There's More to Danger Than "Dangerous"

Chapter 17

      I smiled as Grace and Ace went over the last jump in the last class. Ace scrapped the pole, but luckily it didn't fall. They closed with a circle and exited the arena.

      "Great job you two" I said and Hailey nodded and smiled. "I bet you'll place fairly high"

      "Thanks, I don't know about that but I do know that Ace deserves some treats and a nice break"

      We all laughed as the announcer called the riders back to the ring. "I'll see you after the awards, I really want to get Danger into that extra arena without taking too much of your time"

      "You don't have to feel like that but if you really want to you can, see you later."

      I nodded and walked Danger over to the arena and found a mounting block. I let him walk around on the rail for a bit then pushed him into higher gaits. There were a few jumps set up that were about 2'. I've had him close to 2' but not super close. I took a deep breath, "ok boy, we can do this."

      I pushed him into a canter and led him to the first jump, a purple and white vertical. As Danger got closer I started counting in my head, 'one, two, one two',and I lifted out of the saddle into my two-point, waiting for his buck he usually threw over a new height; but it never came. I let out a small sigh of relief and pushed him to the next one, and pastel green and yellow jump, he went over with ease.

      Finally we headed to the last jump, a red and blue oxer. I pushed Danger on just a bit to make sure he got over it but when he did, I knew he wouldn't have needed it. Danger jumped over it with enough scope to clear a 3' oxer.

     "Good boy!" I praised happily as we slowed to a trot around the rail. I heard a few people clapping from the side. I looked up and saw Michelle, Grace, and Hailey.

      "That was amazing, Belle! you two are become such a great team"

       "Thanks that means a lot, I'm guessing that after our first show, we can move up to a 2' eventer class"

       This time Michelle answered, "You two would definitely place really high once he gets used to the show environment."

       "I'm thinking the same thing, I cant wait to take him to higher levels and push mine and his highest jumps and scores."

       "well I think he also deserves a few treats when you get home" Hailey jumped in "Speaking of which, Grace's mom is waiting for us so we can all leave"

      "Oh ya, sorry about that" I said dismounting and leading Danger out of the arena, "I'll go untack him so we  can leave"