Buddha on Pride

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

     A few weeks went by and the spring warmth and smells were in the air. The sun was just rising that morning as my mother backed the Black Ford F150 to the goose Sundowner Trailer. Today was the day, Spring Showdown Hunters show. It was 7:30 and I was ready. I leaned against the rustic red wooden of the barn door as i watched the horses out to pasture frolic and graze on the sweet grass covered with dew. Nothings good beat the beauty of our ranch set in the Montana mountains. I turned and went over to Maverick's stall, who wasn't turned out that morning due to the show. Maverick was given some bute and Calmer with his morning scoops of grain. I studied him as I rested my forearms on the stall door. The maroon colored stable sheet was clean but covered in bits of cedar smelled shavings, proving he had laid down.
Just as Maverick finished his morning meal I heard my mother calling for me, " Kaci! "
I walked over to the barn doors and peaked my head out, " Yeah? "
" You can bring Maverick out whenever you're ready. Tack and such is already loaded? "
" Yeah, I loaded it last night! " I turned and went back to Maverick's stall. I unlatched his stall and slipped his leather halter over his head. I led him outside to the trailer for him to be loaded up. Maverick stepped into the trailer and I clipped the trailer tie to his halter after he was settled. He closed his slot and let the trailer, closing the door tight behind me. My mother was already in the truck, I joined her on the passenger side. The drive seemed forever but we finally made it to Fairwood Stables in Hetler.
My mother turned to me as she parked the trailer along side many others, " You guys will do great today. " She smiled at me.
" Thank you, mom. I hope so! " I replied with a smile.
" I'll go put in the entry forms; You'll be alright unloading Maverick by yourself? " She asked.
" Yeah! You're signing me up for all 4 events right? " I asked her.
" Yup! " She said as she opened the truck door and headed to the entry booth.
I opened my door and headed to the back of the trailer. The handle was cold unlike the sun that was now high in the air. I swung open the back door, lead rope in hand and unloading Maverick from the trailer.
     After brushing and tacking up Maverick I used the mounting block and mounted him high on his back. I saw my mother heading towards us with a smile.
" You guys look absolutely great. The brown coat definitely was the right choice! You guys are going to be awesome out there! I signed you up for the Advanced classes set at 4 feet, does that sound right? " She asked looking up at me, running her hand across Maverick's soft Chestnut painted neck.
" Yeah! Maverick has a little bit of green stains from grass in his white spots under his stomach but hopefully they wont be noticed. " I replied.
" They shouldn't be! Good luck you two! Better go warm up Kaci!  The has open arena right now! " She pointed to the arena.
" Okay! " I patted Maverick on the neck and squeezed my calves.
     We entered the arena that was freshly dragged that morning. The arena we lined with beautiful white fencing and filled with several jumps set at around a foot for practice for the younger set riders on a lower level. After walking Maverick around the arena filled with horses, I pressed him into a trot then a long trot. He was freely moving, so calm and not a care in the world. We made our way to the cross rail as I called it out to warn others not to hit the jump while I'm going. Maverick gained a bit of speed as we approached the jump. When Maverick's front hooves lifted off of the ground, I went into my two point, and we landed with ease. We went to a few more jumps after they were raised to our height. I cooled Maverick out and dismounted as we left the arena. It was going to be a while before my first class, so i removed Maverick's bridle, put his halter on, and tied him to the trailer. He stood well, so he didn't necessarily need a hay bag, and he had just eaten his breakfast a couple of hours before. I went into to camper part of our goose neck trailer for a nap, I removed my brown hunt coat and crawled into the bed. Before I knew it, I was asleep. I was woken up by my mother later on.
" Kaci, You have to get up. They're starting your age group soon and you're one of the first to go. " She said in a soothing voice.
I rolled over and sighed, my nap was well needed. My mother left the trailer as I rolled out of bed. I stretched my arms and neck, then slipped back into my brown hunt seat jacket, buttoned my white button up all the way to the neck, and I was out the door. My mother had already put Maverick's bridle back on. I mounted his tall back with the help of my mother giving me a leg up. Before I knew it, out name was called.
Our first 2 Classes were absolutely amazing, Maverick cleared every single jump standard and I felt that with my equitation, we might have a shot at winning.
    We enter my 3 class, started again as usual with our courtesy circle, then went on to jump the course. This one was a bit more difficult than the last, 4 foot low oxers with the high of 4.5 feet, and a few combination jumps. I wasn't worried because I knew that Maverick would take care of me. We headed to the last and final oxer, Maverick took a stride to early and over jumped the jump. Maverick cleared the jump but he landed wrong on his front left. He continued to finish with the end courtesy circle, I patted and praised him even though I knew he was lame. I exited the arena and quickly jumped off. I bent down to Mavericks Left leg and hock to feel it, it was swollen.
" Baby, that was great! What happened?? " My mother exclaimed coming to my side.
I just shook my head, " I think he's lame mom. "
" Walk him off, let me see. " I did as i was told and walked Maverick off.
" Oh boy... Yeah Kaci, he's lame. " She frowned.
In order to win the $800 prize and the $10,000 scholarship to MMU, I had to place in the top 3 of all 4 of my classes. I frowned as i knew that i had lost my chance, but I cares more about my horses health than money and a scholarship.
I stood up in sadness as I heard the laughter of girls behind me as I walked away.