I woke up the next morning to a wet nose in my face and the annoying beeping of my alarm. Shasta, my female German Shepherd, licked my face until it was covered in slobber. I pushed her away, then rolled over and hit snooze on my alarm. I flopped back onto my warm bed and rested my hand lightly on Shasta's head. She laid her large, but delicate head on my white sheets and let out a sigh.
After scratching behind Shasta's ears for quite some time, I got up and told her, "Let's go feed." She jumped up and ran out the door with me trailing closely behind. When we stepped outside, it was still dark and very chilly for the middle of summer. I followed Shasta towards the barn door then pushed it open.
I started on my normal morning chores, distributing grain, hay, and supplements. Bue, Champ, Quiz Bee, and Cisco all whinnied at me. The thing was, Cisco's normal bostriouse whinny was hoarse and tight. I made a mental note to call the vet. I hope he wasn't getting sick, I thought. After getting everything to each horse, I grabbed the four wheeler key and started it up. once the ATV was running, I started down the hill to check then paddock fences.
~
The late summer sun had started to sink below the soft, rolling hills. I trudged up the soggy path at the end of a hard day. It had started raining in the middle of Bue and I's hack. I had been completely unprepared in my short sleeved polo and summer breeches. Bue had been equipped with a all purpose saddle. Her bridle was standard and her boots were just her old blue sport boots. We had gotten back to the barn and been completely soaked. I had to wash the saddle to get the stains and the saddle pad was already in the dryer.
~
Many days had past and the Grand Prix was upon Madison and her horses.
Cisco had ended in second place in crosscountry, first in show jumping, and third in dressage. He was in second overall and ended with a large red rosette and a few other prizes.
Quiz Bee ended with first in crosscountry, second in show jumping, and first in dressage. He ended up with a large blue rosette and lots of other things.
The season had been successful and Madison had her horses healthy. That was all that mattered.
