Canterwood Crest, the academy of my dreams. I couldn't believe I was actually going to be staying there! I looked back at the goose neck trailer being slowly pulled by our large white truck. I couldn't wait until we finally arrived at that large facility of my dreams.
We were here, Canterwood Crest. I was so excited I could barely contain myself when the truck pulled to a stop. I leapt out of the passenger seat and ran to our two horse trailer. I unlatched the door and folded down the back ramp. My dad walked over, and I climbed under the back rail while keeping my hand along Finn's dappled hind quarters.
"You got the lead clipped?" My dad asked.
"Yes, I'm ready" I replied. Dad unclipped the back rail and Finn stumbled down the ramp with me following at a slow jog. We reached the flat ground and I rubbed the large dapple grey's muscular neck. He tossed his head and his clean white pulled mane and banged tail shook. I still had a hard time believing he was mine; even after a year of having him. His dominantly long legs made him over seventeen hands high. It made me seem like a midget, and being the short four feet and eleven inches tall thirteen year old I was, I kind of was one.
"This must be the way to the stable." My dad said as he pointed to signs directing us down a grassy path. I grasped Finn's lead as he pranced impatiently.
"He's being so antsy. I hope he calms down some before my evaluation." I said in a worried tone.
"You'll do fine, sweetie." My dad replied. He wrapped me in a hug with his tan muscular sporty-like body and brown hair with natural highlights, just like mine. "Now you get Finn put up and I'll wait for your mom with your stuff. Call me and tell me where your dorm is when you're done at the barn."
"Okay dad." I walk down towards where the signs directed me and I glanced into the outdoor arena with a course of jumps set up and a few horses inside. I held my impatient horse back as I watched a black horse go over the large fences beautifully.
As we walked I took in the scenery. Rolling pastures, green grass that seemed to be cut piece by piece, and of course the beautiful barn. I couldn't help but worry if I would fit in or not. Would I make any friends? Would I be stuck with a roommate I didn't like? Or even worse, would I not even make the intermediate team?! I couldn't imagine my years of hard work being flushed down the drain by one bad ride!
I stopped and looked over at my excited dapple grey. His half moon of dark dapples followed about a half a foot from his point of buttock and went all the way down his leg. All his legs were darkened by his dark grey -almost black- dapples. I hoped Mr. Conner would be as impressed with him as I was the first time I saw him. Or maybe just because I knew he would be mine... I don't know.