The Gifted Progam (Feel frre to tell me what you Think)

[Starwalker123]

This Is Where I Will Be Keep My Story The Gifted Program. Feel free to tell me what you think and make critiques. Please Don't Steal it,,
Summary
The Summary Will Go Here When I Get The Chance
The Chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3,4,5
Chapter 6

[Starwalker123]

Chapter One Welcome To HoneyBlaze (April)
April stood in Egypt’s stall, the sky was still dark. Her blue eye’s still held sleep and her brawn hair was a tangle in its ponytail. The 15 hand tall chestnut gelding with his narrow blaze and 4 white feet was her best pal along with Turner. The Night Turns To Day or Turner, the 16.2 hand jet black warmblood lived to work with her. In just an hour they would be headed to HoneyBlaze Manor’s Gifted Program. The horse’s sheets, halters and new things in the HoneyBlaze color’s of red, orange, and yellow had arrived the week before. They had fit wonderfully. The halters where a mix of all the color’s and they looked grand on Egypt’s chestnut head.
April feed Egypt a carrot the gelding took it softly off her hand. Then she slipped the halter with the name plate on it reading Egypt’s Pharaoh over his head then clipped on the orange lead rope. April led him pasted Turner’s stall and into the cross ties next the tack room. Then she walked in to the tack room her red blankets lay folded neatly on the rack. She had loaded her stuff the night before.
She gathered Egypt’s blanket. They had words in black on them the horses show name and HoneyBlaze Manor. April walked back out the where her horse stood patiently waiting for her. She tossed the blanket over his back. She walked around moving it then did up the strap’s. April then hurried to Turner’s stall. The massive gelding hung his head over the half door.
“Hello Handsome.” She called at she reached the stall.
April rubbed Turner’s great head then she slipped easily into the stall she had already gotten his halter. She slipped it up over his head then gave him his carrot. She led him out into the cross ties on the other side off the tack room. April walked faster into the tack room gathering Turner’s larger blanket. Then she walked back the ties swiftly blanketing her black horse. April turned when she hurried foot step’s behind her.
“Are you ready to go?” The man standing at the end of the hall called.
“Off course Uncle Jack.” She called back.
Uncle Jack came to stand with her. He stood on her right watching Turner.
“I’m going to miss you squirt.” A horse neighed in the stalls. “So is Ruby…. “
“She’ll miss Turner and Egypt more. “ She laughed .
“Have you said good-bye to the other horses? And your friends?” Jack Said.
“No to either, Parker and Cassie are biking over they should be here soon.” She said.
“You won’t leave without saying good-bye would you?” A boy spoke entering the barn followed by girl.
The twins had been April’s best friends since she came to live with her uncle when she was 10. She would miss them a lot. They also kept their horses at her uncle’s. They had mixed breed mares blue roans Misty and Wave.
“No way.” She answered turning to her friends.
“Good.” Cassie said.
“The horses are next.” April said.
She then headed down to the first stall the large bay horse in it nickered a greeting. Ruby Tuesday or Ruby was her uncle’s mare. She ran a hand over her head.
“Good-Bye Ruby.” She whispered.
The she stepped to the next stall, a blue roan stood there. She was Cassie’s mare.
“Good-Bye Misty.” She said loudly the mare had some hearing loss.
In the next stall stood the second blue mare Parker’s Wave.
“Good-bye Wave.. Be nice to Ruby and Flynn.”
The she walked to the last stall on that said next to the cross ties. A dun horse stood in the stall he had a narrow blaze and shoulder stripes. The two year old was April’s pet it hurt to leave him at home. He was also part way the twins which is way he wasn’t coming along. They had used their money the three of them to buy him when he was a weanling. They had given him the show name Fly Free. April entered the stall this time and hugged the horse around his neck.
“Sweet Flynn.. I’m going to miss you, Fly Free while I’m away always Fly Free.” She kissed his neck.
“Are you sure Flynn shouldn’t go with you.” Parker asked.
“No Cassie and you paid for most of him. He should stay.”
She went out of the stall and over to the other side of the barn with its 5 stalls and set of cross ties. She stopped at the first stall the leopard appy gelding hung his head out. His owner went to April’s school and was a year younger than April and the twin’s.
“ Now be good Thor.” This was a horse known for acting up.
The on to the next stall a mare lay curled with a foal both where duns.
“Goldy, take care of Little Man for me.”
The two golden horse’s where her uncle’s. Then there was an empty stall in the next stall a Clydesdale gelding waited. He belong to another of the kids in April’s class.
“Be good now Tennessee take care of your owner.” She ran a hand over his nose and gave him a carrot.
April stepped to the last stall the red roan pony slept there. The mare woke when she heard them and came to the door. The mare was maybe 11 hands. April opened the stall door softly and stepped inside to see the pony. The little horse nuzzled her hands until she offered a carrot. The mare lipped it up quickly. The mare was old but didn’t look it she had been given to April. April was just 10 then. They mare was broke to drive and know many tricks.
“Good-bye Little Strawberry…..” She hugged her old friend. “Your leaser will take good care of you.”
The girl that had her care was 8 and went to school at their school. April kissed the pony softly on the forehead.
“Take care of her too. “ She was sad to say good-bye to her friendly pony the old mare could die when she was away.
April stepped from the stall to join her friends. The she led the way to the ties.
“Cassie, can you take Egypt for me. My tack and stuff in already loaded.” April said as she unhooked Turner from the ties.
Cassie unhooked Egypt and ran a hand along his forehead. Then April led the way out into the weak sun that was just coming up. The trailer stood nearby and two bikes on a rack on the red barns edge. The nearby ring was white fenced. The ramp on the trailer is down. April quick loaded Turner on to the trailer tying him in with a quick release knot. The Cassie did the same with Egypt. The Parker closed the ramp and doors. The kids stood in a circle with uncle Jack.
“Its about time to hit that road.” Jack said
“Call, Text, Email.” Cassie said.
“I will don’t worry.” April sighed.
“You’d better.” Parker nodded.
“You guy’s take care of the horse okay..” April felt like staying now.
“We will.” Parker nodded.
“Be safe.’ Cassie said.
“I’m going to miss you guys..” April said.
“I know but you’re going to a Gifted Program. You’ll have fun.” Cassie said.
April wanted to prolong leaving. This was her life why would she have ever wanted to go. She was nervous what if she had the worst horses or couldn’t make any friends. April had always been good at making friends.
“Hugs.” She grabbed Cassie into a hug.
The two girls embraced deeply then April turned to Parker. She grabbed him into a hug.
“Get off.” He pushed her playfully.
April pushed him back.
“I’m going to miss you.” Parker said.
“Me too.” April nodded.
“Its 7:30 we’d better get a move on.” Uncle Jack called he had gotten in the blue pickup track.
“Call me.” Cassie said.
“I will.” With that April went to the passenger door and got in.
Jack fired up the engine with a roar. April called back to her waving friend s as they started off then she turned to watch the road. She got out her paper’s form a bag at her feet. The she started to read over all the info.
“Are you ok kid.” Her uncle asked worriedly.
“I’m sort of nervous. What if no one likes me or my horses?”
“They will don’t worry.”
“Are you sure?” April questioned.
“I’m sure, your easy to like and your horses are handsome.” Jack sounded sure.
“Thanks for letting me go.”
“You need this Kid… You really do.”
“Take good care of the horses for me.”
“I will, don’t worry between everyone it will all get done.”
“Don’t forget.” She started to say.
“I’ve got it. You left lists.” Jack cut in.
“I know its just I’m going to miss them.”
“You can come home on breaks and stuff can’t you.”
“Yes… I suppose.”
“Then it shouldn’t be long tell you can visit.”
“But I’ll training hard.” April said.
“You’ll make us proud kid. I know you will. You can always call home if you need too.”
“I know. I’ll be riding with some of the world’s best riders.”
“Your parent’s would be proud.”
“Yes, they would.” April turned to wipe away a tear.
The radio played an old country song as the traveled down the back roads to the main highway. April watched the horses in felid near the road mares with foals playing. When they turned on to the highway April check the trailer camera.
“How do they look?” Her uncle asked .
“They look fine.” She responded.
