Kinswood Academy: Dressage Queen

Chapter 9:

Stacy and I couldn't contain our giggles as we walked up the stairs in her apartment to her bedroom.

Unlike me, Stacy lived on the other side of the city, in a tiny apartment that could probably fit into our penthouse. Her parents were both doctors, but didn't believe in spending so much just to "show off" as they put it.

" That was a great lunch Stace " I teased as we flopped down on her bed, dropping our shopping bags. The stores had been packed, so we had only bought a few clothes and some small items for my dorm. I was thinking I would just order the rest of my stuff online before I left for Kinswoods.

Stacy playfully shoved me. " It was totally unfair, you weren't even galloping. Big Stride was barely cantering and he was faster than Bliss at a gallop

I laughed as I rolled off her bed, checking my phone. Stacy wasn't wrong. I was holding Big Stride back, afraid I may lose control, and we still beat Stacy and Bliss by a mile.

" Hey, I have some great news " Stacy spoke. " I totally forgot to mention this on the trail ride, and I don't know how since this news is like, huge! "

I took her place on the bed as she walked over to her desk and started up her laptop.

" Spill it already! " I replied.

Stacy giggled. " Well, since you're ditching me with tracy and her minions for the summer, I thought I may...take my own trip... "

I leaned forward. " Go on... "

" Well, I've thought really hard about this, and I had to promise my parents it wouldn't interfere with my school...but...I may be travelling around Europe to find myself a new horse... "

My eyes widened. " Whoa Stace! Thats huge! I'm so happy for you! "

Stacy smiled brightly. " Thanks! I can't wait! I'm sad about leaving Bliss for the summer, but Dubois promised to put one of the more advanced riders on her to keep her fit "

I nodded. " That sounds like a great summer plan. What kind of horse? "

Stacy sat back down beside me and put her laptop between us. " I was thinking a younger horse, one I can grow with and help train, since I got Bliss when she was already trained. I'm not sure about breeding, but i want something a bit taller than Bliss and maybe get a stallion "

" Those sound like great options. Have you found any yet? "

She nodded and typed in a german horse breeding barns website. " I was thinking this guy to try in Germany... " she pointed to a beautiful black stallion with a cute diamond shaped snip on his nose. " I have at least one horse to try in the top dressage countries in Europe. You know, Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium "

She showed me a few more prospects. Miss of chestnut, bay, even grey stallions crowded her computer screen.

" Wait! " I suddenly yelled. " Go back! "

Stacy gave me a funny look as she reloaded the last page. The website for a breeding barn, the breeding barn, aka, where Valegro was born, popped up. 

There, on the front of the website, was a picture of a light coloured, long legged foal.

" Look at that! " My eyes were caught on the colts breeding chart beside the picture. " Sired by Totilas out of Maifleur! That's Valegro's dam! "

" Whoa! You're right! Look at that! It says his name is...Valentino...awe man! He's sold! Lucky whoever got him... "

I felt a surge of disappointment as I saw the big red Sold stamp over his description. " He would've been nice to train up...I bet he moves just like Valegro... "

" Or Totilas... " Stacy replied. 

I flopped back on her bed and sighed. " ...So...does this mean you won't be going to any of the shows with Elite? "

Stacy shrugged as she closed her laptop lid. " ...I guess so...but I'd like to go to at least one...I've been working hard with Bliss...this years the first year we can officially show Grand Prix... "

I smiled. " We're really in the big leagues now... "

She nodded. " It's so excited, yet nerve-wracking. I mean, we can now go up against world champions and past Olympians... "

I shuddered. " ...Can you imagine going up against Carl Hester...or Charlotte... "

This time it was Stacy who shuddered. " I can't...not yet anyway... " she looked at me. " ...Could you? "

I nodded. " It's been my dream for years now...Olympic gold... " I closed my eyes, daydreaming about riding Valegro down that centre line, practically able to feel the sleek metal against my fingers, draped over my neck.

" ...Can you imagine that with Big Stride...? " 

Stacy's voice broke my thought. 

I sat up, leaning back on my elbows and gave her the honest answer.

" ...No...not yet... "