*** January 2012 Story Contest Age 12 and Older ***
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The Show Jumpers Promise
By: Crazybit
I walked to the barn. Slowly, Quietly. Not to wake my parents. It was 4:30am still dark and gloomy from the moon's surface. I reached the barn, Rusty nickered and raised his head. It was time to ride.
I saddled him up, Leveling the stirrups and tightening the girth. Making sure everything was in perfect shape. I placed the bit in his mouth, Raising the bridle over his head. He looks ready, and so do I.
I lead him out of the barn and Into the horse trailer. The show doesn't start in an hour, I tie him up, and close the trailer door. I run to the truck hop in, close the door and hope for the best.
Iron Mountain, WY Wyoming 10 miles to destination.
I arrive to the show grounds at 5:00 still dark but see-able. Riders rush to the ring, Numbers flying, horses neighing, ribbons flowing, and dirt seeping into your boots. I find a parking spot into the grass. Once I parked, I leaded Rusty out of the trailer, He was still tacked up, he still has the determination in his eyes. I nod, showing him respect, and take him to the tent to get our numbers.
I got my number, Mine was #32 and so was Rusty's. I place It on my back and waited for my number to be called.
Since we had some spare time, I mounted up slowly. Making sure that no horse or rider were bothering us, Once I mounted I grab the reins making sure rusty was calm. Once he was ready, I squeeze my heels making him change into a trot.
We trotted over to the warm-up ring, I open the gate. It squeaked very loudly making Rusty's ears flash back. I enter closing the gate, In the warm-up ring there was 4 cross jumps. numbered 1 to 4. Over 2 feet and 4 inches. Not very complicated for some riders. Although this is a beginner's class, to some riders this is a life changing event.
I change leads with rusty, into a canter. we canter to the first jump, I keep my head up, and my heels down, I look ahead grabbing the reins, Rusty soared and flew off the ground causing dirt to fly off his hooves. We land and repeat with all four jumps.
We finish the sequence I stroke his soft, sweaty neck, then I hear the announcer calling our number to the showing ring. anticipation runs through my veins, I breath slowly and click my tongue. The time is now or never.
The announcer repeats as follows.
Announcer: The rider and Horse enter the ring, the very last one too. at number #32 Rusty and Lauren! Entering the ring. I feel confident that these two will make a great pair. Enough chit-chat, Lets begin!
After the Announcers final words I look nervously at all 12 jumps, Nothing like the four jumps I seen in the warm-up ring. And they are not cross jumps, As follows. All the jumps are in order of 1-12 up to 3ft 2in. All the jumps are decorated of mixture's of flowers and clear cut advertisements of horse feed or tack shops.
The bell struck, I urge my horse to a gallop, Rusty sprints forward at his top speed. I hold the reins at a firm grip, making sure I don't lose any balance in the saddle.
We reach the first jump. I keep my heels down, Head up, leaning forward into the saddle, feeling Rusty's body motion, We soar over the jump landing with a inch to spare.
Repeating at each jump, the announcer commented at each jump. the crowd went silent. I hope that is a good thing. considering that my concentration level is off the charts right now.
When we reach the last jump, the crowd is off there seats, and the announcer is focused on my riding skills. Frustration and Nervousness is a trait since the other emotions are dropped out.
We face the last jump, I keep my heels down, And My mind fixed to the jump. I grip the reins tighter and lean forward into the saddle, Rusty flies over the jump with his mussels tense and tight. We land silently as the crowd claps and jumps out of there seats. I raise my hand smiling galloping around the ring. We earned a 1st place ribbon. And a simple green hunter jacket to go with it.
Two years later; My riding gets better, My grade's get better, Honor rolls start rolling in, Friends come and go, and Rusty's confidence gets to the point where the jumps are no scary image to him.
I encounter a poem in my language art's book that I found during my language art's class. I read along quietly as my desk partner writes down his missed vocabulary notes.
