Mossy Hill Academy~ The Competition

Chapter 14

By the time the weekend has rolled around I am so tired, the end of year tests are coming up, and  school is finishing soon. In two weeks to be exact, and just like last year we can either stay here or go home.
Most people like to go home early, and leave their horses here over the break, but I like to stay as long as possible. Last year I went camping with my friends, and this year I hope to do it with Weslow and James.
Today is one of the only days I can sleep in, so I am thankful for the extra sleep.
But Weslow comes rushing in my room, she has been outside, doing who knows what...
"What is it Weslow? Can you not see that I am trying to sleep?" I ask her with my eyes closed.
"It's Ghost!"
"There's no such thing as Ghosts Weslow."
"Not ghosts you idiot, I mean my horse, Ghost, she's gone."

That gets me out of bed super fast, "Perhaps she wondered off into anther field."
"I know she has been stolen Zelie."
"How?" I ask, "Do you have any evidence?"
"No, but I know Katrina had something to do with it."
"Why would she touch your horse?"
"Because she wanted her when we were at the farm together."
"What on earth do you mean?" I ask, "You're not making any sense."
"Ugh, later I'll explain, but now, we need to find my horse."

By the time noon has rolled around we have checked the trails and every field. Twice.
"Perhaps Mrs Maple has moved her?" I suggest.
She looks at me, fuming.
"If Jack was missing you would not rest until he was found, you would do everything to find him! And just because Ghost isn't your horse, or anywhere as good as Jack doesn't make her any less important!" She yells at me.
"Geez Weslow, calm your farm."
"I would, but it's star attraction is missing."
"What, you?" I sass back.
"Oh screw off Zelie, go practise with Jack or something."
With that she walks away, tears falling from her eyes.
I rush off to the barn, to do the only thing I'm good at.
Riding.
I don't bother to tack Jack up, we won't be long. We ride out f Mossy Hill Academy, I want to get away from here.
Jack's hooves make a clip clop sound as we walk along the side of the road. Lucky thing he is wearing horse shoes, I wouldn't want to damage his hoof.
Mossy Hill Academy is situated on the outskirts of a town, and I know my way around. I don't care where I end up, I just want to ride.
I don't get why she was mad, we searched everywhere, and it was like she was never even here.
From behind me a horses heavy hoofbeats fill my ears, I turn around and see James on Duke.
"Where are you going miss Grill?" He asks.
"Away, I am sick of Weslow."
"Aw come on Zal, she's just worried about Ghost. You would act the same if it was Jack missing."
"I wouldn't be this rude."
He looks at me funny, "Come on, it's not just that Ghost is missing, it's also the end of year stress."
I guess I have to agree with him, even I feel the stress sometimes.
"Now come on Zelie, we're going back."
He turns Duke around, and with a quick roll of my eyes I turn around then follow him. Gosh he can be persuasive.    
Back at Mossy Hill Academy I see Weslow talking to Mrs Maple, and they don't look happy.
I walk up to Weslow, and she looks over to me with a growl.
"Before you can say anything I want to say that I am sorry, you were right. If it was Jack I would not rest until he was found, so I'm sorry."
Her face softens as I speak, and she manages to give me a small smile.
"Thanks Zelie, I understand."
"Well it's good my two best friends are talking again, but, we have been called upon by Mrs Grill."
We all give each other a look that says, 'oh no', then we start walking to her office.
When we walk in there she is sitting at her desk, covered in paperwork, and looking flustered.
"Mrs Grill?" James asks,
"Oh yes, just the people I wanted to see..."
Uh oh...
"I need a huge favour, could you three please take some of the year sevens out for a trail ride? Their lesson is in ten minutes, but as you can see, I'm drowning in paperwork.."
There is no way we want to take a bunch of year sevens on a trail ride, but we can't say no to mum, so we end up saying yes.
The year sevens are crazy, and just like our year level they all are horse crazy.
"Right everyone, we will be running your class today, so we will be going on a trail ride." James announces.
Some roll their eyes, "I thought we were doing show jumping!" Most of them complain.
"Listen up, if you don't wanna come then don't. Mrs Grill will write you out a detention slip and you can spend the weekend cleaning horse poo in the fields." I snap.
They all close their mouths.
"Are there any trails you guys wold like to go on?" Weslow asks.
Two girls on palominos come up to, "May we please go on the forest path, the one that leads to a waterfall?"
I took that path last year when I went camping, so I know my way around. After a quick consultation with my friends we start trotting up that path. Weslow is leading the pack, while James and I round up the stragglers. The two girls who requested to go on this path seem to be the teachers pets, and there's a group of stuck up girls, and the popular boys. I guess its the same everywhere you go. While we are taking the group on the ride I look out for any good camping spots, but mostly theres a lot of trees. Well duh Zelie, it's a forest. The kids behave themselves, except for a few boys who try to jump over a few bushes, and epically fail. They rode home with grass stains on their expensive jodphurs. When we can see the school on the way back the year sevens all gallop to the stables, and all untack quickly, as they all want to go to the pool. A very shiny silver car comes driving down the very long driveway, and they have a horse float trailering behind them. Mrs Maple comes outside with mum to greet the visitor, and I rush to the stables to untack Jack. Once he is settled down I peek my head outside to see if the visitor is there. They're gone, but their car is still there. I decide to snoop, I really want to know who this person is. I'll ask mum about some new tack for Jack, or something like that.
