Horsewoman Book 1: Best Of Equitation

Chapter 9

As I said, Nickers didn't even look at the cones as we weaved through them. Then came the plastic bag. It flapped and twisted in the wind made by a fan. Nickers shied when she passed it, then calmed down. She crossed the board in a canter. Then, while she circled a barrel, I grabbed a letter form the top, galloped, and stuffed it in a mailbox. I cleared the gate and jumps perfectly.

"In fifth place is.......Sharron Haynes on her Friesian mare, Britannica!"

"In fourth place is.......Michael Brown on his Quarter Horse gelding, Chariot!"

"In third is..........Cristal Rogers on her Arabian mare, Nickers!"

I thought we did better than that, but I was still really happy with third.

"In second is Hayley Flemsworth on her Dutch Warmblood mare, Sassypants!"

"In first and the winner of BOE Trail Course is...........Maggie Rogers on her Fjord mare, Greta!" "Go, Mom!" I screamed. I grinned and caught her eye. She winked, saying Good job, Cris. I giggled and winked back.

Next, it was time for barrel racing Map. As I laced the latigo through the holes in the girth, I noticed Jas standing in front of the stall, grinning joyfully. "Guess what, Cristal!" I've never seen Jasmine so happy. "What?" I asked. She held up a wriggling bundle. I peeked inside the fuzzy blue cloth and gasped. A baby! "You got her!" I said happily. For a long time now, Jas's family had been trying to adopt an Asian baby. She was the sweetest little thing! "What's her name?" I whispered as the baby grabbed my finger. Jas smiled. "We're still thinking about it. We have a few we like, but we're not sure." "What are your names so far?" I asked. "Carissia, Bianca, Madalyn, or Elizabeth," she replied. I grinned. "I like Carissia. But, I like Madalyn, too!" "Now you see the problem we're having!" Grinned Jas. Then I had an inspiration. "Esme," I said suddenly. Jas stopped. "Esme, huh? I LOVE it!" "I'll go tell Mom right now!" And she rushed off. I stopped tightening the throatlatch for a second to watch the pro showjumpers compete. It was awesome! Then I noticed a bunch of people crowded around someone. Their cell phone cameras flashed like a paparazzi's. When I stepped closer, I gasped when I saw who it was.

OH MY GOSH!

It was THE Fallon Taylor, with her jumping mare, Sunday Brunch, next to her. Fallon wore a tye-dye sweatshirt, and Sunday wore a matching halter. I walked bravely up to her and said, "Hi! I'm Cris and I'm your BIGGEST fan! I started barrel racing because of you!" Fallon smiled. "Well, glad I influenced somebody!" She laughed. I grinned, too. Fallon's just as funny and nice as she was on TV. I walked back to the stall with her autograph written on Map's halter in permanent marker. She autographed my Lipica hat, too.

"13 seconds flat!"

I caught my breath, exhausted. It's crazy how thirteen seconds of galloping around barrels can make you so tired -or a horse so sweaty. Map's neck felt damp when I walked her out of the arena. But as I watched a Quarter Horse bay gelding clock in a 15.23, I knew I was the winner.

Just as I thought, I got a blue. But even then, I almost got beaten! That Ryan Stevenson on his mare Criss Crossing timed a 14.12! I was scared for a moment-then relieved. When I scanned the crowd, I found my family standing opposite of the bleachers. I gasped when I saw who was with them.