There's More to Danger Than "Dangerous"

Chapter 16

      I woke up a bit after the other two and rubbed my eyes as I sat up. I looked around and saw Grace in her light blue polo. "Morning" I smiled

      "Morning" she replied, brushing her hair "would you like to help me braid my hair?"

      I nodded "ya, just let me go get dressed really fast." I got up and went to get dressed in a light purple short sleeved shirt with a horse in a side pass, with some brown riding pants. when I had finished I walked back out with a rubber band and a spray bottle. "You ready?" I asked

      "Yep, I just got all my stuff loaded into the car and now we just need the horses and your stuff." Grace replied

      "great lets get started on your hair then"

   

      When I had finished Grace's hair I went to get my stuff and Danger into the trailer. I set it in their large trailer's tack room then went out to load Danger in and closed the divider and door behind me. Hailey and I climbed into the back of Grace's mom's car.

      "Everyone ready?" her mom asks

  "Yep" Grace replied for us "now let's get going so hat I can sign Ace and I in"

We pulled into Dew Drop Equestrian Center and parked in one of the empty parking spots where Grace and I got out to unload the horses. I got Danger out first and tied him to the side.

"I need to go sign in, can you guys get my tack out and just set it next to Ace? My class starts in about 45 minutes and I still need to warm up" Grace asked after she brushed the gelding down

Hailey smiled and nodded "I got you, I can even tack her up." Grace smiled back and walked over to the sign in booth

I brushed and tacked up Danger as Hailey did the same to Ace. When we had finished we both brought them to the warm up ring as Grace started walking over. Ace was handed to his owner we mounted up and Michelle, the owner, walked up.

"Hey girls!" She said "Are you both competing today?"

I shook my head, "I am next week but right now I'm just here for one last time in the show environment before actually competing. Do you have an extra ring I can ride in?"

"Of course! And it's still kind of close to the others so he can be used to that"

"Great, Thank you so much. I'll warm up with everyone else then head to the arena"

      I walked Danger around the warm-up arena a few times before pushing him into a trot. After a few more riders left, including Grace, I cantered a few times on the rail before starting to do some lead changes through the middle. After about 3 changes each way, I went over one of the small jumps that was a cross rail about 12 inches. Danger stepped over it like it was a pole.

      I went to the 18 inch vertical and this time he jumped but with a short stride. I landed awkwardly and Danger threw in a few bucks. I finally got him calmed down after getting him back on the rail. I took him over again and this time he got a good stride and landed nicely.

      After a few more small jumps I walked to cool him down slightly so I could go watch Grace's classes.