March Story Contest

Shining Sun Ranch- The Barrel Race
By lululauren2000

Age 9

 

(read part one here)

 

“Giddy up!” cried young Jilly Johnson. I groaned and searched the road for my best friend, Sonya’s, parent’s car. Her mare, Jazz, was already tacked up and ready for her to ride. I stroked my mare, Rain’s, velvety neck. Emily was riding next to Jilly. We were about ready to go on a trail ride with the guest’s at my parents’ dude ranch. Suddenly the Henderson’s red pick-up truck pulled into our driveway. “Bye Mom!” Sonya yelled as she ran to Jazz. Jazz nickered and nudged Sonya. Lexi and her colt, Thunderstorm, looked over the paddock gate. “Hey Sonya!” I cried. “Nikki! Guess what? Look at this ad!” Sonya cried.  The ad said:

 

County Barrel Race Competition

Compete by yourself, on a team of four or with a partner. Sign ups on February 13. Remember, think of a name for yourself or your team. Can be in more than one event.

“That’s so cool!” I exclaimed.  “I know!” Sonya said. “Okay everyone! We are starting our trail ride now.” yelled Brian. I sighed and pushed Rain into a walk.

Ring! Ring! The school bell rang. “Hey Sonya! Do you want to come over today?” I asked. “Yeah. I’ll just call my Mom from your house.” replied Sonya. I smiled. Gwen Miller walked up to us. “Hey Sonya. Had any good horses lately? I bet you don’t even know that sign ups for the County Barrel Race is today because Shining Sun Ranch is nothing compared to Lightning Crack Ranch, my parent’s ranch.” said Gwen. I rolled my eyes and walked to the bus.

 
“Mom! Can we sign up for the County Barrel Race?” I asked. “Well Nikki, I was just about ready to go sign up Emily for the Jr. Barrels. Why don’t you and Sonya come along and sign up too?” answered Mom. “Ok!” said Sonya. We climbed into Mom’s car and drove to the sign ups. Mom headed to the Jr. Barrels sign ups and me and Sonya headed to the kids sign ups. “Let’s see how about 10-13 partners?” I asked Sonya. “Yeah let’s do that.” said Sonya. We signed up under the Shining Sun Ranch Riders. “Oh look.” I said pointing to a sign up sheet. It was Gwen’s and her friend, Anna’s, sign up sheet. They were competing under Lighting Crack Ranchers. Gwen was riding her gelding Sunny and Anna was riding some horse named Lazy. “Great.” groaned Sonya. I sighed. “Come on. Mom should be waiting by now.” I said. Sonya nodded and we headed towards the car.

“Wow! He looks just like Night!” Sonya exclaimed. Thunderstorm whinnied and ran around the field. Lexi looked up. “I know.” I replied while watching the foal run around. Emily ran over, her eyes shining. “Mom says she needs help during the next trail ride.” she said. “Sonya and I need to practice Ems. Get Matt.” I answered. Emily stuck her tongue out and stomped away. Sonya turned to me. “We should start tacking up.” I agreed. “I’ll get Rain, you get Jazz. Got it?” I asked. Sonya giggled. “Yeah I do. I also know that Rain is covered in dirt. Ha!” Sonya laughed. I looked in the corral and saw a dirt brown Rain. I laughed a little and caught Rain. Sonya caught Jazz and we started grooming them. Sonya had Jazz clean in no time but Rain was a different story. The mare took me and Sonya to get her clean and it took us 17 minutes. “I’ll go get the timer.” I said. I ran to the tack room. Inside, Dad was cleaning tack. “Hey Dad. Where’s the timer?” I asked. “Right here Nikki.” Dad replied. I took the timer from his hand. “Thanks!” I called as I ran out the door. Sonya was waiting at the barrel racing corral. “You go first.” I said. Sonya mounted and warmed Jazz up. Then she came back to the gate. “Ready Go!” I cried.

