"Erica Baker and River Reef to the arena please." The voice came over the loud speaker, indicating it was my turn to compete for a blue ribbon.
I looked down at the set of reins I was holding and my eyes traveled up the leather until they were met with an aristocratic head and deep brown eyes.
"Come on River." I said to the horse, beginning to walk towards the ring I was to compete in.
The tall bay stallion at the end of the reins followed closely as I headed towards the main arena. When I passed stands and advertising areas to the opening of the arena, I stopped and mounted up.
"Okay boy, this is it." I whispered to the horse.
I clucked to him and he obediently walked forward, into the show ring. As I approached the line as to where I was to start, I halted River Reef and waited for the judges to give the okay.
"You may start." One of them said over the loud speaker.
I nudged River's sides with my heels and off he went, starting at a slow trot to work up his pace, and eventually we began going at a slow canter, gliding across the ground towards the first and lowest jump. When we approached it, River's speed was increased and I felt his forelegs lift from the ground and soon, we were in the air; sailing over the jump.
Thud.
We landed and headed for the next, slightly higher gate looking jump. I gathered myself and Set River up and we flew over the second jump. I looked down at the ground as he cantered towards the 3rd obstacle.
We reached it and I felt all three phases. Launch. Sail. Land.
4 more times I felt those 3 motions and soon, we were finished and standing at the finish gate, both working up a sweat.
"Thank you." The judges said, and we left the ring for our trailer.
After cooling off the stallion, I tied him and loosened his girth while I reached in my truck for a bottle of water. Then I heard my instructor walk up with her husband.
"You did great honey! River did so well!" Cathy cried, giving me a tight hug.
"Thanks. I hope we don't get a horrible score." I smiled to myself, looking over at the great stallion I someday wished to call mine.
"I'm sure you'll get first place. That was amazing. I love seeing all my babies grow up to be champions." Cathy replied, smiling up at her stallion.
"All 2nd division jumpers please gather in the main show ring please." I heard over the loud speaker.
"That's me. I better go collect my prize." I said, untying River Reef and tightening his girth back up.
I gathered my reins and hopped onto the bay stallion's back, asking him to walk forward so we could receive our ribbon. When we entered the ring, we lined up in a row, between a gorgeous gray mare and a chestnut gelding.
River's ears pricked towards the mare and his nostrils flared slightly as he chewed at his bit.
"Manners River." I whispered sharply to the horse, and he calmed down a bit.
Then a voice came over the loud speaker.
"3rd prize yellow ribbon and a gift card to sally's saddle supplies goes to...John Fagan and Mandy."
I watched as the boy and his gray mare trotted forward happily to collect their ribbon and gift card. I smiled to myself, remembering my very first show.
"2nd place red ribbon and 300 dollar check goes to...Deborah Hale and Hercules."
A girl on a flashy black gelding calmly walked forward and took their check and ribbon. The girl; smiling stuck the ribbon onto her horse's bridle.
"And finally, 1st place and a 1,000$ goes out to...Erica Baker and River Reef."
My cheeks immediately turned crimson and my hands started to shake as my name was called up for first place. A large smile plastered on my face as River walked forward, and clapping was heard from the stands. I reached the man with the microphone and reached down as he handed me a blue ribbon and a crisp check.
I smiled wide and pinned the ribbon to River's bridle and searched the stands for Cathy and Gordon. I found them, taking pictures and smiling and cheering.
We exited the ring and found Cathy and Gordon by the trailer. I got off and hugged them both tight.
"Honey, I want to give you a present. An early birthday present if you will." Cathy slowly.
I looked at her as I stood Holding River's reins in my right hand as my left on stroked his sleek brown neck.
"I want you to Have River." She said finally, and I cried out in pure joy, turning and hugging my stallion around his muscular neck and buried my face into his warm coat.
He truly was a winner.