The Eventers

Chapter 8- Emily

Show day.

My alarm went off at 2:30 AM, just enough for me to slide on some cream coloured breeches and a stable polo shirt. Then, my stable pair of boots. I raced down to the stable, forgetting completely about breakfast. It was dark outside, but I didn't care, tripping over stones and other random things. Soon, but not soon enough, I had Bentley's halter and was leading him out of his stall. Mollie was just getting to the barn now. My aunt was going to be so mad.

I loaded Bentley up, and checked to see that all my tack was there. Soon, I was in the car, with Mollie hurrying frantically to get Gryffin in the trailer.
We were out of the drive by 2:45.

My sister insisted on stopping at Starbucks for a coffee. I got chai tea ad coffee cake. We were off again at 3:00, my aunt grumbling.

Two hours of driving, which I slept through up until 20 minutes out. I re-did my ponytail, slipped on an Ariat sweatshirt, and stepped out of the vehicle.

The show grounds were abuzz with people, trailers, and horses. I unloaded Bentley. Soon, I would be back for Bennie, my backup horse. Funny. It used to be the other way around. I walked Bentley into the large indoor stabling area, the best stalls are only for the best eventers, after all.

Mollie followed me in, we had stalls across from each other. Without a word, we brought back our backups, mine a grey pony named Bennie, who I evented with until last year until I got Bentley. Mollie had a trusty Off The Track Thoroughbred, a lanky bay named Treasure. He was her second horse, and she still owns him and rides him in some show jumping classes, even if Griff is fine.

I groomed Bentley, and put his sheet and braid hood on, then did the same for Bennie. All my tack had to get loaded out of the trailer, and put it in the tack stall. Then I saw her. Erica and her minions.

"Well, look what this year dug up! If it isn't the old nag and his trusty owner." She shook her head, as if taking pity at me. I wasn't exactly the most patient or understanding in times like this with these types.

"And look! The girl who still can't afford a decent horse!" I shot back, and Erica glared.

"Well, at least my horse isn't fifty years old." She said, and I scoffed.

"First of all, no. Second of all, I'm not showing him. I'm actually selling him. Showing my new dapple, Bentley. And at least my horse isn't underweight and abused." I replied simply, waiting for her reaction. She just stood there, face red as a tomato. And then it
started.

Erica threw the first punch, but I easily dodged, and punched her in the jaw. And then the nose. And to finish it off, I elbowed her in the stomach.

"Have fun at the show!" I said cheerily, letting her have her moment on the ground before picking herself up to go get fixed up in makeup so her bruises and blood wouldn't show.

Mollie hated it when I fought.

It really wasn't all that bad, I always won. I schooled Bennie, taking him over some small fences, only 3'0 even. My buyer was watching, and Bennie behaved very well. I patted him. The woman and her kid came up to me.

"Excellent horse! And an excellent ride! Do you mind if Matt rides him for a sec while we talk?" I dismounted and handed Matt the reins. He was about my age, maybe a bit older. He had shaggy brown hair and green eyes, and rider-tanned skin. He mounted up, and started Bennie up on the trot against the rail." So how much? Matt wants to show him today."

"I don't care how much, I will give him to you for free, but, I need to see he has a loving home, and I want to be able to come by and ride him every once in a while." I said. She nodded.

"I understand. Bennie will be very happy in our stables. Lots of grass." I laughed. Matt's mom owned a large stable, Clear Creek. "And, I will be watching your rounds with Bentley to cheer you on, of course." She gave me a warm smile. Matt was doing the course now, and he looked great. I shouted out some pointers. He took them. Bennie really him.

In the end, I sold him for $200. Not much, but I didn't care if I got anything or not. Matt looked really happy. And of course so did his mom. I hurried up to tack Bentley up to school him. Mrs. Morrison and Matt were still there when I got back, so I just worked the rail and the outside line. Bentley was perfect. Even Matt oooed and aaahed. I told them I had to go, I had cross country first. They wished me good luck. Next: up, find Mollie and get this show on the road.

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Hey to all my amazing readers!! Thanks! For everything! And I know I say it a lot, but I really really really mean it! You all are so great! Thanks for reading! And how do you all like Erica and Matt and them? Feel free to comment!