Shattered Thoughts

I woke up as my brother walked in to wake me up. I was usually still asleep, being the heavy sleeper I am.

“Yeah, what?” I questioned groggily.

“I will meet you down at the stables, okay?”

I rolled out of my bed and onto the floor as he walked out, his footsteps quieting as he walked downstairs.

Grabbing my breeches and my riding shirt I walked into the bathroom to do my daily morning routine. My dog scratched the door right before I opened it, I pulled the door open and was engulfed in a huge Australian Shephard.

You’re probably thinking, Australian shepherds, aren’t that big. Well, my dog got some weird genes let me tell ya.

After I gave Dexter a kiss on the nose, I walked downstairs to hear my mum humming as she flipped the bacon.

“Good morning, Serenity,” my mum said as she placed my plate of bacon on the table.

“Good morning mum,” I smiled at her and finished my bacon as swift as I could, Dexter sitting below me waiting for me to drop some. I finished my bacon and opened the front door, Dexter dashed out toward the stables.

Walking to the stables, I smiled as I watched Dexter walk up to every horse. I walked into the barn, there were three grooms walking around cleaning up and my brother was brushing my huge thoroughbred gelding, Cinders. He was around 18hh, a beautiful silver dapple pinto.

I grabbed my tack and set it on the stand so it wasn’t sitting on the ground, once my brother finished grooming, I got Cinders ready to ride. As I lead him out he reared up and snorted loudly, causing me to jump.

“Hey! Everything okay out here?” My brother came running out in case I was hurt, I laughed.

“Yeah I’m fine, he just got spooked or something,” he smiled, walking back into the stables as I mounted my huge gelding.

“Alright, bud,” I spoke to myself, “we have to be ready for this show.” Cinders snorted as I used my leg to bring him into a trot, my hands were steady on the withers and tight against the leathers. ’Remember heels down toes up’ I always tell myself.

Cinders fought slightly against the bit, he lowered his head in acceptance of my superiority. I brought him into a smooth canter as we rounded the riding arena, bringing him into the middle doing a smooth flying lead change. I took away the pressure and he dropped his canter, bringing his head up and being lazy again.

“Serenity!” Someone called me, I looked around, confused. I didn’t see anyone so I brought Cinders back into a canter, leading him up towards the jump.

My leg was tight up against him and my hands were positioned for a smooth release. We were close to the jump, I counted the strides. 3...2...1...1… wait why am I not going over?