The Eventers

Chapter 6- Emily

Bentley was pulling at my hands. Again. This always happens right before a show. I tried to relax, and slow him with my hands and seat. He pulled harder, and I circled. My sister was watching me, analyzing everything. I couldn't even hear the voice of my aunt. Bentley yanked me around, and I did my best to hold fast. I was going over the jumps the best I could, trying to keep myself from being thrown from the saddle.

Eventually, I got him under some control. He cantered around, and we did a course pretty well. My aunt wasn't too pleased, but she was happy nothing was broken. I was going around the course once more. He seemed happy, getting perfect strides along the first line. The second line I felt him moving faster, so I sat and gave a small half halt. He took it well, and we soared above the oxer, jumping the liverpool easily. He got all of the flying changes, and was an overall perfect boy! I patted him.

Next up: Mollie's turn. She led Gryffindor to the first jump, and perched perfectly on top of his back. He turned, his strides flowing, and got a perfect lead change. I patted Bentley.

"Amazing Mollie! Very very good!" My aunt commented. "Okay, Emily, go again!" I sighed. "The course is as follows: oxer to the single, five strides, left turn, simple lead change, brush box. Then slow to a trot, and trot in canter out the oxer the the liverpool line in three strides! Ready?" I nodded. This sounded so, so, so fun.

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Bentley lurched forward unevenly from the walk into the canter. I patted him, breathing deeply. We took the oxer well, Chipping in slightly. I pushed him forward, and we got the five effortlessly, soaring over the vertical with ease. Upon landing, Bentley bucked, and I chuckled.

"Don't get too full of yourself silly boy." I cooed, turning him. After my cues, he slowed to the trot, went across the diagonal, and then went straight back into the canter. I patted him, then looked at the 2'9 brush box. Easy. He jumped it, a little too bouncy, and had trouble slowing to the trot. But he did as I asked, and transitioned into a beautiful extended trot. I guided him to the oxer, and he jumped in, feeling my cues to go into the canter. When we landed, he sprung forward in a collected-extended canter, and got the three with a small chip. We took the liverpool well, he jumped perfectly, but I had to scramble slightly with the reins. My sister flashed me a smile as she passed me.

"Very nice Emily! Could have used a little more pace to the first and last jump, and what was wrong with the downward transition to the trot from the brush box?" She asked me, and I thought for a second before answering.

"Well, Bentley took the jump and was kind of bouncy before and after, so I sat harder, which made the transition a little harder so it was late." I said, reaching down and patting Bentley's neck. "Good boy, I cooed." Bentley gave a small rear. I laughed. I knew I wasn't in any danger, so it was a light matter for me.

"And humble too!" Mollie added, laughing.

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Hey guys! Thanks so much for reading, and I'm sorry I didn't write for such a long time! I was traveling for the holidays, and I had no wifi for part of the trip. :( So here it is! I apologize for the shortness of it!! School projects have taken complete control of my entire life!! Thanks again for all the support! XOXO

And the video, again not mine, is a video of a wonderful rider and trainer showing at the American Quarter Horse Association's World Show. ;)