The [w r o n g] start

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

I ease the tall sorrel Saddlebred from his heavily bedded box stall. He has on a royal blue sheet,and sleezy. I hook him to the cross ties down the aisle from Grace and Nitro, I have to admit, he is a good looking horse, short compared to Manny. I walk to the talk room and grab his bridle, with the large marroon browband, hhis mahogany Saddleseat saddle, I grab a pad, just for practicing purposes, and two little leather pieces. I also grab a groom kit. When I arrive back at him, I put his tack on a rack near the cross ties and take all his "gear" off. I fold it and put it in the oak tack trunk outside his stall. He has a soft coat, I quickly brush off any hair that has shed from his crimson coat. First, the leather piece, to help him with how high he lifts his legs. I tighten them around his fore legs. I then put on his royal blue pad and rest the saddle on top of it, but before putting the girth on, I put his bridle on, with the double reins. I put the martingale on and run the strap between his fore legs, before sliding the girth through and tightening it.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I stepped outside and wrapped all four legs with my lime green leg wraps. I cantered him around to get him use to it first. I stopped him when he moved his legs normally. I undressed the stirrups and slid my-self into the saddle.

I looked up and saw Manny. He was a nice looking horse, but Saddlebreds weren't my horses. I don't know why, but they just didn't appeal to me. I trotted Nitro around in small circles. I soon pulled him to a walk and side-stepped him so I could get the gate open. I slipped in and closed the door and started to warm him up.

There were jumps set at the end of the large arena. I gave a kiss and felt him sore over them. A smile fell upon my lips as he cleared them over. I soon felt him come down on the ground and pulled him to an extended trot. I stopped him over a 4ft ground pole. I started to side-step him over it.</sub>

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

Manny snorts as I lead him out of the barn. I undress my stirrups and mount up outside. He immediately takes his double bit, lifting his legs to the supreme height. He stops dead in his tracks, staring at the other stallion in the outdoor arena. Taking his front feet off the ground. I spur him with my dull english spurs. He picks up his award winning trot, passing the outdoor arena.

You two look good

I comment as Manny starts to go faster, advancing into the canter. I cringe. My hands don't even put pressure on the curve rein, and he collects his head perfectly. This is my favorite part of riding him. I slow him down as we make the curve around the outdoor arena toward a large field, I realease my pressure on the reins and Manny takes off down the border line of a pasture where a few of the yearlings graze. The take off, following behind Manny. I sit with his rocking strides, hisi long mane whipping my face.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>"Thanks."

I answer her. I hold Nitro back as he tries to take off after the other stallion. I spin him in circles. I soon feel his calm enough. I turn him down the rail facing the rider and horse. I push him into a canter. I soon feel him soaring in the air. Crap. I thought to my-self.

I tired to pull my wild stallion back. But, it was to late, he had taken the bit. I was now just along for the ride. I intangled my fingers in the reins and his mane. I leaned forward and felt him lurch over fallen logs. In pursuit after the other stallion.

I soon feel us soaring again. I look back to see four logs two ontop of each other. I then see the girl and her stallion way behind us. I turn my head foward and see a thick forest coming up.

"Crap."

I mummble to my-self. I kick my feet out of the stirrups. I then untangle my fingers and jump off. I watch as Nitro disappears into the woods.

"He'll find his way back."

I say to my-self. I finally stand up and brush off my pants. I soon walk back the way I came. I pass the girl, mummbling a few swear words as I look at my hands. I was sliced up. I walk over to the arena. Of course, he jumped the fence where someone kicked it out.</sub>

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

I turn Manny and gallop him back

you know, it's his first day here, do you really think he will find his way back?

I ask her, Manny leaping excitely near her. I dismount and lead him along after her

I'm just saying, it is think woods back there, he could get caught up, and he's never been back there.

I comment, holding Manny's reins as tight as possible.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I turn back to the girl and look at her.

"Well, that's his fault then isn't it."

I hiss at her. Usually I don't get mad, but this time it was his fault. I soon walk into the barn and go to the bathroom. I place my hands in the sink to wash out the dirt.

|Nitro|

His blades hit the litho. He shook his bodice, and looked around. He then turned around and walked out of the thick woods. His nares caught the scent of Grace. He picked up the canter and circled around. He lowered his dial. She was there before.

He soon saw the other stallion and let out a loud whinny. He then picked up a canter and went over to them. He gave a shake of his bodice. His stirrups flipping all over the place.</sub>

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

The sun bleeds through darkening clouds over head. I mount back up on Manny and grab Nitro's reins. I cue Manny to a trot, and we arrive back at the barn. It is a wide aisle and the academy students aren't out yet. I walk the two into the barn, I'm still on my saddlebred, who is quite a bit taller.

Grace, come get your horse!

