Kingston University for the Gifted

Chapter 4: Introductions

"That was certainly fast," Kiera says, a half-smile on her face. The course around her is only half-finished. Poles lay on the ground where jumps will be, and the stablehands are still dragging more out.

"Why don't you warm up outside," the instructor suggests, "and get some time alone with Sol. I think you'll find he's an excellent horse, but very sensitive to his rider. You'll have to be light and have perfect equitation when you're in his saddle." She shoos me towards the door.

Sol follows me quietly to the outdoor dressage ring. Kiera's right; we're alone out here. I guess it's our prize for being the fastest, since I forgot to check in with her first and get the extra grooming time. I place my foot in the stirrup and smoothly swing into the saddle. It's expensive, of course, and custom-made, much more comfortable than the worn old Dovers we shared at my old stable.

Five minutes of walking around on Sol shows me the stallion is not the sort of horse that only does the bare minimum of work. When I tap my heels on his side, he springs into an extended walk immediately.

"Easy, boy," I mutter, half-halting to collect him a bit.

Sol seems to be the perfect dressage horse. He's square and light when he walks, and bounces on the tips of his hooves when he trots. He's comfortable to ride, not like a couch, but as if he's trying to make my ride easier. I understand the true meaning of the phrase so many trainers use: working as a team.

The stallion flows around my leg when I circle him; he's perfectly straight when we cross through the middle.

His canter is different from his walk and trot, though. I can feel the muscles in his back stretching and his hoofbeats sound stronger and more powerful. His neck arches and he rocks back and forth to a perfect beat.

My ride is interrupted too quickly.

"Kyle!" Opal calls from the barn. "Kiera wants you inside! We're starting soon!" She disappears again in an instant.

I reluctantly dismount. At least I got some extra practice in, but if the other horse and rider pairs are as well matched as Sol and I, the atmosphere of competition is going to be very unpleasant.

Kiera once again has everyone lined up in front of her. Only this time, it means so much more because we don't have the excuse of 'this horse is not my match.'

She clears her throat for attention. "As you all know, Kyle was the first one back, and he opted for extra riding time rather than extra time to tack up. The rest of you found your horses alright, though; Justin wasn't far behind Kyle, and Willow arrived soon after."

The boy from registration smirks and runs his hand down his stallion's neck. I assume this is Justin; the blond girl blushing proudly at the end of the line must be Willow.

"I'm going to separate you now," Kiera continues. "I am your head coach, but because I was in the Games for eventing myself, I'll be spending time primarily with the eventing team. Dressage team, your coach is going to be Paul Veritas. He breeds and trains some of the best dressage horses, and his students place very high in top dressage competitions. Stadium jumping team, the school has managed to convince Deerdra Williams to train you. You'll recognize her from the A circuit. Today dressage will be outside, stadium jumping in the outdoor ring as well, and eventing will stay here. Any questions?"

We all shake our heads.

"Good. Please report to your respective coaches and get to know your horses and your teammates," Kiera finishes.

The dressage and stadium jumping team file out of the ring and the rest of us step closer to our coach. There are five of us on the eventing team.

"Please mount your horses," Kiera says. "I'll have you introduce yourselves while going through the gymnastics I've set up for you. Please start tracking to the left."