January Story Contest

Jenny and Moonlight #2       

By Hope & Golddust
Age 11

 
This is continued from Jenny (my first story).  At first it may seem boring, but keep reading--it will get better.  What will happen to…, oh, I should not say anything.   Hope you enjoy it.  Love, Hope

“Go Jenny! Go!” Jenny’s best friend Alice cheered. Alice was a pretty blonde-haired girl with green eyes, and she loved ponies a much as Jenny.   Jenny trotted toward a jump. She and Moonlight had just gotten out of class and now were ready to jump.
“Yeah!” shouted Alice, as Jenny landed the jump. “You were great!”
“Thanks” said Jenny”. She dismounted and walked over to the fence were Alice stood. “Good girl, Moonlight!” she praised.
“Can I ride her?” Alice asked.
 “Sure.” said Jenny.
 Alice was going to get a pony after she finished riding school. Alice mounted Moonlight, and trotted around the field. Moonbeam, Moonlight’s colt nickered to his mother.  Moonlight answered with a whinny.
“You can canter her.” said Jenny.
“OK,” smiled Alice, as she nudged Moonlight into a canter.
 After Alice was done Jenny took Moonlight to the barn. “Are you going to enter Moonlight in the show?” asked Alice.
“Hmmm…” thought Jenny out loud.  “I think I may.”
“You would win for sure!” said Alice.
“I will ask my Mom and Dad.” Jenny decided. “Come on. You can help me groom Moonlight.”
 Later at lunch, Jenny asked her dad and mom, “Can I please enter Moonlight in next week’s show?”
”What show?” her Father teased.
 “Daddy, you know what show,” Jenny giggled, “The 4-H Horse Show.”
 “Oh that show!” said her dad with a chuckle.
 “Jenny,” said her mom, “You can enter it if you promise to do your other work and practice.”
“Yes, Mom!  I will.”
 Now things were better in Jenny’s family. Her mom had quit her job and was home now.
 “By the way,” said her mom, “Did Alice tell you when she would get her pony?”
 “Uh.........? Oh yes, she will get her in 4 days.”
 “Her?” asked Dad.
“Yes. They already picked out a cute little mare.”
 “Ohhhh.” said her Dad.  
“Now, may I please be excused? Moonlight and I have a LOT of work to do!”
“Yes, you may.” smiled her mom.
 “Come on, Patches.” Jenny called to her sleeping puppy. “Let’s go!”

A Bad Fall

Jenny walked outside and took a deep breath of summer air. She was glad that summer break had started a week ago.   She went to Moonlight and took her to the pasture. Then she went for Moonbeam. “You are cute, and in two years, I can ride you,” she said gently as she let Moonbeam in with his Mom.  He trotted over to her and Jenny watched them happily grazing side by side. Then she quickly did her barn chores, got her helmet and the tack she needed, and went to the field.

 As she set up the four jumps she needed, she was thinking how she could not wait for the show!   She called to Moonlight and she trotted to the fence and took the carrot that Jenny offered to her. Jenny clipped the lead rope to her halter, and then gave a carrot to Moonbeam.  After she had tacked up and mounted, she put her helmet on and trotted around the field to warm up.  She trotted toward the first jump and went over it easily.   Then they cleared  second and the third. But when they came to the fourth, Moonlight’s foot caught the jump and she stumbled.

Poor Moonlight

Moonlight fell to the ground. Jenny had fallen off, and luckily was not hurt.   She set up stunned.   Then got up and ran to Moonlight and took her reins.   “Come on, girl.’’ she said fearfully hoping that Moonlight was not hurt.  Moonlight stood up, and Jenny walked her around to make sure she was not limping.
 “Thank the Lord,’’ said Jenny, “You are all right.’’ She talked softly to her for a minute, and then said, “Now we have to jump again.’’
 She got back on and they trotted to the first jump.  But Moonlight refused. “I think she’s just scared,’’ Jenny thought.
 “It’s O.K., Moonlight.” she said. And they circled and came back around, but Moonlight refused again!!!!!! Again and again she tried but Moonlight still would not try the jump.  Finally, Jenny got off Moonlight and patted her. Then Jenny had a horrible thought… what if Moonlight would never be the same again!!
                        To be continued