I could feel his blood pumping along with mine, as if we were one, which sometimes I think we really are. I don't know why I was so nervous over this one jump. It's just one jump. What is the big deal? Except this was my one ticket into the top riding academy in the United States, and I definitely did not want to blow it. My horse Madd Hatter could feel my excitement, so he picked up on it and was trotting in place. We waited in the side entrance of the indoor arena, several horses and their riders were behind me, doing much worse than me, I tried to zone them out as best I could. But the light bay horse right behind us was starting to buck a little. Soon a groom appeared and grabbed the horse's reins, pulling him so he was standing on all four feet. I turned my head, focusing on the task at hand.
I shook my head as I felt a slight nudge from below, a groom had slightly taped me, letting me know that it was my turn. I watched as he opened the gate for me, and gave a slight nod, motioning me to enter. I nodded my thanks then gave my horse a slight squeeze with my calves. He tried to surge forward but I pulled back slightly with the reins, he got the message and eased off and walked through the gate. I guided Madd to where the three Headmasters sat behind a small table with only three clipboards in front of them. One woman and two men sat there. I gave myself one second to studied them. there faces where plain, if they were showing any emotion then it had to be a frown. I slowed down in front of them, gave them a nod then circled the arena once. I could feel the power of Madd even at his walk, he was bursting with everything I wanted, and more. I gave him the signal and he responded by getting up to a long, smooth canter. I straightened him out and we were on track to the jump. I wasn't that high, only four and half feet. Well it wasn't that High for Madd, he preferred to jump five feet and higher. It was a simply solid jump, but very fancy. I was probably one of the very few used to the top notch jumps because my parents, who are incredibly rich, believed I should deserve nothing but the best. Five strides to go, ....... four.......three......two......one. I squeezed slightly with my knees, and Madd Hatter pushed off from the ground, just at the right moment, well I thought it was the right moment. I shortened the reins, and leaned over his body well stretching my arms out over his shoulders. I would of kept the reins long so Madd could stretch his head out, but as I have been told "That is not professional." But I knew he liked it better that way. I listened to the sound of a hind hoof dragging over a pole, but I heard nothing, juts a soft grunt from my mount.
He landed with a thud and I straightened myself. I slowed him down quickly, he could cool off later, I walked by the Headmasters and gave them another nod. There faces even more in the shape of a frown. Was I that bad? I thought I did well. I shrugged it off and guided Madd to the exit gate, which was the same as the entrance, but on the other side of the arena. A groom opened it for me and my horse walked through it. The groom gave me a small smile, I guessed that he thought I did well. I looked forward again and reached down to pat Madd Hatter's neck. He turned his head to look at me, his brown eyes where shining with the question he always gave me after a circuit of jumps. I laughed, nodding at the same time. "Yes, you did perfectly!" I whispered into his big fuzzy ears. They were almost like a donkey's. My hand ran over the flea bitten white fur on his neck, no matter how many times I brushed him, it always seemed to look dirty. I looked back at the groom, he was young, about 19, only two years older than me. He was still looking at me, still smiling, I smiled back then looked forward again. Madd Hatter walked down the hall, towards the stalls where the temporary horses where stabled.
Once I had Madd Hatter untacked and brushed down I sat down outside his stall for a break. I leaned my head against the perfectly polished wood of the stall door, I closed my eyes for just a second, wondering if I would make it, before someone tapped my shoulder. I opened my eyes and looked up into the eyes of a familiar face. His eyes were a soft green with what looked like flecks of grey. His skin was well tanned from many years of working hard out in troublesome weather, he had a crooked nose, probably broken once, maybe even twice before. He had a chipped tooth, but a sweet smile with small dimples, But with his flws he was quite Handsome.He was the groom that had opened the gate for me to exit. I watched him, waiting for him to talk, why else would someone tap me out of a well needed break. he stood there for what seemed like a couple minutes before he said, "Nice job out there. You and your horse have something to give. I'm sure you'll make it." I pushed myself to my feet then brushed my hands off on my old jeans which I had changed into before brushing my horse. "Thank you, but I have tough competition, I doubt I will make it." I replied as I looked at the ground. I was far too shy to look into his eyes again, plus I was far too insecure to admit he would even have the smallest chance of liking me, besides I had my whole career ahead of me. He would just be a distraction. So I pushed the idea of a relationship out of my head for the time being, hopefully it will stay out for awhile.
"Trust me, you guys have something, you should know it yourself." He said, trying to get me to look back into his eyes, but I refused. i lifted my head, but turned my gaze to my horse. "I know we are good, but the question is, are we good enough?" I said quietly. I patted Madd's neck, he looked at me out of the corner of his eye. Once he saw there was someone else he turned so his head was hanging out over the half door. he probably thought he could get a good petting or some kind of treat, but he already got enough from me. The boy, well I should say man, reached over and patted Madd's nose, but did it in a way not to startle the horse. It was a trick only an experienced horse person would know, and I saw it in him. "Of course you guys are good enough." He said with a smile to my horse, at least he gave up trying to get me to look at him. I sighed, giving up on this small arguement with a complete stranger. "I appreciate what you see in my horse, but I am quite busy." I said with a quick glance in his direction, I didn't bother to add the part where it would help if he left. Hopefully he would pick that up on his own. I looked around, knowing that this place was really strict and if this groom was caught talking to me, he could be fired. I think he got the hint because he gave me a slight nod and started to back away. I tried to keep to myself from watching him, but I couldn't. He looked over his shoulder at me, and said, "My name is Carter by the way, and it is not just him, it takes two to get through this business." He called out to me, then he continued to walk away. Was he right? Was I good enough to make it?
