Kinswood Academy: Dressage Queen

Chapter 24:

Sunday morning the sky was dark, the clouds threatening to spill rain at any given moment. The atmosphere of the stable seemed to match my mood, as it was quiet and dark.

I made my way to the tack room, checking the time on my phone, only to find several messages from the other riders in our group. I didn't check the messages just then, I had something I needed to do first.

After making sure all my things were out of the tack room I made my way to Dubois office, looking away from Big Strides now empty stall, feeling my heart sink a little at his lack of presence.

I knocked on the office door and entered when I heard a muffled ' come in '

I smiled sadly as I took a look around Dubois office. Her cork board behind the desk had hundreds of pictures of riders and horses. In the middle I saw Stacy and I, preforming side by side flying changes, me on Baroness and Stacy on Bliss.

Stacy and I had said our goodbyes this morning. We had a sleepover last night and her parents had come to pick her up for her flight to Europe this morning. We had shared tearful goodbyes and good lucks before her car had disappeared down NYC's always busy streets.

Dubois smiled when she saw me. " Good morning Isla " she stood, taking a break from what looked like new rider profile sheets.

" Anyone promising coming in? " I asked.

Dubois laughed. " A few, but none that could ever truly replace Stacy...and you... "

I bit my lip as she pulled me into a hug. " Nervous? "

I hugged her back. " Definitely...I mean...I'm all alone at Kinswood... "

Dubois let me go and she followed me out of her office and into the arena. Memories flashed in front of my eyes, from trying my first piaffe to falling off during my first set of one time flying changes. I smiled to myself, trying to hold back tears.

" Well, I doubt there will be a lot of changes by the time you're back...some new riders, but the place will look the same... " Dubois told me.

I sighed. " You're sure I'm ready for this? "

She put a hand on my shoulder. " Isla, I knew you would be ready for this the minute you sat on my horse "

Baroness...

" I'll be right back "

I quickly left the arena and made my way to the back of the barn, where Baroness was munching on fresh hay, her dapple grey coat covered in sawdust from a fresh roll she must've just had. 

I unlatched the stall door and walked inside. The old mare payed not mind to me and continued munching on her hay.

I giggled as I patted her shoulder. " Come on...admit it...you'll miss me... " I teased. 

Baroness stopped mid chew and turned to look at me. She blinked, which was the most affection I could expect from her.

" I mean...you would've come with me...if Dubois let me...but you are her horse so i can't argue with that " I replied as I sighed.

Baroness shook her head and went back to her hay pile she had created from ripping the straw out of her hay net.

I gave her shoulder one final hardy pat and made my way back to the stable entrance.

" ...I hope you're going to live a wholesome, happy life Big Stride... " I whispered as I turned the corner, my face lighting up with joy as I saw my new horse Valentino-aka Big Stride, getting loaded into our family trailer

*Yesterday*

I was practically over the moon as i signed the ownership papers to Big Stride before giving the Harrison's a huge bear hug.