Then her phone’s text tone went off she fished it out. April wiped her finger across the screen to open it. The text was from her trainer Amber it read sorry I could be there to see you off, ride well, I’m going to miss you kid, text or call if you need me, Good Luck. She texted back carefully thanks and I’ll be back to visit.
“Who was that?”
“ Amber wishing me good luck.” April replied.
“Oh Ok.” Jack said
April smiled Amber had been her trainer for 6 years now. They had seen some ruff places, worked through a lot of problems. Amber was like a second mom and Rushwind farm’s where she lived a second home. She’d miss trailering over with Parker and Cassie for lessons in the summer. She’d miss riding greenies for Amber in the winter. She would miss baking cookie’s when she fell off a young horse in the sand schooling ring. Nova, Superstar, Ranger, Alder, Twister, Diva and Samsung the greenie’s she had rode. Nova and Diva where still living at Rushwind. The rest had been sold to other farms. Celtic Knot or Knot, Bear, Passion, Rose and Swifter the horse’s of RushWind. Knot was Amber’s eventer a big gray gelding. Bear, the large bay thoroughbred, a lesson horse. Passion, Swifter’s mom, a red and white paint, also a lesson horse. Then Rose, the palomino, a lesson horse. Swifter the baby of the family a 2 year old Thoroughbred Paint cross. He was black and white in color.
The road was now the highway as they traveled on. In just two hours April would be a HoneyBlaze. Her hands held the phone. She opened her Facebook. Nothing really new then she saw a notification. She opened it the picture that appear there was older but she smiled at the text on it. Cassie had posted it to her wall. Cassie, Parker and Her, 11 years old with their ponies. Manes braided standing in line bareback horses soaked in salt water and waves crashing behind them. The text read No Matter Where You Go And What Choices You Make Your Our Best Friend. She clicked like the typed a comment Thanks Cass.
Then a new notice appear form Parker. April hits it and a video appears. She hits start in the back ground play’s the song You’ve Got a friend In Me form toy story play’s. The words role across her screen You’ve been our friend for 6 years maybe 7. That’s not changing. Just where you are. Then one of the first pictures of them a class photo appears. April starts to cry a little. The next picture is a funny one Strawberry is biting Parker’s hair. Then next picture has all three kids on ponies riding a lesson at RushWind. Then it’s the beach picture one she knows her uncle took.
The song starts to change to Lean On Me. Then more words role on. It’s been a good ride; we’ve had our share of ups and downs. The next picture shows then about 12 a sweet white pony lying down with then against it. That was the only picture of the kids with her looking good. They had saved the little mare’s life Snowflake. She had lived for just three months after getting healthy. Then the next picture shows a leggy horse a bay Brilliant is written on the bottom. When they were 13, just before Egypt, Wave and Misty came around, they had all paid for a lease on this guy and a sorrel mare. A picture comes up of a sorrel mare , Brady’s Red Fire it reads, or Brandy.
Then there was words and a new song We’re Only Human. The words read We got our first big horses days apart you first with your beloved Egypt. The next picture was taken by Parker the day Egypt came home. She sat high in the saddle cantering around the ring. Then the next Picture appears each kid on their horse. Parker on Wave on one side, April in the center and Cassie on the other. The next picture is Pairs at a show Cassie and Parker and April with a girl she know with a chestnut Arab. Then the next a picture of then jumping a fence together on the cross-country course at RushWind.
The more words and a new song Tell I See You Again. We have come a long way. We will miss you April, Tell we ride again. The next picture is April on Turner leaping a fence. The a show ribbon picture taken the last year she is holding her horses lead Parker and Wave are on her left next to Egypt and Cassie and Misty are next to Turner. The next picture was of the three of them galloping across the field at her uncles, her leading with Parker close behind and Cassie trialing. Then the next picture is the horses grazing in the pasture. Then appears a picture of the three of them with Flynn just after he arrived at her uncle’s. Then a picture of Flynn and them last year. Then a picture of all the horse at her uncle’s lined up on the fence. Then the words again role We will miss you. Ride Will. Then the video stops April smiled at Parker’s video and Cassie’s picture.
“My friends are so good.”
“Why?” he uncles asked.
“Watch the video Parker made on Facebook.” She smiled deeply.
“I will.” Her uncle answered.
The trip was going by faster than April had thought it would. He fear was dying by the mile. She soon had drifted off to sleep. She still held the phone in her hands. She dreamed of riding her horse’s at their new home.

[Starwalker123]

Chapter Two Good Morning Horses(Jack)
Jack walked into the barn at 6:30 a.m he know it was new rider day. He also knew that meant that ring time would be limited so he was up early to ride and work with his assigned horses. He had yet to shower and his brown hair was a mess. His hazel eyes where bright. The stableboy’s had been up at 6 to feed so the horses where mostly done. He went to the tack room first to gather Shut Up And Dance or Dancer’s halter and lead. The leggy three year old needed lunged she had been his first year foal. The Appendix Quarter Horse filly was a pet.
Jack slipped into Dancer’s stall the slate gray filly dozed standing up. When he entered she turned her boldly blazed face to him. Jack slide the halter over her soft head. Then he heard footsteps the rest of the rider’s where getting up. He cross tied her in her stall and then hurried to gather his grooming kit. He dropped it in the stall and hurriedly started to bush her down.
Jack led Dancer out of the barn to the white fenced round pen. He saw someone in the second round pen at work with an assigned horse. He unhaltered Dancer inside the gate and picked a whip off the rack near the gate. Jack walked to the center of the ring still watching Dancer.
“Get up.. Walk.” He ordered.
When Dancer didn’t obey he snaked the whip out. Dancer took one step then a second then stopped. He again spoke and snaked the whip. The mare started to walk now the hesitation was gone from her steps.
“Trot…” Jack called snaking the whip.
The mare stepped up the pace to a trot as she had been taught to do. Jack let her trot a few quick laps.
“Canter.” He called snaking the whip.
In the other round pen someone did the same. It was normal for there to be both round pens full at this hour of the day. In fact on normal days sometimes by 6 the round pens where full. They had gotten off at 8 a.m Friday with no real work tell Monday this weekend. Sunday, today, was new kid’s day, a few of the older riders would act as guides and when all the new rider’s had arrived there would be a demo time, Q and A, and welcome in the main large arena .
Dancer cantered boldly. Her long legged stride’s made the other rider’s jealous. She had the talent for a future in the Show Jumping ring with her rider. This filly had stolen Jack’s heart.
“Halt.” He called.
Dancer slide to a stop her eyes locked on her rider. Jack nodded and pointed a hand. The filly turned around and started to walk.
“Now Canter.” He yelled and snaked the whip.
The filly leaped off long legs pounding up the sand. Her canter stride ate up ground. Jack watched his pretty filly run. Jack nodded his head.
“Halt.” He called out.
She slide to a stop calmly. Jack made a hand sign. Dancer walked over to him then he slide back on her halter. Jack led Dancer back to the barn her passed a few riders and was sure to call out a greeting. Abigail one of the third year western rider’s past him leading her blue roan three year old Roper. Jack took off Dancer’s halter in her stall. He would turn her and the rest of his horses out after they had worked.
Jack walked down the aisle glancing at the clock 6: 50. Now more rider’s had arrived there was calls of greeting, saddle’s being carried to stalls. Jack walked to the tack room and gathered Dutch Day’s or DD’s tack from the rack. The black dressage saddle and dressage bridle this time. Then he headed to his stall next to Dancer he put the saddle on the door and laid the bridle over top of it. Then he gathered his grooming kit from Dancer’s stall.
DD’s dark bay head flow over the stall door when he saw Jack. He first thing most noticed about the dark horse was on his forehead was a carrot shaped marking. The big bay Dutch Warmblood and Jack had been a team since Jack was 15 a year before he came to HoneyBlaze. For three years the now 9 year old horse and his now 18 year old rider had awed the judge’s on the Jumping circuit. DD was strong in his from in dressage and over fences.
Jack wiggled into the stall around the massive gelding he was 17.0 hands tall. He asked him to lower his head so he could place on his halter. Then he clipped on the ties. Jack stepped out of the stall and gathered his grooming kit and a stepstool. Then Jack placed the stepstool on the horse’s right side. He brushed the horse’s side and neck with firm sweeps. The he did the same on the left side. Jack grabbed the orange dressage pad. He placed it slowly on DD’s back then the saddle. He tight the saddle just so it would stay on when he lead him to the ring. The he slipped on the bridle slowly.
