High Hopes

Chapter 26

Three huge barns with at least 20 stalls fill the area to the right. To the left is a giant arena with jumps set up to 4' and in the back is dozens of pastures with horses eating the freshly cut grass. This is beautiful. Serena and I hop out of her dad's truck and go to the first barn

We are greeted by a small woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She walks over to us with a smile on her face.

"Hi, Serena!" She starts before looking at me, "Hi! You must be Hailey. I'm Sydney and will be your 'nanny.'" She says.

I didn't expect my 'nanny'/babysitter to be so bubbly. Sydney leads us down to a stall with a huge chestnut gelding in it.

"This is Joker." Sydney starts, "He's a 17hh, 5-year-old thoroughbred. I've jumped him a few times and he's amazing."

"Great! I can't wait to try him out!" Serena exclaims. She takes Joker out and begins to groom him. I help her tack up then Serena walks him out to the arena. When she gets on, Joker stands perfectly for her and walks on when Serena asks.

There is no way that Serena won't buy this horse. After warming up, Serena canters him over a 2' cross rail. Joker pops over it perfectly and continues at a perfect, slow canter. After taking him over it again, Serena turns him and takes him over a 2'6 vertical.

I'm amazed at how well he jumps. Sydney goes to raise the cross rail up to a 3'9" vertical. Serena canters over the 2'6" vertical first, then turns and goes over the 3'9" jump. Joker goes over it flawlessly. Serena slows him to a stop and walks him over to me and her dad.

"I really like him!" she exclaims, "Can we buy him, Dad."

"Why do you think I took you here?" her dad laughs, "Are you okay with having a new addition at your barn?" he asks, looking at me. I nod.

"I would love to have him there!" I reply. Serena's dad pays as we untack and love on Joker. I'm honestly jealous. He's such an amazing horse. After a while, we load him into the trailer and drive back home. 

I prepared a stall for him two days ago, when we first thought that we would go. Serena unloads him and leads him into the stall. All of the horses are interested in their new friend. I go and grab hay to feed all of the horses. I'm grateful to see the sky has cleared up and I should be able to ride tomorrow, when it dries up. 

Prince looks at his new little brother. It looks like they'll be good friends. It's dry enough to put horses out, so I take Cassy, April and Maddie out to the paddock. They gallop and buck, getting out their energy. I laugh at them and go back into the barn. Serena has to leave now.

I give her a hug and watch her leave. After that, I go and groom Chex in his stall. He can't be ridden for another three days, but he can be turned out starting tomorrow. I begin to braid his tail and plait him mane too.

I clap my hands together, pleased with my work. He looks almost show ready! Since the show is held up for seven days, I think I could enter Chex in the English equitation classes. If he's well enough, I will enter him in a jumping class.

I go back inside and lay on my bed, looking through Smartpak and Dover catalogs. I can't wait to ride tomorrow.