I yell and let go of Manny's reins. I stroke his neck, he is behaving good, considering we led another stallion "competition" all the way back to the barn. His chest quivers, and I Pick his reins back up. When I see she isn't coming, I dismount from Manny and dress Nitro's stirrups. I bring him to his stall, loosen the girth, and take the bridle off, hanging it on the rack on his stall.

There he is Grace!

I yell before getting up on Manny and entering the indoor arena. I listen as the rain begins to pelt the steel roof, sending Manny into a panic attack. I change my mind and ride him back into the barn, dismounting at the cross ties. I pull his bridle off and put on his leather halter, that reads "Malamar's Man" on a brass plate. It's obviously a freezing rain, because it is fall, I decide to put on his light blanket, instead of his sheet. I lock his dutch doors, that lead to individual turn out. I don't want him out in the rain. Manny nickers as I step out of his stall. I pull the saddle off, and put it on the rack outside his stall, then I take his pad off. I put the saddle cover on the saddleseat saddle and bring them both, along with the bridle, into the tack room. I stroke his neck as I walk back. I take a brush from my oak tack trunk. I slowly brush his coat and then his mane. I put his royal blue sleezy on, then take his light winter blanket, which is sky blue, and strap it on him. I bring him into his large box stall. I latch it and walk to the feed room, feeding isn't for another hour so I top him off with two flake of grass hay. He munches it greedily.

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I have vet wrap, wrapped around my hands. I'm limping on my right leg. There is a large hole in my jeans. From a stick that went through and sliced up my leg.

I slam the door open and walk in. I slide off his tack and place it on the ground. I grab his bridle and pull it off. I place that upon the saddle. I grabb his rain sheet and place it on him. I then throw his light blanket over it. I unwrap his legs and place his boots on. I then open the door and let him outside.

I walk of his stall and close it. I grab my tack and place it in the tack room. I then walk over to Katrina's stall and start to groom her.</sub>

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

<sub>I glance at Grace

You can exercise her if you want

I say, catching the sound of the phone ringing. I run and it's my father's voice.

Hi Dad

I say, waiting to hear his voice on the other line. The trainer and the groom's are all still at the show, we have to do the chores tonight.

Okay, bye

I set the phone down and walk to Grace

We have to do chores tonight I say. These three, Manny, Nitro, and Katrina are the only ones in the barn.

I grab three lead ropes from the rack, along with a navy rain coat that I hung next to them. I run outside to the first pasture, which holds Kanta, Shortie, and Gladiator. I hook the first lead rope to Kanta, the paint stallion. Next, I hook the lead rope to Shortie halter, the light gray arabian. Finally, I hook the lead rope to the dark bay Hanoverian gelding's halter, Gladiator's. I take all three leadropes in my hand and swing the gate open. They all amble up to the barn. First, I stick Kanta in his stall,on the other side of Manny. He was wearing his hunter green rain sheet. Next Shortie goes in his stall, next to Kanta, he is wearing a black rain sheet. Finally, Gladiator goes in his stall next to Nitro, he is wearing a purple and black rain sheet. I head back down to the paddocks, in the next paddock, are the mellow geldings, I put a lead rope on Hawthorne's halter and throw it around his neck. I hook leadropes to Gordy's and Roscoe's halters. I open the gate, leading Gordy and Roscoe, while Hawthorne walked behind. I put Gordy in his stall next to Gladiator, next to Gordy is Hawthorne, and then finally, Roscoe goes in next to Hawthorne. I begin feeding the geldings and stallions their grain, I'll let Grace handle the mares. I can see Kai standing in the rain, with her hot pink sheet on, she is dominate, and is standing at the gate whinnying. Once they are all grained, they get two flakes of alfalfa and one of grass hay.</sub>

[/\/Grace/\/Nitro/\/]

<sub>I throw a few flakes in each of the mares stalls. I then scoop out the grain. Feeding Katrina last. I then fill up the water buckets. The mares already have halters on. All I need to do is grab lead ropes. I grab two random ones, someone left lying on the floor.

I limp outside and grab the two mares. Ruby goes next to Katrina. Then Kai goes in next to Ruby. They were all fed and watered.

"I'm finished."

I stated cooley. I soon limp outside again. The rain had ceased for awhile. I open the door and walk to the elevator. I push the button and ride up. I slip the key out of my back pocket and walk in. Closing the door behind me.

I soon stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower. After about a 30min. shower I start to tend to my wounds. I wrap my arms up in medical wrap, and then I wrap my leg. I throw on a pair of grey sweatpants and a grey tang top. They both say Rocco on them. I walk into my room and close and lock the door. I turn on the T.V. and soon fall asleep.</sub>

(should we move back to the room?)

[[r e a g a n] Sawyer]

(Sure)