Jack took the reins and led DD out of the barn. He searched around the rings to find an empty one or one where the other Show Jumping rider’s where at. Jack didn’t see them maybe they had gone out to the far felid to school. He saw that the smallest ring was open so he headed that way. When Jack reached the ring he opened the gate. The sheep grazed in the temporary fence to one side of the outer fence of the ring.
Jack led DD into the ring and over to the mounting block. Jack stepped on the blue mounting block and swung into DD’s saddle. He sat tall and held the rein’s the way he had been taught. At an almost not there signal the two stepped out into a walk. Jack asked DD to tuck his head he did.
“Atta Boy.” Jack rubbed the tall horse’s shoulder.
Jack let DD walk a few laps on loose rein to warm up. After the lap’s Jack gathered the reins and asked DD to collect up. When DD had done so Jack asked for a raising trot the horse trotted quickly. Jack rose in time with the large animal’s gaits. After 4 laps Jack turned and did the same the other way. Then he turned around again. The sun was growing warmer as Jack halted. He looked at his watch almost 7:50.
“Let’s do some lead changes then we can call it a day big man.” Jack said.
Jack asked, squeezing and kissing, DD to canter. The large horse broke into that four beat gait with its powerful strides. The he asked for the change DD was quick to respond. Then they counter cantered to the short side of the ring on the short side Jack asked again. DD did a flying lead change. Then they did the same around the ring for three laps. Then they did the same the other way. Jack let DD walk after that tell he was cool and his breath calm.
Jack led DD past the other rings and up to the barn at 8:00. He led him into the stall and untacked him. Jack left him in the ties when he put away the tack. Then he went to work currying down the large bay gelding. When that was done Jack left the horse in his stall. Jack put away the grooming kit.
Then he headed to his mare It Takes One To Know One or Celeste’s stall to check on her. The liver chestnut Arab x Morgan was sleeping. Jack was careful to not wake his 15.0 hand friend. She would need her energy for the demo’s later. They would ride in a pairs jumping demo the Show Jumper’s where doing.
Then Jack headed out of the rider’s horse barn across the gravel to the weanling barn. That barn was a buzz too a little farther down the path the mare and foal barn was quieter. Then even father the rescue barn was calm then the greenie barn was a little louder. The most horses assigned right now live in the greenie and weanling barn. Father down in the stable horse barn it was a little noisy he know.
Jack slipped into the front door of the stable. In the barn nearest the door were the oldest weanlings somewhere close to yearling age father back where the youngest somewhere barely 4 months old. The youngest had been weaned early based on size and so on. Jack had recently gotten a new weanling but he had been around her ever since she was foaled. Her mom was his rescue horse the blue roan and white Knoll. Jack walked to the far back stall on the right side. The bay filly was all legs stretched out on the stall floor in the straw.
“Ninja.” He called out.
The filly sat up and tucked her long legs up under her. She was big for 4 months old with a pony sized mom. Jack unhooked her halter off the bar in front of her stall. The he stepped into the stall. He rubbed the foal’s neck when she stood up. The he slipped on her halter it was the same as the halter’s the personal horses wore. He grooming bag hung on the rack. He led her out of the stall and grabbed the bag he lead her out the back door of the barn. He led her to the wash rack and tied her up there. This way Jack and Ninja could soak up sun. He started to curry the filly off.
“atta girl Ninja.” He praised the small horse for standing.
Jack led Ninja into her stall after her grooming was over. Then he headed to the rescue barn in a jog to see Knoll. They were also in a demo so her work could wait but she needed groomed. There Demo was a liberty training demo. Jack stopped at her stall and saw the pony sized mare chewing on some hay. Little 13 hand Knoll never let her size get her down when she was turned out she bossed the bigger mares. Jack got her grooming kit from the rescue tack room.
Jack stepped into Knoll’s stall with the little mare. She had come so far in the past 8 months and was almost ready to find a forever home. Jack dreaded being called into the office and told his mare had been placed just like Jinx before her. His other assigned horses had been greenies that he had trained and felt no real bond with. Jinx had been his first rescue a little blue gray mare she had been blind. Jack and Jinx the two had gone together. Now she lived at a local children’s home with kids to love her. Knoll had come in pregnant and head shy, thin too, mostly wild. You’d never know that now. Knoll’s history was lost until she was picked up running down a street in town. Knoll was even getting over her fear of cars.
Jack rubbed Knoll’s ear her favorite place to be rubbed. The he started to brush her. The little mare leaned into him as he worked. Jack worked currying then using the other brush on her tell she shined. Then Jack started to put her thick long mane into running braids. It took some time and when Jack looked up it was close to 8:45. Then Jack braided her tail it took a little less time.
Jack set the grooming kit in its place then headed to the weanling barn to turn Ninja out. Ninja, went out with foals that where close in age and size to her. Jack slide into the stall and haltered her. Then he opened the door to lead her out. Jack led her outside and down to the pasture. He spotted the other foals grazing a little way off. Jack slipped the halter off inside the gate.
“Go Get Them.” He said.
Ninja trotted of nickering to her pasture mates. Then she broke into a canter across the grass. Jack heard the gate squeak open as he watched his filly with the other foals.
“Good morning Jack.” Someone called.
Jack turned it was a western third year Abigail. He know her better than some of the western riders to be sure since they were both third years. He watched her take off the palomino paint foals halter and lead. The colt flow off the join the other horses.
“Be good Raider.” She called after the colt.
“Good Morning.” Jack spoke now.
“How are you today?” She asked as the two left the felid.
“Good. Where you off too?” He asked
“Main Barn to turn out Roper.” She said.
“Same here to turn out Dancer and DD.” He said.
Then two kid’s headed for the main barn. Abigail and Jack matched pace.
“Whisky’s been running good lately. Roper should be under saddle here soon. How is your training going?” She asked
“DD’s been fine, Celeste will she’s herself, and Dancer will be riding maybe by the end of July. “ He said
“What Demo’s are you with? They asked me to run Whiskey in barrels.”
“Pair’s Jumping on Celeste and liberty with Knoll.”
“Awesome.” She answered .
They reached the barn about then.
“See you later.” Jack said
“Okay.” She nodded and headed off to get her horse.
Jack hurried off to Dancer’s stall. He had left her halter on her stall door so he could move her outdoors. He grabbed the halter and went into the stall. The horse greeted him by nuzzleing his pockets.
“I don’t have anything right now Dance but I’ll bring you something later my pet.” He said as he put on her halter.
Jack led Dancer down the path to the pasture she shared with the other young personal horses. Abigail was just closing the gate and her blue roan colt was trotting off to meet the other horses. Jack led Dancer to the gate; Abigail saw him and opened it. Jack led Dancer out into the felid then removed the halter. Then Jack thanked Abigail and headed back up to the barn.
Jack went in to DD’s stall. The large bay nuzzled his hands and neck, and then snorted. Jack haltered the large horse after cueing his head down.
“Good Boy.” Jack said.
Jack led his large bay horse out of the barn many other riders where doing the same. He spotted the Head Trainer Logan leading dappled blue gray Indigo Skies or Indigo into a single horse pasture closer to the barns and his Show Jumper friends with their horses. Jack opened the gate to the felid DD shared with a few of the other Show Jumper geldings. DD dropped his head so Jack could take off the halter. When Jack did so DD stormed off to join the others.

[Starwalker123]

Chapter Three Good I Wish They’d Call(Levi)
Levi hadn’t heard from his folk’s since the end of his first year at HoneyBlaze almost eight years ago. His mom had pretty much said they were proud in the letter. Two notes and a letter that’s all he’s gotten even that first. So Levi kept waiting for something. Not even his little sister Taya or younger brother Matt had called. How odd he thought to himself over and over. No wedding invite from his older sister Kara. It was like his family had dropped off the face off the planet or forgotten him. He hoped when he won money all over the states they saw him and where proud.
Levi’s alarm went gone off at 5:00 a.m he’d been up and he was up ready 30 minutes later. Levi wandered down to breakfast where he met a few other riders’. The early food was set out in a breakfast bar. Levi grabbed a spare apple and tucked it in his pocket the other he took a bit out off as he headed out the door.