 

Sonya pushed Jazz into a gallop. She took the first barrel well but the second wobbled a little. Luckily it didn’t fall down. Jazz wasn’t close to touching the last barrel. Sonya rode back to the gate and slid to a stop. “21.2 seconds.” I said. Sonya smiled and stroked Jazz. “My turn.” I cried. After Rain was warmed up, I rode to the gate just like Sonya had. “Go!” yelled Sonya. Rain shot towards the first barrel. I turned her swiftly around the barrel and then next one, and then  the last. “18.4” whooped Sonya. I dismounted and high fived Sonya. “I can’t wait for the barrel race!” I cried. “Me neither.” Sonya agreed.

“Good luck Ems.” I  yelled as Emily rode towards the ring.

 

It was the day of the barrel race. Sonya was right next to me, tacking up Jazz. I was tacking up Rain. Suddenly Gwen walked up. “I was going to wish you good luck but I know even with it you would lose.” Gwen smirked. Anna smiled. “You and your little ponies.” Anna added, shaking her head. I rolled my eyes. Rain was a Thourghbred and Jazz was a Quarter Horse so Anna was wrong. But I didn’t say anything. “You know Anna, I don’t know why they even bothered coming. We all know they will come last.” said Gwen. Anna giggled. “You are so correct Gwen.  The last placers is right in front of us.” she said. This time it was Gwen’s turn to laugh. “Well guess who’s coming in last.” boomed a voice. We turned around and saw a lady looking at us. “I helped organize this barrel race and we won’t let this get away without a punishment.” she said. Gwen and Anna gasped. “You two are disqualified.” the lady announced, pointing to Gwen and Anna. Gwen looked surprised while Anna started to cry. “Come with me to the office so we can fill out the disqualification papers.” the lady ordered and Gwen and Anna sadly followed her. I looked at Sonya. She looked at me. “All right!” we cried in unison. Then we went back to tacking Rain and Jazz.

“And next is the Shining Sun Ranch Riders! Nikki Manders, Sonya Henderson and their mounts, Jazz and Rain! First up is Sonya!” crackled the announcer. I smiled at Sonya. “Go get them!” I whispered. Sonya rode into to the ring.

 

Bring!!! Jazz took off. Sonya rode Jazz around the barrels perfectly but after the second one Jazz lost her footing a little.  Luckily though, she recovered it quickly. “19.6 for Sonya Henderson and Jazz! Now it’s Nikki Manders and Rain.” announced the announcer. I trotted into the ring and stopped.

 

Bring!!! I pushed Rain into a gallop. The mare eagerly headed towards the barrels. Around and around we went not even wiggling a barrel. We finished the last turn and headed towards the finish line. I urged Rain faster and Rain responded well. She crossed the finish line. “Yes!” I whispered. I slowed Rain to a walk and I rode out of the ring. “16.7 seconds! That’s one fast horse.” cried the announcer. I smiled. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I heard Gwen screech. I dismounted and walked over to Sonya. “You rocked!”  she cried happily. I shut my eyes and sighed.

“In first place is the Shining Sun Riders!” said the announcer. I high fived Sonya and we rode into the ring. We led the finishers in a victory lap and then we accepted our little gold cups. “Let’s go see how Emily did after the horses are in the trailer.” I said after the awards were handed out. “Ok.” said Sonya. I untacked Rain and started brushing her. “You were great today girl.” I whispered while I gave her a sugar cube. I hugged Rain and loaded her in the trailer. Sonya loaded Jazz up next to Rain and Emily’s pony, Racer. Then we got in the truck where Mom and Emily were waiting. “Good job girls.” cried Mom as soon as we walked into the truck. “Thanks. How did you do Emily?” I asked. “Ninth.” grumbled Emily. “That’s ok Ems, there’s always next year.” said Sonya. “Yeah I bet you’ll win next time.” I added. Emily’s face brightened. And we drove back home.

Sneak Peek!!!
From Shining Sun Ranch-Cici’s Mystery:
Cici trotted Shawnee around the correl. I watched as Shawnee trotted unevenly. Something was wrong. “Hold on Cici.” I said. I checked Shawnee’s legs and felt nothing. “What’s wrong?” Cici asked worriedly. “I don’t know.” I replied. “The horses have been acting strange since you started coming here.” I added. “I didn’t do anything.” Cici said quickly. “I know. But even Night is acting weird.” I said. Cici dismounted and stood next to me. What’s going on? I wondered.