"And now in the ring, we have national champions Madison Silverlih and Spin'n Outta Control!" The announcers sudden voice took away the crowds heavy anticipation. I entered the ring with Cisco under me. He was full of energy and ready to complete the complicated jump-off round. The gelding shot off at an unbalance gallop as the buzzer sounded. I pulled him down to a controlled, but fast and even canter. His body radiated power and strength. His spotless bay coat shone brightly under the summer sun. It was just past noon, so the heat was immense. The crowd was eerily silent as we clear a combo then an ascending oxer. They were each a meter and 3/4 or more.
There were thousands of people in the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships stands. They all waited in suspense as we cleared the second to last jump. We flew over the dry ground towards the last jump. It was a blue and white descending oxer. It was 1 2/3 meters. We cleared it and flew past the finish poles.
"And that everybody was Madison Silverlih and Spin'n Outta Control! They have a speedy time of 44.23! I think our 2014 and 2015 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Champion just won 2016 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships!" The anouncer broke everybody from their trans and screams and cheers came up from the crowd. Cisco knew he had down well, so he pranced around, flaunting his amazingness.
The large man sitting at the announcer's table called everybody from the jump-off back into the ring. Cisco shot off in front of everybody and pranced happily into the center of the large ring. We lined up while a small woman came out of a blue tent followed by a man with a cart full of ribbons, cups, and checks.
"And first place goes to 2014, 2015, and now 2016 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Champion Madison Silverlih and Spin'n Outta Control for the third year in a row!" The small woman and man with the cart came up to me and put a sash on Cisco's neck and handed me a large cup trophy. Also a large check for $20,000.
I smiled and posed while people snapped pictures. But the only thing that Madison wanted to do now was walk back to the barn and celebrate with her horse. Then drive back home and celebrate with Cas McLin, her best friend.
Once the photographers got their pictures and left, Madison and Cisco walked out of the arena with large smiles. The large, grey Dutch Warmblood whinnie to bypassing horses. He knew that he had won and just wanted to show off his and his riders large prizes.
Madison and Cisco walked into the barn and were greeted and congratulated by older riders and young riders that were there for small competitions. She thanked and smiled at each one. After a bit, Madison untacked Cisco and cooled him out. The grey gelding was definitely pleased but, tired.
~
"Hey mum. Yes, I won. Thanks. Yeah, love you to by," I hung up as I drove into my parents large drive. THey were sitting on the porch and reading different books. My father held a newspaper and my mum held a small book. THey looked up as I pulled the trailer around the circle and backup towards that barn.
They had millions of dollars so I had a barn built on their property, using my saved money to pay them a bit even though they protested. My parents had some 100 acres and I was really the only one who used the land. My house was at the east end of the property. That's where I kept Cisco. My other trainees were kepts in the large main barn.
In my barn, Cisco was not alone. I had an older mare and and mini gelding jumper. They had two large pastures the gallope in. THere was also a large jump arena, dressage arena, cross country course, and a few round pens.
I got out of the truck and then ran back to unload Cisco. He walked wearily down the ramp. After he was out, I let my jumper out towards the porch. Mum and dad got up and walked towards me. They hugged and congratulated me the same as always. Then, they went into the house while I walked Cisco around.
An hour or so had passed when I finally toaded Cisco back into the trailer. Once he was in and secure, I got into the driver's seat and headed up the long drive to my place.
~
By the time Cisco was unloaded again, fed, blanketed, and brushed it was dark and a cold wind had picked up. Bue and Champ still needed fed, and grooming. I sighed and head into the tack room for a grooming bucket. By the time Champ was in the mini crossties, Bue was munching on hay. I quickly brushed the pony down then put him in his stall with a feed bucket and some grass hay. Bue had finished by hen, so I tooked her out and cross-tied and brushed her. After that was done, I put Bue in her stall and then headed to the house for a warm dinner.
The clock on the microwave read 9:30. I yawned, then got a pot full of water boiling on the stove. While that was boiling, I grabbed a can of chicken then opened and shredded it.
I could hear the water boiling, so i set the timer then stirred the posta.
~'~
Madison stood like this for eight minutes or so. She had everything ready and was done eating and cleaning up by 10:00. She pulled her boots back on and headed out to the barn. On her way, Madison, turned on the indoor arena lights and then grabbed a lunge line and Champs halter. After putting boots on the little jumper, Maison set up a few jumps around the arena. After warming up, Champ was ready to got. They went over a few oxers and spreads before Madison decided to Raise the bars. She unclipped the lunge line and then gave the pony a treat while she walked him around and let him rest.
The pony stopped breathing so hard after 20 minutes or so. Madison set the jumps on the rail and snaking through the middle of the inclosed ring. She trotted Champ over a few poles and then cantered hmi over a crossrail. She gradually took the pony over higher jumps. He went over obediently and fenomanly.
~'~
Champ cleared the last jump of the session before i asked him to slow to a walk. We walked the arena for 20 minutes before I scraped the dried sweat off the mini geldings coat and brushed him. Once he was shining again, I turned him out in the big pasture where Cisco and Bue were soon to meet him.
Cisco was turned out with Champ momentarily. I brought Bue into the aisle and tacked her up. We walked to the indoor arena and started with warm ups, then flat work and a few cross rails, ending with a cool down. After brushing Bue's coat, I turn her out with my two geldings. Afterward, when everything was done, I trudged up to the house. After changing into fuzzy pants and a sports bra, my head hit the pillow and I was out.
