Maplewood Equestrian Center: Saddle Up

Chapter One: No Pressure

 I swear a chill went through me as I set foot on Maplewood ground. The stable ahead of me was a dark lacquered brown color, and the pastures off to the sides were picture perfect. Sleek bays, grays, blacks, chestnuts and more speckled the emerald green grass. Even though I had visited the stable a month before, the sight was just as amazing the second time. My mom and dad both jumped out of the truck and slammed the doors shut.

"Do you need me to help you get Foxy out?" asks my dad.

"No, thanks for the offer, but to be honest, I wouldn't trust you within a ten foot radius of her," I giggle. Dad crosses his arms and fakes an injured sniff, but he smiles too, and he grabs my tack trunk instead. I walked to the back of the trailer and opened the door. I lead Foxy out of the trailer and she lifts her head high and neighed, as if to announce her arrival. Her shiny russet coat gleams in the sunlight, and her jet back tail was raised and flowing in the breeze. My horse is such a diva. I settled Foxy and we walked in through the open double door entrance. A woman in breeches and a white riding shirt walked up to us.

"Hey! You must be Leah, right? I'm Katie, we're so glad you're here!" says Katie, reaching out to shake my hand.

"Yep, that's me," I say. My mom and dad introduce themselves as well.

I look around the stable. I had forgotten how clean and shiny it was, even though my last stable, Fairview Stables, was a nice place, Maplewood was still a whole different standard. The walls were a glossy dark brown, the same color as the outside of the stable. There was a tack room on the left side of the entrance, and a lounge to the right of it. The door to the tack room was open, and I caught a glimpse of fancy saddle brands, hooks of bridles, and shiny new-looking wooden tack trunks. We stood in in the middle of two long ailes of stalls that stretch to the sides. In front of us is the sliding door to the arena, which is open just enough so I can see inside. I see a girl sail over a jump on a black Thoroughbred gelding. Her form is perfect, and the horse leaps over the three foot vertical gracefully, making it look as easy as a cross rail. I try not to compare myself to her, but it's already made me even more nervous. I have to be that good to make the team.

"Leah?" asks Katie, jerking me out of my observation.

"Yeah?" I say.

"I was just asking if you wanted me to show you to Foxy's stall," says Katie.

"Oh, yes, sorry, thanks," I ramble. I mash my lips shut and follow Katie down the aisle to our right. On the fifth stall down the aisle, on the side of the aisle closest to the outside, there is a shiny gold nameplate with the name "Foxy" engraved on it. I almost couldn't tear my eyes away from it.

"Here it is, what do you think?" asked Katie, opening the stall door.

"I love it! I'm sure Foxy does too," I smile, as I lead Foxy into the stall. Foxy sniffs around, decides it's satisfactory, and starts to munch on her hay. I walk back out of the stall and latch the door, then I follow Katie to the arena entrance, and we walk inside. The arena is made of a light golden colored wood, and there are long windows on each wall to let the natural light in. There are also two giant fans on the the ceiling, some light fixtures, which are turned off right now, and a chandelier. I gaze in awe at it, I didn't look at the ceiling last time I visited. I watch the girl who I saw jumping before. She has chocolate brown hair and is wearing a red ventilated riding shirt, one I would have to hit Dover for later, fawn colored Icefil breeches, a pair of shiny riding boots, and a gorgeous Samshield helmet . Her horse is donning a dark red saddle pad with gold piping, Maplewood's colors, matching leg wraps, and a gorgeous dark brown bridle. The girl is riding in a gorgeous dark brown Stubben Phoenix jumping saddle. Totally jealous.