Marie slid open the bolt of the stall leading out the tacked up palomino mare Soda towards the outdoor arena. The sun was high in the sky and shining brightly, luckily the warm breeze kept it from getting to blusteringly hot. Marie felt ill, she had butterflies in her stomach. She had no idea what this lesson might bring. She put on her riding hat as Malory leading Tybalt stopped beside her. "Don't worry Marie, you'll be fine Soda is a great horse to ride, you'll see." Malory reassured. Marie smiled but still felt uncertain.
Marie halted Soda in the middle of the arena to mount her, once she was on, Marie sorted out her stirrups and tightened the girth before settling into the saddle and nudging Soda into a walk. Marie took Soda through some transitions to halt as she waited for the others to be sorted. The mare had her ears pricked forward all the time, listening to Marie's commands with no struggle. Marie smiled slightly, she admitted to herself that she felt comfier on the mare than the bay gelding back at the stable. It was a strange feeling, like it was fate that Soda and Marie were to be together, Marie didn't complain. "Alright now that we're all settled and in a brisk walk, I'd like you to go onto the free rein today, so off you go." Ms. Carmichael told the class. Marie watched as Bluegrass turned onto a 20 metre circle, Morello changed diagonal and Tybalt halted. Soda and Minnie stayed in their walk.
Marie halted Soda a few times before asking her to trot, Soda broke into a smooth trot easily as Marie rose up and down to the rhythm, checking that she was sitting as Soda's outside foreleg went back. She sat down for two and continued the rising trot. She shortened her reins before turning Soda on a 20 metre circle and asking her to slow to a walk and Soda obliged. Marie leant down and gave Soda a pat on the neck before halting and allowing Morello to pass, Dylan smiled a little as she trotted past, as soon as Marie was on the track she got Soda back into a trot, doing another twenty metre circle, calling, "Cantering" sitting deep and urging the mare into a calm and collected canter. She broke smoothly on the right leg. Marie smiled as she sat easily to the mare's stride. She slowed Soda into a trot and patted her neck, "Good girl!" Marie smiled. "Marie? If you would like to jump her I have a course set out in the indoor arena" Ms. Carmichael told her.
"Oh yes please." Marie replied to the instructor, walking towards the gate which Ms. Carmichael opened for her.
Marie led Soda into the indoor arena and shortened her stirrups to jumping length. She took Soda towards the jumps and walked the course, Marie then did a few more transitions to canter on a twenty metre circle before heading towards Jump 1. Marie leant forward as Soda launched into the air with a snort, landing clear on the other side. Marie gave her a quick pat before she headed towards the bounce jump, Soda's ears went back as she jumped the first and tried to take a canter stride in between. Marie tapped Soda with her crop gently on the shoulder after landing the first jump, Soda listened to Marie's commands and jumped the second easily. Marie felt so much more comfy on Soda than Kingfisher and she listened to Marie's leg commands well. Marie smiled as she cleared the last jump and joined the rest of the group. "Well done Marie, you look good on her." Ms. Carmichael commented. Marie felt a flush of pleasure from this compliment as she slowed to a walk and lowered Soda's reins ad walking back out to the outdoor, watching Morello be called into the indoor. Malory trotted up nest to Marie and smiled, "Well? What do you think of Soda then?"
"She's amazing!" Marie replied happily. "I never thought I'd find another horse after Kingfisher but … I prefer Soda." Marie laughed.
"I know the feeling, I used to ride a horse called Hardy, he was amazing and we made a good team, but once Tybalt came, he was so nervous and everything I just had to help him, and riding him! Oh my god it was so cool! So now I ride him all the time, unless he's lame, then it's back on Hardy for me!" Malory grinned. Marie smiled gently, thinking inquisitively. She was hoping her family had replied to her emails. She really wanted to ask her father something. "Say Malory?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Soda has an owner?"
"No, I think she belongs to the riding school... Why?"
"I might buy her … I mean I know I've only just met her but she feels just so … right…"
"Yeah I know that feeling, I felt the same feeling with Tybalt here, the second I saw him I fell completely in love and I just had to help him, with the help of Amy Fleming I managed to get through to him."
"Aww, he's so adorable" Marie smiled. "Okay class!" Ms. Carmichael interrupted the conversation, "Turn in where you are, dismount, run your stirrups up and loosen the girths. Don't forget to rub your horses down after un-tacking them." Marie slid her hand down Soda's neck patting her neck numerous amounts for times before dismounting and doing what Ms. Carmichael instructed.
The second Soda had been sorted out, Marie ran straight to the computer room to compose and email to her dad. 'Hey Dad. It's Marie. Look this may be a bit rash but there's this palomino mare at the stables… she's absolutely adorable and so loving. I enclose a picture of her from the Chestnut Hill website. Could you consider buying her? Please, I love her to bits… love Marie xxx' she read and re-read the email before clicking send. Checking her other emails she went to click the close down button when she noticed she had a new email. It was from her dad. "Gosh he was fast…" Marie thought to herself. 'Hey Marie, I looked at the picture and I do agree she does look like a fine mare, If you can find out the price she is going for I shall think about making an offer for her. This shall count as your birthday and Christmas presents for three years! Dad xx P.S Shawn says hi" Marie's stomach flipped, a smile crawling up onto her face. She wrote a quick reply telling him she shall call him before the day is out. Her fingers were crossed that Ms. Carmichael would allow her to get Soda, Marie was planning on entering the trials next week on her. She set off down the corridor towards Ms. Carmichaels office.