Soar (A Horse Story)

Chapter I

     I sat on the fence watching the neighbor boy Jack lunge the palomino mare in a circle. "Want to give her a spin?" He said then looked at me. The mare had only ever been ridden western and didn't have much training yet I was dying to ride again, my last lesson was a couple weeks ago and when the neighbors asked if I wanted to exercise Belle, as they called her, I eagerly agreed. I clipped my helmet on and slid down into the arena, kicking up some dust after me. Jack unclipped the lunge line and I took the reins, I lifted my leg and he grabbed it, counting to three before lifting me up into the jump saddle. I walked the mare around the small sand arena letting her look around. She was fresh from not being ridden recently and jogged with me a few times. "You look good on her." Jack said, admiring us both. The mare tosses her head as if she was flattered then neighed causing us both to laugh. I gathered her head lightly then urged her to trot, circling in and out of the jumps. After a minute or so I brought her back down and rubbed her neck. "She's real nice Jake, maybe I could come and ride her after school?" I spoke trying to hide the excitement under my voice. "Sure, I'll talk to my folks but I'm sure you can ride her whenever. She never gets taken out anymore and it would be a shame if we had to sell her." I nodded in excitement then got off, giving her the horse treat I had grabbed from the tack room.