Whenever I see a jump up ahead
I remember the things I learned in my head
Check the horse, Aim straight, keep the reins short
Head up, the monkey's straps there for support
Heels down, hold on,
Lean foreword or your gone
I love to jump on a trusty horse
Going around the show-jumping course
The adrenaline rush, excitement and fear
The closing of eyes as the jump draws near
And when all for feet leave the ground
Your stomach starts to whirl around
Landing with a softened thump
Then racing away to the next jump.
I smile, Thinking to myself show jumping is a passion not a sport. And I found myself who I am in life, rather than to find a talent and say I'm good at it. I break free from my daydream. And copy down the notes to the next vocabulary section.
By:CrazyBit Age: 13
Crazybit & Lily
2012-01-16 15:13:31
A real Miracle
Ellie walked briskly down the gently curved sidewalk. Her light blonde hair whipped into her sparkling emerald green eyes. She hurried to her mare Winter's stall. A beautiful engraved nameplate read Winter Wonder in silver on the honey colored stall door. Her stunning white Thoroughbred jumper huffed gently on Ellie's outstretched hand containing a peppermint. Ellie let herself into the freshly mucked out stall. She gently put one hand on her mares back and looked behind Winter to see Winter's new foal. A small jet black filly stared at her with large unblinking blue eyes. Ellie looked in dismay at the foal, who was still lying down. "You need to try and stand up." Ellie murmured to the tiny foal. A jagged streak of white marked the fillies nose. Ellie knelt down and stroked the foal gently. The bottle of milk from last night was off to the side. Ellie reached for it and looked at it carefully. It had new milk in it so she tilted it toward the foal mouth. "I will name you Streak." Ellie said gently to Streak. Streak quickly drank from the bottle noisily slurping. "Well don't you have an appetite!" Ellie laughed to the foal. She reached into her pocket and pulled out another peppermint. She stood up, brushed her legs off and gave the mint to Winter. Streak looked up and seemed to ask "Can I have more?" Ellie laughed at the puzzled face. Ellie heard her dad call her in for breakfast so she gave each horse a pat and left quickly.
Ellie's sobs echoed through the stables. Mares perked their long ears up as Ellie fled through the stable. She reached the stable and rushed in the open door. Winter lay near her foal nuzzling Streak gently. Tears streamed down Ellie's face as she watched the foal brokenhearted. Streak's sides and legs were scratched horribly and her fuzzy mane was shredded. A mountain lion had slipped through the open barn doors and had easily found the new foal. Ellie's dad had walked in just as the lion had pounced. The vet had come rushing and Ellie was called for. "Don't let her die!" Ellie screeched at the vet just standing there. "I can't do anything for her," He said gently "Yes YES!" Ellie shouted and flung her arms around the foal. This was the only mare Ellie was in charge of and Streak was going to be perfect in everything. Ellie had thought. Now her dream had been torn in two and dumped in the garbage. "She wasn't strong from the beginning and she would never be." Ellie's dad tried to sooth. Ellie just burst into more tears. The towel she had brought for the foal was suddenly remembered and she wrapped it around Streak's side. "They aren't that deep though!" She protested while crying. Mr. Dan, the vet, sighed and walked over to the filly. "I will bring her to my facility." He said gently and scooped the tiny Streak into his arms.
For a few days Ellie couldn't sleep at night but as time wore on her hopes drowned. Two months exactly from the time Ellie had last seen Streak a brisk knock sounded on the door. Ellie zoomed down the stairs and almost fell as she raced to open the door. Ellie gasped and ran to hug a very large bundle in Mr. Dan's arms. "Why didn't you call us!" She sobbed as she looked at the bright eyed stare of Streak. "I did I just told your dad not to tell you because I thought she would die. The truth is she actually did. While we were stitching her up her heart stopped. It was only for a few seconds but that was the worst scare of my life. The nurses shouted when her heart started again." Dan announced almost crying. "So you are my little miracle." Ellie whispered. Dan set her down and she quickly trotted over to Ellie. Ellie flung her arms around the foal and looked up for one last question "Why did it take so long?" Ellie asked. "We had to keep her until she was completely healed up." Dan responded. Ellie smiled and ran to her parents to tell them the news.
Please do not copy everyone.
