Get Back On

The next two days I worked my ass off getting Image ready for the show. We worked on everything and made sure she was perfect or pretty close to it. I hadn't heard from Jake but being busy kept my mind off of it.

I woke up at 4 and grabbed my bag full of clothes and my keys. Bing and Lou kissed my cheeks and forehead and wished me luck. I climbed into my jeep and drove to the stables.

I saw the trailer parked and Kate was loading my tack and her bags. She smiled when she saw me.

"Put your bag in the truck and go bathe image."

I nodded and put my bag in the back seat. I went to Images stalk and grabbed her halter off the hook. I opened the door and put her halter on. I put her into crossties and took her sheet and polos which Kate would pack into the trailer also.

I took her to the wash stall and bathed her till she was spotless. I towel dried her and put on her pink travel boots and a thick pink blanket.

I braided her mane and tail before leading her to the trailer. Kate smiled at me and watched as Image easily loaded into the trailer.

I tied her head up and went out the side door while Kate locked the back. I climbed into the back seat and stretched out. Four in the morning was way too early for me.

................

Day 1: cross country

I changed into my new tan breeches and a black long sleeved button down. I put on my protective vest and my black knee brace and black knee high boots.

Kate had tacked Image up and waved me over so she could braid my hair. I sat on the mounting block and she began to French braid my hair.

"Remember this is her favorite course so she won't need much direction. Just enjoy the ride."

I smiled and looked at Image. Her mane and tail was braided and her legs were covered with protection boots.

See when you do 3 day eventing you are given a stall for your horse and another for your tack. You just have to get your own hotel room but Kate and I slept in the living facility in the trailer.

I put on my helmet and looked over the tack. I grabbed the reins and Kate helped me on. She walked with me to the course where all the other people were waiting.

"Your the last one to ride."

I sighed. It was honestly great being last. You got to see how much faster you could be and do things other people didn't.

I watched at one of the horses Infront of me balked at the chicken coop. I rubbed Image and took a deep breath.

It was my turn and I kicked image up to the line. The whistle blew and she jumped right into a gallop. The first jump we were up and over. Then the next and the next.

I let her have the reins and she knew what to do. After all, this was her favorite. The last jump was a watershed and I was praying that she would jump over it.

She put her ears back but I reached down and rubbed her whithers to let her know it was ok. She jumped over it and did a little buck when she finished.

I smiled while everyone clapped. I patted her neck and slowed her down to a trot. Kate's face was glowing.

"One down, two to go."

I kicked my feet out the stirrups and slowly slid off. Kate grabbed the reins and we began walking to our assigned stalls.

"Your in the top 3. I'm not going to tell you where though."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever you say Kate."