Complication

Chapter Thirty Seven

Brandon's shipper company's truck and trailer pulled into a stable that is probably worth more than my life. The barn was not even fifteen minutes away from the show grounds but you would think that you are in a whole different world.

When the trailer parks, I quickly hop out of the backseat and open up the side of the trailer with Lucas right behind me. Brandon eventually makes it to us, leaning on his crutches, "Take Casper out first and have Lucas grab Casino."

I nod and we both do what he says and we all start to walk to the barn. But, of course, Casper had to act like a two year old and breathe fire the whole way there. "Here. Put him in a stall. Something tells me cross ties won't be a good idea." I new voice says behind me.

"Okay" I turn around and come face to face with Scott Brash. "Oh, um" I scramble to find words but nothing comes. Instead I stare blankly at him. So this is why Brandon didn't tell me where we were going. Scott Brash is the number one rider in the world. So yeah, I'm freaking out just a bit.

Lucas saves my life and chuckles, "Put Casper in the stall, Gina."

"Oh, right." I snap out of my daze and lead Casper into the spacious stall.

"Let's let this big guy settle down for a bit while you ride Casino." Scott says as I latch the stall door.

"Either way it won't matter." I half chuckle, "He's a nut job." I probably shouldn't have said that but it's not like you can't tell Casper's out of his mind. I look over my shoulder to him and am shocked when I see him happily munching on hay. "Or he's the quietest horse in the barn." I look back at Scott, "There really is no in between."

We all walk over to Casino on cross ties and while me and Lucas tack him, Brandon and Scott talk about him, inspect him, and talk about all hi accomplishments. I couldn't help but see the pride in Brandon's face as he talks to Scott. Not only that, it seems that Casino is even holding his head higher.

"Warm up like you normally would any other day." Brandon says as I lead Casino into the gargantuan arena.

My legs shake as I mount up onto Casino. I was nerves, why would Brandon have me ride in front of Scott? He knows how easily nervous I get and it affects my riding.

Casino begins to walk to the rail and I adjust my left iron and finally I'm ready to go.

My minds still racing but the first thing I notice is that Casino's looking around and not paying attention to what I may ask of him. I don't want him to look bad in front of Scott so I shorten my reins and ask Casino only to hold his head in a Hunter shape. There's no reason for him to be in a full frame right now.

Somehow, almost instantly, I forget where I am and I concentrate on Casino. First I start the basics at the walk, shoulder in, haunches in, shoulder out, haunches out. I change direction after about three minutes and do the same. I don't drill it into Casino because he's already doing it flawlessly and I'm just warming up, getting him to listen my leg.

I squeeze my legs and Casino picks up an easy trot. Now I ask for him to frame a little more and start to really use his hind end to propel him forward instead of his front legs dragging him along. I come up the quarter line and leg yield to the left then do a bunch of circles, switch direction, more leg yields, half turns, everything. I do the same at the canter and add a couple of lead changes in there as well.

Twenty minutes have gone by since I got on and I slow Casino to a walk, finally realizing that I wasn't alone. I walk him half a lap before I go over to where everybody is standing and stop him.

"That was great!" Scott says with his arms crossed. "You're really listening to the horse and that's not an easy thing to learn." I couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you." I wanted to say more but he started talking again.

"Let him walk for a minute or two then we'll jump, okay?"

I nod and nudge Casino to walk. Lucas walks with me on the outside of the rail. "He's really impressed with you." He says just loud enough for me to hear.

"You're just saying that."

"Nope. He would make comments to Brandon about what you were doing. And from what I could hear, they were all positive."

"I feel bad. You should be riding too." He's just as talented as me and he doesn't even work hard.

"No, I don't deserve it. Any plus, you're way better than me."

I roll my eyes and decide ignore him, "It's still not fair."

"Oh shut up. Just promise me when you're rich beyond belief and own a giant barn I can board my horse there for half the price."

I giggle, "Wow, I'm surprised you didn't go for free boarding."

"Eh, I knew not to push it." He looks up at me and smiles, "Deal?"

"Of course" I laugh.

We walk in silence for a minute and suddenly I sway in the saddle a bit and I go light headed for a split second, then I'm fine. I mentally slap myself, remember that I didn't eat yesterday and I haven't ridden in a week so I'm tired from that.

"You okay?" Lucas asks concerned.

"Yeah" I smile.

He stares at me softly, obviously not convinced that I'm fine. Then, like it suddenly clicked in his brain, "You didn't eat yesterday. Gina you have to eat before you jump, it's not safe."

"I'll be okay. I'll eat something before I get on Casper."

"No, Gina, you didn't even get a lot of sleep last night, this is a bad combination."

"Lucas, I promise you I will be okay. No need to panic."

Before he could say anything else we reach Scott and Brandon. "How about we start off with gymnastics?" Scott says and they both walk to the middle of the ring before he could get another word in.

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A/N: Hey readers! I'm so sorry it took me so long to get this short chapter up. I've been swamped with midterms and a lot of barn drama. But I promise I will have a few more chapters up shortly.

Please tell me what you think! I would love to hear your feedback!

Thank you!