I politely knock on the door to Mrs Maple's office, and then I am asked to come in.
"Uh, sorry to interrupt, but I have a quick question." I look around, the visitor has medium brown hair, thats piled up in a messy bun, she looks really pretty.
"It's okay Zelie, this is Miss Cheval What was it you needed to ask?" Mrs Maple introduces me to the visitor.
"Jack's halter has gotten really worn out, and he is needing a new one. Is there a possibility he could get a new one?" I ask.
"Sure, there's a magazine on the book shelf with some designs and a website. Just grab that and have a flick through.'' Mum offers.
As I pick up the magazine and open the door Miss Cheval puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Jack is your horse?" She asks.
"Uh, yeah...'' I reply.
"Hold on one second," She tells the principal and my mum.
"Would you mind if I saw him?" She asks me.
"Sure, he's just been brushed."
"Miss Cheval, have you ever ridden?" I ask.
"Please Zelie, call me Paige, and yes, I have ridden."
Once we reach Jack's stall Paige enters, and she strokes Jack.
"Hey Jackie, how are you going? I hope you're treating this girl well.'' He snorts at Paige and licks her face.
"Of course..." I mumble
This is Paige Cheval, first owner of the polocrosse horse Kylandra Jackson!
"Jack was my finest horse, and I am glad you have him." She hands me a business card, and then retreats back to the office.
I am left stunned, Paige, Jack's owner just gave me her business card. Wow.
I really want to run outside and tell my friends, so that's exactly what I do. Once I'm out of the main building I run out to the stables, where Weslow and James are untacking.
"Guys! Look at this!" I exclaim,
"A piece of paper?" James asks,
"A business card?" Weslow asks,
"Yes, from Paige!"
"Who?" They both enquire in unison,
"Paige Cheval, the best polocrosse rider in Australia!"
"Well damn, that's pretty darn awesome!" Weslow comes up and hugs me,
"What's this mean?" James asks,
"I don't know...but on the card it says she does private training and lessons."
We all hug, this could mean big things for me. Especially if I have the best polocrosse horse in the world.
'I'm gonna go to my room and get way too excited about this, see you later!"
I skip back to my dorm, excited about this new opportunity.
***
"For today's lesson we're going to mix it up a little. We're going to take our horses to the exercise pools, and flexy walkers." Mrs Maple tells us, "So go go get a halter on your horse, and we'll ride bareback to the walkers."
I'm so excited, I've always wanted to use these things. I turn towards James, he looks quite excited too.
Which horse do I use, do I get Snooker or Jack? It could really help with Snooker's rehab, but it will really help with Jack's muscle development.
I lead Jack out of his stall in his blue halter and lead rope, we meet everyone outside the stables.
"Alright everyone, mount up, and let's go!"
Because I have no stirrups, mounting a very tall horse is a bit hard. James notices my struggle and comes over.
"Need a leg up miss?" He asks,
"Uh maybe..." I smile slightly at him,
"On three jump up. 1,2,3!"
With his hand under my left foot, I put my weight on it and swing over Jack's tall back.
"Thanks."
I swing the end of the lead rope over his neck, and lean over, attaching it to where the start of it is clipped.
I click my tongue, let's go Jack. He starts to trot, and I post in time to his rhythm. The ride there is short, it's just a few kilometres to the facilities. When we get there my breath is taken away, there are so many flexy walkers, with water, and without.
"Now we are going to use the water ones today, so split into groups of six and line up with your horses at a walker."
Weslow, James and I line up at the same walker, and no one els lines up. They all went off in their friendship groups. A woman comes up to us.
"Hi everyone, I'm Luca, and let's get to work shall we? First up come around the side, into the bays where we will push the horses into the pool." She explains,
Duke goes into the walker first, then we wait for the divider to push him forward , when it does, Luca stops the machine again so we can put Ghost in there. Once Ghost is in there the divider pushes her forward, and then it stops when it's Jack's turn to go in. I unclip his lead rope from his halter, and guide him into the bays, from there he walks into the walker.
"Now that all three horses are in the walker we can start." She turns the machine on, and slowly the dividers start to move. "We won't go too fast at first, just fast enough to make them work."
"So what does this do?" James asks,
"It makes the horses swim, bullfight up their endurance and muscles. It's very good for therapy, injuries and sore muscles."
While the horses work I go over to see Mrs Maple, "Are we allowed to come over here and use the facilities?" I ask,
"Under supervision and with permission. But they do charge a fee, but because you are with the academy, it is reduced."
"How much is it?"
"Around sixty dollars, but you only have to pay forty."
That's still a lot of money, but considering how many facilities this place has to use, it is well worth it. Especially if I want to get Jack's fitness up for the competitions.