Heartland: My Journey

Chapter #5

Caleb drove me from Heartland to the indoor jumping arena for the Hudson Jump Off.  He hooked on his trailer and loaded Spirit up for me.  Once we got there, I took Spirit out and saddle him up after grooming him.

"Are you nervous?" Caleb asked me, putting a hand on my back.

I was wearing the fancy get up for jumpers.  A hair net, boots to my knees, pants that were too tight and a suit top for girls.  I looked like someone going to an interview.  I replied with no.  "I know I'm not going to win, but at least Clint is here."

Just then, I got on my horse and saw Clint gliding over towards me.  "Hey, Chick.  I didn't expect you to enter today."

I shrugged.  "I'm not a good jumper.  This is my first contest," I said.

"But she did win All Around Cowgirl in Hudson a few years ago," Caleb said.  "And three barrel racing championships."

Clint looked up at me, shocked.  "Wow, I didn't expect you to be a cowgirl.  Not with the probation on your back."

I shrugged.  "I try to think of probation as a responsibility now.  Now that I'm working with horses and with Amy Fleming and Ty Borden, who I found out is my brother, I feel at home at Heartland."

"Well, I'm glad you're settled in.  Do you know if Ty and Jack are around today?" Clint asked.

"Yeah, they're with Amy setting up Spartan," I replied with a smile.  "It was great seeing you, Clint.  Hope you'll stay and watch."

"Absolutely," Clint answered.  He nodded to Caleb and walked around my horse to find Amy.

"Alright, let's go, Caleb," I said.  I squeezed Spirit's side and pulled my reins to the left so Spirit would turn around.  Caleb walked beside me until we got to the arena.

I jumped off Spirit and hugged Caleb.  "Alright, I'll see you later, okay?" I said.

"Yeah, I'll be here," Caleb said.  He turned and went up to the bleachers.

I sighed.  "Hey, Buddy.  We're not trying to win, okay?"

"Then why are you here?" A voice asked from behind me.  Ashley Stanton stands beside her horse.  "The girl from Heartland, not trying to win.  Sounds familiar.  Actually, no it doesn't.  You know why?  Because everyone tries to win."

"This is my first contest, Ashley.  I'm not trying to win.  I'm just trying to do my best," I said.  "And it'll be great if I beat you."

"Oh, so now you are trying to win?  You know, you should go back to not trying to win, then I won't feel as bad when I actually win," Ashley said.  She chuckled and walked away to her coach.

"Don't listen to her," Amy said, rounding Spirit.  Ty followed behind her, holding Spartan's reins.  "She's always a bit cocky before winning."

"You have to beat her, Amy," I said.  "She makes me so mad."

"Chick," Ty said, putting a hand on my shoulder.  "Take a deep breath.  You'll be fine."

"Heyyyy, Hudson!" The announcements started.  "We're going to kick things off right now!  Thank you all for coming tonight!  First up, we have Spirit, rider Chick Borden, owner Heartland Ranch."

"I figured I'd do something right," I said.  I put one foot in my stirrup and swung myself on.  There were ten jumps.  The last jump I could take the long way around or make a sharp turn and gain a few seconds.

I clicked my tongue and squeezed my legs, Spirit started towards the opening gate.  Once we got to the gate, Spirit started in a trot.  Then he picked it up to a gallop.  We approached the first jump, one stride, two strides, three and jump!