To Be Flying Again (completed)

Chapter Twelve

The first time is always special. This was also kinda my first time. Not first first, but still a first

For the first time since Blaze and I accident I would ride agin. I would be able to feel a horse under me.
I hadn't been able to sleep last night and that was one of the reasons I was in the stable at 9 o'clock, despite not having to meet Juan before 11 o'clock.
I went to check up on the saddle and bridle to see how it was after giving it some saddle fat yesterday. Since it had not been used for some time it was in desperate need of a caring hand. It was an old saddle, but it was in prime condition, from regular care and cleaning. Because when you don't have to money to keep buying new stuff, your only option is to take good care of what you already have. A sport is not more expensive than you make it out to be
"Already here?" I turn my head to see Carl walking inside greeting me with the tip of his hat
"Yea, couldn't really sleep, so decided to just come over" I smiled back
"Exited for the big day I see"
"You bet"  and that was probably an understatement. I was overjoyed to be able to ride again, but still a little sad since it wouldn't be Blaze. By riding another horse I would truly accept that she isn't here anymore and that I will never see her again. Of course that is how life work but i
I still thought that I would have more time with her and have more experiences together with her. But now I get to make those kind of memories together with Banshee. And I will honor Blaze and what she taught me by continuing to ride for many many years to come.
"He should be here soon to help you out. I would but I am becoming to old to train young and inexperienced horses" Carl smiled and started to get up. "But I am not to old to take care of the horses so I better get started so I will be done by lunch time"
"You do that, remember to drink lots of water so that you don't get dizzy again"
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"Hey girl, you ready for today?" I clicked the rope unto her halter so I could lead her into the stables and groom her. She had become really good at walking in a rope. She was a little uncontrollable in the beginning from the lack of experience. She was new in a lot of things, but still taking everything in a stride. She is a joy to work with, so willing to learn. Often a little cautious in the beginning, but as soon she did it once it was like she had done it all her life.
"Hey Calla, you ready for the big day." I look up form saddling Banshee, to see Juan walking towards me.
"Of course. I have been here for a couple of hours already." I finished tightening the grith. The saddle fit perfectly on Banshee as it should. I had checked that it fit, when I was getting Banshee June's to the saddle. A bad saddle fit can ruin the horses back since the pressure will be wrong and the distribution of the weight will not be even across her back.
"Couldn't sleep?" I shook my head "you are that kind of person" Juan knows me well enough to know that I am that kind of person that are unable to sleep if I am exited for something. I may get a couple of hours sleep, but know we're near what I should get. The excitement, simply kept me from sleeping. I wouldn't feel tired, it was like drinking to munch coffee before bed., it keeps a girl up.
I put on my helmet before walking out the the riding ground with Banshee and Juan.
"Make stand still before getting on, it is important that she is calm and aware that it is you getting on her" I start to line Banshee beside the little stool that was just inside of the riding ground. I talk lowly too Banshee as I make her stand beside the stool. I look over to Juan to see if she is standing correctly and is calm enough for the next step.
"It's good." Juan nod at me.
"Next step?"
"Yea, now slowly put your foot in the stirrup and lean over her, so she is able to feel you weight on her back" I do as told and slowly put more and more of my weight on her, as I slowly lean over her. I keep my gaze on her head to see her reaction. Other that a little twitching in her ear she does not react. I had practiced putting slight weight on her back from the ground, so it wouldn't be completely new for her. Banshee turns her head to look at me, with a look that say "what are you doing on my back".  I chuckle slightly at her funny expression.
"Is this fine?" I don't dare to move from my place across Banshees back at the fear of scaring her or make nervous so that she is not willing to stand still.
"It really good, now swing you other leg over, so you sit in the saddle" Juan walks over slowly and take hold of the reins, so that I don't have to Foucault on that. Juan also strokes her on her neck, to keep her calm, while I take my leg and swing it carefully over her back. I am still leaning slightly forward, with my torso on one side of her neck.
"Just like that, nice and calm" I nodded in return, while I keep looking at Banshees reaction. She takes it in a stride, not even tripping around slightly. She is still very aware and her ears keep turning towards me and toward.
"Now sit up straight, remember to keep your heels from her side." I sit up straight and make sure that my heels are nowhere near her sides. I wouldn't want to cause and "accident", by making her freak out, because I put to much pressure on her sides.
"Now, try to urge her forward" I do as Juan said, by slightly squeezing my legs against her sides to just the pressure to make her go forward. At first there are no reaction, so I do it again a little harder and banshee starts walking forward slowly, like she is unsure if it is what I want her to. I praise her, "Good girl" and scratch her on her neck.
"Good. Walk a around or so before starting to steer her slightly" I let her walk half a round without disturbing her to much, before pulling slightly on the left rein. Banshee start turning her head before she stops. I am about to kick her lightly out of habit, before Juan interrupts me.
"Remember not to force her around, but lead her. She has to turn, stop, and go of her own will" I put pressure on her sides again while keeping my grip in the left rein. This time she start walking immediately and turns to to the left. Next I make her turn right, and this time she does stop.
"Isn't she amazing? She just have to try it once and she's got it" it has been a long time since I have smiled this big,
"She is, she is going to be a really good and reliable horse after some training" I stop Banshee when I reach Juan. He gives her a good scratch on her neck, before continuing.
"Try to get her into a light trot. Keep the rains a little longer that normal, so you don't have to big of a pressure in her mouth"
I turn her out to the fence, so that I can follow it around the riding ground. I put pressure on her sides to make her transition into a trot. At first she seems like she don't know what to do, but I squeeze my legs again and she starts out in a mix between walk and trot, before trotting slowly along side the fence. My smile has not left my face. I didn't know that I would miss riding so much. And Banshee is an amazing horse to ride.
It was not perfect yet. It was no finished project, there would still be a long journey, before start competitions, but I am ready for that journey alongside Banshee and Juan. And the most important thing was that I was happy and I couldn't ask for more.
I will never forget blaze. For she was my first and my dearest. But I knew that I would never give up this feeling again. For finally I was free again. Finally I was flying again. Not flying by jumping but still flying and that for now was enough for me.

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Last chapter of to be flying again is finally finish. And it only took me forever. Now I know this book I not fantastic in any was. But me being , and not good at finishing anything that will take me more that and evening, I am quite proud of my first finish book.
I hope that someday I can pull myself together of edit this book so it may suck a little less that it does now.