Watch Me

Chapter Nine

It was only three in the morning, but Tara was already wide awake and ready to go. She packed the trailer and truck the night before and had all of her things by the door. She slipped into her boots and went out to the barn to check on Jewel. She spent a good two hours the afternoon before bathing Jewel and making her shine. The little mare looked absolutely royal with her mane and tail braided and her extra ear and chin fluff trimmed.

Tara tossed a light sheet over Jewel then led her outside. She left her standing in the grass by the trailer then carried a few things from the barn to the truck. Jewel waited patiently, her hoof propped and eyes half closed. Mrs. Douglas came out and guided the trailer ramp down. Tara fed Jewel a treat then led her onto the trailer, loosely tying her to the front. Jewel munched on the hay lazily.

"You have everything?" Tara's mom stood by the driver's door.

Tara looked around for the millionth time and finally nodded. She stayed wide awake for the entire car ride, too excited to get some sleep. She turned on the radio and sang along quietly, trying to keep her excitement at a somewhat manageable level.

They slowed on one road then found the entrance to the stable where the show was being held. Mrs. Douglas pulled up beside another trailer. Before the truck was even in park, Tara was out and back by the trailer. She waited for her mom's help to unload. Tara opened the front door and fed Jewel a treat before backing her off of the trailer. Jewel perked her ears and held her head high, taking it all in. There were so many sounds and smells and sights that she just wasn't used to. There were trailers and people and horses all over the place.

Tara tied Jewel to the trailer and took her sheet off. She brushed her thoroughly then went to the small tack room on the trailer. She carried the saddle out and laid the new pad and half pad on Jewel's back before lifting the saddle up. Jewel sighed when she tightened the girth and Tara tickled her stomach to get her to release her held breath. Tara tightened the girth again.

Mrs. Douglas put polo wraps on as Tara got dressed in the trailer. Tara came out with her shirt tucked and boots on. She braided her hair and tucked it under her hairnet so she could put her helmet on.

"Your number is right there, make sure you button your shirt all the way."

Tara put her number on then grabbed Jewel's bridle. Jewel played with the bit and snorted. Tara swung up into the saddle and waited while her mom double checked the girth. "Okay, make your way to the warm up ring, I'll be over in just a moment."

"Let's go Jewel." Tara walked to the warm up ring. There were a few others already there, some cantering around and jumping. Tara waited patiently for a gap then walked Jewel into the ring, staying against the fence out of the way. Jewel pinned her ears at the other horses, but she didn't kick or bite. Tara knew she wasn't used to working with other horses, but Jewel was always quick to adjust.

Mrs. Douglas made her way to the center where the other trainers were standing and yelling instructions. She stood alone and Tara saw the other instructors staring. She knew her mom used to be fairly well known, but she wasn't really expecting this. The other trainers began whispering and Mrs. Douglas just ignored them and began calling out instructions. "Go ahead and move her to a trot, stay on the outside and keep her at vertical."

Jewel transitioned smoothly into a lengthy ground covering trot and Tara guided her around the fence line. She turned after a couple laps and worked on the other diagonal. Mrs. Douglas signaled for a canter. Tara squeezed Jewel slightly and the little mare kicked off into a quick canter. She was excited and Tara could feel the energy in every stride. Jewel fought for a faster pace, but Tara held her back. "Save it for the speed classes" she whispered.      

"Two strides for Jewel" Mrs. Douglas said, pointing to two jumps lined up. Tara saw the other instructors turn with confused expressions. Those two jumps were meant for three strides, and that was with a long legged horse. Still, Jewel stretched out and popped over each jump, fitting exactly two strides between the two. Tara patted her solid neck and slowed her to a walk, walking her right past the trainers up to her mom.

Mrs. Douglas stroked Jewel's cheek. "Just keep her moving around the edge and let her get used to being around the other horses. She should be fine in the line ups, but just use this time for her to sort out everything."

Walking around the ring, Jewel snorted and stared the other horses down. Many of them instinctually shied away from the little mare and the ones that didn't faced pinned ears and challenging snorts. Tara kept her along the outside and let her work things out with the other horses without getting physical. By the end, she was down to just staring and the occasional snort of displeasure.

Tara left the warm up ring and rode Jewel up to the fence of the show ring. She watched them set up the next round of jumps and then mentally noted her first two courses. She ran the courses through her mind a few times then slid off of Jewel to give her a short break before her first round. Tara led her around and found her mom talking to a couple trainers they saw earlier.

"Is this some sort of a joke?" Tara saw Mindy and her gang sitting on the wooden bleachers. She was dressed in an expensive outfit, all designer gear. "What are you and your old hag doing here?"

Tara glared and walked away without a word. "We'll show her" she whispered. Jewel snorted in agreement and followed her steps.