CRASH!
Ow! That's not the first time I've collided with the wall. I shook my head, my mane flying out in all directions.
Laura sighed, feeling irritated. She pulled the left rein and turned me back towards the track.
"I swear you're a daydreamer, Ledgend." She muttered, patting my neck.
I rolled my eyes, dazed. OK, so I daydreamed…and I was clumsy, maybe that's why I wasn't getting anywhere.
"Please pay attention this time!" Laura said, giving my sides a nudge with her heels to make me trot on.
We trotted around the arena before attempting a serpentine. This time, I got it right.
No daydreaming. No ignoring the aids. I began to feel proud of myself, until Laura broke my concentration.
"Now, we'll try cantering a figure of eight." She announced, urging me on into a canter.
She sat still and upright in the saddle whilst I did my best to focus.
I could sense that I was being watched, but chose to ignore it. Once we had completed successfully cantering a figure of eight, Laura stopped me in the centre of the arena.
She dismounted and began to set up a small course of four jumping fences. My heart began to beat faster. This was it! My chance to prove myself!
I continued to ignore the feeling of being watched when Laura began to canter me towards the first fence.
I kicked off the ground and soared over the fence, landing neatly the other side.
I turned towards the second fence, aiming for the middle. I leapt over it, then made my way to the third. Up and over I went with no mistakes.
The last jump loomed closer and closer. I lengthened my stride and took a huge leap.
Clear!
As Laura walked me around to cool down, I looked up at the gate. There stood my mother, her eyes shining with happiness. The rider in her saddle looked amazed at my performance.
After Laura had put away the fences, she loosened the girth on my saddle and led me out of the arena.
As I passed my mother, she turned to me. "I'm so proud of you. You're a remarkable jumper!"
I couldn't help but feel over the moon. That was a big compliment coming from mother, what with her being a champion showjumper.
Once in my stable, Laura took off my saddle and bridle and put on my cooling rug.
She patted my neck and exited the stable, bolting the door behind her.
My confidence had risen so much over the last hour that I slept soundly that night, dreaming of jumping at Olympia…or maybe, one day, the Olympics!
Just as I drifted off to sleep, one more thought crossed my mind.
The Spanish Riding School.