September Story Contest

Mill's Tribute
By: DizzyDaizy
Age: 15

Chapter One

“Oh gosh, he’s so small,” mused the little eight year old Mill Jefferson, her honey chestnut pigtails bouncing.
“He is isn’t he?” Ms. Linda Jefferson got up from beside Mill and patted Trills, the fifteen hands blazing copper Arabian mare. The small colt squealed and attempted to get up. His long delicate legs gave him strength and the colt stood with ease. He instantly began nursing.
Trills let out a high pitched squeal of delight and swished her tail.
“Oh mama, he’s mine isn’t he?” Mill gurgled and jumped up and down.
Ms. Jefferson looked away.
“I’m so sorry Mill. But we spent our last savings on breeding Trills with Phoenix. Then I told you we’d make some good money off the foal? Since Phoenix was a race horse?  Remember darls?”
Mill looked away.
Everything had been so different ever since her father, Karl Jefferson died of a terrible car accident. Since Mr. Jefferson had been the only person making money as a black smith, Ms. Jefferson had to find a job as a waitress.
But the salary had been very low, so she took two more jobs as a part time maid and nurse. But still money was tight.
They barely had money to keep Trills who had been Mr. Jefferson’s horse in their tiny little farm with only a barn big enough for a two horses. And Phoenix being a prized stallion and Trills a magnificent show jumper, her foal was bound to be a champion.
“Let’s name him,” Ms. Jefferson changed the subject.
“Oooh mama I know some awesome names!” Mill’s eyes shined. “Booboo, Birdy, Frog, Chips, Chocolate, Bubblegum, Cheesebur—”
“Um those are great names darls but how about something mysterious and unheard of?”
“Bute?”
Ms. Jefferson’s eyes went wide.
“How about Tribute?”
“Oh mama you’re so good at names!” Mill gurgled and jumped into her mother’s arms.
The newly named Tribute squeaked with delight and pranced around.
Mill stared happily at the colt not aware of the troubles in the future.

 

Chapter Two

“Good morning lovely boy,” Mill opened the stall and walked inside. The massive chestnut stallion squealed and pranced around at the sight of his eighteen year old owner. Mill took a second to admire the huge beautiful Anglo-Arab. He looked exactly like Trills, his mother who once galloped around the massive field at Blue Hill Stables.
So much had happened in the last ten years.
A year later after Tribute was born, Mill’s mom ran off to live with her boyfriend, Louis Tabolka. She had worked as a part time maid for Louis at his huge mansion and Ms. Jefferson had fallen in love with him and decided she could no longer take care of Mill, nor Trills or Tribute. Though Louis had suggested considering giving Mill to a very wealthy stable owner, Mr. Ronald Ington who wished for a daughter of his own but never had one. So she did. Mill was so shocked and furious, after so many arguments and tears, she agreed to go live with Ronald, three hundred miles away at Blue Hill Stables. She thought that her mom would one day beg her to come live with her. But she never did. Instead she married Louis and now had a six year old boy, Claus and she was incredibly wealthy. Mill felt very weird at first when Ms. Jefferson changed her name to Linda Tabolka. But Mill later soon adjusted to her new life and actually began liking Ronald and soon grew to be like her own father and then she changed her name to Mill Ington. Ronald did promise although that Tribute would never be sold, even after Trills died of a terrible case of colic.
Tribute swung his head violently demanding treats.
“Oh heavens, I’ve spoiled you too much you plump brat,” Mill teased and gave up the carrot she was hiding.
Tribute munched it eagerly.
“Mill you in there?” called Ronald.
“Yea!” she shouted back and walked out of the stall.
“Let’s go for a ride, Diesel needs to burn some fuel, and so does Tribute. Plus, I have to tell you some big news.” And Ronald walked away with a wink to tack up his four year old black Thoroughbred, Diesel.
Excited for the news, Mill quickly gave Tribute’s glossy copper body a quick groom although he didn’t need it and tacked him up. Mill noticed some soars on Tribute’s mouth and quickly rubbed some cream on it and placed a bit less bridle on.
Tribute gave an excited buck and Mill hung on for her life.
“Wow boy,” she said and rode up to Robert who waited patiently on Diesel.
“Let’s gallop down the trail and then stop at the big tree at the end.”
Mill nodded in understanding and kicked Tribute in a mad gallop.
Tribute sprung like a hare and flew away his hooves pounding angrily on the trail. Mill went into her jockey position and everything was a blur as they galloped away.
“Now that was fast,” panted Robert as he halted Diesel from their gallop beside Mill.
“Well you said they needed to burn some fuel. And Tribute did!” Mill said.
“If you hadn’t burst off I would have said to go at a nice steady gallop. Not a cheetah gallop! You could have easily fallen off! Your not a jockey you know!” Robert tried to sound firm but Mill saw the smile he attempted to hide.
“Now just the other day I was in town and I saw a flyer,” Robert hopped down from Diesel and pulled a flyer out of his jeans pocket and handed it to Mill.
“What’s this?” Mill asked puzzled.
“Read.”

