Horse Academy (1)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"What do you mean?" I ask, the topic not quite sinking in.

"I'm going to EFA" Emily says grinning, "I decided to have a go at getting an academic scholarship, and when I did get it, I couldn't believe it" she then explains. I froze.

"Is this a prank?" I ask giving her a disapproving look.

"No, cross my heart" she says honestly.

"Oh my god, I'm just speechless, I don't know what to say except congratulation" I said cheer hugging my friend.

She laughs "Don't get emotional on me Hastings, jeez" Emily teases.

"There's something else, yes I came down to the competition to see you compete, but that wasn't the main reason. You never saw but I actually took Merlin down there so I could have one of Elliot Falls coaches examine Merlin. To see if he was a good fit for me..." she trails off.

"They said yes so my mom bought him off of Bluestone. Its been so crazy! I'm sorry for not telling you, I just didn't want to ruin your moment" Emily rushes.

"I don't care about me not being the reason you came down, a matter of fact I thought you were up to something, I really am happy Em!" I grin.

"Whew that's good" Emily says returning a smile.

"But I'm not coming attending until mid term, I have to attend nationals for the debating team" Emily explains.

"At least your coming! I just hope that you are my roommate because dam, that's would be perfect" I grin.

"Yeah I know right" she smiles.

"Hopefully, anyways let's talk about Merlin!" I said changing the topic.

"Okay so it goes like this, a couple months back when you couldn't ride Storm, I started riding Merlin because he was new. Immediately I loved him, I didn't tell you because if it didn't work out and he was sold, you would feel sorry for me and I didn't want you to. Anyway, I rode him again a few weeks ago in that lesson you missed and I asked mom about buying him. That was at the time I was trying to get into Elliot Falls, so it fitted in perfectly. Mom said if I get in then she will offer to buy him for me and she did. We talked to Elliot Falls about it and they said to bring him down to the EQ state qualifiers so they can see if we could make one of the teams together. They said yes, and mom officially bought him yesterday!" Emily finally concludes taking a breath.

"That is like, THE best news EVER, I'm so happy, ugh I can't help it" I say laughing.

"Your way to smart, but I knew those straight A's were going to give you something in return" I say teasingly.

"Dam right" Emily says jokingly before we start laughing again.

"So what's with Storm? Have your parents or Jaz  said anything at all?" Emily then questions.

I sigh "Nope, they haven't even said his name in like, a week" I said.

"That sucks, I'm really sorry Taylor. Maybe they'll change their minds" Emily says I'm pity.

"Yeah, I hope so... By the way, are you going to keep Merlin at your place?" I said before questioning her.

"Um definitely!" Emily said laughing,

"The boarding prices at Bluestone are so expensive, plus, I may as well make use of the empty paddock behind our house" she adds.

I nod in agreement, barely able to come to terms that she'll also be attending EFA.

"You know what this means, you have to go shopping to buy things for him like more feed buckets, tack and more" I tell her grinning.

"I know, it's all so exciting, mum is being so strict though, she's keeping me on a budget, something about me learning to be responsible with money" Emily says laughing.

"Are you getting a deal where you buy Merlin and his tack or what?" I ask her wanting to know every detail.

"Just his blankets, halter and saddle" Emily explains.

"Oh well, more reason for us to go shopping" I said grinning at Emily, she just rolls her eyes and starts doing something on her phone.

"Here's the video mum took of me riding in front of the coach, you watch while I turn the computer on" Emily pushes her phone in my direction then gets up and grabs her computer.

Rolling my eyes, I click play and start watching the video. The video was great and Emily rode Merlin perfectly, they could be the definition of perfection if they wanted to be. The video wasn't long but it gave me a good idea on how Emily's ride went.

"Okay, I'm on" says Emily gesturing to the computer screen. She was really lucky because she has her own bank account her mom put money into.

We start scrolling through tack shop website. Along the way we get some feed buckets, a saddle pad, brushes and a new bridle. Of course that wasn't all of it, Emily always says go big or go home when it comes to shopping. I yawn, stretching my arms. Today was full on, not to mention I have even more things to do this week. Then there's also the tour my parents agreed to let me attend next week at Elliot Falls. We were going on a big road trip and I was super excited.