Horsey Stuff For Girls!!: The Last Chance

The Last Chance

“They never made it!” Jeannie whined. She threw her hands in the air and grunted in frustration. Katy had landed in hospital and Mystical Blue was at the farrier vet. “Chill out, Jeannie…maybe Cassie and Boudicca could do better…” excluded the steward unsurely.

Winning is everything. In every battle, fight and game there is always Winner, and always a loser.

Katy loves horses and is willing to win an upcoming cross-country event that means big training time with dressage, racing and show-jumping. She has one of the best of the best horses, Mystical Blue, a light grey gelding that is a couple years old. But…something is going W R O N G! Cassie, a rich snobby and spoilt girl who goes riding at Willow Hall Stables with Katy, has poisoned Mystic’s food! On the day of the event, Katy ends up in hospital with a broken leg and Mystic stayed at the farrier vet after a really bad fall…What will it all mush up to? Will this be Katy’s final chance to ride Mystic again? Or will it be goodbye…?

Chapter One

“Number 335? 335? Please enter the arena.” The steward remarked. Katy took a deep breath and clucked Mystic on. She had watched her arch enemy plus rival, Cassie and Boudicca who did a stunning performance in the show ring. Katy thought that she and Mystic would never beat it. The light grey gelding snorted and pawed and just wouldn’t obey Katy as she kicked him. “C’mon, Mystic!” she urged him quietly. “The steward is waiting!”

“Number 335, please enter the arena immendiantly. Thank you,” the steward repeated, but now with a frown on his face. Finally, Katy had gotten out her whip-though she had no intention to whip her own horse but, as that; Mystic obeyed and moved forward toward the show-jumping ring. The jumps were all at least higher than eighty centimeters. There were twelve fence jumps. Okay, this is it, thought Katy as she and Mystic warmed up. Time to show out how good you are, she kept thinking this over and over in her mind. The steward nodded at her. “When you’re ready,” he said with a wink. Katy rounded Mystic up towards the first fence-which was about eighty five centimeters tall. She lifted her bum off the saddle as she urged Mystic into a canter. Soon, they were very close to the fence. And jumped.

“Good work, Katy!” Jade, Willow Hall’s senior’s riding instructor pointed out with a smile. All of the riders were watching from the paddock fence, leaning over either clapping or smiling or winking at Katy. Though, not everyone. There, was Cassie. The rich, spoilt girl, scowling at her rudely. Though that didn’t let Katy decrease her good mood as she dismounted her champion gelding. She knew she was the best of the best but sometimes it’s horrid how Cassie and Boudicca get in the way. Boudicca was the redheaded girl’s horse. Boudicca was a beautiful rich dark bay colored horse with the sweetest eyes. Her dressage and trotting were amazing. Boudicca was the richest horse in the barn. She matched Cassie exactly; Cassie had shiny, wavy red hair and sweet green eyes but she could be a viper. Boudicca; Sweet-looking and charming-looking but inside a nasty, feisty dressage horse. Well, that is what at least Katy thinks. “Number 98, please enter the arena. Number 98,” the steward finally called out the next number. Katy’s best friend, Lucinda entered the arena with her horse, Midnight. Katy was leading Mystic to the Pasture-after all, Katy wasn’t really bothered to get some feed from the feed bins! When she finished leaving Mystic in the Pasture, she went over to the arena and leaned over the fence and smiled. Her friend, Lucinda had black hair and light blue eyes and a kind manner that matched her horse, Midnight’s personality. The black stallion was gentle and caring. He wasn’t a very good ‘showing’ horse-after all, his jumps are like an elephant! His dressage is messy and very untidy! His gallop and canter are slow! That is what Katy thought. Each horse had their disadvangtes. When Midnight and Lucinda entered the arena, they started a two-minute warm-up the steward had given them and Katy was leaning over the paddock fence, gazing ahead at Midnight, smiling a little. They could never make it to the Grand Pix. “Hey, Katy!” it was Jade, her riding instructor. Jade tapped Katy on the shoulder and smiled. “Katy-you and Mystic were perfect at those jumps. Well done!” Jade congratulated her warmly. Katy lightly smiled. “Well, Mystic is trained and was trained and he was the best horse.” She said, hoping she didn’t sound bratty. Behind her, she felt Cassie snicker madly. “Mystic isn’t the BEST horse!” a voice hissed behind Katy. “Boudicca is!”

