My New Life

The grass was wet and sloppy as I galloped through the upper pastures. This was my life. The life I had always lived until now when everything was about to change. A part of me couldn't wait for this new adventure to come but another part of me wanted to stay at home living my normal life. (I decided to go with this part) Next month would be the biggest challenge of my life. That challenge was Boarding School.

The month of Feburary was when most schools started the new year in New Zealand. Excited kids of many ages would pour through the gates of every school, excitied to meet new people and catch up with their mates. But for me, it would be different. You see, I wasn't very good at making friends and the school I was going to would be one where most people would judge. I was going to an Equestrian academy. People would judge me on my riding style and this is how I would be accepted.

But today was my last day living a free life. Tomorrow I would load my chestnut mare Cassie and we would make the long trip to Silver Arrow Diocesan School for girls. The journey would take 6 hours plus 2 hours on the ferry. But for now, I was content watching my best friend graze on the lush mountain grass. I didn't want go to boarding school. This was my punishment for skipping school last year. I didn't have anything against school, it was just the amount of time we have to waste doing school projects and revision when I could be out riding. But that was just life.

Well, today was the start of my of my 3yr journey at Silver Arrow. It was 4:00am and i was just about to get Cassie ready for the long trip. I led her out of her stall and tied her in the cross ties. Feeding and grooming her was easy, the hard part was bandaging her legs. Cassie hated things on her legs, especially bandages but I couldn't risk getting her hurt. After half an hour of struggling, I finally got the last bright yellow bandage on her leg. I threw her padded travel cover over her back and did up the straps. I slid her poll protector over her ears and put her headcollar back on. Last but not least I wrapped her tail with a tail bandage. Greg, my dads servant called to me to load her onto the truck. At last we were on our way.