Riding Horses With ONE DIRECTION?!

~ C H A P T E R T W E N T Y E I G H T ~

The horse reached out with his front legs, propelling with his back legs as he shot around the barrel. His mane blew in the wind, his tail intertwining. The horse shot forward, all of his might put into his stride. He galloped out of the arena, his rider sitting back to slow him down. His breath was heavy, his nostrils flaring with each outtake. The horse slowed to a steady walk, his heart racing with excitement and adrenaline. His rider patted his neck, her breath heavy. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, the world seemed at peace. There were no sounds other than the squeak of the tack and the sound of heavy breaths. 

Suddenly everything came back into the regular swing of things, and everything started to become normal. I watched as the rider patted her sweaty horse's neck, her eyes filled with the anticipation of what I was about to say.

You see, it's been a solid month since we moved in. Niall has been on a break, so he went to visit his mum. He also has been working on his new album, "On The Road Again" which is causing quite an excitement in the Directioner world. I, on the other hand, have been starting a training program where I train horses in my freetime. Currently, I am working on a barrel horse who seems to not be as fast lately.

The rider walked up to me, then dismounted her horse. She looked at me and bit her lip, nervously stroking the horse's neck. He breathed out slowly, before turning his head toward one of the fields.

"That was amazing, I don't see how you think that it is slow. You got a 16.1." I said, glancing at the horse then back at the girl. She sighed before speaking.

"We usually run 15s and sometimes the irregular 14." She said, looking down at her feet. I sighed, looking over to the forest, wishing I could ride in there. But no, I'm working with a client.

"Maybe change his diet. Have you been working him regularly?" I asked. She shook her head.

"No, school has been getting in the way of practice. I mean, he's only 5 so I don't know why he is being so slow." she said, looking back up at her horse. He nudged her, making her smile.

"Usually when you stop the schedule, or stop working them regularly, then can get a bit lazy. Start working him like you used to and he should be able to reach those incredible speeds again." I said. She smiled, then muttered a 'thank you." After patting her horse, she led him toward the wash stalls.

I turned toward the massive log house and started walking toward it. I opened the large glass doors lined with wood and entered the living room, glancing at Louis and Harry who were cuddled on the couch. Harry placed his lips on Louis' temple, making me fake gag.

"Sorry for displaying our love for each other." Louis sassily yelled, making me laugh and walk toward the open kitchen. I took a seat on one of the bar stools and grabbed a small piece of chocolate out of the bowl in front of me. It seemed as if I ate hundreds of these small pieces before Liam walked into the kitchen, opening the giant fridge. You could raise a family in that fridge, it's so big.

"Hey there stranger." I said, biting down on more chocolate. Liam fished out an apple from the fridge, then looked over at me with a smile.

"Have you seriously ate half of the bowl of chocolate I set out?" He said, his voice sounding slightly aggrivated. I smiled awkwardly, taking another bite.

"Maybe?" I said, my stomach suddenly starting to hurt. It wasn't too bad, just a slight pain. Liam made a 'tsk' noise, shaking his head as he walked out of the kitchen. After I ate an apple in attempt to decrease the calories I just took in, then walked back outside in an attempt to find Niall or Zayn. I could spot to horses and riders in the arena, so I assumed it was them. After jogging a short bit I could sit on the rail and watch as Zayn rode Midnight, his jet coloured horse, around the arena, occasionally clicking her into a slow canter. Niall rode Moon, his Blue Roan, in his Western tack. He would kiss her into a quick, swift canter once and awhile. I laughed as he slid to a stop, then turned to me, making a funny face. 

"Why don't you go get your own horse love?" Zayn called from the corner of the arena. I nodded, walking into the barn. Renegade nickered to me as I slipped on his halter, feeding him the occasional mint. He nodded his head as I scratched his sweet spot just above his withers. I heaved his saddle pad and saddle on his back, then slipping on his bridle. He chewed on the bit as I mounted him, clicking him into a walk. Renegade slightly bobbed his head to the beat of his stride, and I hummed along. I rode him into the arena then trotted over to Niall who was turning Moon in reining spins, and when he was finished he patted her on the neck. Zayn trotted over and looked at us expectantly.

"What do you say about getting the other lads and going on a trail?" He asked.

"I'd love to!" I said. Zayn smiled and clicked Midnight into a trot out of the arena and toward the house. I watched as he dismounted, leaving her to graze, and walked into the house. After a few moments he reappeared, this time with three other lads by his side. He mounted Midnight then walked back to us.

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"How about we do a lot of exploring." Niall said as he walked next to me. We started our trail ride a few moments ago, and were now in the woods. It was dense, way denser than the old forest, but I could live with it. 

"That sounds fun." Harry smiled from behind me. He was riding next to Louis, holding his hand like the idiot he was. Harry had bought a mare and sold his stallion a few days ago, due to the "difficulties of owning a stallion." He now owns a beautiful fleabitten grey Dutch Warmblood mare named Layla. Layla tossed her head, impatient to start moving faster. I laughed slightly before clicking Renegade into a fast canter, causing the other horses to throw up their heads and go along with it. 

I raced along the trails, leaving all of them behind. If I looked back I could still see them, however in some spots the three leaves and bushes blocked my view. I ran up a slight hill before kissing Renegade faster onto a steep hill. I slowed him to a trot and manuevered along the thin trail, going up the hill. I reached the top and gasped at the view around me. I could see the barn in the distance, and trees covered the forest floor. This was the only hill in sight, and I could see everything perfectly. I walked over to one spot where I could see a rather large pond in a clearing down below. The rest of the lads finally caught up with me, panting along with their heavy - breathing horses. Renegade touched Moon's neck slightly before moving his head to the side, looking away.

"This view is stunning." I said, touching Niall's hand. He smiled at me, interlocking our fingers. Harry and Louis had dismounted their horses and sat down on the ground, cuddled up next to each other. Zayn and Liam stayed on their horses, as well as Niall and I. I flickered my eyes down to the pond a few hundred feet away, and Niall smiled. When everyone was distracted, we snuck down the other side of the hill and back into the cover of the forest. 

I dismounted Renegade and tied his rein around his neck before tying that to a fallen log. This way, if he pulls, the bit won't cut his tongue in half. I took off my boots and rolled up my jeans and sat next to the water's edge, putting my feet in the water. After successfully tying Moon to the log, Niall joined me. He placed a kiss on my lips, causing a smile. The atmosphere was silent, and all you could hear was the occasional snort from the horses or the birds in the trees. Everything was peaceful, and that is exactly how I want my life to be.

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Words in this chapter: 1,465.

I promised you a long chapter, therefore I give you a long chapter.

If you think the book is getting boring please comment, I don't want this to be a run - on sort of thing.

I hope you guys have a mighty fine day!

~Potato