High River Stables Horse Academy

Chapter 3

I woke up to my alarm clock sounding. I rub my eyes and groan as i switch the off button for my clock. It's the only way i can shut it up. My back stiffens as i sit up and look over to Emma. It's a Saturday so we have the day off to study, ride and basically do whatever we want. I pull myself out of bed and pick out my riding clothes sitting on the end of my bed. I take them to the shower and place them on the basin next to the sink. I strip off and run the hot water and as i step into the shower, i feel the adrenaline of warm water being washed over me.

The scent of horses refreshes my mind as i walk into the barn. Wow, this place is huge. Other riders walk down the aisle and pass me and i nod a greeting to them. I pull my phone out of my pocket; it's 6:30am. My phone vibrates and a text from James appears on the screen. 'Hey Lilly, how's the academy?' I smile at his text and reply. 'Hey! It's great! They have assigned me a horse called Sweetie.' My finger hits 'send' and i shove my phone back into my pocket as i reach Sweetie's stall. "Good morning, Sweetie," i smile at her as i slide open the stall door. She walks over to me and her brown eyes look right into mine, her ears prick forwards. "What do you feel like doing today, girl? We can go for a trial ride...? Yeah, a trial ride sounds good. Give us a chance to get to know each other." My hand moves up to her forehead and i give her a scratch, her head bobs up and down. I put her halter on that is on the side of the stall and lead her out to the tack up bays. Once she is tied up and settled, i head to the tack room. As i enter the tack room, there is saddles and bridles to my left, each with a nameplate on the stand, allocated to each horse. To my right is the rug cupboard, grooming boxes and the door to the feed room. I walk over to the grooming boxes and scan for Sweetie's name. A pink box reads "Sweetie" so i wrap my fingers round the handle and carry it out to Sweetie.

Once i'm tacked up, i lead Sweetie outside the barn to the mounting blocks. It's a beautiful, sunny day; not one cloud in the sky. I stop and look around. To my left is some paddocks with young yearlings grazing, some playing and galloping around. In front of me is the round yard, and to my right is a road that leads to the trials. I turn back to Sweetie and place my foot in my stirrups, collecting my reins and haul myself onto her back. It's now 7:21am. Just as i'm about head off, my phone buzzes. 'Hello?' Shoot i forgot about James. I read his other texts 'Oh is she as sweet as me?' 'Oh i guess that wasn't funny, sorry if i scared you 😂'. 'Sorry, i was tacking up. About to head out for a ride now.' I send it and put my phone back into my pocket and squeeze Sweetie into a walk. Her head tosses up and her ears pin back but she obeys me. "Oh, sorry girl, you must be sensitive."

We begin on a trial through a bush. The trial is clear, and fresh hoofprints lay out on the dirt in front of me. My mind sets on James; James isn't horsey, but we're the best of friends. He comes over alot, well he did before i moved to this academy. He's got short, brown hair that is so messy but yet so straight. He has the bluest eyes i have ever seen. He is dating a girl called Sierra but my thoughts on Sierra aren't great. She's cheated on him twice with the same guy, Blake. She has said that nothing will ever happen between them and James believes her so i've given up in warning him. The truth is, i've liked James for years. We grew up together, but i don't think anything will ever happen between us, we're too close of friends.

My mind focuses back on the trial and up ahead, there is a log. It looks roughly around 60cm, so it's tiny. "What do you think girl?" I murmer under my breath and i gently ask for a canter. This time, Sweetie pricks her ears forwards and lurches into a canter. Her stride is long, but smooth and flowy. As we merge closer to the log, i collect her and count my strides 1, 2, 3, 4-and up. My hands move up her neck and she clears it by a mile. I bring her back to a walk and stroke her neck. "Good girl! You're a mighty jumper," I giggle a little and pull my phone back out. I read another text from James. 'Ahaha, have fun. Are you free to talk this afternoon..?' I reply "Yeah, sure. Is everything okay?' James quickly replies. 'Uh, well... Sierra and I broke up.. I found out a few days ago she had hooked up with Blake again, so i ended things yesterday. Then this morning i found out now that her and Blake are, well.. a thing.' I feel guilty for smiling that he had ended things with Sierra. Once, i hadn't been able to look or talk to Blake because of Sierra. She always got jealous that i was close friends with James.