Madison v.s The Horse Thief

Chapter Eight: Lesson Number One: Alex Bruno Doesn't Ride With The Junior Team

The rest of the meeting just was about how the SEC's usual farrier is retiring and we all had to write down when our horses' hooves and teeth next need doing. Luckily Virgo's teeth are done next in December and he doesn't need new shoes until March. Embarrassingly though Antonio introduced me to the supportive group of amazing riders but my nerves could hardly handle it. Everyone welcomed me except Alex who seemed to be more interested in how his chair was made. I want to know more about him and see if there are any other sides to Alex other than moody. The best way to find that out is to ask Bishop and Sarah who seem to know a lot about the stable gossip.

Together we walk out of the meeting room, with me sandwiched in between them, to get ready for our lesson. They walk me up towards the end of the stable, probably where their horses stay while I still don't know where my chocolate head is.

"Hey, guys?" I ask, interrupting a conversation about how Tegan Smith tried to make a move on Bishop, "About Alex."

Bishop lets out a groan.

"I have the feeling that's how a lot of people feel about him," I laugh.

Bishop nods while Sarah sighs. "What do you want to know about him?"

"Is he always so... angry?"

Sarah laughs. "Yep. He's just salty."

"More than salty," Bishop corrects, holding my arm so I stop walking. "He is full of himself. He does whatever he wants whenever he wants and says whatever he wants. He doesn't care about anyone else apart from himself, the weirdo."

"Bishop, don't say that. That's rude," Sarah scolds. "But you have a point."

I want to ask if they think it started because of his mum's death but I don't. That is probably insensitive.

Bishop rolls his eyes and keeps walking. "Sarah, he won't even ride with us ."

I look at Sarah. "Whoa, wait. He doesn't ride with the Junior Competition Team?"

Sarah pulls an awkward face. "Technically he is meant to, he's our age but he usually rides with the Seniors. Antonio doesn't tell him no because he wants to make Alex happy. Alex can do it anyway, he is a better rider than most of the Senior Competition Team and I think finds it offensive that Antonio hasn't put him officially on their team yet."

"Is Alex actually that good?"

Sarah snorts before walking off. "If you're asking that then you haven't seen Alex ride."

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"Thanks for showing me where Virgo is," I say to Justin, as we approach stall 45.

"No worries, Miss Maddie," Justin says. "I'm just so happy you made the team. Us hard workers need to stick together."

I can't help but smile at Justin. He's so comfortable to be around and has been such a help. He dips his hat at me before walking off. I lean into Virgo's new stall. He's slowly chewing at his hay net with a white and blue cotton rug on. When he finally notices me he knickers softly and walks over so I can pat his neck. 

"Good to see you too, boy," I say feeding him a carrot. "Did you have a good first night?"

Virgo lifts his top lip up, almost like he is saying yes.

I take his halter off the front of the wooden door and slide in with Virgo. He lets me fasten it to him quickly before I open the door wide and we walk out. Virgo's new stall may be at the very end of the stable but it is next to the cross tie bays. I attach a set to his halter and he stands still like a good boy.