Sorrel Hill: The E.V.E.R. Tournament |COMPLETED| (BK1)

Chapter Five

  (That was Jack rearing)

Friends show their love in times of trouble, not happiness - Euripides

_____________________________________________

             ~The New Girl~

 

  I woke up the next day feeling sore, but not as sore as yesterday. I had gotten a small breakfast of oatmeal and almonds. Not my favorite but I didn't protect to the cooks. I did however laugh a little at all the smiling faces that said thank you to the cooks, but once they turned around their faces were green.

  That was probably the highlight of my morning. Now I was brushing off Jack for the lesson in a few minutes. They had told us not to tack up, sadly that could only lead to one thing... bareback. I was a little tense thinking about how yesterday turned out. I didn't want to not show up thought, then I would be portrayed as a quitter or a wimp.

  Jack had already picked up on how I was feeling and was being very sweet. Seeing that I was nervous, he had immediately nuzzled me when he saw me come into the stall. His coat captured the stable lights as they danced on his chestnut shine. Turns out the shiner spray I have been applying really does work!

  I finished grooming him, then French braided his tail, and waterfall braided his mane. He looked very stunning, to top it off I slipped on a fancy black leather halter. "There you go Jack, you are gonna be a jaw dropper!" I patted his shoulder making his muscles move.

  Hannah grabbed Remy from his stall and I joined her with Jack. "Whoa you fancied him up today." She raised an eyebrow impressed. I smiled and we walked them out to see Emily and Ben waited with Dreamer and Star. "Wow! He's fantabulous!!" Emily squeaked. "Now that's what I call a f-i-n-e horse," Ben smirked, stretching out the fine.

  We lead our horses to the arena to find May awaiting the other riders arrivals. She whistled at Jack and I smiled. After a few minutes the others arrived and we began the session. Everyone was mounted and currently walked around the arena. Jack and I were much better balanced with each other than yesterday.

  I was still nervous but I had to do this! We were riding behind all the jumpers, as we all walked out of the arena. May took Jack's lead, leading our section. The others followed us to a flat pen by barn eight. It was just the ten of us, all of us equally confused.

  May let Jack's lead drop and turned to face us. "Today we are not going to be barebacking. Neither of you are prepared for it. Today will be about strengthening your bond between you and your teammate. We'll start by lunging," she instructed. We all dismounted, I walked Jack over to a corner.

  His ears forward and his breathing rapid, very alert. I gained his attention and swung the lead rope, he responded immediately and began to walk. He was very light to pressure, therefore lunging wasn't a problem for us. As I was lunging Jack I happened to glance back and see a silvery stallion stirring up dust.

  There was an older gentleman standing outside the rails which held the stallion, watching. I peered harder, there was also a young girl in the pen. She was trying to touch the stallion, but he simply galloped away. I didn't understand why she was trying to touch him, when he was clearly unstable and dangerous.

  Jack seemed to be focusing his interest over there as well, eyeing something else though. I followed his gaze to the black Hanoverian I had seen the snobby girl lead in. Surly that couldn't be her with the stallion... could it? Jack and I both kept a close eye on the sticky situation over there, while continuing the exercise.