July 2009 Story Contest

Recovering a Friendship by Jessie 10 & Brownie          age 13

 “That’s it Rose. Now take a deep breath, and relax!” Rose’s dad was telling her.
Rose was a 12 year old, who was absolutely in love with horses.
Rose had her own horse and kept it at the stable that her parents owned. A few months back, Rose’s mom and dad had convinced her to take up show jumping. Rose was reluctant at first, but finally gave in.
At the moment, Rose was trying to collect her nerves so she could do well in her first show jumping class.
“You’ll do great honey! Just remember to listen to you’re horse,” her dad told her.
“Thanks dad,” Rose said, her voice shaking.
“Now calling number 13, Rose Smith riding Storm,” the announcer boomed over the speakers.
“Come on Storm, let’s go,” Rose nudged her beautiful dappled mare into the ring.
Rose gulped, the jumps were at least 3 feet high. She had never expected them to be that high!
Jump after jump they soared over them! Rose was getting her confidence back, jump by jump. When they came to the 7th jump, Storm started to jump, but she lost her footing. Storm slammed into the jump, and Rose went flying over her head and slammed her head into the jumping pole.
Everybody who was close enough came running over to help the girl and her horse. Rose was knocked out. Storm was hurt pretty badly. An ambulance came and took Rose to the hospital; the doctors said that she had a broken leg, and a cracked wrist. But Storm on the other hand, was hurt much worse. The vet took a look at her and told them that she defiantly had a broken leg. They weren’t sure if she would make a recovery.

One month had past. Rose was laying on her bed everyday wishing, hoping, and praying she could go back in time so she wouldn’t have entered that horse show. Her parents were wishing, hoping, and praying that Rose would stop moping around and go see Storm. In the last few days Storm had been getting worse and worse. Storm was starting to get colds, her leg was getting worse, and she was starting to get colic.
“Rose, I thought maybe you could go down to the stable and see Storm. I think the key to her recovery is if you go see her,” her mom explained to Rose one day.
“Mom, if it weren’t for that horse, I wouldn’t have a broken leg, and I wouldn’t be laying in bed,” Rose said getting angry.
“Rose, if you don’t get out of that bed, I’m will pick you up and carry you out there,” her dad said, bursting into the room.
“No you won’t! I’ll ride again; I’ll go see horses again. Any horse but Storm! If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t be in pain!” Rose shouted.
Her father marched over to the bed and picked her up.
“Put me down! I don’t want to go see her! Put me down NOW!” Rose shouted at her father.
Rose’s father carried her to Storm’s stall and set her down. Rose’s breath went out of her all at once when she saw Storm. When Storm saw Rose she struggled to her feet and went over to her owner.
“Oh Storm!” Rose sobbed.
She let herself into the stall and wrapped her arms around the beautiful dappled’s neck.
“I’m so sorry girl! I never knew you were this bad. I’ll never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever leave you ever again!” She cried.
Rose’s parents left her alone with Storm.
Until Storm was better, Rose never left her side; she slept in her stall every night. Her mom had to bring her her pain pills, and food. Just being with Storm and getting her through that hard time made their relationship closer. From that day on, Rose and Storm overcame their fear together and started a great show jumping career.

THE END