J.O.P Stable: The Twin Saga (Book 2: Vortex)

Chapter 18:

Onyx and I were killing it!

It was down to just 3 girls now, me, a girl named Sara, and Vicky.

Vicky was up first, and I felt bad for Diamond. The mare was obviously in pain from the harsh landing and lack of comfort the saddle provided because it was so thin.

" So, how do you think your going to take this one? " Felix asked. He had dismounted and was coaching me from the ground, his parents taking Rio to cool her down before they announced the victors. Onyx was sweaty, but he was really pulling through, almost as if he wanted to win this as much as I did.

Vicky told her height to the grooms and I watched as they built up the wall, much higher than it had been before. They showed the height to the judges and my breath caught in my throat.

2.1 metres!

7 feet!

Even Nathan looked shocked at the height Vicky had chosen, but Vicky only smirked as she canter Diamond around the practise jumps. The mare looked tired, but pressed on with harsh cues from Vicky. They raced towards the wall and jumped it wildly. Diamonds hooves tapped the top brick, but it stayed in place as they cantered away. Diamond threw her head and crow hopped and Vicky scolded her with a smack of her crop. I frowned, glaring as they passed by. I was about to call her out on it, but suddenly felt a hand on my knee. I looked down and saw Felix, shaking his head at me.

" Don't get worked up about something you have no control over " He told me.

I rolled my eyes and smirked at him. " That's what everybody told me about you "

He smiled and rolled his eyes playfully.

Sara went next and her mare, Luna Light, seemed almost as high strung as Onyx, so she may have some Arabian bloodlines.

Sara set the wall to the same height as Vicky had, but Luna didn't like that height too much, eyeing the wall as they cantered around it. Sara tried hard to convince Luna that the wall wasn't as bad as she thought, but the mare still shuddered and refused the wall just before the jump, sending Sara flying into the bricks. She was okay, just a bit shaken, but her fall meant she was eliminated.

I took a shuddering breath and Onyx felt my nerves, shaking his head and trying to back up, pulling Felix, who had been holding the reins.

" Hey, take it easy " He replied.

" He's just anxious " I replied, stroking Onyx's mane.

" I was talking about you "

I blushed. " Oh...okay " but I couldn't take it easy. I was going for it, because if I didn't, we wold lose and Vicky and Nate would win.

I walked Onyx over to Wendy and whispered the one word that would determine if I was going to help our team win, or lose.

Vortex...

Wendy looked at me like I was crazy, but nodded and she and the other grooms got to work setting up another seven foot wall close to the first one.

I didn't attempt to look back at Felix as I warmed Onyx up, it was only when he came jogging over did I let Onyx halt.

Shockingly, he didn't look mad, he looked a bit nervous, but not mad.

" Your going for it aren't you? " He asked.

I lowered my head and nodded, catching a glimpse of Vicky and Nate. They both smirked, looking doubtful that Onyx and I could pull this off. That gave me a boost of confidence when I thought about the looks on their faces when we did clear it.

If we could clear it.

Flashes of Felix's accident and my own nightmare popped up in my mind.

Felix suddenly grabbed my hand. " Hey, remember the song? Aim for cloud nine, I know you can do this " and then he suddenly stretched up and pressed his lips against mine. The butterflies in my stomach flew around briefly before settling down and I leaned into him, kissing him back and glad that the two walls hid us from my dad.

When we pulled away, I felt my confidence rush back to me and I smirked.

" Don't worry, we've got this " I replied as I gave Felix's hand a final squeeze before he let me and Onyx go.

" Okay boy, we've got this, I know we do, lets show them that we can be more than just Eventers! " I whispered as we circled around by the door. Jewel and mom were there, followed by Felix's parents. Dad was standing beside the wall now, and gave me a thumbs up. I learned from Felix's mistakes and didn't let Onyx rush, instead I held him back, letting him scope out the jumps for himself.

This is what we'd been working so hard for.

All the struggles

All the long hours in the arena

All the fighting with Felix

All the work with both Rio and Onyx

It all led up to this one moment.

I let Onyx go a few strides before the wall and he pushed off the ground with so much force that it almost pushed me back down in the saddle. I grabbed a chunk of his mane, twisting it around my fingers. While we were in mid air I saw the other wall and gave Onyx his head so he could look at what was next. He perked his ears and when we landed, I thought he was going to refuse, but he took the bounce stride quickly and gave even more energy jumping the second wall. I leaned down close to his neck, staying as far out of the saddle as I could to relieve the weight, hoping that would somehow help him clear the wall. We landed a bit harshly, Onyx almost tripping over himself, but he got his footing back almost instantly and cantered away from the jump. I had my eyes almost closed, but the sudden cheering that spooked Onyx made me snap them open and twist back to look at the walls.

Nothing.

Not a brick.

Not a group of bricks.

Nothing was down!

We had done it!

I cheered as I pumped my fist in the air before loosening Onyx's reins and leaning down to hug his neck. I felt tears almost prick my eyes. We did it! We proved we were Puissance jumpers!

Onyx was almost at a gallop as we passed by the crowd of people and back to the group of riders. Vicky face was blotchy and red while Nate glared, but still clapped. Felix was remounting Rio just as our team was put on top of Vicky and Nate's, in the first place spot!

" Ladies and Gentlemen! The winners of the J.O.P.S First annual Puissance competition, Skylar Lockhart and Felix Marston! "

While the other riders exited the arena, Felix and I took a victory lap, one hand on the reins and our other hands holding onto each other.

After a few laps we received our sashes and a trophy which would have our names engraved on it. It was almost as sweet a victory as the summer finale, but this time...

I had not only won the Puissance and defied the odds, but I had won myself a boyfriend as well.

Life couldn't get any better!