February Story Contest

Second Chance

by lovemahorse and Second Chance

Age 10

 

My name's Annie. I'm 10. I have my own horse, Second Chance. He's a stallion. Since I love him so much, I wrote a story about him, and decided to put it in the contest, you know, for the heck of it.  So, I've had Chance for two years - he's 14, a lovely horse to ride and train.

 

         "When are we leaving?" I asked pesteringly to my Mom.

         "In a minute – I've got to change,"

I waited for her to change. She had just gotten back from work, but I was impatient! Today was the day I was getting a horse! My Mom finally came back down. I hurried to the car – we started our journey!

         When we reached the sales, I jumped up and down with excitement. I could see other girls and boys here too. We walked around the stables, but I didn't see any horses that I really liked. There was a black and white paint I sort-of liked, but my Mom decided to take a look at the auctions. So she dragged me to a seat and we looked at the horses. First there was a pearly white horse.

         "That one looks good," My Mom started.

         "No." I said bluntly. The next horse was a bay. I didn't like that one either, but every other bidder did. Finally, the tall, lanky, skinny Appaloosa was walked in.

         "That one," I said.

         "Annie, you can't be serious – he's worthless,"

         "That one," I repeated.

         "Very well, we'll bid, but if he causes any trouble at all, I will sell him straight off!" So she raised her hand for $200. One other person was bidding against us. I didn't like the look of him. He raised his hand for $250. My Mom raised her hand for $300. The man decided it wasn't worth more than 300 and let it go.

         "SOLD to the woman in blue!" yelled the auctioneer. I shivered with excitement. This straggly, half-starved horse was mine! And I would get him back on his feet!

        

         We got him home. My brother came rushing out (my little brother) and asked to see him.

         "Stay back," I warned, "He's a little frightened." I watched as my Mom unloaded him and handed him to me.

         "He's ugly," said my brother. I wished I had slapped him! But I didn't, just walked the horse to the pasture and let him in.

         "You aren't ugly, boy," I said, stroking his dusty neck, "just a little dirty and skinny." And I thought of a name – Second Chance.

 

         Six months later Chance was full-fed and striving. I began work with him. He followed me around most places (except into the trailer, which was annoying). We worked on regular riding, and Chance enjoyed our training. I took him to a show, and we didn't place, but I was still very proud of Chance – he'd come so far!

         We were now bonding well, and his training was paying off. My riding instructor said that we could one day be stars!

         Now I'm ten, and Chance and I have won 2 shows and placed in 3 others. I'm very proud of Chance – not only in the fact that he's come so far, but also because soon he'll have a foal! My parents got me a surprise horse for my birthday! They said that she was perfectly suited to Second Chance. They became fast friends, and now my mare is expecting a foal. I named her Ring of Stars, because she had a rough circle of stars on her rump, and because of my riding instructor's words. I don't know what I'm going to call the foal, but this is the name I'm thinking most of;

Forever Remember the Second Star

I'll call the foal Forever for short. I think writing it down helps me decide. I'll call the foal Forever.