Fate {{An Olivier Philippaerts Love Story}}

Chapter 1: Idol, Hero and Crush

C H E L S E A ' S   P O V :

My name is Chelsea. I'm a 17 year old show jumper/cross country rider from Morden in London, England. I've only recently got my horse though. Not because I never wanted my own horse but because my family didn't think they could afford to buy a horse and keep it. But after looking into everything, they realised that the stabelling wasn't actually so bad so they got me my own horse. 

My horse is an ex racer called Olympic Phantom. He's 17 hands, 5 years old and dark bay in colour with three white socks (his back left leg has no markings) and a star in the middle of his forehead that resembles a love heart. He's slowly coming back into work though due to being out in a field for so long and no exercise. I know that in the future, he'll make an excellent showjumper and cross country horse. 

It was a Tuesday and my day had just kicked off with waking up and getting dressed. I'm kind of privialiged because I was sponsered by Parlanti and that was due to my riding at my old riding school before getting Olympic and also coached by none other than John Whitaker. But Parlanti still come and watch me ride and post me up on their instagram and facebook and all that jazz. But as selfish as it sounds...I want more. Not more sponserships but more chances. To get out and about to local shows and then go international. To be an inspiration to the world and younger generation. 

But these last four weeks with Olympic have been magical so I can't complain really. I'll get my chance. But I didn't know that chance was coming sooner than I'd first thought......

O L I V I E R ' S   P O V :

I had decided that I wanted to move from Belgium to England. Just to explore some different riding areas and meet a few fans and open up lessons for those who wanted them.I'd found a nice yard in Wembley by Wembley Common and decided it would be nice to settle there for a while. 

So far the journey was going nicely. Icos hadn't played up or become stressed once so I wouldn't have to worry about any injuries being picked up. I was actually looking forwards to it. Although it would mean living in another country away from my parents and brothers, it meant I could have some freedom and independence for a while. 

We must have been about ten minutes away from the yard which was just off of a motorway when suddenly this huge 18 wheeled articulated lorry veered off of the path it was on, crumpled the metal road divider like it was paper and before I knew it, smashed right into us. And it didn't matter what dad did to avoid it, we spun out of control and landed in a ditch upright. Icos screamed from the back. I tried to get to him but the door was jammed and dad was unconscious. Black spots begun to invade my vision before I too was slipping into the darkness.......

C H E L S E A ' S   P O V :

"Chelsea we need to move now. Grab a headcollar, lead rope and horse first aid kit. We're needed at a crash and we're the closest yard to the crash. Horsebox is leaving in  minutes!" John called from the horsebox. My heart stopped as I feared horses being hurt. So I sprang into action and grabbed the said equipment before bolting into the horsebox alongside John. In under ten seconds, we were off and on our way to help out. 

As we pulled up, I saw the logo of the Philippaerts Stables on the side of a horsebox that was run into a ditch by an articulated lorry. 

"Chelsea. Grab the horse that's in the back and see to any of his injuries. I'll get the people out with the aid of emergency services." John shouted back to me as he ran towards the horsebox. I grabbed my headcollar and lead rope before  following and going to the horsebox. 

"John what horse is it?" I asked. 

"I don't know. Chilly I think. I think this is Nicola and Ludo." He responded. I ran over to him and my heart froze. 

"That's not Nicola. It's Olivier." I corrected him. 

"Right. Just get the horse out and safe." He ordered. I went round to the door and opened it cautiously. Inside and totally freaking out was Icos, my favourite showjumper. He had a small cut on his face and his back left hock was severely swollen. He had a gaping wound on the same hock. 

"Hey Icos. Steady. Whoooooah." I cooed softly to the spooked warmblood. He relaxed enough for me to change the headcollar and rope and let me get him out. He limped badly on his hock which made my heart break. He loaded quietly into our horsebox and allowed me to clean his wounds and bandage his leg before I ran back to help John. 

"How is the horse?" He asked.

"It was Icos. He has a minor cut to his face and his hock is the size of a balloon with a gash on it. I've bandaged it and loaded him inside." 

"Perfect. They're both awake now and need help getting out. There's no visible sign of injury so I'll get Ludo, you get Olivier." John said, going to Ludo's side and wrenching the door open. 

"Olivier. Try and open the door your side and I'll open from the outside." I said to him. He nodded and opened at the same time as me which freed the door and enabled me o help him out. 

"My side. I think I'm.....bleeding." He winced as he collapsed on the road. I looked down to see his left hand covered in blood and a large shard of glass wedged in his ribs. 

"Okay Olivier. Lay still. The ambulances are nearly here." I said, reaching for the equine first aid kit I had on my back. I pulled out pads and bandages, securing them around the wound so more damage wasn't created. 

"I...Icos. How.....How is he?" Olivier said quietly, his voice fading. 

"Olivier stay awake. Icos is fine. A little bump on his leg so he'll be lame for a while but he'll make a full recovery I promise. Now stay with me." I said, desperation lacing my voice. 

"You're.......you're an angel. So beau.....tiful." He gasped, fighting for air and moving some of my hair out of my face with his bloodied right hand which was also previously holding his wound. 

"That's the nicest thing someone has said to me Olivier." I said, my voice cracking. He gave a weak smile before his breathing slowed, his eyes rolled to the back of his head and then soon afterwards, stopped moving and breathing altogether.........