ChandraMeansMoonInSandscript & Chandra
2012-01-18 02:23:23
AN AMAZING ANIMAL
One quiet June evening, that was all so quiet the only sound you could hear was the chirping of crickets and the breeze blowing by, picking up the leaves of the blossomed trees. Sparks liked this time of night. The beautiful black stallion grazed on some grass in the paddock that sat firmly behind the Jane's house. 10 year old Sarah Jane was Spark's owner who feed him rolled oats, and water, and fresh hay. She cleaned out his stable, and groomed him until he shined and in return Sparks lets her ride him where ever she wants. But sometimes Sparks felt as if he never did enough for Sarah. His eyes were filled with sadness, and worry as he nibbled on some hay. But then he looked up, his ears pricking. He heard something! He looked at the Jane's front lawn from behind the paddock fence. He saw someone standing on the other side of the highway! Sparks was scared. Who could be out there? He neighed, trying to defend his owners land. He must of scared the mysterious shadowy figure because he ran away, down the unusually quiet highway,after throwing something on the ground. Sparks wished to see what it was, but he couldn't cross the highway without getting hurt, at least. So he just went back to grazing. About a half an hour later Sparks smelled something.He looked at the spot where the shadowy figure used to be standing. Nothing. But he did smell something. He sniffed once more, trying to identify the scent. It was smoke! Right when he noticed the smell, a tiny flame broke out of the lump of straw! Sparks neighed in fright. He noticed that the flames were getting bigger more quickly, and that they were nearly half way across the road! He threw himself on his stall door, hoping to get out. Not such luck. The flames were now touching the front steps! Sparks continued to throw himself on the stable door, hoping her would make it across the yard and to his owners house before it was to late! With quick thinking, Sparks kicked the stable door with his hind legs. The fire was on the front porch, seeping through the front door. He kicked again. Now the fire was on the windows, creeping up the purple walls of the house. He kicked once more, and found himself free! He raced across the paddock, the wind in his hair. When he reached the back door, he didn't know how to get in so he ran around to the front. He noticed flames within the windows, catching the steps on fire! He neighed, and started kicking the front door. That's when Mr. and Mrs. Jane got out of bed and opened the door. Tiny flames were surrounding their bedroom door. "Oh, no!" Mrs. Jane cried out. Mr. Jane pushed Mrs. Jane out of the way. He turned around, and held her hands. "Go get Sarah!" he said, "I'll go down to the paddock and free Sparks." Mrs. Jane nodded, tears in her eyes. Mr. Jane ran down the twisting staircase, and ran out the back door towards the paddock. But when he arrived, he was surprised to find the stall door broken, hanging on it's hinges."He's gone!" Mr. Jane said to himself. Mr. Jane quickly ran back to the house, it was covered in flames all the way to the roof. He was surprised to find Mrs. Jane outside. "Where's Sarah?!?!" he yelled. Mrs. Jane sobbed. "I ran to her room but the door wouldn't open! I tried banging on it, kicking it, it won't open! George, she's going to die in there! What do we do?!?" Mr. Jane ran to the back door. The flames were too high. Meanwhile, Sparks kicked the front door and got it open. Inside the house the air was filled with smoke and Sparks was breathing heavily. He ran up the steps, although it was quiet hard, considering the fact that he was a horse. Outside Mrs. Jane called the fire station on her cell phone while Mr. Jane tried to find an opening. The back door was on flames so he tried the front door. This lead him to another surprise, seeing that it had hoof dents in it. Then he looked up at his daughter's room. He could hear her screaming! This made Mrs. Jane cry harder but Mr. Jane ran through the flames, not caring if he was going to get burned. Upstairs Sparks found her bedroom door and was kicking it. When he got it open he neighed, and came up towards Sarah. Sarah climbed on her bed, and hopped onto Sparks, clinging onto him. Downstairs Mr. Jane couldn't get up the steps that were covered in flames so he ran back outside. "Did you get her?" Mrs. Jane asked. He shook his head. "I couldn't get up the stairs, they're covered in flames. Sparks is missing so I assumed he ran across the high way or something." But Sparks wasn't across the street. He was inside saving his owner. His nostrils were flaring and he breathed heavily. He couldn't see any thing but thick smoke surrounding him. Sarah was coughing, and her blond hair was brushing past her face at the pace Sparks was going. When Sparks reached the steps his eyes filled with fright and he neighed. The steps were now a flaming river of fire! But Sparks had an idea. He jumped the staircase, only lucky for him since they were so small. Sarah buried her face in his mane as he ran out the front door. Small pieces of fire were hanging from his mane and tail and he looked blacker than he did before. Mr. Jane and Mrs. Jane ran up to Sparks, lifting Sarah off his back. The fire truck arrived, following with the ambulance. Fire men ran to the house, spraying it down with the water from their hose. Sarah was checked on in the ambulance. "Nothing to worry about," Dr. Logan said to her parents, "Sarah is just fine. Only a couple of burns, and she did inhale a lot of smoke, but other than that, she's perfectly fine. But if that horse wasn't there to rescue you- well, thank goodness he was there." Sarah grinned. "Yeah, that's because Sparks is the best pony in the world."
