the tack on she's ready for riding. I lead her into the arena and mount up, starting to walk around to warm up.

......

I sit deep into the saddle, squeeze my legs into her sides and ask for a canter. Her trot only gets faster and faster so I bring her back to a steady trot before trying again on a corner of the arena. This time she starts cantering straight away, realising what I wanted the first time. But she only gets a few strides in before she starts bucking.

I lean back, trying not to fall forwards and turn her into a small circle. Immediately she comes back to trot. Not giving up I try again, urging her forward in the opposite corner to canter. Nova breaks into a canter again but this time I keep her in a twenty-metre circle at the far side of the arena. Once we have completed a full circle I bring her back to a trot, lean down to pat her, and tell her that she's good.

I repeat the canter on the other rein until she has a nice, steady canter in both directions. Then I dismount, take off her saddle and bridle and hang them on the fence. I drag the mounting block over to her side and carefully swing my leg over and grab hold of her thick, cream mane.

I need to do something special if I want to have a chance at winning the competition. Bareback is a skill that a horse and rider can only do if they have a good bond.

I click my tongue and she moves into a casual walk, her back wobbling from side to side underneath me.

I remember my Mother and I doubling on Sharki bareback, trotting around the arena with smiles across our faces. A smile paints on my face as I urge Nova into a trot and remember the same bouncy feeling.

Nova's ears pin back as I try to balance upon her back, gripping to her mane. Soon I remember my Mother telling me about keeping my stomach loose and my eyes focused between the horse's ears. I relax and begin to let my stomach loose as I steer Nova with my legs around a bend. Her ears prick forward and I feel her relax as well, becoming more comfortable with the new skill. I click her into a swift canter along the long side of the arena and I can tell she enjoys the feeling of being free. She snorts and throws her head high, wanting to go faster. But I sit back and ask her to walk. As Nova obeys me and we head back to the stable, I let my legs hang loose around her stomach.

I spot Janet and Damien looking at me through the stable window, smiles also painted on their faces.

"Hayley, that was amazing!" Janet says.

"You have to win now that we've seen what you can do with Nova," Damien adds.