Kinswood Academy: Dressage Queen

Chapter 20:

I couldn't stop fidgeting as I drove with mom and dad to the barn. Dad was driving, while mom was on the phone with Big Strides owners to get the lay out of todays tests.

I stared out the window and carefully went over my freestyle. I wasn't one for using classical music in my freestyles, I preferred using more modern music, so I had chosen a mix of modern songs spliced together by one of the DJ savvy kids at school. I hadn't actually done the freestyle with Big Stride yet, but Tracy hadn't done hers with him either so none of us had an advantage.

" We understand, thank you " Mom turned to look at me as she hung up.

I nervously bit my nails, a habit I thought I had broken years ago but had resurfaced last night.

" So Tracy will be going first, then we will give Tino a good long break before finishing with you in the evening. The owners will take into account him being fresh versus tired for each ride so they won't hold that against either of you. But they said they were confident that he would preform with the same energy for your ride "

I sighed. " Thanks mom " I smiled as dad pulled into the driveway of the barn.

I took a few seconds to calm myself before opening the door and setting my sneakered foot down on the gravel. I wouldn't need to change for a while so I kept my shows clothes safely tucked away in the trunk of the car. I knew Tracy would try anything to get what she wanted.

Even sabatoge me if she had to...

" Isla! " Stacy ran out from the barn and gathered me up in a tight hug. 

" Stacy! Thank you so much for being here! " I hugged her back. " It really means a lot to me "

" Of course! I wasn't not going to show up! You're my BFF! Plus its our last day together before summer break! "

I giggled. " Yep, tomorrow you'll be on your way to Europe looking for your next champion and I'll be... " I paused, not knowing what to say.

Stacy pulled away and shook my shoulders. " You will be at Kinswood having the summer of your life because you and Big Stride will nail your freestyle and he'll be yours forever! " her confidence was contagious and I kept my chin up as he hooked arms and walked into the barn.

There was no sign of Tracy and Big Stride was still as clean and shiny as he had been when i finished his horsey spa day yesterday. He stuck his head out of the stall and his ears perked up when he saw me.

" He seemed a bit fidgety when I got here so i put Bliss in the stall next to him so he didn't feel lonely " Stacy commented as I left her side and wrapped my arms around Big Strides neck. He nickered and lipped at my hair, which was pulled back in the high ponytail. 

Bliss snorted and craned her neck over to me. As I stepped back she and Big Stride playfully snorted at each other. I turned back to Stacy. " Thanks Stacy! What am I going to do without your natural horsemanship at Kinswood? "

Stacy laughed. " Oh I think a school full of champion riders will have plenty of horsemanship! Unless, of course, they all turn out to be like Tracy " she shuddered.

I paused, shuddering myself. I hadn't thought about that. What if Kinswood riders were all like Tracy? I don't think i could survive a summer like that. i shook my head, knowing that would be impossible, because Kinswood not only looked at skill and rider talent, but how riders treated their horses. It would be the riders like Tracy more afraid to go than riders like Stacy and I.

Still, I was sure not all of the riders would be like us, there were more than one Tracy's in the equestrian world...

" Good morning girls "