A Rider's Dream

Chapter 4

When I get to the barn Christina isn't there but there is other people riding and cleaning their horses. I run to Copper's stall and go inside. Copper nickers and nuzzles me as I hug him.

"Copper! We get to try-out!" I squeal. I sit in a pile of sawdust in the corner of his stall and sigh. Copper looked down at me and nuzzled my hand. I grab his halter and lead rope. I slip the halter on him and we walk outside. I hook him up to the crosstie and grab some brushes.

After 15 minutes of brushing I put my brushes away and grabbed my tack. I tacked Copper up and mounted him. We had to practice. I took him to the arena with all the show jumps. I made up a course in my head and started to warm up. Walk, Trot, and Canter. Now I started to jump. First jump, purple striped cross rail, I counted Copper's steps until we jumped, 1, 2, 3, 4, Jump! I cleared it, next jump, red, white, and blue oxar. 1,2,3,4,5, Jump! Cleared. Next jump, red flower box jump, 1, 2, 3, Jump! I knocked one rail down. Keep going! I thought to myself. Next jump, yellow 3 foot fence jump, 1, 2, 3, 4, Jump! Copper's hoof hit the fence but it stayed in place, Yes! The only rail I knocked down was the one when I jumped too early. I patted Copper's neck and sighed.

"Good Ride!" yelled Rebecca, my trainer. I jumped, she scared me!

"Thanks, You scared me!" I sighed. Rebecca laughed and patted Copper as I walked up to her.

"What's the big occasion?" She asked as I stretched my legs out of the stirrups.

" I got a try-out to Breezeway Academy!" I squealed as I trotted around in a circle.

"Well you better keep practicing! I'll leave you to it! Good luck Allie!" Rebecca shouted as she walked away. I hopped of Copper and fixed the knocked down rail. I placed the pole back in the hole and hopped back on Copper. Lets see, lets do the course again.

I canter one lap around the arena and then start the course. Purple striped cross rail, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Jump! Cleared. Next jump, Red, White, and Blue oxar. 1, 2, 3, 4, Jump! Missed. Next jump, red flower box,1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Jump! Cleared. Last jump, yellow fence, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Jump! Cleared but barely. I sighed and fixed the rail.

After another 30 minutes of practice I ended on a perfect ride. "Good Boy Copper!" I sighed. I took the long way back home which was part of a small wooded trail. We walked through the trail and I stared at the large Oaks and Mulberry trees. We passed a semi-large apple tree that was ripe. I stood in my stirrups and grabbed two large red apples. I placed one in my pocket for Copper and ate the other.

When we returned to the barn Copper was cool and I jumped off his back. I untacked him and gave him his apple in his stall. "Thanks for the good ride Copper." I smiled and patted his muzzle. I went out of his stall and saw mom's car.

"Hi Allie." said mom as I climbed inside the car.

"Hi, Copper and I are ready for the try-out!" I squealed. Mom smiled as we drove home.

The week flew by past before my try-out until it was the day before. I woke up in an instant and checked my clock 6:03 EARLY!!!! I sit up in my bed and sigh. I can't ride Copper today because he has to rest for tomorrow. I still have to get Copper ready for the trailer and get the trailer ready for Copper!

I pull myself out of bed and sigh, I grab my clothes and go take a shower.

When I'm done I'm in a pair of old jeans, my paddock boots, and an old t-shirt. I'm gonna get dirty getting everything ready for tomorrow. I check the time 7:34, then I go downstairs. Mom is awake and a bowl full of steaming oatmeal is on the table. I sit down and start eating.

"Do you need help cleaning the trailer?" Mom asked as she cleaned the dishes.

"Nah, I got it. Don't worry I can get everything done by tomorrow." I said. I finished my oatmeal and went outside to the trailer. It fits five horses though we only have one. I open the back up and survey the inside. There is old hay, shavings, and cobwebs. There is gonna be a lot to clean today! I start by grabbing a shovel and start shoveling all the old shavings out and into one pile. The floor is now pure black and not a speck of shavings (Or sawdust) are on the floor. I grab the hay bag and dump the old hay onto the shavings. Great, now I have to get those dumb cobwebs in the corners. I grab a rag and wrap my hand in it. I reach and pull all the cobwebs out of the corners and throw the rag onto the porch to be washed. There, now the trailer is sparkling clean. I grab a bag of shavings and dump it on the trailer floor. I grab the shovel and spread it around. I put the hay bag back in, I'll have to fill it when I see Copper.

"Mom! Can we go? I need to get Copper ready for the trailer!" I say as I walk inside the house.

"Sure! Lets Go!" mom replied. And we left!