Levi often got up to ride early on weekend and holidays. He wasn’t much for people this day’s since his family stopped writing and calling. He reached the barn and pulled open the door the first rider to arrive. The groom’s would be around shortly to feed and do the other chores. They had an understanding about Letter’s feed leave it in his stall and he’d get it when he was brought back.
The 16.2 hand black and white paint gelding Two Note’s And A Letter aka Letter, nickered when he saw his boy coming. He had been Levi’s first rescue a thin shadow of a horse. Levi had seen his greatness. Now the boy and the horse had been together since Levi’s came to HoneyBlaze. Levi did extra chores to pay to adopt him. 24 ½ year old Levi and 12 year old Letter had many good years’ ahead.
“Good Morning My Handsome Boy.” Levi crooned to his horse.
Levi reached the stall door the large horse was hanging his head over it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wrapped candy. Levi used his teeth to open the wrapper the smell of peppermint wafted up into his nose. Letter heard the wrapper and pricked his ears at Levi.
“Is this what you wanted?” He spoke to the horse.
The gelding nickered his response. Levi offered up the mint over the stall door the big horse vacuumed it off his hand. Levi smiled at his big friend.
“I knew it you are only in it for the candy.” Levi grinned at his horse
It was true that the big horse was only in it for candy. Letter love all sorts of hard candy. Levi loved it too thankful so he could be counted out to carry some around. Both Levi and Letter loved peppermints and Rootbeer Barrel’s most of all. Levi had taken to caring two pockets full instead of one.
The horse nodded his spotted head. This big horse seemed to read Levi’s mind almost. They had a strong bond. So strong Levi feared becoming ill or traveling because Letter would pin for his boy.
“Ready to run.” Levi’s blue eyes met Letter’s right blue eye and left brown eye when he said this.
The gelding nickered when Levi said this. Levi ran a hand in this black hair it was getting a little long. Then Levi hurried off the tack room to get his saddle, bridle, halter, lead and grooming kit. Levi still saw the day he came to HoneyBlaze. He’d been catch riding, but he had his own saddle, the same Crate’s Barrel saddle he now used on Letter. He had never had his own horse. When they had led him into the stable horse barn and he had met Big Ben, his whole life changed. The dun Quarter Horse had taught him so much in the two years he had leased him. Big Ben is still living at HoneyBlaze and is a barn favorite for his loving personality. Big Ben had recently turned 16. Levi often went to visit Big Ben and talk to him, being sure to bring his favorite treat a juicy carrot out of the Manor Garden’s.
Levi hung the bridle over the saddle as well as the halter. He carried the saddle back and put it on the stall door. Then Levi went back for the brush bag when returned he entered the stall with it setting it on the floor. Levi gathered the halter and lead. The black and white head went down quickly. Levi slowly haltered the horse. Levi moved Letter into place then grabbed one of the cross ties. Letter stood still tell Levi clipped it in place then reached for Levi’s pocket. All Levi heard was a ripping sound, he turned around quickly. Letter had the outside of his pocket.
“Bad Horse….Stop it.” Levi barked out taking the pocket away from Letter.
Levi placed the square of fabric in his pocket thankful Letter hadn’t ripped his jeans. Levi grabbed the other tie and clipped it onto Letter’s halter. Then he got out a face brush and started on the horses face. When the face was done Levi moved on to the right side. The left when that was done. Levi took the bridle off the saddle laying it over the door. Then he took the red, orange and yellow saddle pad and placed it onto Letter’s back. Then came the saddle and last the bridle. When the bit was in his month Letter was all work.
Levi led Letter past the grooms out of the barn. He led him down to the ring where the barrel’s where set up. Levi closed the gate when they had entered the ring. Then Levi swung up onto Letter’s back. He made the horse turn his head left and right before letting him stride out on the rail. Levi let Letter have the all rein he wanted. The horse was calm yet ready to do as asked. Levi warmed up slowly even before he raced at events. After a few minutes Levi gathered the reins and asked Letter to trot. The gelding tossed his head in a showy prance gait.
“Calm Down.” Levi laughed
The big horse steadied into the bridle dropping his head down. Levi loosed the reins some more when he did. The big horse jogged head down and tucked now, calming down rather easily. After a few minutes at a steady pace Levi tightened the reins.
“Go For It.” Someone called off the fence the 5th year Reiner Winston.
“Would you set the timer?” Levi called
“Sure.” Winston headed for the shed when those things where kept.
Levi asked his horse for a slow lope on the rail. The horse was happy to leave the trot behind. The horse’s easy gait was one of the nice things about him. Levi watched Winston set up the timers as the loped around the ring then over to the gate. The halted to wait as Winston left the ring.
“Thanks.” Levi called after him.
“No Problem.” Winston called back as he walked away.
Levi circled his horse in a canter before heading for the barrels. The horse pulled at the reins.
“Not yet.” Levi whispered.
The horse steadied out. Levi reined around the first barrel, loosening the reins after it. Letter felt the reins go out and picked up the pace. They flashed close to the barrel the around it to the final barrel. Spinning around the barrel Levi give him the last of the rein. A black and white flash they slide past the timer. Levi sat hard in the saddle and tightened the reins. The horse stopped on a dime. Levi ground tied him and went to the timer. It read a little over 15 seconds not bad for the slow start. A 13 to 15 was normal on this pattern. He reset the timer.
Levi remounted and loped a circle. Boy and horse looked like one being. Levi let him go under the timer’s they swept. They ran whipping around the first barrel then the second. Levi rode in harmony with his mount. 4 strides they were to the barrel. Levi turned Letter hard around it flying for home. Letter put on more speed a black and white blur. Levi pulled back on the reins and circled the horse after the timers.
“Good work.” A male voice called.
Levi looked at the rail when Letter halted. Matt Theory or Matt as he was called, the gaming trainer waved with his left arm. The right sleeve of the long sleeve shirt was empty.
“Letter’s looking good today. “ Matt said when he turned.
“Feel’s awesome, back in top form and shape.” Levi rode to the fence.
In a race four months earlier Letter had came up lame. Levi had been nursing the horse slowly back to work. After a two month layoff for most of January and February he was finely getting back to speed.
“Good Good, Are you still riding Big Ben for the demo?” Matt asked.
“Yes…. You asked me too didn’t you?” Levi said.
“Yes. You better get Letter cool and go see your other horses.” Matt smiled.
“Okay…. See you at the barns.” Levi said.
“Bye.” Matt said as he walked away.
Levi let the large horse walk stretching as he went. Levi thought about something as he cooled down Letter, his first ride on a barrel horse when he was 8 years old. He had ridden all his life but that was the day barrels and him got started. He was with his family for a horse for his big sister Kara. When they went to a barn to try a horse out he met a golden dun gelding named Sandman. Sandman wasn’t big and he wasn’t small he was just the right size not for Kara but for Levi. He was also for sale but the only problem was Sandman was a top level trained barrel. He somehow talked the owner and his parent’s into a test ride. It was love at first flight so it was that Levi got his Sandman.
When Letter was cool to the touch Levi got off and led him back to the barn. More people where waking up now he know. It was 6:45am by now. Levi untacked the horse quickly. Levi placed the tack back on its racks in the tack room then put away the grooming kit. By the time it was 7am Levi was headed to the next barn. He entered the greenie barn and headed down the stalls to one near the end.
Levi saw the red roan horses head before the gelding saw him. The horse was Zero To Hero or Hero, a 5 year old red roan Quarter Horse gelding. The gaming trainer had seen him and made it possible for Levi to work with him. This gelding was bred for speed. In the past year he had been started under saddle in all gaits, trial rode and Levi was now starting to pattern him.
Levi took Hero’s brushes into the stall with him after greeting the red horse. Hero had the day off today so he would brush him and get him turned out. Hero nuzzled Levi in the shoulder. Levi placed a mint in his up turned hand.
“Here you go.” He spoke to the horse.
The horse slowly took the mint out of his hand. Levi ran a hand over the horse’s legs. Levi got a brush and started on the right side. Levi took his time brushing Hero until each side was clean. Then Levi picked the horse feet out. The red roan gelding stood calmly for all of it. Then Levi put on the halter and lead.
