The life of Daisy

Horseshoe Riding Academy

8 years in the future

I was moved to this Horseshoe Riding Academy about 11 months ago it has been like a fantasy world. I only have one more month here before we can go back and I can see all my old friends. Lexi is almost nine now and she is an amazing rider. I know what she wants me to do without her even telling me, just like I could do with Eliza. Lilly is here with Asia too. Asia and I have been competing in dressage and jumping Lexi and Lilly's coaches have even started them on trick riding. All the people here are so nice and I can tell most of them have been around horses most of their lives. Oh here comes Lexi now. I nicker softly to her and she laughs. She grabs my brushes and brings me to the grooming station. My purple halter still fits snugly around my head. I look back to find Asia coming over as well with Lilly leading her. Lexi takes the curry comb and goes in circles along my neck back and sides. Then throws it into the bucket so she can grab the dandy brush. She brushes all the loose dirt off starting from my neck. Then picks up the soft brush and swiftly brushes my entire body including my face and she always gives me a little treat after that. Then she grips the hoof pick, pats my leg , and runs her hands down until I pick up my hoof. She cleans all the dirt off including a little rock that had been bugging me. Lexi does the same with the rest of my hooves and brushes my long mane. She carefully combs through my tail from bottom to top. Lexi walks off her new boots pick up some dust as she walks. When she comes back holding mt tack Lexi swings it over my back and pulls it up to my withers just like her mother told her too. She throws on my English saddle which lightly lands on my back. Then she briskly walks back to the tack room to get my jumping bridle. Which smoothly slides into my mouth. Lexi un-clips my lead and backs me up so she can mount.She grads her helmet that she left on a hook outside the grooming stall. Lexi lowers the stirrup so she can position her foot and swing her other leg over. Not to long after Lilly is on top of Asia and they both start out of the barn and to the jumping ring. Lilly stops to situate her reins but catches up quickly. Lexi is gentle and sweet but in the show ring she is fierce and uniform. I get close to the gate so she can bend over to push it open. She tries to pull me forward a little more because she barely could touch it. Instead I just used what Coffee taught me and opened it for her then knocked my hoof against it and walked inside. I herd giggling from behind and above me. Then we got to work I knew exactly what to do we start on the other side and when Lexi tells me to go there is a 2'5 jump and we circle around to a 2'7 jump then straight after another 2'5. Make a loop and canter across the course to a 2'10 jump and then working trot to finishing position. We have been practicing this routine for a few months now for a competition next week. Lexi and I move in sync to the first jump I speed up a little and Lexi lifts into two point. I tuck in my front legs and push off the ground with my back. I clear the jump and Lexi sits back in the saddle. I trot around the other side Lexi posts as we both spot the next jump. I turn and go straight over the 2'7 everything going flawlessly I land take two strides and fly right over the 2'5. I do the loop and canter down the side making sure my pace stays secure. The jump comes in front of us and I leap over the highest jump in the routine at 2 feet and 10 inches and Lexi makes it look simple. I do my fancy working trot over to where we end. Lexi leans over and hugs me. Lilly yells to us "You two were amazing UH so good!!!!" Lexi turns me around giving a little pull on the reins and a nudge on my side. We walk towards Lilly "Your turn Lilly." Lexi calls to her jokingly. "Alright, Alright." Lilly squeezes Asia's sides and they go to their starting mark. Lexi hops down from me and lowers the last jump to a 2'9. "No Lexi make it a 3 foot please." Lexi stands up "But coach said you were doing 2'9." she argues. "I just want to try." Lexi sighs "Fine" Lexi jogs back and takes my reins then climbs up on the fence. I am tied on the white fence and Lilly begins her routine it is very similar to mine. The first jump looks great they trot and post in unison and the next two jumps go over without fault. They canter to the last one I see something in the dirt and its moving. I lift my head to get a better look. Lexi is okay with snakes but Lilly is panicked around them which will make Asia freak. I let out a long, loud neigh and stomp my hooves. Lilly screams but Asia is already starting to leap over the jump. Lilly is not ready she pulls on the reins and Asia trips on poles and stands. Lilly is sent soaring into the dirt face first. The snake has already slithered to the other side of the arena. Lexi sprints over to her twin. Asia is bucking and galloping around the jumps. I see Lilly crying and blood on Lexi hands and on Lilly's face. I don't know what to do because I am just tied to this stupid post. I look for someone, anyone. I spot Logan carrying a hay bale towards the barn. I whinny and neigh to him he only notices when I shriek. Finally he sees the girls on the ground and yells for Avery (Lilly and Lexi's coach) they race to the twins and help Lilly. All I hear is "should I call someone." Avery continues "Come on Lilly lets get you inside."......"Lexi can you get the horses." Lexi replies "Of course"......"Its just a nose bleed you'll be fine." Lexi come to untie me and I follow her out listening to Lilly cry was the worst part of this. The twins barely ever cry they have their backs and now there is a major trust issue between Lilly and Asia.

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The sun comes over the hill back behind the pasture and the twins walk in as usual only this time Lilly has a purple bump on her head. Lexi brings me to a pasture to graze and Asia comes to. I'm sure its because Lilly can't do much riding for a few days. When we go back in the barn Asia and I are groomed and Lexi gets me tacked up and we are led back out of the barn. Lilly turns Lexi out to the pasture which I am so jealous about. Then we walk over to the Jumping Arena to practice for competition.