The Rising Champion

chapter 7

I trotted into the ring then halted in the middle. I let him poop then they buzzed me in and the announcer said "next we have Kate Warner and Show N' Tell, #238" I picked up the left lead canter and did a circle then headed to the first jump, it was a blue and white vertical! I counted down my strides about 5 strides out, it came up perfectly he tucked his feet under him and quickly landed not even coming close to touching rails, I collected him up to do a 6 stride since it was a bending line, we got through that, we turned super tight to a big brightly decorated oxer, counted 4 stride then jumped another oxer, I looked to the next jump a skinny vertical, bending to a 7 stride line, we got through that clear and with good time but we had a combination coming up it was a 2 stride to a 1stride which has been causing some people problems but I knew I needed to collect Sampson all the way to the base so he couldn't rush through it causing us a rail, coming out of the turn I fought to keep him collected but I managed we jumped he landed I picked him up and jumped again then this time even quicker I pickets him up and we had cleared it by a foot!! I squeezed him through the timer and he did a little happy buck knowing he did good I gave him huge pats because we had just gone clear and made it to the jump off!! I brought him to a walk and bent down the hug his neck I couldn't stop smiling!! When I walked out of the ring my trainer and Jesus had a huge smile on their faces showing that they were proud! I jumped off Sampson hugging and kissing his face I gave him a treat and he happily excepted it! I had Jesus go hand walk him while I watched Olivia go, then I had to get back on for the jump off! Olivia went clear to so we both made it to the jump off!!

I walked into the ring for the jump off being the last person to go I felt some pressure, Olivia sent clear but was a little slower than two other people so she was currently in 3rd place which was still fantastic! I jumped a huge oxer then quickly made a turn to the skinny vertical bending to the outside line then last was our combination again, I rode it exactly like last time and it worked I squeezed him through the timers I looked up at the timer and had beaten everyone else's time and went clear, I HAD WON!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. They told me to stay in the ring for presentations so I did as they quickly set up! I couldn't stop smiling and I didn't believe it. He the guy put a big blue sash around my neck and but blue one and also a champion one around Sampson's along with a cooler that went over the saddle, a ribbon on his bridle, and one for me to throw into the crowd during the victory gallop! Everyone else got their ribbons and pictures. Olivia and i got a picture together as well she ended up fourth! I lead the victory gallop and threw my ribbon into the stands!

I hoped off once we were back at the stalls and immediately 2 reporters came running at me asking for interviews so I said yes and let Jesus take care of Sampson! I started with the one from The Plaid Horse Magazine!

*****in interview****
Reporter: "so how does it feel coming off of a big win like that?"
Me: " it's amazing, but I still can't believe it honestly"
Reporter: "why can't you believe it? You look very prepared and went into the ring very calm and collected"
Me: "my goal was to just go in and go clear I didn't think I could actually win it. My trainer always said that being calm was one thing I was good at, but inside I was freaking out when I walked into that ring but I guess I must hide it well."
Reporter: " what was your schedule at home like? Because I can't image you just rode 5 days a week and came in here and won this?"
Me: "I ride six days a week, Mondays off, but i mostly have flat lessons because we don't feel the need to waist him jumping at home because we both can do the height its just the in between the jumps that we have problems with"
Reporter: " Do you work out in addition to riding?"
Me: " yes I don't think that just riding is enough for your body when you are controlling a strong horse, so I go to the gym 5 days a week and do cross fit with a personal trainer"
Reporter: "alright thank you Kate congratulations on your win and good luck at Harrisburg"
Me: "thank you!!"