Changing Strides

~Chapter 23~

  I took a deep breath, everything was boiling down to this last day.  The past days were exhausting, filled with the constant beat of caring for a horse and preparing for prom.  I yawned, stretching my arms, reaching into the sky.  I then clutched my coffee, Sammy beside me.  We chatted for a little bit before throwing away our drinks and returning to the barn.  I gave Moon an excellent groom, taking my time.
  This last day needed to count.  I sat second on the standings.  I was off only a couple of points from first because Moon and I were only seconds longer than first place's time.  I needed all the points I could get.  I needed to clear the triple bar.
  For a moment, I considered riding Storm, he seemed to have more capability than Moon.  I stopped myself though, I needed to trust Moon.  She needed to do it on her own.  I gussied up Moon in a similar fashion as the cross country.  Instead, I added protective braces on her front legs and earmuffs.  The  earmuffs of course matched our stable colors.
  I kissed Moon, murmuring encouragement when I heard Ben, "Man, I'm jealous of Moon."
  "Excuse you Ben, we aren't even dating?!"
  "We don't need to be dating for me to want you."  Ben raised an eyebrow and smirked.  I shoved him playfully, then adjusted my coat.  "Well Claire, the only advice I give you is don't fall.  You'll lose a lot of points and earn a DQ."
  "Really?  That's what you care about?  A DQ, man, maybe I shouldn't go with you to prom?"  I eyed Ben playfully out of the corner of my eye.
  "Okay!  I take it back, don't hurt youself, I care about you!"
  "There, that's what a boyfriend needs to say."
  "Wait, Claire..."
  "Yeah, I said it."
  "Woah...well, in that case...can I?"  He looked at me nervously, "Sure."
  We linked hands, facing each other.  Then our lips connected.  We parted, but I was ignited.  I was on cloud nine, my heart seemed to flutter from its place.  I knew I had to win this.  I had to prove I was ready, strong enough to conquer even my greatest fears.
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  I stood in the arena, waiting for the judge's que.  Then he nodded and I coaxed Moon into action.  The bush and rails was extravagant, with bright colors and a big bush.  I focus on the fence, making sure that Moon was always attentive.  We flew over the fence, clearing it, but just barely.  I picked up the pace, trying to get Moon to be alert.  As she saw the gate, it was like she clicked.  Her ears were pinned forward with interest.  Luckily, an ear flicked back as I lifted from the saddle.  We flew over the post and rail, one of the easier jumps.
  We had more space than usual to meet the dreaded triple bar.  I took this as an advantage, picking up even more speed until we were at a fast canter.  I extended her strides as we came closer.  Moon knew this was a complicated fence for her.  One of her ears was pinned back at me the whole time.
  I sat up in the saddle, my confidence shaking, yet still holding strong.  Moon kept one ear back as she propelled us into the air.  She had high clearance, she just needed to maintain it.  I leaned forward as long as I could.  We couldn't lose when we were so close.  We sailed through the air and it felt like time had froze.  As we landed, it seemed like everyone held their breath.  Except me, I exhaled and sat back slowly.  I qued Moon in to be alert by clicking to her.  Both ears batted back at me and she hung in the air.  Moon's back legs came down, clean.  I turned my head sharply to the left, aiming her for the square oxer.  She only had three strides between the jumps.  We had never jumped the triple bar then the square oxer.  Previously, we had never made it that far.
  I quickly stood up and Moon followed suite.  As usual, she pinned an ear back on me.  As we launched into the air, my hopes flew too.  Though everything crashed back to earth when we landed, and Moon's back hooves nicked the last pole.  This class was graded harder, and a tap would be a fault.  My heart sunk, but I tried to keep my energy light and excited, Moon had done what she could.
  As we exited the course, I rubbed Moon's whithers, she deserved it.  Miss. Woods came over and congratulated Moon and I.
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After drying off Moon, I took my time grooming her.  That is,  until Ben came rushing in. "Claire, you're not going to believe this!  You won the show jumping!"
  "Very funny Ben, why should I get my hopes up?"  I glared at Ben from the corner of my eye like he was to blame.
  "No, I'm serious, you won.  Second best knocked the rail off at the triple bar."
  "Well, that's cool then.  I guess, either way, I'm sure that other girl in first has still managed to pull ahead.  It doesn't matter."
  "Claire, what's wrong?  You won the whole thing, first place ended up knocking two poles!  Come on Claire, be happy!"
  "Yay, I won.  Happy?"  My voice was filled with sarcasam, the last thing I felt was victorious.
  "What's wrong?"
  I stopped grooming Moon, deciding to tell Ben the truth, "This is the last show with Moon.  She's reached her highest level, she just doesn't have the body to jump.  I hate to say it, but we reached her maximum jump.  This was the first time she cleared the triple bar, and she didn't have the strength to keep her hooves in the air a split second longer...Storm could've done the course in a heartbeat."
  Ben stood silent, he didn't know my horse's capabilities, and I did.  It was simple, Moon was getting old, and her best shows were possible when I was just starting.  Her age was no longer prime, and she no longer had the magic she once had.
  Even though I was happy to say that I won, that I was back, and here to stay, I couldn't be joyous.  Instead, I buried my face into Ben's chest and cried.  That's when things really changed.  For the first time, I didn't confide in the horse I had taught, instead, I went to where love was blossoming.