Kinswood Academy: Dressage Queen

Chapter 2:

" ...You wanted to see me Madame? " I asked as I slowly opened Dubois office door. She was sitting behind her dark oak desk, papers piled neatly on either side of her elbows. I envied her organization, even when show season was starting up, all her papers and files were still neatly organized.

Dubois smiled and motioned me inside. " Thank you for being on time Isla, it is very appreciated "

I smiled back, even though I had been standing outside her office for nearly ten minutes. Stacy had volunteered to take care of Baroness for me, but even with the relief of being early, I still couldn't bring myself to enter the office, my mind had been flooding with questions and answers to what Dubois had wanted to talk with me about.

I sat down in one of two black leather chairs in front of her desk and crossed my legs. I didn't dare let my posture slip in front of Dubois, she would make me ride with no stirrups for a week if that happened.

I waited quietly as she filed away the last of the paper on her desk before folding her hands together and looking at me. She was a model for a past professional dressage rider. Her elbows were tucked at her sides neatly and her back was straight, but not ramrod straight. She looked relaxed, but elegant, as if she was in the saddle, ready to compete again. It's hard to believe she had been retired from competition for over 10 years.

Dubois shot me an encouraging smile, fading my nerves slightly.

" ...As you know, you have the full support of all the staff and students here at Elite... "

'All except Tracy and her minions...' I thought, but didn't speak, instead I just nodded as if it were true.

" And you also know you need your own horse to be able to ride to the best of your abilities "

I've only heard that a thousand times...

" I understand Madame, and I am still looking for a horse, I just haven't found the right match yet... " I explained.

" Isla, let me tell you a short story...when I was in training for the world cup, my reliable stallion Thunder fell ill with colic...and I felt that without Thunder, I wouldn't stand a chance. Then along came this moody, flea bitten grey mare... "

I smiled. " ...Baroness... " 

Dubois nodded, her smile widening. " Yes, Baroness. I was so unwilling to compete without Thunder that Baroness sensed my distrust of her. Our first competition was a disaster, so you know what my trainer did? "

I shook my head.

" She made me sleep in the stall with Baroness... "

I couldn't contain my giggles.

Dubois laughed lightly herself before continuing. " Its true. He said that I had to see Baroness without the pressure of competition on us both. So that night, I pulled up a couple of hay bales and settled in, and what I saw was a horse completely different than the one I had ridden. Baroness was the nicest mare in that stable block. Our next show together we took home first place. Do you know why I'm telling you this Isla? "

I shook my head again. In all honest I had no idea why.

" Because you're waiting for your Valegro to just fall into your lap. You're wish to have a horse like Valegro so badly that you're passing by good quality horses that you'd make an excellent partner with. So, I want you to promise me something... "

" Yes Madame? "

" You must promise me that the next horse you see that is for sale will be the horse you take with you to Kinswood... "

My eyes widened. " But...But madame, how am I supposed to do that? I'd have to ride the horse to make sure its the right match and- "

Dubois put her hand up, silencing me instantly. " I'm sorry Isla, but you've left this down to the last minute and this is what has to be done, for the sake of your riding career. You can't go your whole life waiting for the perfect horse and rejecting all the rest. Do you think Charlotte Dujardin refused to ride any other horse except Valegro? "

" W-Well...I- "

" Do you think she would have dropped out of the Olympics had Valegro become unavailable? "

My shoulders slumped with the realization that she was making a good point. 

" And do you think that Charlotte with just stop riding now that her dream horse is retired? "

I sighed, looking down at my hands, which were clasped together so tightly my knuckles turned white. " ...No Madame... "

Dubois smiled with a satisfactory gleam in her eyes. " Thats right. You have so much talent and potential Isla. Don't waste it waiting around for a horse like Valegro to just fall in front of you. With the right attitude, any horse can be your Valegro... "

I stood, brushing imaginary dirt from my breeches. " I understand, thank you Madame... "

She nodded. Before I could make a quick escape, Dubois voice made me stop in my tracks.

" Remember Isla...the first horse you see... "

I could feel myself tense.

The first horse I see...with my luck so far, I'd end up with the least cooperative shaggy pony on a truck destined to auction...and the furthest horse from Valegro...