Horses In My Heart

Teagan and Me

I slipped into my cream jhodpurs and pulled my long blonde hair into a ponytail, then stuffed it into a hairnet. Taking a deep breathe I looked into the bathroom mirror and buttoned up my pin striped navy blue show jacket.

"Arrie! You're going to be late! You havn't even braided Teagan yet!" said a voice coming from downstairs.

I splashed my face with some cool water then rushed downstairs. "I'm going to get Teagan ready mum!" I shouted and ran across the yard.

I sprinted by the paddocks which were full of sleek high strung Thoroughbreds. My parents owned a private racing stable. I loved horses but had no interest in racing, so when my parents decided they were going to sell one of the spirited yearlings that didn't show promise on the track, I jumped at the chance. I had been watching horses in training since I was two. I had had no problem getting the high strung filly broken with the help of a professional show jumping trainer. Tee was an amazing jumper and at four and a half I had decided she was ready for her first show. Teagan was my horse, my success and she loved me and I loved her. She had been eager and willing to learn. Whenever we rode together and jumped in sync I could tell she was happy, jumping was her only passion as well as mine.

I ran into the stable and shouted "Tee!" a grey sculptured head threw itself over the stall door. I walked over to her stall and fed her a carrot. "Hey girly, how are you?" I whispered in her ear. She nickered to me as I clipped a lead rope to her leather halter and led her out of her stall, then clipped her into the cross ties. I grabbed my grooming kit and braiding kit from the tack room and immediatly got to work. I curried her from head to toe and curried extra hard on her withers. Teagan streched out her neck in pleasure and sighed, cocking her back hoof contentedly. Teagan being a dappled grey, like all greys seemed to take forever to get clean. But once I was done and I had sprayed her coat with whitener she looked amazing.

I opened my braiding kit ang grabbed the bag of white bands plus my comb. First I combed her mane then I parted it, braiding and balling each section perfectly. I stepped around to her rear and french braided her tail. When I was done I stepped back to admire my handywork. "Beautiful, Tee, you look beautiful" I said lovingly. Teagan threw her head side to side as if in agreement.

I put her fitted blanket on her and wrapped her tail, making sure that my braids couldn't be ruined when my naughty girl decided to roll in her fresh shavings.

I kissed Tee good bye one last time then ran back to the house. I opened the door and yelled "Mom! Tee's done! Could you help me load her into the trailer?"

"Sure I'll get your dad" my mom said and walked upstairs to get him from his office. While she was gone I collected all my things for the show, my grooming kit, braiding kit, horse treats, people treats, lunch money, my jumping saddle, bridle and my boots. Then I loaded everything into the trailer, smiling happily all the way. My dad came round with my mum in a couple minutes. My mum was leading Teagan who was booted up for the long ride. I took the lead rope from her and walked Tee up the ramp when my mom opened the gate. Teagan snorted uncertaintly, she hated trailers, but she trusted me. She gave a little rear and I yanked firmly on the lead rope "quit it!" I said calmly but firmly. Teagan snorted but loaded the rest of the way. I strapped the rear latch closed and then put up the ramp and door. Mom opened the car door for me and I hopped in.

"Excited?" Dad said smiling ammusedly.

"You don't know" I said grinning. I had been working towards this day since I was about 10 and Teagan was an unruly yearling filly. Now I am 13 and Teagan is a mature, high strung 4 almost 5 year old. Finally I could show off the 3 years of my life spent turning her into a perfect show jumper, I was more than excited. I was estatic.

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