Chapter Two

Trying to explain something logical to Cassie, the bratty viper was a pain. “You see, Cassie, my mother told me there is nothing wrong about bragging about my talents. It’s bragging about other people’s talent’s is wrong!” she exclaimed calmly when they were back in the stables. Cassie took her riding helmet off and placed it furiously on the rack shelves. Then, she turned to Katy-who was fixing up her blonde hair in a bun. “All you talk about is Mystic! Mystic! Mystic! Mystic! Well, no one really cares about Mystical Blue, eh? Fancy that showing him off and the Grand Pix!” sneered Cassie angrily, her red hair was all out and messier than ever. Out in the arena, Cassie and Boudicca did an intense jump on the one meter fence which made Cassie fly out of her saddle and Boudicca rear and buck and go mad.

(This is Cassie and her horse, Boudicca when they had their fall.)

Katy sighed and got changed from her riding boots to her comfy flip-flops. Though she kept on her jodhpurs. She fished out two cold drink bottles she bought from the kiosk café earlier this morning. She took a sip from one bottle then offered the other bottle to Cassie, who was scowling and glaring at Katy silently. “No.” Cassie said firmly, making a shooing motion with her hands. “I am not interested in getting bloated,” scowled Cassie, flipping her red hair as if to say, I’m the best!

“Well, me too,” said Katy gently, out-fishing the bottles back inside her sports bag. She heeled her bag over the shoulders and smiled thinly at Cassie, who was glaring but thank goodness, not scowling. “Well, it was nice talking to you, Cassandra Smith. It was quite an experience as well. See you tomorrow,” Katy continued calmly as she could muster. It was not hard. She was calm. She wasn’t scared of Cassie, the scowling queen anymore like two years ago in junior lessons. When Katy left the stables, she went over to Pasture, to say goodbye to Mystic. He was eating some grass. “Hey, boy,” giggled Katy as she reached forward and tried to pat him. “You were a great horse today! Hope we get in the Grand Pix. You are such a great horse, you know. See you tomorrow in the trail rides!” Then, she left the Pasture and went to the arena. It was almost finished. Her best friend, Lucinda did a pretty damn bad job; at least that’s what Katy thinks. “Hi Katy!!” Lucinda was cooling Midnight down outside of the arena. “Sup’?” said Katy cheerfully. Then she glanced up at Midnight ignorantly. “How was your Grand Pix try outs?” she asked curiously and causally. Lucinda’s blue eyes looked up from tightening Midnight’s girth. “Good,” she said softly. Then she went back to Midnight’s tack. Katy eyed Lucinda and her horse suspiciously. “Okay. That’s nice,” Katy said stubbornly. Almost, annoyed-slightly. Katy then walked out of the arena and into the car park. Her dad’s car was waiting for her. She could hardly wait till tomorrow-where they will find out who got in the Grand Pix!

Chapter Three

“Katy! Phone call for you!”

It was five in the evening after the Grand Pix try outs and Katy was at home, in her bedroom, doing her homework. Katy’s mother went into Katy’s bedroom and handed her the phone. “I think it’s Lucinda.” And she left to the kitchen. Katy picked up the phone. “Hey Lucinda…” she started off. Lucinda said over the phone, “Hi! Um, you know…about the Grand Pix, Ur, you know, you and Mystic are really competitive. In the arena, after you left, lots of riders and teachers and parents were saying how good Mystic and you are.” Said Lucinda. Katy rolled her eyes in delight. She just knew she was the best riders!

“Of course Mystic and I are! We are a team; plus we look out for eachother. Whereas other horses such as Midnight and Boudicca and…Kissy…are all just a bunch of rubbish horses whereas that can never be Grand Pix winners! Heh, heh. Isn’t that funny?” Katy spat gleefully. There was a huge pause between the ends of phone line. “Katy, my mother told me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all,” Lucinda said softly and quietly. Katy found herself pausing as well. “Hm. Well, what I am saying is practically true. You know, I am sixteen years old right now and I have been riding since I was ten years old! You and Cassie and most the other riders like Lisa and Steven and Carly are younger than me by two or one years plus I have been riding longer than any of yous! You know…”

“No, I don’t know,” whispered Lucinda quietly on the other line of the phone. Katy sniggered slightly but she prevented herself not to exactly snigger. “Okay, well I’ll catch up on you later, Lucy! I got tones of homework and stuff. See ya tomorrow morning at the stables!” Katy said with one single breathe.