“Hero, Are you ready to go out?” He asked the horse.
The horse nickered an answer. Levi opened the door slowly so Hero wouldn’t try to bolt past him. The he led him out of the barn. When they reached an empty felid Levi halter the horse at his side. He opened the gate slowly letting Hero smell it. Levi lead Hero out and remove the halter.
“Go Ahead.” Levi spoke out loud to the horse.
The horse cantered off the stopped and turned to watch him to him. Levi then headed up to the weanling barn to see Trickster. The leopard appaloosa was just 6 months old and was tall next to some off the other foals.
Levi went to Trickster’s stall in was one of the first ones. The foal was sleeping when he opened the door. Levi took the halter and lead into the stall. He haltered the colt and lead him out into the sun. The colt balked at a noise in the door way.
“Easy Boy.” Levi rubbed the colt’s shoulder.
Then the two walked on down to a small ring near the foal barn. Levi led the colt around the ring at a walk and trot with halts mixed in for good measure. The colt stayed at his shoulder the whole time. After 20 minutes Levi halted the foal.
“That’s a good boy.” He petted the colts head with those words,
The Levi led the colt to the pasture. Once inside the gate Levi let the colt go. The colt spun and went to join the other foal that was turned out already. After closing the gate Levi started to walk back up to the house.
Chapter Four Lesson In Life(Sam)
Sam brushed her blond hair in her mirror, the mirror was a body length mirror left behind by her last roommate. Its golden frame was etched with horses. Her hazel eyes studied her own looks in the mirror. She had put on her faded blue jeans, purple western shirt, and orange and brown cowboy boots.
She looked around hanging up on the bored next to mare where horse pictures. There was at least one of every horse she had ridden. In the center of the bored where pictures of the two she had now as well as her greenie and foal.
Sam’s side was the window side of the room the rest of the room was empty. The bed was made up with a blanket in the farm color’s her Aunt had made for her. Two pillows one orange and one red at the head of the bed. The chest of drawers and night stand where painted in the colors too as well as the lamp.
Sam put the hair brush in the bath room in the draw marked Sam. The drawer was mark on a wipe off plate. The towel drawer was shared and the sink. There was also a shower and a toilet. Sam checked the same was erased off the other drawer fully.
Then Sam walked over the widow and looked out. She could see the barns and fields down the hill. A few of the rider’s where already visible out in the dew covered grass. Sam crossed the room and opened the door out into the hallway. She walked to the end of the hall and down the stairs. She headed down the hallway to the cafeteria for breakfast.
“Good morning Sam.” A second year English rider Andrea called when she came in.
“Morning.” She said back.
At a table near the wall sat the members of the western flat team. Cody was stacking jam packets, James and Hannah where talking about horse bloodlines. James and Cody are the red haired brother’s form Texas. Hannah was a fifth year and the senior member of the team.
“Good morning guys.” Sam said sitting down next Hannah and opposite from Cody.
“Morning, Sam.” Hannah said when she sat down.
“What the plan for today?” Cody asked the girl’s when he halted the stacking.
“Max said we would have the day off.” Hannah said.
Sam nodded her head. Maxwell Tylers or Max was their trainer as well as a former rider here. He had a bay gelding named Super.
“Its new rider day…. I wonder if we get someone.” James said.
“I haven’t heard and Max would have let us know so we could be down in the barns.” Sam said.
“We should go for a trail ride.” Hannah smiled at them.
“Let’s.” The other said all at once.
“I’ll ride Ike, Miss needs the day off.” Sam said.
“Okay, we can work with our assigned when we get back.” Hannah said checking the time.
“All right.” James said getting up to leave.
Sam grabbed an apple as they headed out the door. Hannah and Sam led the way followed by the boys. They walked down the slow at a rather steady pace. When the group got to the base of the hill, the four riders walked side by side. They made their way to the barn to gather the horses.
Sam and the group split up at the door. She head first to her mare’s stall to let her out to graze. The sign on the door read Mysteries Of Murder. A brown and white head popped over the door when she heard her rider’s footsteps. Her black spot under her chin was one of many.
“Good morning Miss.” Sam said hurrying onto the tack room where she gathered Miss’s halter.
Sam entered the stall slowly. She ran her hands over the horse carefully to check for anything strange. Sam slipped the halter over the tri-color mare’s head. The lead her outside to the felid the 5 horses on the team shared. It was empty at this point. Sam opened the gate into the large area and led Miss in. She slides the halter off the mare slowly leaving the led rope held around her neck. Sam turned Miss to face the gate to the pen then let loss the led. The mare stood still until Sam was out and headed back to the barn.
Sam walked into the tack room space that was labeled Mike And Ike. She gathered his tack and grooming stuff and carried it back to his stall. The golden dun Quarter Horse was dozing. When she set the stuff on the door he jumped a little then went back to sleep. Ike was laidback and calm. Sam pulled open the door. Ike raised opened first one sleepy eye then the other.
Sam put on the halter slowly then did it up tightly. She moved him then put the ties on his halter. Sam then got out a bristle brush the take off the worst of the dirt. She brushed in hard strokes along his body in a steady rhyme first one side then the other side.
Sam laid the orange pad on the horses back slowly. She then lifted the heavy saddle into place. She cinched up the saddle easily and then went to the front of the stall. She slide the bit into his month and did up the bridle.
She lead him to where the other’s where outside. There was Cody with his grulla mustang gelding Prince of Pride or Pride, James with his dun mustang mare Splashing In The River or Splash and Lastly was Hannah with her sorrel Quarter Horse One Shot At A Time or Shooter.
“Where are we headed so I can write it on the ride bored?” Hannah asked.
The ride bored was a white bored where riders put where they were going on trail rides. The time out and time they hoped to be back by where also marked down. A trainer was put in charge of checking the bored each day.
“Pond Loop.” James and Cody said at the same time.
“That’s fine with me and Ike.” Sam said when they had spoken.
Hannah drop reined her horse and went to the bored. She checked her watch and put down the needed info. Then walked over and mounted her horse. Sam checked her tack once more before she mounted up. James and Cody where up before Sam.
“Who is leading out?” Sam asked.
“I will.” Hannah answered.
Hannah rode off she led the way. Cody and James came next then Sam. Sam sat deep in the saddle and held the reins in one hand. She was riding less formal than in the ring but still the right way. Ike had a big step and he used to keep up with the others. Sam smiled as they rode past the foals and their dam’s in the felid. Mare’s of every size and shape with foal’s of all types. After a short ride they entered the woods.
“Who wants’ to led?” Hannah asked stopping.
“I will.” Sam answered riding Ike to the front of line.
After the change in order they rode on down tell it forked the start of the loop. Ike was calm under his rider. Sam listened to the birds and the insects.
“Sam, let’s pick up the pace.” Cody called out.
“Okay, Everyone one ready?” Sam called out.
“Ready.” Her three friends called back.
Sam squeezed her legs around the horse and made a small sound. The horse leaped off in a ring horse trot slow and calm. Sam gave him more head and he picked up speed. The other horse’s trotted after them along the path single file now. The wind rushed by in cool waves.
Ike’s feet touched the sand path the where close to the pond now. Sam could see it sparkling there. Sam regathered the reins. She sat deep in the saddle to slow the horse to a calming walk. The other’s did the same. Sam rubbed the gelding shoulder slowly.
“That was awesome.” Cody laughed.
“Yes it was.” Hannah said from her place at the rear of the group.
“Someone else can lead now.” Sam said walking Ike over to Shooter’s side.
Cody rode Pride to the front of the group, James put Splash behind him and the girl’s brought up the rear. They rode along the shore and back into the woods. After a little bit of ridding the came to a wide meadow winch then returned to the forest. It was a favorite of the rider’s for picnics and gallops. When they rode here they often raced.
“Let’s race.” James said.
“Sure.” Hannah and Cody called at the same time.
“Let’s.” Sam said well naturedly.
The two Mustangs’s had their match in Shooter and Ike. Shooter was racing bred back a few generations and Ike was a real speedster when asked to be. They line up on the wide path beaten in by years of running horses.
“On Your Marks Get Set.” Cody said getting ready.
“Go.” James yelled.