Caspian136 & Caspian
2012-01-20 18:05:59
~Training The Mustang
Written by: Snoglen
It was a warm day at Seaside Stables, the breeze was just right and everything seemed just at ease with the world. Shaine had decided to train one the mustangs that was caught a month ago. He was beautiful, a golden chestnut stallion with a long and flowed mane and tail. He loved mints and children, but he did not like being ridden or handled by any of the workers. His name is Dusty.
Shaine managed to get a thin saddle blanket and light brown western saddle on him. He didn't even dare take his halter off, he slide the brand new western curb bit into his mouth and adjusted it correctly to his face. Dusty chewed the bit as if there was a sugar cube in his mouth, he stomped the ground as well. He was aggravated. Shaine pat him on the neck and lead him to the large outdoor arena.
Dusty immediately knew what Shaine was trying to do so he flung his head around and got him to let go of the reins, dusty ran as fast as he could, Shaine didn't bother to go after the mustang. He just watched the beautiful creature go through his gaits around the arena.
Dusty lowered his head looking for grass, he was right in front of Shaine as well. So Shaine made his way to Dusty very slowly, taking his time so dusty would not notice...He snatched the reins! of course Dusty flailed his head a bit but he calmed down after Shaine pet his head. Shaine walked him for a little while, so he would get used to having a saddle on him. Meanwhile Sarah had came up to the arena with Mayflower, her beautiful Palomino Mustang she trained herself, she is her pride and joy, she decided to stay and watch the show. she sat on the fence holding onto May's reins.
After walking dusty around for a bit Shaine put the reins over Dusty's large head, he looked at dusty and smiled.
"Take it easy on me, okay?" He chuckled. He grabbed onto the reins and horn even a bit of his mane and the other hand on the cantle. he stepped into the stirrup and hopped into the saddle, he quickly got his foot in the other stirrup, seeing dusty began chewing more on the bit and dashed off into the arena. He held on tight and pulled the reins back hard, dusty did not like it one bit, so he slowed down noticing when he behaved, Shaine wouldn't pull so hard on the reins. dusty did warm up as quickly learning that though. He bucked and reared for hours, Shaine even fell off twice! but he wouldn't give up on the beautiful stallion, after hours of practice he finally had Dusty trotting for him and going in circles. He trotted up to Sarah who was still watching even after hours; May was very patient with her rider.
"How do you think we did?" Shaine asked sweetly.
"That was amazing, a very good quality for a rider to have, persistence! I'm proud of you Shaine, you got a wild mustang tamed into a gentle western horse," Sarah said.
"Thank you very much, Sarah! I'm glad me and Dusty now have an understanding," He pet his neck softly, Dusty reared into the sky and Shaine fell on his back, laughing. dusty galloped into the arena. Sarah watched and giggled.
"Darn horse," Shaine said getting up, laughing, from the arena's sand and walking towards the stallion.
"Good luck!" Sarah mounted Mayflower and they went off onto the trails.
This is Club Pony Pals, the official Pony Pals game and virtual horse world. Here you can adopt, ride and care for the pony you always wanted. Our site is based on the Scholastic books about three girls by Jeanne Betancourt.