“So, Katy! Nice to see you again!” Jade smiled at Katy as Katy racked her sports riding bag on the racks and she took her helmet and a pair of riding boots. She placed her hair in a neat straight, one-way plait today. She tied green checkered ribbons as well. “You can go hop on Ditzy, one of the school ponies in advance. Brooke is leading the trail ride! Mystic is still in the Pasture just to let you know. And also, I sent an email to your mother saying that Mystic’s farrier and vet is almost overdue. Read it tonight!” Jade added, sitting down behind the office.

(This is Ditzy-the children’s trail ride mares.)

“Okay,” said Katy in a hurry. She quickly went outside to mount on Ditzy-the fine chestnut Arabian mare, rarely used in lessons usually trail rides. As she mounted, she wondered where Lucinda was. Katy had a feeling deep down inside her that she had hurt Lucinda’s feelings somehow last night but she gratefully ignored it. Why should I be humble to anyone at all? Growled Katy in her mind. I am not humble and I always NOT be! She added silently, watching Lucinda come out of her parents’ horse truck at the drive way as Katy mounted on to Ditzy. When she was on Ditzys’ back, she glanced over at Lucinda, who was mounting up Midnight, the black shire out of the horse truck. As she and Midnight trotted to the starting line towards the trails, Katy flinched a bit down her saddle. What will her best friend have to say about how Katy acted last night? Stop being humble, stop being humble! Thought Katy in her mind. She stayed deep in Ditzy’s saddle as Ditzy ate the green grass. She kept her mind thinking straight ahead. Lucinda’s horse, Midnight came over at Ditzy’s side to share the green grass. “Move your horse!” grumbled Katy angrily; trying to pull on Ditzy’s reins tightly from stopping the two horses’ head’s crashing into eachother as they ate grass. Lucinda gave one sad look at Katy; who was staring ahead in the stables then Lucinda quickly said, “Sorry,” very, very quietly and softly. Then, she pulled Midnight to the other side of the grass. The two pairs were separated.

Chapter Four

After the one hour, half of Katy wanted to go and throw Lucinda at her mercy but the other half just wanted to be proud and un-humble. All through the trail ride, Lucinda had ignored her. When Ditzy trotted side-by-side with Midnight, Lucinda’s horse, Lucinda will force Midnight to canter forward, even though they weren’t allowed to canter with the younger first-time riders. Half of Katy feels horrible. But the other half just feels like, I don’t care! Whatever which side Katy feels like is correct, she doesn’t know. When Katy went home, she caught the bus. She didn’t say goodbye or hello to Lucinda today. And she felt horrid about it. But Katy did know she was one of the best riders! In fact, she thinks that she is the best rider! Today snobby little Cassie didn’t come because she was on vacation with her family in France. That was, at least one good thing that happened at the stables, Katy should think. It was Sunday. When Katy went home, she plopped herself on her bed, still in her jodhpurs and tee green tee shirt. As she plopped herself on her bed, she sobbed and dug her head in a pillow. Lucinda wasn’t her friend anymore, the Grand Pix day was coming closer and closer and, she was in for a nasty surprise and she doesn’t even know it…

Chapter Five

On Saturday, it was the day of the Grand Pix. Mystic was still in his Pasture. Katy pulled her jodhpurs more up to get comfortable. Then, she combed her hair neatly and tied it in a low pony tail. After that, she decided to wear a checkered red buttoned-up tee shirt. She looked at herself in the mirror. Today’s the day, she thought with a sly smile. Today’s the day to show off what I have! She hoped Mystic was warmed up and have been fed oats by the stable hands, thought Katy grimly. She hated to see Mystic want something and not get it. When Katy was back in the stables, she saw Lucinda and snobby, greedy, sly, stupid Cassie sharing sweets and candy! “Well, this is cozy! So sorry to interrupt!” Katy grumbled and whipped her riding crop on her boot. “We just got here!” Lucinda cried as Katy stomped out of the door.

