January Story Contest

Untitled 

By Thesoapgirl3 & Golden Dreamer

Age 14

 

Yes, it was VERY hard. Especially because I got rather attached to Jake... he wasn't a school horse, but he was so sweet, and even though I tried not to, he tugged at my heartstrings.  The reason she stopped giving lessons is because now she has a full-time job. That was back in October. I even started crying when I got home, and I never, and I mean NEVER cry. But lucky for me I was alone.

 

Also, I am so happy I just can't hold it in! No, I DIDN'T get my own horse, (Oh the dream!) but... 

  

Ok, I need to start from the beginning or else you won't get it...

 

Once upon a time...   Wait wrong beginning!

 

    Now, my best friend Mary's parents have a membership to this resort, and said resort has a HUGE equestrian center. At the equestrian center, if you don't have a membership, you can take what is called a "guest lesson" which costs $35 for a half hour lesson, and $50 for an hour lesson. If you choose too, you can take what is called, "The Independent Rider's Test". Now, if you pass the test, you get to ride whatever horse is available, whenever, wherever, and for how long you want. For FREE. Now, because I am a guest, we always thought I could not obtain a "Independent Rider's License" which is what you get when you pass the test. Therefore, I would have to pay to ride there. Now, 35 dollars may not seem like much, but add that up - 1 lesson per week = 4 weeks in 1 month = 140 dollars per month. This is a large establishment, so there is no chance of working out a deal, and I don't have that kind of money.  So a few weeks ago, Mary calls me from her cell phone. She was out of breath and I could tell she was excited. The conversation went something like this:

 

"Hello?"

 

"EM!  GUESS WHAT!"

 

"Mary?"

 

 

"YES!!   GUESS ALREADY!!"

 

"Um... what?"

 

"I just found out the most amazing, awesome, perfect, spectacular piece of information, and you are going to scream when I tell you this."

 

"TELL ME ALREADY!"

 

"Ok..."  there was a long pause. "As long as I'm with you, you can get and Independent Rider's License!"   I dropped the phone. (In the distance)

"Em? EM? HELLO?"

 

I picked up the phone. "Y-y-y-y-y-y... Yeah..."

 

"Did you hear me?"

 

"M-m-m-m maybe."   I screeched.

 

So that is part one of the story.

 

The next Sunday, (Meaning only TWO DAYS AGO!)  we went to the resort, and walked up to the equestrian center. We walked into the office, and made sure everything was set for my test. I was actually taking the test. We hung out in the barn, and were petting a paint horse to pass the time while we waited for the time to come for my scheduled test time. As we petted the pretty mare,  a gruff-looking kind of guy stepped out of the office, and asked me (rudely I might add...)  if I was ready. I said yes and grabbed a helmet. The guy showed me to another guy, (who was much nicer...) who showed me to a small chestnut gelding. He told me the horse's name was Diamond, and I would be riding him for my test. I had to groom him, tack him up, and lead him to the arena.

During the grooming, he said nothing.

During the tacking, he said nothing.

During the time between the barn and the arena, he again said nothing.

While I was doing the riding part of the test, he only told me what to do... but said nothing else.

 

Afterwards, I had to un-tack and groom Diamond again.

 

When one of the stable hands took Diamond away, the guy, (Alberto is his name, he has a heavy accent.)  lead me into the office to tell me how I did, and whether or not I passed. He took out the paper with the things to check for. Then he began.

 

"When you groom him, you do it very fast and very thoroughly. And you do very good on the feet, Diamond does not like to hold his feet up, and he won't do that for just anyone. I was impressed. And when you put the tack on him, you put the blankets on right the first time, many people have trouble with that. And you do everything else very nice. Diamond likes to be lazy when you lead him, and you make him keep up. It was very good. When you ride him, you get him to canter, and it very very hard to make Diamond canter, he is very lazy. He doesn't want to go.  But you get him to go and you ride very very nice. You pass good."

 

So that is why I very very excited!!!!!!