August Story Contest

The Little Black Horse
By HorsecrazyMGirl & her faithful steed, Reble  age13

Heather and Lily were best friends, who had nothing in common, but there were two things that they wholeheartedly agreed on. This was that they loved to ride western, and the best place in the world to be was Nevada Western Ranch. Here was where the girls had met, and become fast friends. They both loved horses, and especially, calf roping. “I’m so excited, I think I might explode!!!” Lily exclaimed. Heather and Lily had been practicing for the state junior calf roping pair’s championship for months. Finally, they had one week left to perfect their practice. “I hope you don’t,” said Heather. “Or else Jewel will have nobody to ride her on Saturday” The friends had just arrived at the ranch, and were on their way to the stables. “I guess you’re right.” Lily allowed. “But I mean, come on!!! In a week we’ll be out there, showing everybody what we can do!”
“Ok, I see your point. Let’s just go and see the beautiful horses who have worked harder then us, OK?”
“Why not?”
 As they approached the barn, their teacher, Angela, stopped them. “Wait!” She called. “What’s up?” asked Heather. “It’s about Jewel. I’m so sorry Lily, but she strained a tendon in yesterday’s lesson. Jessica was riding her, and Jewel just collapsed.” “Will she be OK?” Lily was automatically concerned. Strained tendons were no miner matter. Jewel was a school horse, so sometimes these things happened. But Heather was the first to realize the consequences. “You mean she can’t be ridden on Saturday?!?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“But what about the championship?!?” Lily wailed. “We’ve been practicing for ages!!! Now we’re gonna have to pull out!”
“Hold on, there is one other option.” Angela tried to calm her down. “What?” Heather demanded. She hated to see her best friend to so distraught. Besides, she loved Jewel too. “Now, there may not be enough time to pull it off.”
“What is it?”
 Angela sighed. She knew that neither of the girls was going to like her plan. “Lily could, but doesn't have too, but could ride Dazzle in the championship”
“Dazzle? But he’s the wildest horse around here!”
Dazzle was a small, black cow horse that Angela had saved from the slaughter house. But ever since he’d arrived at the ranch, he’d bit and kicked everything in sight.
“Remember, He used to be a championship cow horse. You’re riding in a championship, right? He just needs to be reminded of what he can do.” Angela pointed out.
After a minute, “OK, I’ll try” Lily decided.
“Are you insane?” Heather objected, shocked. “Dazzle would buck you off and trample you the second you mounted!”
“Heather, I’ve got to try. I’m not about to let all our practice go to waste.” Lily said, desperate. “You and Paddy have been doing great. I can’t just let you guys down.  I’ve got a week to try and figure him out. I’ll make you a deal,” she said, for Heather looked ready to object again. “If, at the end of the week, Dazzle and I are not up to riding, we forfeit. If we’re doing OK, we ride, and see what happens. OK?”
“Fine. I just don’t want to see you killed” Heather’s tone softened. She was the best kind of friend Lily could ever have.
“I won’t get killed. How could I, with you and Angela watching my every move on Dazzle?”
“OK” Angela started, “Lily, go and attempt to tack up Dazzle. Heather, you go get Paddy. I’ll meet you two in the ring.”

 

A week later, Lily, Heather, Angela, Paddy and Dazzle were on there way to the rodeo ground where the competition was being held. Lily had worked hard with Dazzle, and about the middle of the week, they just clicked. After that, they had been unbeatable. Even Heather was looking forward to it, despite her worries. When they got there, Angela told the girls to get the horses out of the trailer and walk them around. “They need to get used to the noise and happenings of a big show, like this. After that, groom and saddle them, and I’ll meet you in the warm up arena.”
Later, Lily and Heather were getting a pep talk from Angela. “Remember, the top 3 places go onto the nationals” “Nationals. That’s a scary thought” Heather said nervously. “Don’t worry, you’ll both be fine. Paddy has never been better, Heather, and Dazzle is coming along fine” Angela reassured her “Fine? He‘s awesome!!!” Lily praised her horse. “Well, just do your best, and even if you get last - not that it could happen - I’ll still be proud of you both.”

