Changing Strides

~Chapter 19~

  I didn't think that the situation could get worse.  Our local rival trying to sabotage us when there's not events.  Or so I thought.
  I had entered the barn with Sammy, hoping to relive some off the stress from exams.  Though of course, the second we walked in, we were greeted by Miss. Woods.  Normally, she isn't hovering by the entrance, so I became instantly on guard.  I tried to greet her as hopeful sounding as I could, "Hi, Miss. Woods!"
  "Why hello Claire, why aren't you perky!?  Hello to you too Sammy.  So, I have news for you both."
  "What is it?"  Sammy seemed to bubble with excitement, she wanted to be in her first show, as an eventer.
  Miss. Woods replied, more subdued, "I found a local eventing show, and I want both of you to come.  There are multiple competition levels, so there will be something for both of you.  In addition, there's enough time between now and the show to prepare Moon."
  Now I was excited, maybe it did only get better from here.  I could start riding Moon, my dream horse.  "But," my heart dropped as Miss. Woods raised caution, locking eyes with me.  I gulped as she continued, "the host is Stone River."
  Of course, Sammy was bubbly and ran off to tack Orion.  Here I was, standing rigid, not sure what to think now.  So, Miss. Woods spoke, "Look, I'm sorry that the host isn't your favorite, but it might help you solve the mystery.  Find out who works there and here, find out who is trying to hurt you.  Just, be careful.  They know that we'll be competing."
  "When is the show?"
  "Oh, yeah, I forgot. Tell Sammy this, it's May 21st."  My heart dropped further into the pit of despair.  That was prom night.  The one night that we were supposed to feel magical, our last days in high school, forgotten for the night of our lives.  Instead, it's dashed by a show I didn't want to participate in.  Though I had to go, because I knew it was my ticket to success in the circuit.
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  I urged Moon into a light canter, pushing away whatever thoughts came to mind.  I rose in the saddle and we flew over the square oxer, easily clearing the fence.  There was only five weeks left to prepare for the eventing show, I was practicing all that I could, with half an arena.  On the other half, Sammy an Orion practiced dressage.  I glanced their way, Orion lengthing his stride into an extended trot.  His movements were fluid, Sammy looking poised for competition.  She was definitely out to win.
  I turned my attention back to my jumps, and circled them again to refocus both Moon and I.  Our course was difficult, and I wasn't sure if Moon had the stamina or skill to complete the course.
  The event was the combination of three days at a rival barn with a demanding course.  Stamina was crucial to winning, Moon needed to have energy, but there was no telling how her sore leg and attitude would be when we'd arrive.
  I looked at the course:  a bush and rails, then a gate, followed by a post and rail, then the challenging triple bar, finished with a square oxer.  This was no easy task for Moon who just got back into the swing of things.
  Once again clearing my mind, I coaxed Moon into a swift canter.   I stood in the irons, Moon elegantly lifting over our own version of bush and rails and landing clear of the pole.  I kept Moon at the canter, briskly jumping the gate, leaving no extra space for error.  The post and rail didn't even seem to faze Moon as she easily cleared the fence.
  The daunting triple bar was next.  Moon had barely been exposed to this jump, and she only had a small window of time to master the jump.  I encouraged Moon into a slightly faster canter, barely giving her time to process the colorful poles and decor.  I knew that by increasing her speed, she had to trust me more than normal.  I took a deep breath and lifted in the saddle.  Moon took off, flicking an ear back attentively.  Moon rose higher and higher into the air, coming back to the ground sharply after the last pole.  The landing however, was too quick and Moon's hind legs clipped the pole.  I kept Moon moving forward, even as she pinned both ears back in irritation.  The pole clattered to the ground with a resounding thump that echoed though the arena.  I slowed Moon's canter as we jumped the square oxer.  A seemingly effortless task after the triple bar.  I brought Moon around the jumps, slowly cooling her down.  Moon's breaths were heavy and I feared that we wouldn't have stamina for the show.  Nevertheless, I dismounted Moon, raising her stirrups.  I let her walk around freely, to cool down.  In the end, she decided to follow me, and ultimately, got in the way almost every step I took.  I changed the jumps to mimic Sammy's test, and we switched sides of the arena.
  Moon and I ran through our dressage test easily.  It seemed that Moon had a knack for the flowing, and exuberant task of the dressage world.  As I let Moon cool down, I observed Sammy run through her jumps.
  A burning jealousy ignited within me when I saw how effortlessly Sammy cleared her course.  It wasn't like she practiced more than me, and it wasn't like I had a reason to be jealous.  At the same time though, I felt I did.  Riding came so easy to Sammy, it was astonishing.  She caught on right away, Miss. Woods and Meg pairing Sammy with an experienced horse.  It seemed like Sammy was the blessing the barn always wanted.  Easy going and easy to teach.  Here I was, struggling with my balance and contact for months.  I wasn't able to go show until I was riding for almost two years.  Here's Sammy who is going to her first show in under a year of riding.
  In addition, I got Moon, who was once a greenie.  I basically trained her myself, spending hours of patient guidance and gentle touch.  So why was I so resentful of Sammy?  I had no idea, I was so lucky I survived my fall.  I had to the courage to continue riding, to persevere.  Sammy had yet to fall.  I shouldn't have been complainig because not only did Sammy have yet to prove what she was made of, but I created a negative vibe in the barn that I couldn't shake.  Even as Sammy and I crashed through the practice cross country course.