Destiny

Chapter 20

A/N

For anyone who doesn't know, I started a wattpad account with @that_shark_girl and we just released the first chapter of our new book. (Which I wrote!) The account is @Horses_Sharks . Please go check it out! :)

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Destiny's hooves rhythmical pound the arena dirt as she jogs in a smooth circle. I sit atop her back, barely moving as her long strides carry us across the arena. With just a slight pull of the reins, Destiny halts, throwing me slightly forward in the saddle.

"Good girl" I say as I rub her neck. 

It has been a month since she has thrown me. She doesn't shy away from the bridle anymore. She now comes to the fence when i call and eagerly waits for me.

I tap my heels to Destiny's sides and she takes off in a lope. Human and horse tear around the arena in a mad dash as her lope flattens into a gallop. I almost fall off as she swerves past on corner but i hold my balance using the saddle horn.

Destiny slows down to a jog. She is breathing heavily from the run and I let her walk. We circle the arena as Destiny tries to catch her breath.

I sit in the saddle and let the sun warm my face and the wind blow through my hair. Gradually, Destinys breathing returns to normal. 

With one hand, I grab the saddle horn and with the other I grab the reins. In one fluid motion i swing my right leg over the saddle and dismount, stumbling a little when i hit the ground.

I grasp the reins in my right hand and then have the excess rein coiled in my left. I give Destinys bridle a jerk and she starts to follow me as i walk to the fence gate.

i tie her reins loosely around the fence and then go to grab the three barrels lined up  on the arena fence. I use my shoulder to push all the barrels over and roll them through the arena dirt. The barrels are set up in a clover leaf pattern or a barrel pattern once i finsh rolling them into place.

Destiny is waiting patiently with her eyes closed and her hind foot cocked in a relaxed position. I grab the reins and saddle horn in one hand and put my left foot in the stirrup and let my right leg swing over the saddle and settle in the right stirrup.

"This is the last thing we're doing today" I tell Destiny and then I use the neck reining techquine to guide her away from the fence.

I settle Destiny into position and stare at the barrels, assessing them careful. Then i nudge Destiny  into a gallop and direct her towards the first barrel. I get to close and her right shoulder knocks it and it tumbles into the arena dirt.

The second barrel shudders as my leg brushes by it but it stays in place as we dash for the third and final barrel.

Destiny turns smoothly but I begin losing my balance. Using all my strength, i hold the saddle horn and focus on Destinys ears as she runs for home, her pace quickening with each stride. We make it through the imaginary gate and Destiny is breathing heavily again.

I let her walk in circles as one thought kept replaying in my mind. 'that was my first barrel run since Hershey died and i had just realized how much I missed it.