Canterwood Crest Academy: The Rescues

Chapter 1: Not so Fabulous Arrival

I pressed my face against the window of my dads rusty red pickup, practically drooling over the lush, green, rolling Connecticut hills, lined with a tall white picket fences. Horses of every shape, size and colour were peacefully grazing in the sun. They all had a look to them, something that screamed 'We are the horses of Canterwood Crest Academy!'. I swallowed nervously and turned in my seat, now looking out the back window, at the bright red horse trailer. The red paint was chipped in some places and faded in others.

" I can't believe I'm actually here... " I turned forward, catching my fathers gaze in the rearview mirror, but it was my mom that turned back to look at me, smiling. Her dirty blonde hair was the same as my own, but her brown eyes were clashing with my green ones.

" You deserve to be here Ashley! Nobody worked harder at Oak Hill than you! "

I smiled sadly when I thought about my old stable back home. The classic red and white barn with its miles of trails snaking out behind it to the three arenas, one indoor and two outdoor and the paddocks that seemed tiny now next to Canterwoods. I had applied to the prestigious equestrian based academy in the spring, sending in an application along with two dvd's to show my riding ability, both in Dressage and Jumping. It had felt like an eternity before my acceptance letter had come, along with a package of summer reading and homework to get me used to the curriculum.

" Your mothers right " my father spoke, bringing me away from the memory of being buried under work and summer riding. " You've earned your place here just like everyone else... "

I couldn't find my voice, so I only nodded as we passed through the wrought iron gate with thick ivy growing up the sides. Again my face was pressed to the window so I could get a better view of the buildings. Victorian styled brick clashed with newer modern material and the windows were a mix of stained glass and clean see through. I spotted my dorm building, Orchard house for high school students. It looked the same as it did on the brochure my old riding coach Tracy had given me that started my obsession with getting into Canterwood.

And then I saw it.

As my father turned the truck to the right, the highlight of the Canterwood campus stood tall and proud.

The stable.

The black and white building looked even more stunning then it had in the brochure and the schools website. It branched off into what I knew from instinct had to be at least three indoor arenas. I could see the enormous outdoor arenas behind the stable as we tried to find a place to park. A group of students were already riding, their beautiful horses soaring over the combination of jumps set up.

Suddenly I was itching to ride.

The parking lot was packed, so much so that we could only find a spot to park back near the main building. I frowned when the stable left my vision.

My father had just turned off the engine when I threw the door open and laid my brown paddock boots on the gravel. I took a breath, closing my eyes for a moment. This was all so overwhelming and I didn't want my horses, Gracie and Cobalt to feed off my nervous emotions.

" You okay darling? " My mother put her hand on my shoulder.

I reopened my eyes and nodded, smiling now. " Yep, just...it's overwhelming... "

She returned a smile. " Of course it is dear, but remember, you were accepted, that means they think you have what it takes to make it here... "

Her words calmed me and I breathed out the breath I hadn't realized I'd be holding. I hugged her. " Thank you... "

She hugged me back. " Anything for my little future Canterwood star... "

I rolled my eyes slightly as we separated and walked to the back of the trailer. My father already had the door open and was holding two lead lines.