Chapter 4: Ride
*beep* *beep* *beep*Karessa's alarm went off at 5:00 am. When she saw the time she lept out of bed. She quickly got dressed and pulled her long curly hair, up into a pony tail.
Karessa raced down the stairs with Doozoo tailing her.
"Why are you up so early?" She asked her owner tiredly.
Karessa pulled on her pair of riding boots.
"We're going to the barn." She explained and opened the front door.
They traveled down the street at a relatively quick pace, passing a few homeless folk and business persons on their way to their respective jobs.
As they traveled up a slightly sloped hill to the large horse barn they could hear the loud neighing of the horses.
Karessa opened the large doors and immediately went to a black and white spotted horse with a long, half black and half creamy white mane.
She smiled at the horse and scratched his cheeks and forehead. The horse leaned into her touch and lifted his lip, exposing his teeth. Karessa laughed at him and kissed his nose.
She retrieved a dark purple halter and lead rope of the same color. She put on the halter and led the horse out of his stall.
"Doozoo this is Oreo. My furbaby." Karessa introduced Doozoo to the horse. He sniffed at the kwami, not really sure what to make of her.
"Oh. So you'll spook at a plastic bag but not at a magical creature from a different dimension? Got ya'." Karessa said staring Oreo in the eye.
The horse threw its head in the air and whinnied.
Karessa snorted. "Yeah, okay hot shot."
She led the horse into the tack up room to tack him up. Before she put on the saddle she groomed him and picked his hooves.
"Well, you managed to keep all four shoes on. Good job." Karessa commented, grabbing her helmet.
After she had done this, she led him to the indoor arena because it was slightly muddy outside. Karessa mounted him and started him on a walk, leading into a working trot.
After the warm up she urged Oreo into a canter and rode up to the first jump. It was small and she easily made it. They made it through the whole practice course with only one pole knocked down.
"Good boy Oreo." Karessa said smiling and patting his neck. When they had slowed to a walk she heard someone clapping.
She turned her head to see Adrien standing on the fence and grinning at her.
"That was a good run Kessa." He complimented as she rode to the gate.
"I didn't know you were gonna be here Adrien!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah well, I wanted to surprise you with my own beautiful face." He teased.
Karessa laughed.
She spotted Natalie standing against the wall. Karessa waved at Adrien's chaperone but she only nodded at the shorter girl.
"So... do you want to give it a try? Just a small walk. I'm sure you won't fall off again." Karessa asked smiling at her friend.
"Yeah, sure." Adrien agreed opening the gate and walking in.
Natalie began to protest.
"I'll be fine Natalie." Adrien reassured her.
Natalie allowed him but didn't seem to happy about it. Karessa dismounted and helped Adrien up instead.
"Okay. Make sure your heels are down, and give him a squeeze." She instructed.
Adrien squeezed Oreo's side, moving him into a walk.
"Great. Now, do one full circle around the ring and stop in front of me."
They walked further along, staying close to the fence.
Karessa cupped her hands around her mouth so he could hear her. "Heels down Adrien!"
When they got halfway around the fence she called for him to trot.
He came to a stop and dismounted.
"That was alot of fun!" Adrien exclaimed with a smile on his face. "Thanks."
Karessa smiled back. "Maybe next time we can go on a trail ride with the others when it's not so rainy."
Adrien nodded. Natalie cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Adrien we have to go, or you'll be late for your photoshoot."
Adrien sighed and hugged his friend. "Bye. See you at school."
Adrien left and Karessa resumed her training. After awhile the field was dry enough for her to ride in.
They trotted out the gate and once they were in the field, Karessa pushed him into a gallop.
About thirty minutes later, they stopped and she dismounted. Karessa had packed a sandwich. She ate it while sitting in the grass and Oreo grazed.
Once she'd finished, she mounted Oreo and rode back to the barn. After Karessa had put away his tack and rubbed him down she walked down the path to the school.
When Karessa entered the building she checked the time. 9:30.
"Crap. I'm late." She thought, rushing to her classroom.
When she entered the room everyone stared at her.
"Miss Andrews you're late." The teacher said with an exasperated sigh.
"Sorry I lost track of the time." Karessa apologized, sitting down.
The teacher shook her head. "Just don't let it happen again."
Karessa nodded and the school day began.
Hi. Sorry for the filler chapter but I'm an equestrian irl and I just had to put in a horse central chapter. Also I decided that 4'9 was way to short so her height is now 5'1. Still pretty short but not as short as my 11 year old sister. Anyway, thanks for reading and as always, LOVE Y'ALL LOTS!!