The 15th Annual
CROSSBRIDGE SHOW JUMPING SHOW

September 25th
Age: 13-19
CLASS A (17-19 year olds only): (Canter only, ALL jumps are 4’6 feet)
FEE: $55.00 PRIZE: $1,000
CLASS B: (Trot, Canter, jumps range 3’0-3’4 feet)
FEE: $50.00 PRIZE: $700
CLASS C: (Walk, Trot, Canter, jumps range 2’6-3’0 feet)
FEE: $45.00 PRIZE: $500
CLASS D: (Walk, Trot, Canter, jumps range 2’0-2’4 feet)
FEE: $40.00 PRIZE: $200

*WHOEVER WINS 1ST IN CLASS A WILL RECEIVE A GUARANTEED SPOT AT WILLOWCREST RIDING ACADEMY, WHERE THOSE WHO WISH TO EXCEL IN AN EQUINE CAREER ARE WELCOME*

“This is really cool!” Mill exclaimed. “I’d totally enter class A. But I don’t need too.”
Robert’s shining happy face fell.
“Why ever not?”
“Because I’m already going to Willowcrest. To become a professional show jumper. Remember? And you said you’d pay!”
“Yea, but I thought about it and I decided that why don’t you try to earn yourself a spot instead of me paying for you.”
“But—”
“No buts missy. Either you earn that spot or your not going. Understood? And if you think about it you won’t have to perform in front of Headmistress Angelica if you do class A.”
“Why?”
“Because she’ll be judging class A.”
“Really!?”
“Really. So that’s why only seventeen year olds to nineteen year olds are allowed to do class A. To show for Headmistress Angelica they are worthy to attend her academy.”
Mill sighed.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
“Good choice. Now, I’ve set up a few jumps along the trail for you to practice on. They are all four feet.”
Mill shot Robert a suspicious look.
“Hey…you knew I was going to give in and say yes didn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Your sneaky Robert Ington. You know that?”
”Oh why yes, Millers.”
“I told you I hate that nickname!”
“Ok ok, Millky.”
“That too!” Robert let out a laugh.
“Just follow me and Diesel so you know where the jumps are.”
Robert nudged the big Thoroughbred into a canter. Mill followed along and began noticing a few jumps ahead.
Mill half halted a few strides before the first jump to let Robert soar over it with Diesel. She loosened the rein an inch and Tribute went mad and galloped straight toward the jump not intending to raise his feet one bit. They ran straight into the jump sending the poles flying. Tribute squealed and let out a series of bolts. Mill screamed and lost her stirrups.
“Use your crop!” screeched Robert. Mill raised her crop and gave a hard slap on Tribute’s muscled shoulder.
Tribute instantly stopped but pulled furiously on the reins.
Surprisingly, Mill was still on the Anglo-Arab hanging for dear life on his neck.
“Good god are you alright!? He was acting like a three year old!” Robert said.
“Fine thanks,” Mill muttered sarcastically.
“I saw what happened. It wasn’t you fault,” Robert said softly.
“Yea, but if he does that at the show then I won’t win first place!” Mill complained.
“Then we’ll work on it,” Robert said simply. “Canter up, but four strides away just when he went berserk, pull on the reins sharply as if asking him for a halt. It’s clear that a half halt won’t work. He’ll just keep going.”
Mill nodded. “But he’s never done that before!”
“Yes, but he probably went over excited from the gallop earlier. I was so stupid! We should have done the gallop for last,” Robert muttered furiously. “I risked your life, Mill. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Mill gave Robert a smile. “That’s just Tribute for you,” Mill sighed and hugged the sweating stallion.
***
Mill nudged Tribute into a canter again heading for the next jump. Robert stayed with Diesel out of the path.
“Now, remember if you feel him getting strong again, pull and release!” Robert shouted.
Mill heard but didn’t respond, as she was too busy concentrating.
Tribute cantered smoothly then strides away he began pulling on the reins and hunching himself for a buck.
“NOW!” Robert’s demand was clear and Mill pulled sharply on the reins and Tribute’s head swung up and slowed down from his almost gallop.
He let out furious shriek but obeyed.
Mill tapped him softly to get him to listen.
The jump zoomed up. Four….three…two…one…lift off!
Tribute soared over the jump and landed with a thump on the other side.
Mill was so happy.
“Finally! See boy? Were so going to win this competition!”

