Into the Spotlight- Chapter 2
And here we go!
Edward Cullen.
I heard Alice gasp next to me, just as I let out a moan.
"Shit," I cursed. "I'm really going to have to up my game."
Edward Cullen was like me, a talented horse rider with a stable full of great horses. He too had only recently started to gain fame and travel up the ranks, and just like me this was his first year of International competing and he was also winning the majority of his classes. The only difference was I knew he was in a completely different league to me. His horses had better breeding, and had only been handled by the best in the world. And he'd only had the best training in the world, from former Olympians no less. Up until I was fifteen I was taught by nice Mrs. Newton down the road, who ran the local pony club.
In Horse magazine's Top 10 to watch for 2011 I was ranked Number 2. He was ranked Number 1.
I had never met him before, and luckily never competed against him. I would be sure to have lost against him. I bet he's going to be at this competition and I bet I'll have no chance, I-
"Bella? Earth to Bella?" Alice called me out of what would have been the beginning of my panic attack.
"Let's just get ready. I don't want to talk about it." I knew it was rude of me to walk away like that, but I just wanted to go and get this stupid waste of my time over with.
It was half eleven, and we were nearly ready to go. I was showered and no longer smelt like I'd been rolling in a stable, my hair looked reasonable and, with the slightest bit of help from make-up, so did my face. I now wore my pristine white breeches, a royal blue fitted polo top which had my name stitched into the back and my best riding boots.
The tack was packed up, the rugs and the hay nets and the water all filled for the four hour drive we had ahead of us. I was taking two horses to the competition with me today.
All dressed in his royal blue travelling gear, Napoleon trotted onto the horsebox, excited as to what would be happening. A grey mare followed him, small at only fifteen hands; she was a beautiful Anglo- Arabian, and my second best hope for the Olympics. Perdita was her name, and it was hard to believe the power she had over five foot fences.
Finally the horses were ready, and we were ready. Alice and I clambered into the front, leaving Emmet behind to look at the remaining horses.
"Remember Emmet, they each need to be lunged for at least fifteen minutes a day until we come back. And their food needs to be precise. And the farriers coming tomorrow all the details are on the whiteboard. And make sure they're brought in no later than six, and turned out no later than eight. And-"
"Bella," his deep voice interrupted me. "I've got this. Any problems I'll ring you. Good luck, do your best, though I know you will," he said with a reassuring smile as he lightly punched my arm.
"Thanks," I said, as I switched on the engine. The horsebox came to life, and gave Emmet a small wave before taking a deep breath, and driving away.
"Shall I test you on your Dressage?" Alice asked halfway into our journey. I nodded. I struggled to remember my routine.
"Medium walk to centre line. Salute. Collected trot to C, continue until A. Ten meter circle in working trot. From B to R half pass, track right at M. At H transition to extended walk, then change rein from F to H and into medium walk. Then pick up collected canter and go down the centre line. Piaffe at X," I paused to think briefly about the hardest point of my test. I sucked at piaffes, they were always my lowest scorer and usually dragged down my entire test. I took a deep breath to steady myself.
"Then continue in medium canter, track left and change the rein K to M, change to counter canter until E, when a flying change is executed and the correct canter lead is given. At A transition to working trot, and go up the three quarter line and shoulder in. Once back on the track, at H complete a passage down the length of the arena. Then finally return to working trot until C, travel down centre line and square halt at X, and salute."
"It's right Bella, you know it!" she exclaimed, patting me on the shoulder. All I could do was nod in reply. "It'll be fine, you know it will be. Dressage is probably your strongest element; you'll get a great head start over Cullen. I don't know if you've realised but dressage is not his strong point." I let out a little giggle as I realised she was right. She always made me feel better; she really was an amazing friend.
Finally we'd arrived at Wimbledon, a world famous Equestrian Eventing venue, where only the best were invited to show what they were really made of. It was busy when we arrived a little after four, people running around, shouting at others, dragging reluctant horses and other carrying saddles, brushes, feeds and anything else you could imagine you'd need. We were directed to the stables, to where my two horses were staying. The stables were we in a separate block, with only another two stables present. It was a lot quieter here than the other stables and for that I was grateful.
We lead Napoleon and Perdita into their stables, brushed them and settled them in. We would plait them in the morning, just as we always did so they looked at pristine as possible. The grey mare settled in quietly, munching away at her hay, but the chestnut stallion refused to calm down. He paced around his stable, thrashed at the door and stamped his feet. His head swayed side to side and he began to box walk. Unfortunately the excitement usually got to him a bit too much, and it was something I was used to by now. I tried to calm him down using quiet and soothing words, but Napoleon wasn't prepared to listen any time soon.
"Excuse me, Ma'am," I heard someone with a distinctly southern accent call to me. I turned to a face a handsome gentleman with a blond hair. He was leading a big black horse, and was stood in the entrance to our little barn. "Is your horse going to be doing that all night? It's just I don't want to leave this guy in here if he is because he'll set him off and that would not be good for his performance."
"No," I gushed. "He'll calm down in a few minutes. He's just excited." The man nodded and smiled and led the horse past me and into a stable. And just like that the noises from inside the stall stopped as Napoleon finally began to settle. "Good boy."
I really hoped Alice would hurry up with the rugs; it was becoming awkward with me and this guy in the room alone together. I could see he wasn't going to fill the silence, so I decided I would.
"So what order are in you in tomorrow?" I casually asked. I didn't recognise him, but then again he may be new to the circuit.
"Actually Ma'am I'm not a rider, I'm just a groom. Oh, here comes my boss now," he said, as I heard footsteps approach.
And wouldn't you know it. My luck was getting shittier and shittier by the hour.
"Hey Jasper, thanks for doing that," he said. His voice startled me. It was the most incredible voice I'd ever heard, it was soft and sweet and just perfect. I couldn't help but stare at him. He was tall, probably higher than six foot, and had a lean body, but muscular I bet. And his face was just astonishing; I wanted to ask him why he was here and not on a runway in Paris. And then there was his hair, messy, bronze sex hair that was just calling out for me to touch it.
Snap out of it Bella!
He noticed me, standing by Napoleon's head and smiled at me. Something about his expression told me he recognised me.
"So, you're my rival. Isabella Swan," he addressed me with a crooked smile that for some reason cockiness just radiated off of.
"Bella," I corrected automatically. I straightened myself, tried to appear confident, and matched his cocky little smile. "So you're Edward Cullen."
And there you have it, chapter 2. Now we have introductions over, the real story can begin!
Wimbledon is based on the UK competition of Badminton. If you've never heard of it you should check it out, it's one of the most incredible cross country courses in the world, in my opinion.
The horse Napoleon is based on and named after my own horse, who although he is mega talented, he is a little blighter when it comes to behaving at shows!
Please review with comments and improvements.
HannaLouiise.