Three Counties Magnificence

Have you ever wanted something but it doesn't always happen quite as you imagined it?

Today was the day when my horse (Sun-Magnificent) was going for his first-ever competition at the Three Counties Show. I grabbed my coat and wellies and jumped in the truck. We were finally going! This had been my dream and after two years of training, Sunny was now ready.

In the truck, Mum and I sang to Taylor Swift songs. After an hour of music, I saw a sign saying, The Three Counties Show. I screamed with delight!

Two hours later I was sitting, waiting. The crowd around me did not seem as excited as I was. Even though I had tried to calm my nerves by walking around the busy stalls, I now felt sick. (I don't know whether this was to do with the mixture of candy floss and greasy cheeseburger either.) What if Sunny refuses to jump? What if he rears in front of everyone?

Meanwhile, Mum had noticed I was nervous and had leant over. She was trying to tell me the usual stuff like not worrying about winning and that it's taking part that counts. I nodded my head but I knew that Sunny winning meant the world to me.

Suddenly, the loudspeaker boomed, " The competition is starting in two minutes." I squealed with excitement and nerves. "The first horse up is Bucksfizz." I clapped and cheered knowing that Sun-Magnificent was due next in the arena.

However, strangely, the next thing I was aware of was the voice on the speaker telling us that there had been a change to the schedule and that Sun-Magnificent would not be jumping at this stage. I suddenly felt like someone had ruined my dreams, like waiting at an airport and the holiday flight being cancelled.

I ran to the stables and noticed that Sunny was still in his stall. I screeched, "What on earth is the matter?"
The people around me told me that nerves had got the better of Sunny's rider Mary Anne and she'd been sick. Right at that moment I made the biggest decision I've ever made.

When I jumped onto Sunny, everybody screamed, "What are you doing?!" I ignored them and carried on; I trotted into the ring. I saw the big jumps waiting ahead of me.

Everyone gasped as I cantered at the first jump. I didn't think we'd make it but Sunny took it with ease. We took the next jumps and I felt smug as I saw the people's mouths gaping with surprise. I could now see the big jump clearly as I urged Sunny on.

I jumped the wall without hesitation. The bright yellow jump was hard to miss as it stood out from the others and looked bigger. I felt Sunny getting faster and my heart raced as he took the jump...

Standing on the podium that day felt amazing. I couldn't believe what I'd achieved!