Bonds of Blood |A Heartland Fanfic

Chapter Twenty Two

She glanced at her phone again, she had less than an hour before she had to be on the road and Georgie was due any minute. Lisa needed to decide about the time trial and fill out the forms if they were going to do it.

While she knew Georgie would have hopes of winning it, she wanted to use it as a gauge. Changing Diamond's course seemed to force the young mare to focus but the real test was a competition. Diamond could jump, both free and under saddle; but she was completely green and that could be dangerous.

The paperwork was on her desk and she'd had Mike set up a course, close to full height and at about the level of difficulty that they'd see in competition; the horse was ready as well. She would submit the paperwork later tonight if they were going to do; but she needed to see Georgie run the course first.

Georgie came flying down the stairs, helmet under her arm as she tugged on her gloves. "Hold up, Diamond is in here."

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry I'm late." Georgie glanced over her shoulder and Lisa lifted her eyes to find Lou standing on the stairs; she forced a smile.

"It's fine." She wasn't going to get into it with Lou here, not in her place; certainly not in her place of work. "She's warmed up, I want you to do as much warm up as you want and then take the course; pick your pattern. Do a couple circles then take her through a different route."

Georgie nodded and crossed to take Diamond's reins, Mike gave her a leg up and Lisa leaned on the boards to watch the teen circle the mare as Lou joined her at the side, there was tension creeping up her spine but realistically she did need to discuss the time trial with Lou. "How would you feel if Georgie entered a time trial? Riders go individually, its just like show jumping except the course is set up differently."

There were few other differences, the course would be a little more spread out, riders could choose to shave off tenths of a second in a few places; but those short cuts could pose big risks. Designed to test the speed and agility, there was usually good prize money attached to the top spots. And riders who placed well could continue the circuit to earn a spot in the more exclusive events later in the year. She wasn't aiming for one of those spots but would not turn it down; if Diamond placed well it was something to consider for the future.

"That should be fine, I'm still not sure about jockeying." Lou agreed, watching as her daughter brought the mare out of a circle and into the first jump; popping over cleanly.

They were getting smoother as a team each time they trained, Diamond was learning to listen and trust her rider. Georgie wasn't afraid to go fast, and the horse had a big stride; if anything she needed to be held back a little.

"I think the time trials will distract her for awhile. I'll take care of the paperwork." She glanced at her phone, Georgie had done that course quickly, but Lisa wanted her to get comfortable before she timed a round; she could only stay a little longer.

Georgie circled the mare and started on the jump she had just finished, smart, doing the course backwards made Diamond think; it pushed Georgie too. Mike moved over, asking if they could up it again, impatient as he saw the same potential she did; but she had seen the teenager pushed to hard before. They made the round clear and Mike moved in to raise a few jumps, working them up to competition height; perhaps a little slower than he would have liked.

"I'm going to time you this round." She had looked up last years scores; they would be hard to beat.

Her focus stayed on Georgie, Diamond went high over the jumps that had been adjusted but the teenager was getting used to that habit. They flew between the fences, as though the horse understood she was being timed. It was promising, with more training they certainly had potential, the event coming up could be their trial run. She held the time up for Georgie to see before sliding her purse into her bag and turning away; now to drive for an hour.