Sam leaned up over the horse neck. With a kick and a kiss they were flying up over the meadow. Ike and Shooter matching stride for stride. In the led was Pride running his heart out. It was a quarter mile across that meadow. Sam saw it form the corner of her eye James and Splash flying up to overtake.
“Go Get Them Ike.” She whispered.
The big dun put on more speed leaving Shooter in the dust. Ike came closer to pride the they where around them and closer to home. Sam took away a little of his head to save his speed. Shooter came up fast behind them Pride still held second. The it was over Sam pulled up and turned the horse to wait. First came Hannah and Shooter, then came Cody on Pride and last was James on Splash.
“Nice Ride Sam.” Cody said.
“Thanks’.” She answered.
“I’ll Led.” James said.
James led the way back down the trial. Cody rode with Sam in the middle and Hannah brought up the rear. The horse’s heavy breathing calmed as they walked the wooded path. Sam was deep in thought about her parents. They were getting older now.
Sam’s thought’s now turned to her assigned horse’s. Sam’s greenie was Soul Sister or Soul a 4 year old sorrel Quarter Horse. The mare was flighty and spooky. Sam had not gotten on her and she had had her since the fall. The mare’s despooking was taking time. Then there was Alpha Zone aka Alpha, an 8 month old chestnut Quarter Horse. This colt had been weaned at 7 months. This sweet guy was Reiner bred and not normally Sam’s type. Alpha had Sam’s number however.
The group rode along the path slowly. They had all morning to work with their other horses. They rode between the field and to the barn. Sam got off before the other had. Sam led Ike to his stall slowly around a number of other riders.
Sam took off the tack in the space near the stall. The she haltered Ike. Sam left the tack on the stall and led Ike back to the wash rack. She tied him with his led to the wash rack. Sam turned on the hose and held it over his shoulders. The water ran lazily in rivers over the horse as Sam moved the hose.
After Sam had hosed down Ike she grabbed a towel to rub him down. Once he was dry she led him to the pasture with Miss, Pride, Splash and Shooter. Sam hurried to the foal barn now. There were people in her way and she had to slow her walk to avoid hinting anyone.
Sam slipped into the colt’s stall. Alpha was sleeping so she was as quit as a mouse. She sat down near the colt to watch him. Fuzzy chestnut side rose and fell in a calming pattern. Sam started to hum a song slowly. Then she slipped back out of the stall. She would come back later rather than wake the sleeping foal.
Sam walked into the greenie barn, there was a lot of people around. Not the best for working with Soul. The mare needed out still at least turned out in the pasture. If Sam could even get her to led some day’s even that challenged them. Sam reached the stall, the mare hide in the back corner.
“Hi Soul.” Sam gently whispered.
The mare moved her ear’s a little trod Sam’s voice.
“Ready to go out… My pretty girl.” Sam talked to her as she entered the stall slowly.
Sam kept talking as she haltered the mare. Sam led her form the stall still talking. When Sam and Soul got outside the mare started getting visibly calmer and started to loosen up. Sam still talked as the moved to a small private field. Sam tried to stay positive she wasn’t the worst she had seen. The mare’s shyness was worse some day’s than others.
“Okay, Halt.” Sam spoke in her soft voice.
The mare halted and tensed up.
“It’s been the same gate since you came here. It’s okay.” Sam rubbed her shoulder in slow circles.
The filly relaxed so they could move on into the field. Sam led her lap stopping and going around the field. When the mare tense Sam rubbed her shoulder. Then Sam slipped off the halter and let her go in the field. Sam went back to the foal barn. This time Alpha nickered a greeting.
“Good Morning, Little Man.” Sam said taking his halter off the bar.
Sam opened the door and entered the stall. She hugged the large colts neck the frustrations of working Soul leaving her. The colt was good for that. Sam wiggled the Alpha’s halter on.
“Let’s go.” She said
The two left the stall side by side. Alpha had no fear at all. Sam picked up the walking pace a little. They walked down to a field.
“Halt.” Sam said at the gate.
The colt halted will. Sam pulled open the gate and led the colt inside. Sam pulled off the halter and headed up to the house.
Chapter Five Get Ready (April)
“Get Up Get Ready.” Jack said as he shook April awake.
“Wait we are here? Why didn’t you wake me sooner uncle?” April asked as she blinked her blue eyes sleepy.
“Yes, we are look out your window. You needed the rest.” Jake said matter of factly.
“Fine than Uncle.” She sassed him.
They drove into the gate in to rolling felids. As they drove on they could see woods and barns in the distance. April got more and more worried the closer they got. Her hands shook and she was restless.
“Calm Down.” Her Uncle Jack ordered her.
“I can’t.” she said worriedly.
“Think about riding.” Jack said in a calm manner, “That always helps you calm down.”
“Okay.” She said thinking about riding.
They drove down the field lined drive way. On one side where pastures and rings on the other
cross-country jumps. Sam saw a row of barns. Excitement danced in her heart and head. Soon she would be riding out here. The side where the barn’s and pasture’s where ended in a forest as did the other side.
“It’s wonderful.” April was beaming now.
“Alright Kid.” Jack said truing into a parking lot.
Sam jumped out of the truck looking around. She saw the house on the hill paths led to it and the barns and pastures. The parking lot was near the woods. A strawberry blond lady was standing near the gate out of the parking lot. Other trailer’s where pulling in at the same time teens where getting out and walking over to the lady. Sam walked over to the lady with the other teens.
“I’m Emma Blair but you can call me Emma, I train the Show Jumpers and the Show Jumping potion of Three Day Eventing. “ She said to the gathered group, “I’m going to pass around the sign in sheet.”
A Clipboard started to make its way around to gathered teens. When it reached her she neatly signed by her name. Her hand writing was neat unlike her best friends.
“First things first you can put away horses and take your stuff to your rooms in the house. Then head down to the main arena and take a seat.”
April smiled at the word’s the woman spoke. Her uncle was already leading the horse’s out and tying them to the side of the trailer. April left the group and headed to the trailer.
“We can take the horse’s to their stall’s and find my room.”
“Okay. I’ll take Egypt you can grab Turner. “Jack said.
“Okay then.” April said as she walked over to her horse.
April untied Turner he was pretty calm for him. The massive 16.3 hand gelding looked around as April led him over to her uncle and Egypt. Then April led the way past Emma and into the gate on to a path. Emma watched April led Turner up the path. April reached the barn labeled Riding Horse’s the door was open and the barn was a buzz. A black haired lady stood in the doorway. She walked over to April.
“I’m Trinity Bellwood or Trinity, I train all cross country. I’ll show you your stalls. What’s your name?” She said.
“April Hillborn, 3-Day Eventer.” April said as she looked around.
“I look forward to having you in my lesson’s April.” She said happily.
“I look forward to your lesson’s a lot.” April said.
Then Trinity led her to two stalls near the center of the barn. Name plates and papers where attached to them.
“The Paper’s are field and dorm room assignments.” Trinity said.
“Thanks.” April said.
“No Problem.” Trinity said walking off to help more riders.
April led Turner into his stall her uncle did the same with Egypt in the stall to Turner’s right. She grabbed the tie’s when she saw them and placed him on to Turner’s halter. That way she could remove his blanket then halter. April saw that the feed nets where filled already. She removed the blanket draping it over the stall door. April took off the halter taking it with her out of the stall.
“Let’s get your tack into the tack room.” Uncle Jack said.
“Yes we should.”
It took half an hour to unload the tack. April then grabbed her suitcase and the papers’ off the stalls. Uncle Jack carried the two boxes one on top of the other. They slowly went up hill to the house. April looked at the paper as the head up to the dorms. They turned into the girl’s hallway. The found her dorm quickly. She smiled when she saw her name on the door. The other name was Cadence Cleary. April was scared to meet her roommate. They walked to the window side of the room and sat down the boxes.
“I’ll wait tell Cadence get’s here to pick a bed.” April said.
“Okay Then. I’d better be going.” Her uncle said.
“Alright, I’ll miss you.” April said.
“I’ll miss you too squirt.” Jack said as he grabbed her into a hug.
April hugged her uncle back as hard as she could. Not wanting to let go or for her uncle to leave. They broke apart after a minute or two. Her uncle started for the door then stopped.
“Good-Bye.” He called out.
“Good-Bye.” She said back.
