Emily's POV
(Year later)
"Come on boy, let's go," I said to Dusty. He went around the last barrel and sprinted across the finish line. I slowed him to a trot and heard a round of applause.
"And that was Emily Matthews riding Dusty, from Dreamside Ranch. Finally, we have Henry Yi, riding Dash from Orchard Stables." The announcer said. I walked Dusty out of the ring. I saw Henry walking out.
"Nice job." He said, high-fiving me as we went past each other.
"Good luck," I said to him. Then I heard galloping. I got off of Dusty and walked him to the stable area. I untacked him and brushed him down.
"Not bad for a first-timer." I heard Tony say.
"You shouldn't be talking, you don't even ride," I said. He took a bucket and held it out for Dusty. Dusty started eating.
"What, did you have him race in the Kentucky Derby?" He asked. I laughed.
"No, we competed," I said. The announcer came back on. "In fifth place, we have Emily Matthews from Dreamside Ranch." He said. I tuned out the rest of the names. I saw Dusty look at me.
"Didn't you hear? You got fifth place, overall." Tony shouted. Dad walked in. I was playing with my necklace. It was mom's before she had died. Now it's my good luck charm.
"She would've been proud of you," Dad said. I nodded and went to get my reward. I was standing next to the podium, holding my small trophy. I smiled, as pictures were being taken. The winner was a girl name, Maria. Her horse was a brown and black Pinto stallion named Brownie. I was tired of all the pictures, so I made my way through the crowd of people, into the barn where dad, Tony, and Dusty were.
"Let's go home," I said. Dad handed me Dusty's lead rope and I walked him outside, into the trailer. I tied him up and sat on the cold metal. Dad handed me my backpack and the video camera.
"Watch the videos. Have fun in there." He said and closed the door. I looked to Dusty.
"Should we watch the videos?" I asked him. He snorted. I put the video camera in my backpack. "I don't think Maria should've won. I mean, I'm pretty sure she bribed someone into her winning. Like, she made two mistakes in barrel racing, she was bucked off within a second. The only thing she did good, was on the lasso and those miscellaneous events." I stated. Dusty nodded in agreement. He then lay down and rested his head on the floor. I walked over to him and rested against his stomach. "We deserve a rest. I mean we worked really hard." I said. Then my eyes got heavy, and I fell asleep.
------
Dusty's POV
"So, how were junior nationals?" India asked me when I got back. We walked into the pasture and rested on the ground. She leaned into me, resting her head on my neck.
"It was interesting. I only wish you were there, and my family could've seen me." I said.
"I'm sure it was fun. And I'm sure that your family would've been proud of you." She said.
"So, did you miss me while I was gone?" I asked her. I knew the answer.
"Yes, I did. Hey, remember that boy Emily met at the carnival? The one who you ran off." She asked. I remember that. I hated it.
"Yep," I said.
"He came by. He wanted to see if Emily remembered him, but since you guys were at nationals, he looked disappointed." She said. He's one of the few boys I approve of, There's Tony, him, and Max. I don't approve of Ben and Mark. Ben, you know why. Mark, he's annoying.
"Let's get inside," I said.
"Wait," India said. I looked at her.
"What?" I asked. She waited, and waited. What the hell is she waiting for.
"Happy anniversary Dusty." She said, then got up and walked into the barn. I was confused for a moment, then I got up and trotted after her.
