Snow View Riding Academy: Book 1

Chapter 22

Luke walked up next to her and gave her quick kiss on the lips and said, "That was the best test I ever saw you do."

Ashley smiled and said, "I agree. Beautiful ride and will be hard to top."

Announcer, "Number 20 Lucas Andrews riding Artemis."

Luke walked in the ring and began. When he walked out he had an even bigger smile than his girlfriend."

Ashley said, "Thank you both for giving Snow View a better name than it had earlier today. Now we just have to wait for the results."

Announcer, "Okay I have the results for the class."

Luke sighed as the got higher in placement, "We either got the top 2 spots or didn't place at all."

Announcer, "In second place we have number 20 Lucas Andrews riding Artemis and in first place we have number 23 Brittney Davis riding Hidden Agenda."

Ashley smiled at her riders, "Thanks you both go in the ring and get your ribbons. You have a lot to be proud of. You had a very competitive field and you both excelled."

Day 2...

Rich said, "I bet you are all a little happier we are hear a little later then yesterday. Now I want the dressage and cross country teams to switch morning jobs. I want my riders tacked up and in the warm up ring and a half an hour."

30 minutes later...

Rich said, "Beginners you get my attention first since you are up first. The rest of you do a quick warm up then I will have you up over fences then after warm up I want you all to walk the course with me."

Afternoon...

Rich said, "I am asking the same thing from you guys Ashley asked of Brit and Luke yesterday. Make the schools proud."

Rachel walked into the starting box. Effie began to prance around waiting for her to go. The bell sounded and Effie bounded forward in a very brisk canter. The course was a simple 8 jump course. The jumps went flamingo, barn, house, logs, stone, another set of logs, through the brush, finally through the water and across the finish line. When she crossed the line she knew she had been fast, but she didn't know if she won.

Ben entered the course next. Dallas loved to go fast and Ben knew he would be well under time of 3 flat. Dallas was in top condition she he let her out right in a nice collected gallop and went through the course with the even pass he always set her up at. When he left he knew he had the fastest time. He had not seem any of the other riders gallop most of the course.

Rich said, "Great riding both of you. Rachel you needed to be more aggressive on this course it is shorter than most and the time is not forgiving. You came close to going over. Ben you had a great ride, aggressive but not dangerous and you were well under time."

Announcer, "8th place we have Rachel Bryant riding Effervescence."

Rich said, "A safe yet slow run gains a lower place than I know you wanted."

Announcer, "First place with a course record goes to Benjamin White riding Dallas Ranger."

When they got off and were in their stall Ben her sniffles from the stall next to him. "Rach are you okay."

Rachel whipped her eyes, "I am fine Ben, just a little disappointed."

Ben walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, "You did fine."

Rachel said, "No I didn't. I almost went over time on a course that should have been supper easy."

Ben said, "So you played it a little safer then you should have, big deal."