Then April was alone. The bare rooms with the boxes made it seem sad here. She couldn’t believe it so was at ridding school. She opened her phone to read Facebook and wait for her roommate to arrive in the room. She didn’t have to wait long soon there was a knock at the door. It opened as April turned her head. A blond haired hazel eyed girl bounced into the room follow by what must have been her parents.
“I’m Cadence …you must be April.” She said.
“Nice to meet you Cadence.” April said as she pocketed her phone and offered her a hand.
“Nice to meet you too.” Cadence said as she shook her hand firmly.
Soon Cadence’s parent’s where headed out the door. The two girl’s stood in the center of the room and looked at the stacked boxes.
“Witch bed do you want?” April asked.
“You can have the widow.” Cadence said.
“What is your event? April asked as she moved to unpack.
“Three-Day.” Cadence said as she moved to do the same.
“Me too.” April said as she opened the box of bedding.
“Horse/s? I have one a strawberry roan mare named You Are My Candy Girl aka Candy.” Cadence said opening her bedding up too.
“I have two a chestnut arab gelding named Egypt’s Pharaoh or Egypt for short and a black 16.2 hand warmblood gelding named Night Turn’s To Day or Turner. At home I have a dun 2 year old name Fly Free aka Flynn I share with my best friends Parker and Cassie.” April started to put on the sheets.
“Cool. Do you live on a farm?”
“Yeap. There is 8 horses’ that live there not counting Egypt ,Turner and Flynn.”
“Candy is boarded a 5 minute bike ride from my house back home. What are the other horses like?”
“Well first is my uncle’s bay mare Ruby Tuesday or Ruby was her uncle’s mare. She ran a hand over her head. Then there is Wave and Mist , Wave is Parker’s Mist is Cassie’s. Then Thor leopard appy gelding, he belong to a girl a year younger than me, Thor is a trouble maker. The there is my uncle’s dun mare and foal Goldy and Little Man. Then there is the Clydesdale gelding Tennessee. Last is my pony mare a red roan senior mare Strawberry.”
“That’s neat.” Candace answered.
The girl’s had fished making beds and had started to unpack their clothes into dressers. Show clothes went into a share closet as well as dress clothes. After April was unpacked she hung up drapes in the window. Then she opened the box of book’s and knick knacks.
On top of the box where her model’s 6 of them all carefully wrapped in tissue paper. April had had more but they wouldn’t fit. The first out of the box was a custom her uncle had had made of Snowflake. In Cassie’s room there was the same model. April had seen a shelve above the bed on it she place the model. Next was a chestnut Arab, the a gray, the a black warmblood, her model of Zenyatta and last was her pinto and white jumper model. When that was done she placed her horse head book ends on the shelves’ then the books. April stepped the middle of the room to look at Cadence and her work. Cadence had books and model’s on her shelve too. The bed’s where made in much the same way.
“We should head done to the main arena.” April said.
“Yes let’s do.” Candace said.
April and Candace headed down the hall. They talked and chatted as they walked outside. They where joined by other riders. The two girl where fast becoming friends. They entered the large cover ring and climbed up to the top of the belchers. They were filling up with riders fast.
April looked around still shocked over the number of people. Her nervousness was calming down. She watched a lady on a black horse ride around the ring. She figured it must be Miss. Nicky the Head of the school. The lady walked into the center of the ring and halted. A member of the staff handed her a microphone.
“Hello, it’s good to have you all here. Welcome to Honeyblaze First Years. Welcome to a new year to the rest of you. I’m the owner Miss. Nicky and my horse is Raven’s Song Or Rave.”
The crowd broke out in cheering and clapping. April found herself clapping too.
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this year you will be challenged forced to work harder than ever. For the first year’s you have to also find a place here. Now I believe some off our rider’s have prepared Demos, then I’ll talk a little more, then you will join a tour guide senior in your events first years.” With that Miss. Nicky let Rave trot out of the ring.
April watched as three people with horses entered the ring. First was a boy with brown hair and hazel eyes with a little blue roan and white pony. April found herself draw to the small pony. When the people removed the halters and hung the up the horses stood waiting. The boy and blue roan and white pony walked side by side to the center of the ring. The other two pairs joined them. They lined up one pair on each side of the boy and pony.
The boy pointed away from himself as did the others. The horses cantered to the far closest to where the rider’s sat. Then they stopped and turned to face their handlers. The pony was fun to watch. The first handler called there horse it went a few step’s then the next handler called their pony and then the last handler called there horse. The horse halted at their trainers. The boy signaled the pony and it lay down. Then the boy stepped back. The other horses moved away the cantered at the pony jumping over it twice each way. Then the boy called for his pony. They again lined up in the center of the ring. The riders and horses took a bow.
Then they left the ring. Ground people put up barrels rapidly then they left the ring. A boy rode a dun quarter horse into the ring. A girl on a red and white paint followed. Then they started to lope around the barrels. Dun horse and rider on the inside and red and white paint and rider on the outside. The turned each barrel will.
April could tell witch horse was senior of the pair the dun gelding. He was much calmer than his friend. They halted at the end and again faced the pattern. Then they took off at full speed. April held her breath as they whipped around the barrels. Red and white and dun blurs. The riders just held on. They spun around the final barrel. Then they were passed the end and halted. The rode out as the crowed clapped.
April clapped so loud she couldn’t hear her own thoughts. The demo’s had been so wonderful. Then the barrels went down. The lighting changed the ring went into darkness. The then spotlight came up on a horse and rider in the center of the ring. A large gray warmblood mare stood at a halt square and neat facing the far rail. The she sprang forward in a neat raising trot. They tracked left at the rail.
April watched as horse and rider rode the best free style test she had ever seen. She had seen a lot in her time riding. The horse moved with such perfect style for dressage. She smiled that’s one of the things she loved about Turner. He had the moves of a dressage horse, scope and speed all rolled into one lean body. Egypt was catlike in jumping and quick his dressage liked the finish of Turner or the horse in the ring.

[Starwalker123]

Chapter Six Let’s Do It (Jack)
Jack thought that the liberty demo had gone will. They had spent months practicing and practicing on top of everything else. Afterword he had hurriedly put Knoll away in the pasture. She had earned a rest she could be unbraided later.
Now Jack stood on his liver chestnut Arab x Morgan mare Celeste’s back and watched as they set up the jumps for the demo. His riding pair mate rode around the ring with the other riders. He was glad his paring was Lilly-Ann Sky Gibby or Lilly at 17 she had been mentored by him last year. Her personal horse was an 8 year old palomino pintaloosa gelding named Hit Me Like Lighting or Lighting. Two other pair’s of riders circled the waiting ring. The jumps where set now.
“It is show time.” Jack called out to the other riders.
They gathered in behind him. Lilly brought Lighting up next to him.
“You all ready?” He called as the gate opened up.
“Yes.” The others called back
“Fast, High, Careful” He waited a second, “Go.”
Each other leaped forward. Jack had to tighten the reins to keep her under hand at all. The jumps where small now laid out in a figure eight with eight jumps layout. The mare under Jack was fighting him for more rein all the time. They were coming to the first jump now. Jack counted strides up and over two more now than the turn. The next jump was taken was better control the first.
Then they cleared the third jump. Jack checked that Lilly was still there as they jumped it. Then the turn Jack pulled back to slow the horse. Then over the turn jump they leaped. They galloped after the jump back to the straight line this time of four jumps. Jack let the rein out a little more. Celeste’s speed was a shocking. Over one jump then the next Jack two-pointed. The down in the saddle for the gallop to the next fence we went. Then back up for the next two jumps. When they finished they halted and relined up. Jack held the fidgeting mare as still as he could.
The jumps where raised now to the middle height on the jump stands. Jack again prepared the jump them. Jack squeezed his mare foreword and she leaped off. Lighting and Lilly moved out at their side. Faster and higher now they nearly flow. Jack barely remembered each jump.
Once more the jumps went up for the final run. Jack’s mare was getting more and wild now. He breathed deeply. Like a rocket they galloped over the fences. Jack hung on for dear life as the leaped each jump. Finley the wild run ended. Jack battled the mare back down to a walk.
Jack rode the prancing mare out of the ring. The next demo was ready to go on the last of the demos. Jack rode his mare out of the ring and got off. He hurried her up to the barn. He untacked and hosed her off. Then left her tied and put away tack. Then Jack turned her out.
