Stone Valley Equestrian Center: #1

Chapter 1: Welcome to Stone Valley

A/N: I started a new story (again)- hope you enjoy it!

"Do you need any help putting Hope in the trailer?" Mom asked.

"No thanks, I think I've got it," I replied, a twinge of sorrow in my voice.

I walked over to Hope's stall, and the sweet mare muzzled my hand for treats.

"Not right now, let's get you in the trailer first," I stroked her velvety nose.

I slipped the leather halter over the palomino's head and rubbed my fingers over the gold nameplate. I stood there, quiet for some moments, taking in my surroundings. The sweet aroma of hay and alfalfa filled the air and the warm touch of the summer air tickled my open palm. The comforting sounds of horses, ponies, and the occasional donkey munching on breakfast echoed in the open air barn. I looked back at my horse, eager to see what was next. With a sigh, I clipped the lead rope to the halter and lead Hope out of her stall.

On my way through the barn, I passed familiar faces of those two and four legged. Maximus, a large, grey Percheron stood in the crossties awaiting his morning grooming session. Princess, a lesson pony, nickered at me from her stall and memories of my first canter and my first crossrail flooded my mind. Bolt, the black Friesian with a white, jagged blaze stomped his foot in annoyance and caused an eruption of whinnies from the barn, Bolt leading the chorus. I giggled to myself. I was really going to miss this place.

I made it to where the trailer was parked, and led Hope in easily. All my hard work of convincing her that the trailer was a transportation aid, and in fact, not a horse-eating monster had paid off. I clipped her in, secured the latch, threw her a bundle of hay, and snapped the stall guards closed. With that, I left a gentle kiss on her nose and told her that I'd see her at the academy.

A gentle breeze rushed in my ears as I ran to the truck and double-checked that all of my belongings were still there. I had already had a goodbye party the other day, and nobody was at the barn- it was Sunday morning. I looked back once more, and hopped into the passenger seat of the truck after bidding my parents farewell. The driver swiped my card, and off we went.

The world went by past my window. Lush green trees, manicured lawns, and horses behind white paddock gates grazed in pristine pastures. I looked into my rear view mirror and saw Hope's whiskers peeking out of the trailer window.

The fare continued to increase with each mile.

"How long until we arrive?" I asked the gruff man driving the truck.

"I'd say another 4 hours, miss," he replied through his bushy mustache.

I sighed deeply, slumped against the window, and fell asleep, dreaming of what Stone Valley Equestrian Center would be like.

...

Needless to say, it was not what I imagined. It was better. I rolled down the windows and watched as the wrought iron gate opened for us. We drove down a pebbled path and followed the signs for trailer parking. On the left, horses frolicked in the fields under a great shady tree. On the right, a beautiful black horse with a shiny coat performed a series of dressage moves in the arena of white sand. The rider had elegant form and was focused on the task at hand, not glancing at anything else. Well, beside the giant mirror stretched across the north side of the arena. I watched the pair do a piaffe from A to E, and by the time they had finished, we couldn't see them anymore. In front of us, a gorgeous, off-white barn loomed in vision. Glass lanterns hung from the side and huge stone lettering announced the presence of Stone Valley Equestrian Center. Horses stuck their heads out from their stalls, and each stall was equipped with a run-out, where some of the horses watched us approach with ears pricked forward. We found an empty parking space for the trailer.