The Horse That Could Never Be Trained

Change Of Mind

Charlotte woke up in a puddle of sweat. Her pillow was creased from all the tossing and turning she had done that night. She couldn't wait anymore she had to find out her punishment. The kitchen was clear so she guessed he father had gone out to the training oval. Grabbing a piece of toast on her way out she charged across towards the training oval to see what was happening. When she got there she could already see the stress lines that dug into her fathers face. When he saw her a confused look crossed his face.d

"What's up Dad?" she asked clinging to the slightest hope he didn't know of her late night adventures.

"Your not gonna be happy about this Charlotte." He said " Somebody has been riding Hunter at night on the training oval." He looked at her suspiciously monitoring her response.

"What!" she acted shocked but it came out a bit dull. " Who do you think it is?"

"Don't know, I thought it was you at the start but I wouldn't think you would be that irresponsible right?" She could tell he didn't trust her.

A few Grooms stood around watching and listening to the conversation that was unfolding.

Charlotte decided that it was probably best she told her dad. If she didn't tell him they would be monitoring Hunter from now on anyway so she wouldn't have even the slightest chance of riding him again secretly. At least telling him she might have a chance of riding him again.

"Dad...."

Her father arched an eyebrow and looked at her awaiting a response.

"It was me." she blurted. " Dad you have to listen to me, Hunter can run like anything. He's the fastest horse I have ever ridden. He could be the fastest horse to ever live!!!" She pleaded desperately seeing the look of disappointment that crossed his face.

"You are not riding that horse ever again." He shouted at her angrily. She desperately searched his face for a chance he might change his mind but he was too angry.

"Dad please don't do this. He trusts me." She begged fat teardrops beginning to fall.

"He is a wild beast Charlotte, only my best men will ride him from now on. If you go near that horse again I can promise you will be grounded for life." With that he turned his back on her and looked back over the training oval.

It was now that she regretted telling him. She had known this was the way he would reach but she didn't think he would stop her seeing Hunter altogether. Tears began to fall like rain from her eyes and she wiped only for another to come streaming down her face. She rushed to the foaling barn to where the little orphan foal was.

Bold Crossing had died a few weeks ago and her little foal had been left to be cared after by the broodmare barns grooms. The little foal nudged at her playfully as she cried her heart out. Reaching a hand out she touched its delicate face. The chestnut pushed against it and she laughed a little when he skipped away from her.  The grooms had called the little colt Red after the deep colour of his coat.

"One day your gonna grow up to be a champion aren't you little fella" She murmured to the little colt who danced around her. The colt kept her from crying for the next few hours but after a while she knew she had to go. Charlotte was glad it was the weekend or else she didn't know what she would have done.

The next day Charlotte decided not to get out of bed. What was the point she thought. Its not like she can go see her beloved horse. There was a knock at the door and she ignored it. She was too angry at her parent to talk.  The person at the door went back down stairs and Charlotte went back to sleep. She woke up to somebody knocking at the door again.  The person opened the door and Charlotte could see it was her mother. Her mother smiled tightly and sat down on her bed beside her.

"I know your angry right now but you can at least come down and take a part in the activities on the farm." her mother told her.

" Whats the point if I can't see Hunter." she pouted, making it obvious she had not forgiven either of her parents.

"I know you think its wrong what your father has done, but its only cause he cares for you." Her mother continued.

"Well I dont want him to care about my safety in this situation. I'm the only one Hunter trusts, mum , and the only one who can actually ride him. I could make a good racehorse out of him if you and dad let me" She pleaded with her mother but she could see it was no use. Her mother had made up her mind. Once her mother left Charlotte went back to sleep.

The next morning Charlotte woke up with a pounding headache. She dragged herself down the stair and saw her parents were waiting at the table. They looked in heavy discussion. When she reached the bottom of the stairs they both looked at her and stopped talking. Her Mother patted the empty chair beside her and Charlotte cautiously sat down. Her parents didn't usually sit down beside her like this.  They must have something important to tell her.

"Me and your mother have come to an agreement about something" her father declared.

She looked at them anxiously worrying about what they might say next. What happens if they had decided to sell Hunter. She didn't know what she would do.

"We will let you ride Hunter if you obey these conditions we have set out."

"Yes I will do anything" she blurted before they could even tell her what the conditions are."

"First you must finish all you homework on Monday night. Second no more night rides and last but not least you must only ride Hunter if somebody else is watching you."

She was a bit disappointed  with the last condition but it was something she could definitely work with.

"Thank you guys" she gave them both a big hug and rushed out in a whirlwind to see Hunter.