Having put away the halter Jack now sat on the belchers. Miss. Nicky was going over the year’s events and other info for the riders. Jack knew this stuff from years past but he still felt like he should listen. You never know what you could learn he thought. Then Miss. Nicky asked for questions. Hands went up slowly.
“You.” Miss. Nicky said as she pointed to brown hair haired girl that sat above Jack.
“If we want to buy a horse we are working with what do we do?” She asked.
“Talk to Mr. Edwards or I.” Miss. Nicky answered.
Jack zoned out after a bit thinking about the upcoming show’s and events. DD had competed well over the winter series and they would be going up to the final height class. Celeste, had been fast but very clear over the winter he hoped to slow her down and go clear more. He hoped to get Dancer into a cross rail’s class by the end of the summer.
Jack was still thinking when the rider’s started to get up to gather for tours and for the first years to met horses. Jack had not been assigned to lead the new Show Jumper’s tour so he didn’t get up to join the group gathering around one of his friends.
Instead Jack got to his feet and hurried up to the house. Jack shared a room with Jordan Avery. Jordan was a third year Show Jumper. Jordan’s horse was a chestnut Oldenburg gelding named Galen or Gale. Jack had the inside most bed. Jack flopped down on the bed.
“Jack get up.” Jordan called as he slammed the door.
“what?” Jack bolted up right.
“You missed Lunch.. I was worried.” Jordan said as he sat down on his bed.
“I did….Did you bring me something?” Jack asked him.
“Of course.” Jordan said as he tossed a plastic wrapped sandwich at him.
Jack caught the sandwich with both hands. He now sat cross legged on the bed. In the two years the two had been roommates they had grown pretty close. Between ridding and training and hanging out.
“Thanks.” Jack said as he unwrapped the sandwich.
The scent of tuna filled his nose. He took first one bit then and second. The sandwich vanished in about a minute.
“Cam you come down to the barn and give me a hand with Shadow.” Jordan asked when he was finished.
“Sure.” Jack said.
Shadow Quest or Shadow, was a 5 year old 16.1 hand warmblood. A bit of a handful he had been given to Jordan for schooling over fences. A pleasure rider had done his earlier schooling. The large horse has been hurt in the pastures a week earlier. His right front leg had swollen due to a kick. Jack knew Jordan wanted help icing it.
“Thanks.” Jordan said as he got off the bed.
“My horses are good tell its time to bring them in for the night.” Jack said as he got up and grabbed his boots.
“Alright, then maybe you can help me with Simba too.” Jordan said.
“Sure.” Jack said not minding at all.
Simba was Jordan’s golden chestnut foal. Jack tugged on the boots. Jordan sighed at the time Jack was taking. Jack headed to the door followed by Jordan. They hurried down the stairs and out to the training barn. Jordan opened the stall and slipped inside.
“You can get the bucket and the ice.” Jordan said.
Jack headed up the isle without a word. He entered the tack room then looked around for an ice bucket. Jack grabbed a blue bucket and went to the ice machine. The ice was noise when it filled the bucket. Jack then carried the bucket back to the stall where the horse was cross tied. Jack put the bucket down after he entered the stall.
“Okay, now the hard part.” Jordan said.
“What should I do?” Jack questioned.
“Come hold his headed for me.” Jordan said calmly.
Jack walked over and grabbed the halter. Jordan went and grabbed the bucket. He put it near the leg that needed ice. Jordan had removed the standing wrap already now he lifted the leg into the bucket. The horse flinched as it felt the cold. Jack tightened the hand on the halters grip. The horse fidgeted a bit as Jordan moved the ice around to cover the leg. For ten minutes the only words where Jack’s to calm Shadow.
“That’s good.” Jordan said as he took the horses leg out of the ice.
“He still doesn’t like that.” Jackson said as he felt the horse relax.
“You can let go of him now.” Jack said as he moved the bucket to the door.
“What’s next?” Jack asked as he removed his hand form the halter.
“I will let him stand here and rewrap it tonight.” Jordan said.
Jack walked out of the stall he carried the bucket followed by Jordan. He reached the wash rack and dumped the bucket down the drain. Jordan and Jack hosed out the bucket then left it in the sun to dry. Jack knew the main tour was finishing up about now and the riders would be coming too met their assigned horses.
“Let’s go see Simba.” Jordan said.
“Now?” Jack questioned
“Yes Now.” Jordan said as he started for the foal barn.
“Wait up.” Jack called as he hurried after him.
Jack and Jordan entered the foal barn it was empty save for the first year’s foals and Simba. The first years would be down after meeting their rescue or greenie. Jack didn’t really want to be in the barn for that part of the day.
Jordan entered the golden foal’s stall. Jack watched the boy with is golden foal intently. Jordan haltered Simba in a leather foal halter and led him out of the stall. Jack reached out to pet the colt with one hand. The colt’s soft shoulder and neck felt good to Jack’s hands.
“Let’s go outside.” Jordan said as he led Simba for the doors.
Jack followed Jordan out of doors to the wash rack where Jordan tied up Simba.
“We should give him a bath.” Jordan laughed the colt was a little bit muddy.
“Let’s. Run grab the soap.” Jack said.
Jack hurried in and went to the tack room. He got soap and a wash cloth. Then he went back outside. Jordan had turned on the hose and started to hose down the colt. When the hosing down was done Jack help Jordan soap up the colt. They scrubbed the mud and dirt with soap.
“Stand Back.” Jordan said after they had been scrubbing awhile.
Jack stepped back as Jordan turned on the water. Jordan hosed down the colt very carefully. The mud and soap ran off in rivers. When it was done Jordan turned off the hose.
“Jack we needed towels.” Jordan said, “I’ll get them however.”
“Hurry Back.” Jack laughed.
Jack watched his friend go. He looked out to the foals pasture there he could see Ninja and the other foals playing and grazing. Ninja was easy to spot for his eyes. The leggy bay mixed breed filly had all but stolen Jack’s heart. The problem was that Jack already had the horse limit.
Jack caught the towel Jordan tossed to him. The two boys went to work toweling down the colt. The two boys’s worked in near silence for over thirty minutes. Two boys and a colt in perfect quietness save for the sounds of the towels on the horse’s hair. When they had finished they put the towels in the horse towel bin and the soap away. After they had done that Jordan and Jack took Simba to the pasture.
After telling Jordan that he would see him later Jack headed up to the house. I was a long walk trying to avoid groups of touring first years and people. When he got to Jordan and his room he grabbed a C.D book.
The C.D’s in at where movies of all Jack’s events he had been in ever ridden in. They were in order form his first show to the last he had competed in. He picked a C.D form three years before of his first show on DD. Jordan put it in the room’s T.V and sat down to watch it.
On the screen 15 year old Jack and 6 year old DD appeared. The fences where a real rainbow of colors however they were much smaller than the one’s they competed over these days. They cantered an easy circle then headed at the first fence. Jack watched as the video played on. Over each fence Jack two pointed high. He had watched the video a hundred times he know the course better than he had when he had rode it. The final fence now was in front of them. DD leaped late and it crashed down behind them. The video cut away now to the ribbon’s ceremony. Jack watched then fix a second place ribbon to DD’s bridle. Then the thundering victory gallop.
The video ended and Jack stood up to remove it with a new one in his hands. He put the new one in and placed the old one back in the case. The new video had been filmed in early March. The last time he had showed. The jumps that appeared on screen where much higher than the ones in the last video. Jordan watched DD and him take fence after fence. A clear round in DD’s normal style he watched with eyes glued to his bay mount.
Then the video changed DD and Jack led a victory gallop around the ring. Then it again changed to lower jumps. Jack rode Celeste out into the ring. The mare pranced and danced hard. Over each fence the mare rushed and leaped high. Jack held his breath watching that ride again.
The fences seemed smaller on the video then they had really been. Each time the mare leaped on the video Jack had held his breath when he rode it. The last two fences fell down behind the mare with a crash. Jack saw his hands rub the horses shoulder after they had halted. Then he watched them leave the ring. The Jack in the video wasn’t smiling at the ribbon ceremony. The fifth place ribbon moved in the wind as they galloped their lap.