Twenty minutes later, that PA system crackled to life. “The Under 15 Calf Roping Pair’s Championship will begin in 5 minutes. Riders, please line up beside the arena to check in.” “Off you go then.” Angela told them. Heather and Lily rode Paddy and Dazzle to the arena, where an attendant told them they would be the last pair to compete. “I hate going last!” Heather said, infuriated. “Why can’t we just get it done and over with?” Lily agreed with Heather. “I know. I’m so nervous already, but now even more so because I’m making Dazzle nervous!!!” Heather could see that her friend was shaking slightly. No wonder she’s making him nervous she thought. “Walk him around a bit, and just concentrate on relaxing.” That helped, and soon both horse and rider were calm. As the first pair went, the girls saw how tough this competition was going to be. Both of the riders roped the calf on the first try, and well under the time limit. The second pair was not so lucky. The first rider roped their calf on the first try, but the second rider never made before the bell rang to end their turn. As the rest of the pairs went, Heather was the one to become scared. She’d never seen any better riders in her life. Lily just watched, and all the while, she became more determined to help Dazzle show everybody what he could do. What she could do. Finally, they were up. Dazzle and Paddy knew what they had to do. So did the girls, but could they do what they needed to do? Would they be good enough to win? The bell rang, and they were off, chasing after the calf. Lily was the first to rope him. She rode Dazzle within 2 feet of the calf, and then let her rope fly. It landed squarely around the calf’s neck. Then it was Heather’s turn. She did the same as Lily; riding Paddy 2 feet away form the calf. But just as she was about the rope him, Paddy stumbled. Heather almost dropped her rope, but managed to hang onto it. She straitened herself out in the saddle, and tried again. This time, she almost missed. The rope wobbled on top of the calf’s head for a split second, before it settled around his neck. As Lily and Heather slowed and stopped Paddy and Dazzle, they looked at the score board. Heather didn’t know if almost dropping her rope would count against them. Apparently, since she didn’t actually drop it, they came out with no penalties, and the second fastest time! “Heather, we did it!” Lily screeched. “We got second! We’re going to Nationals!” Slowly, it sunk in. Heather couldn’t it. They’d competed and actually done well! “Well, go on!” Shouted Angela from the Teacher section of the bleachers. “Go and get your medals!” As they rode over, Heather thanked Lily again and again for ignoring her, and riding Dazzle. “If it hadn’t been for you and Dazzle, we’d have never been up here, getting silver medals.” The gold had gone to the first pair. “You did a lot to. You and Paddy helped me all the way through this past week.” After the awards, Angela beckoned to Lily. “I’ll be right back” she said, and handed Dazzles reins to Heather. She watched as Angela whispered in Lily’s ear, and saw Lily’s face first become a mask of disappointment, then light up with excitement. She came running back.
“Heather! You’ll never guess what Angela just told me!”
“Well then tell me.”
“The vet came back to look at Jewel this morning, and she won’t be able to calf rope or barrel race again. I guess Jewel’s strained this tendon before, and it’ll be too dangerous for her, if she strained it again.” Lily gushed. “Oh, that’s too bad!” Heather sympathized. “But that’s not all.” Heather could tell Lily was trying too be calm about whatever it was. “The best part is that I get to ride Dazzle from now on!!!” Lily exploded. “What? That’s great!!!” Heather screeched. “And my parents said that they might buy him for me next year, if I still like him! But for now, I get to lease him!!!” “Your very own horse, just like me!!!” Together, to girls untacked and groomed their horses while they talked. “I can’t believe that you’re getting your own horse, and we get to ride in Nationals!” Heather exclaimed.  “Yep, and all because of this little black horse”

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Hope you like it!!!
HCMGirl and her faithful steed, Reble