Briarwood Elite Riding Academy: Take the Reins

Chapter 3: Riding Nerves

I carefully approached Winter; her soft, dark leather halter and matching lead-line in my hand.

She watched me curiously yet made no attempt to flee which I was grateful for! As I crossed her paddock and grew nearer she ever-so-cutely tilted her head and extended her nose to sniff me.

I stopped just before her muzzle and allowed her to breath in my scent. When she finished and was seemingly O.K with me, she dropped her dainty head and began to lazily graze. Clearly no longer phased by me.

With a small laugh I placed my hand on her soft, snowy neck. Her coat felt like fleece between my fingers and I instantly could not resist stroking her neck. Winter seemed to be enjoying the attention and leaned into my touch.

After a moment or two of just petting her soft pelt I decided I better get going in fear of being the last to arrive!

Hastily; yet gently I lifted Winter’s head from the grass and slipped the soft leather halter over her muzzle and pushed the crown piece over her perky ears. After doing so Winter still attempted to graze and I struggled to clumsily attach the lead rope.

Finally I picked up Winter’s head firmly and lead her toward the paddock gate.

She had a flowy, graceful walk with an added swing of her hips that I found funny; she looked like some sort of a supermodel horse, as if one of the Victoria’s Secret models had been transformed into an animal.

It’s sad when your horse is prettier than you isn’t it…

The walk from Winter’s paddock was surprisingly faster than the walk to her paddock and I was beyond relived when I found out I wasn’t the last one to arrive.

I lead Winter straight into the barn, following behind another rider into arena ‘A’.

In the arena stood about half of the competitors; two of them being Tatum and Zoé thankfully. I lead Winter over to them with a big smile.

Maiden of the Mist leaned toward Winter and gave a loud snort, Winter gave a little snort in return; it seemed the pair had meet before and generally relaxed beside each other.

“OMG! Look at her.” Tatum gushed.

“You’re très lucky.” Zoé nodded.

“I know I’m surprised.” I admitted; “Your horses are beautiful too!”

“I know right!” Tatum smiled so proudly it seemed she was already infatuated with her horse; “Her barn name is Maiden; FYI.”

“Hers is Winter.” I told them.

“I think Foreign Affair’s barn name is the cutest though.” Tatum exclaimed looking at Zoé expectantly.

“What is it?”

“Alfie.” Zoé said while patting the little chestnut’s neck.

“Aww.” I cooed.

It wasn’t long before Amelia appeared beside us; leading her beautiful gelding.

“Sorry I’m late! Storm is quite insistent when it comes to grazing.” Amelia giggled before patting his neck.

Sebastian and Head Mistress Hayes entered the arena and the ring fell into a hushed silence.

“It’s good to see you all found your assignments! My you all look beautiful together!” Head Mistress Hayes chirped.

“I brought you back here to inform you on your schedule and what we shall be doing today.” Sebastian said crisply; “Firstly no challenges today, so relax. The competition will officially begin when I feel each rider is confident and comfortable on their mounts; or if any horse reassignments are needed.