Endurance

ONE

It was a year after the accident and I hadn't ridden since. I knew I couldn't hold it off forever, but the thought of riding and loving another horse was unbearable. It's not easy losing your best friend and certainly not replacing one.

We still had horses at the farm, but only mum, dad and my sister Renee associated much with them. I could never stay away from horses forever so I sometimes fed some of them. But I stopped riding and going to Endurance races. To many memories were brought back at the Endurance track.
---------------------------------------------------
I started playing soccer as my new sport.

It was an ordinary sunny Saturday morning and we were at the soccer fields in town. "Ok team, remember to play hard and remember what we practiced this week. We're on in five minutes, so make sure your ready." My coach told the team. Today we were facing the Jefferson raiders and their one of the toughest teams in Louisville, Kentucky.

We all got into our positions on the soccer field and waited for the whistle that would signify the start of the game. Our team, the Fern Creek Rockets, were first with the ball. My best friend, Lilly did the kickoff. The wing, Kate ran to the ball following Lilly's starting kick. There was a series of dribbling the soccer ball back and forth between Kate and I. Lilly ran through and received the ball just in time, as a player from the opposing team tried to steal it. A few metres from the goal Lilly tripped and lost the ball. Many players all charged at the ball, me being one of them. I thought my chance was gone, that I'd lost the ball, but I was stunned as I felt it touch my cleat. Booting the ball into the soccer goal. "It's in!" Yelled the referee. I ran crazily around the field, my team joining me "yahooing".

It was a great game and a great victory. Getting continuous goals leading to an ending score of 9:5. After celebrating and getting a few things in town, mum, Renee and I went home to the farm.

Back at the farm dad was mucking out the last of the stalls. "Hi girls, how was soccer?" Dad stopped working and turned to talk to us. "Great! Renee and I both won our games." I replied. "That's good. Now why don't you two help me finish these last two stalls and feed the horses." Dad said to us. Renee and I both groaned and picked up a spade each.

That night as soon as I got into bed my eyes immediately shut and I fell to sleep. It was a tiring day and a good, long sleep was what I needed.

-------------------------------------------------

The next morning I woke up to the sound of a truck and the sound of a neigh. I was unfamiliar with the neigh. What and who could it be? I slowly got out of bed to have a peep out my window. The morning sunshine shone through the window, lighting up the room.
Outside I could see a horse truck. I also saw my dad holding a grey horse. Why would someone turn up with a horse? Dad hasn't said anything about getting a new Endurance horse or a young horse to break in.

I chucked on some rough clothes and ran downstairs. I slipped into my gumboots and ran to the back of the house. "Dad, why do you have a new horse?" I stopped to ask my dad. "I'll tell you later, I just have to finish making last payments with John. Go help mum get breakfast ready." Dad replied. "Ok" I walked back to the big, modern farmhouse. Why is this horse here? Dad hasn't said anything, it doesn't make sense. Why won't he tell me yet? I guess I'll have to find out later.

After breakfast dad took me out to the stables. We walked up the aisle and stopped at one of the stalls. A big 16.2hh, grey, Anglo Arab Gelding poked his head over the stall door. "So are you gonna tell me what he's doing here?" I asked dad. "Well" dad stalled "Your mum and I noticed how much you miss riding. So... we got you him. His name is Galaxy." I started crying. "What's wrong darling. I'm sorry is it to much, I know it's been hard since Tango. We just thought..." "No dad, it's alright I like him, but I don't know if I can own and love another horse, you know since Tango." I blubber. "Well honey, give him a go. If it's to hard we can sell him, but I want you to at least try." Dad said reassuringly. "Ok dad". "I'll leave you two alone to get to know each other" Dad told me before going back to the house.

I turned back around to face the horse. "Hey boy, I'm Maddie." I stroked the gelding's head. He snorted. Every time I'm near a horse I feel like I'm betraying Tango. It was going to be really hard but I do really miss riding. When you love something it's hard to let it go. I continued talking to Galaxy. I told him about the accident and why I stopped riding. All this made me more confident in a way. I really opened up and realised what happened to Tango was an accident. It wasn't my fault, accidents happen, I decided that I would give riding another go. I said goodbye to Galaxy and walked back to the house.

Thanks for reading this chapter, hope you enjoyed (photo of Galaxy).