May Story Contest

Maya
By: Sham_slam
Age: 15

Maya carefully pulled on her right rein.  Rain, her adorable bay pony, responded and trotted toward the one and a half foot vertical.  As they approached, Rain’s ears pricked gently, but her gait stayed even and the same.  She leapt over the fence and cantered away.  

           “Good job Maya.  That fence almost looks too big for little Rain,” Mrs. Crandal called to her. Maya’s brow furrowed.  It was true—Rain was getting too small for the jumping that she was ready to do. “I know this is a hard subject for you, but would you consider selling her?  You could ride Wiggles.  He’s a fantastic jumper, and I have just the right buyer for Rain.”

           Maya thought carefully.  She would, of course, miss Rain more than anything—the tiny bay was her first pony and had taken care of her as she learned to ride.  However, she knew that she couldn’t keep her forever—besides wanting to jump higher, she knew that she was getting too big.  “Who’s the right buyer?” She questioned as she slowed Rain to a walk.

           “I just met a man that works at a riding school for the blind.  Rain would be perfect—she’s small, patient, gentle, everything they look for.”

           Maya ran her fingers through the Shetland’s black mane as they walked.  “I’ll have to talk to my parents,” she said.

           “Of course,” Mrs. Crandal exclaimed as she took the pole off of  the jump standard and put it away.  “Just think about it.”


           The next morning, Maya returned to the barn.  She had talked to her parents, and they thought it was a great idea.  Wiggles was almost through with his training, and she could begin to ride him all the time.  She told this to Mrs. Crandal when she saw her at the ring.

           “That’s great news.  Why don’t you take your lesson today on Wiggles, to see if you like his jump.”

           Maya had ridden Wiggles before, but she had never jumped him—usually, her older sister, Madison, took him over fences.  “Okay,” she agreed and went to get the black pony.

 
           Forty five minutes later, Maya trotted Wiggles in a circle and turned towards the crossrail that was set up in the center of the ring.  Wiggles excitedly pricked his ears, and his pace increased.  She laughed and half-halted.  He responded beautifully, arching his neck into the bit.  As he took off, it was as if his back legs were huge springs.  They soared over the fence with a foot to spare, and Maya felt her face break into a grin.  “I love him,”  she proclaimed.

           Mrs. Crandal smiled.  “Should we do it then?”  

           Maya hesitated. She didn’t want to leave Rain, but she also knew that the riding school would take great care of her.  She took a deep breath and nodded.  “Yes.”

           “Okay.  I’ll call him up later today.  This is a great thing you’re doing, Maya—ponies like Rain don’t come along every day.”
 

           Five days later, Rain was settled at the riding school.  Of course, the good-bye was hard for Maya—but she knew she could visit whenever she wanted.  She also loved riding Wiggles.  She knew he was the perfect pony for her.