J.O.P. Stable: The Twin Saga (Book 1: The Summer Finale)

Chapter 17:

Sky's POV:

I yawned as I led Onyx towards the outdoor arena. Yesterdays lessons had been tough on all of us and I was sore all over, but it was worth it because I finally felt like Onyx and I were ready to take on the best Stables from every province in Canada. The teams from further away provinces that required a plane to get here, which was basically all of them, would be arriving today and either keep their horses in the luxury live in trailers that J.O.P.S provided or put their horses in stalls while the riders, trainers and parents stayed at a hotel downtown. The hotel always helped sponsor the Finale because it brought in a lot of business for them.

A light breeze made me shiver underneath my specially made J.O.P.S team jacket. Mom and dad had surprised all of us yesterday by giving us custom made jackets and sweatpants to put on over our show clothes tomorrow. Not only would it keep our clothes underneath clean, but it also allowed us to represent our team. The J.O.P.S logo-a horse show jumping, doing dressage and cross country all tying together with each letter to spell J.O.P.S inside each horse, was on the side of the sweatpants. The Jacket was in J.O.P.S colours, navy blue and red and had the logo on the back and each of our nick-names and our horses show names on our own jackets on the front. Mine was Sailing Skylar and Thrower Onyx. Onyx had gotten that show name from his habit of throwing any rider that wasn't me, but with his good behaviour lately, I may have to change that.

Jewel was waiting with Shadow by the fence, turning and smiling when she saw me. The names on her jacket was Jumping Jewel and Shadow of the Night. Her and I were going to be the judges at C, the back of the arena. It was important that Payton impress us the most because that's where the head judge was going to be seated at the Finale. Every team competing was informed of everything we were, from where the judges were to the order of the jump off course for Show-Jumping, so it wouldn't feel as if our team had an advantage because we lived and trained here.

She covered a yawn with her hand. " Morning " she mumbled. Shadow was standing sleepily under her, one hoof cocked up.

I mimicked her yawn. " Morning " I replied as I halted Onyx and mounted. he was way too tired to try anything today, but by tomorrow, I knew he would be back to his old self.

Blaire and Marlo walked over to us on Flicka and Marco, both horses and riders looking tired. Marlo looked stiff in the saddle and I remember her telling me her thigh had bruised from her fall yesterday.

Blaire halted Flicka and the names on her jacket gleamed. Beyond Blaire and Flying Flicka. Marlo had the mighty team. Mighty Marlo and Mighty Marco were what she had decided to put on her jacket.

" Could I be anymore sore? " Blaire whined as she stretched in the saddle. Flick snorted underneath her and shook her head.

" Tell me about it, maybe we should just forget flatwork and just start getting the horses and things ready instead " Marlo replied, rubbing her bruised thigh.

Jewel smiled. " I wish, but I don't want the horses to get stiff, we could some lazy flatwork just to make sure their muscles don't cramp up and they're good for tomorrow " she replied, patting Shadows neck. " I don't want to not work him after a day like yesterday and then jump him tomorrow and have him hurt himself "

" Good point " Marlo replied, leaning back in the saddle. " I guess I'm still thinking I'm back home at the track. We worked and didn't work the horses all the time " she replied. " But we did put them in the hot walker on off days so I see your point "

We talked for a few more minutes before Caitlyn and Payton walked over to us. Caitlin had Carefree Caitlyn and Jumping Jackson on her jacket and Payton had Perfect Payton and All That Jazz on hers.