 

Chapter Three

Week after week, Mill and Tribute trained for the show. Finally the big day came.
And Headmistress Angelica was watching.
“Do your best alright?” Robert said hugging Mill.
“I’ll do it for you Robert,” Mill whispered and climbed Tribute’s back.
“Good luck!” Robert called as Mill rode up beside her competition.
The girl beside her was a petite blonde who looked like she wishes she were shopping then on a small grey pony. She chewed on her gum noisily.
“What a waste of time,” she grumbled to Mill.
Mill said nothing because something else caught her eye in the crowd.
Linda Tabolka. Her mom.
Mrs. Tabolka sat in the crowd holding hands with Louis and little Claus in the other.
She caught Mill’s eye and waved happily her pearl white teeth shining.
Mill gave her a dirty stare.
How dare she! Abandon me, miss all my competitions and now just show up as if she’s always been there for me! Mill thought angrily.
Tribute tensed beneath her.
“Sorry boy,” Mill whispered.
“Now entering the ring is miss Mill Ington, number two hundred and fifty riding Tribute,” the judge’s voice soared over the speaker.
Mill gulped.
It was her time already?
“Let’s go our best pretty boy,” Mill whispered in a shaky voice.
Tribute pranced in the arena and Mill fiddled with her reins trying to calm herself.
The bell dinged and Mill nudged Tribute into a canter.
Tribute sprung ahead cantering toward the first jump.
Mill felt the eyes of her mother burning on her back. Strides away Mill nudged Tribute forward into a fast canter. Tribute responded with a mad bolt. He veered off and let out screeched and reared. Mill hung on desperately and then it all went so fast.
Tribute lost his mind and ran head first with a fire in his eyes. He ran right threw the first jump and Mill then flew over his head not letting go of the reins.
Tribute jerked forward and Mill landed with a terrible thud.
She opened her eyes and let out of the groan. And the last thing she saw was a big copper horse fall on top of her.
And that was it.
That’s all it took.
***
“Whoa! That must have been horrible!” squeaked nine years old Monica Tabolka.
Claus Tabolka nodded and ruffled his daughter’s hair after finishing telling the story of his half sister Mill Ington.
“Yup. I never did get to know my half sister. What a shame,” he whispered.
“So, what happened basically?”
“Tribute went mad,” Claus whispered looking at his feet.
“And?” pressured Monica.
“He broke his front legs.”
“EEK!” screamed Monica. “But he did live right?”
Claus shook his head.
“They had to put him down. His injuries were never going to heal.”
Monica sniffed.
“Poor Tribute.”
“Poor Mill,” Claus mumbled.
“Hey you guys cheer up!” strolled in Mrs. Mina Tabolka. “I have cookies!”
“Ooh yum cookies!” squealed Monica. “Thanks mama!” and grabbed one.
“Thanks Mina,” Claus winked and glanced out the window from his mansion. Ever since Claus inherited his mansion from his father Louis he’d agreed to also take over Mr. Ington’s stable business in memory of Mill. He smiled as he saw Mill’s Marigold. The Anglo-Arab mare looked exactly like Tribute, her father did. And now she held inside her belly Tribute’s grand foal.
Claus’s smile disappeared. He remembered Robert Ington telling him that after Mill’s ride he was going to tell her that Tribute was going to become a father. The mare that had been holding Marigold was one of Robert’s prized mares. But then, Robert and Mill’s mother Mrs. Tabolka never forgave themselves. Robert for forcing her to ride so she could go to Willowcrest and Linda for leaving her daughter. Then Robert named the foal of Tribute, Mill’s Marigold after Mill and her favorite flower, marigolds. Then he gave up everything and left Blue Hill Stables for Claus to take care of since Claus was extremely horse obsessed like Mill had been.
“I’ll promise you one thing, Mill. I will forever take care of t he Tribute generation! And that’s a promise!” he whispered and continued to stare at Mill’s Marigold.
***

Trills whinnied softly for Tribute.
Tribute galloped toward his mother…with Mill on his back laughing.
“GO TRIBUTE GO!” she shouted happily as they galloped across the field of flowers.
“Oh Tribute, I love you so much,” Mill whispered taking in his deep horsey smell.
“And he loves you too,” Karl Jefferson told his daughter.
“Daddy, I never thought I’d see you again,” Mill whispered.
Karl rode up of Phoenix, the father of Tribute.
“I was always with you, love, waiting for you.”
Mill hopped off Tribute and so did Karl.
“At least you waited for me and loved me. Mom never did,” Mill grumbled. “That’s what made me tensed up that day.”
“Your mom always loved you kiddo. She was just scared.”
“I guess.”
Karl hugged his daughter.
“Well were together now, that’s all that matters. With the whole horsey family,” he joked.
Mill smiled and ran to Tribute and gave him a huge hug.
Tribute whinnied softly as if to say, I’m Sorry.
“It’s fine Tribute. I forgive you,” she whispered.
Mill climbed onto Tribute.
“Just you and me boy. Go!” Mill whooped and sent Tribute into a free gallop. Bareback and all. They both trusted each other they would be safe from now on.

And the horse and girl rode forever and ever in the field of flowers…

THE END
*It took me forever to do this story so it is sort of rushed because I wanted to finish it. Hope you like it anyway!* ~DizzyDaizy