Kildare Riding Academy
Barn
6:19
Isaac, Massie's chauffeur, pulled into the long, winding driveway of Kildare Riding Academy. After a day of shopping, and catfights with so-called-friends, Massie needed to ride.
She always thought of riding as a kind of therapy, listening to nature, being alone, and just being at her favorite place in the world, other than the mall, of course. And she needed to be calm for the first day of school.
"Thanks for the drive, Isaac." Massie said, smiling.
"I'll be here at eight?" Isaac asked.
"Yup, I already ate." Massie replied, running off, towards the barn.
Massie walked down the long aisleway, until she reached the last stall.
"Hey, Remi, look what I got." Massie swung a bag of carrots in the shape of horseshoes, in front of the horse's chestnut head. Remi whinnied, and tried to snatch the bag away.
Ever since she had been kicked out of her old stable, Galwaugh Farms, she had outgrown her old pony, Brownie. During the same summer, she had to get a job and she used the money she made to buy a new horse, Remington.
"Nice try, buddy." Massie giggled, holding her hand out with all the carrots on it. He nibbled and in two bites was done.
"You pig." Massie laughed.
She hung her helmet on its hook, and grabbed Remi's Luis Vuitton monogrammed halter.
"Stay still, Remi." Massie ordered, slipping on the halter. She led him over to the crossties and began grooming him.
"How's it going Massie?" Bailey asked, leading her horse, Chance, over to the extra set of crossties.
"Fine." Massie growled. She wasn't in the mood to talk to the sixth-grader. She saw the hurt look on Bailey's face, but ignored it.
Massie grabbed her purple saddle pad, and slipped it over Remi's back. She picked up her 2,250 dollar saddle and gently placed it on the horse's back. She fixed the girth, and placed the bridle over his massive head, after removing the halter. She secured her helmet on her head.
"Let's get going, Remi." Massie said, leading Remi to the mounting area. She checked his girth, one last time, and mounted.
She walked around the arena, doing tight circles and figure eights, to stretch out his long neck. Massie clucked, and he broke into a fast trot.
"Okay, let's go to the arena." Massie said to no one in particular, showing Remington the way.
Once they were inside the jumping arena, Massie triple clucked, and brought Remi into a nice, rhythmic canter. She did a few loops around the arena, and then prepared for the jumping course. She brought the big chestnut horse, to a slow canter and angled herself towards the jump.
They began getting closer and closer to the jump. Remi kept his eyes on the jump, and took off, soaring over the oxer.
"Yes!" Massie praised Remi, patting him on the neck.
She continued jumping, until about seven o'clock, and then decided to work on Remi's stamina, and take him on a challenging trail ride.
Massie directed Remi to the beginning of the trail, where it broke into three paths. As she was thinking which one to go on, and pitch black horse, pulled up beside her, and the rider just happened to be a very cute boy.
"Do you mind if I ride with you?" He asked, smiling.
"Um… sure. I'm Massie Block." Massie introduced.
"I'm Brian Westing." He smiled.
"So you ride western?" Massie asked, seeing his western saddle.
"Yup, I just moved here from a ranch in Arizona, with my friend, Nate. We're going this school called Briarwood Octavian Country Day, I think." Brian rambled.
"Cool, maybe I'll see you there." Massie said, trying her hardest not to sound interested, but on the inside she was screaming for joy. Until she remembered something… she has a boyfriend.
"Why don't we take the hardest trail?" Brian asked, obviously looking to see if she was a good rider.
"Sure." Massie giggled, riding away as fast as she could.
"Cheater!" Brian laughed, tapping his horse into a fast canter.
Once he caught up to her he said. "You know, cheaters never win."
"Who said I cheated? Maybe you're just slow." Massie said, innocently. She slowed down her horse, and Brian did also. A good sign. He wanted to be with her.
"Sure… but I never knew you were such a good rider." Brian admired, which made fireworks go off inside Massie's skinny body.
"Thanks." Massie replied, blushing, tucking a piece of chocolate brown hair behind her ear.
Massie checked her watch. 8:10. Massie turned Remington around in a flash, and galloped away.
"Sorry, I'm late!" She shouted, galloping away.
Brian just sat there on his black horse, admiring Massie.
But what would happen when he met Massie's equally pretty friends. Will he still like her? Or will he go for somebody else?