When Katy reached the Pasture fence to get Mystic out and tack him up, she was so angry! And most of all, embarrassed. Seeing her best friend that she became ex-friends with just yesterday have a few candies and sweets with her arch-enemy was sickening feeling of: embarrassment. “Hiya Katy!” she heard Jade’s cheerful voice behind her as she unlocked the paddock fence. Katy spans around and smiled through her gritted teeth. The air morning was nice and cool. The sky was clear blue, no clouds, except for a bit and the morning breeze was cool. The Grand Pix started at eleven thirty and it was only seven o’ clock now but Katy wanted to get ready. “Hello, Jade. I’m just taking Mystic out from the paddock to get ready. Even though it is awfully early. You know…I just want to practice over a few jumps and stuff. Get his tack ready,” Katy explained to her black haired trainer. Jade nodded. “Yep, you should, you know! The Grand Pix is a huge mid-term event! Well, I got lots of paperwork to be done. Good luck, Katy!” Jade said with a soothing smile then she skipped back to the office. Katy gave a tight smile and then pulled Mystic on his lead rope. She tightened his lead rope along a fence then walked back into the Tack Room to get his saddle tack. She was still angry at Lucinda for ditching her like that! When Katy walked into the tack room, she saw Lucinda in there, getting out Midnight’s tack. Katy tried to be as quiet as possible to get her tack but Lucinda; even though Midnight’s tack was at the other side of the room, had the ears of a bat.

“I don’t get it,” Lucinda said quietly as she reached out to grab a container of saddle soap. “I just don’t get why you are so angry and why I am so angry…” she paused and started to scrub Midnight’s saddle. She flipped her long dark hair back and sighed.

Katy seemed to underestimate what Lucinda was saying. Katy also paused as she took Mystic’s saddle off from the racks. “Yeah. Well, I do not think I really do care, do I? I mean, yeah I am really angry but right now I’m not in the mood to be angry. I mean, c’mon, there is a Grand Pix competition coming along. I just don’t get why you have to keep kissing Cassie’s butt all the time when it really is none of your business!” said Katy so loudly that, she didn’t know that Cassie was right behind them, standing near the tack room door. Cassie was almost to yell in rage but she didn’t. As quietly as she could, Cassie stepped out of the tack room and went outside near the Pasture Gate, where Katy’s horse, Mystic was. Ah! The champion that Katy is always talking about plus she is going to use HIM in the Grand Pix today! Cassie laughed a sinister laugh then flipped back her red hair. Mystic tried to free himself from the fence but Cassie was in grip of him. Then, she took out some small poison grains from her riding tee shirt pocket. She held them out for Mystic to eat. Mystic ate them so greedily that Cassie couldn’t stop grinning. “Ha, ha Katy you totally deserve this! When Mystic jumps the fences at the Grand Pix today, he will be so freaked out and uncomfy, that he will go crazy and let’s see how YOU like it, Katy!” whispered Cassie as she headed back to the Tack Room to get Boudicca’s tack. Lucinda and Katy have separated from getting tack and they both went to tack up their horses. At eleven thirty, it was time for the Grand Pix.

Chapter Six

“Shhhh! Quickly! Get into your spots! Number 355, Katy and Mystic! Number 99! Lucinda! Midnight! Number 101, Cassie! Boudicca? What is taking you so long?” it was only about seventeen minutes until the Grand Pix and Jade was practically having a hard attack. All of the riders that got in were lined up in their order at the sideline rails. It was like a soccer game, where the seats were all up and everything. People were everywhere, leaning over the seats, on the sidelines-about to watch the Grand Pix for the mid-term. The order of riders competing was, first was Cassie and Boudicca-Cassie had forced her mother to come over the stables at six in the morning, as the snobby girl that she was to tie Boudicca’s soft bay mane in braids and stick green ribbons as well. Boudicca’s tail was also brushed. Next in line were Katy and Mystic. Katy had brushed Mystic’s light gray flowing tail neatly and also brushed out her mane. She didn’t put any accessories as she could not afford them but she did tie Mystic’s mane and tail in braids. It took an awfully long time. Next was Lucinda and Midnight. Lucinda had curried combed Midnight and brushed his mane and tail but she hadn’t braided them or anything. Midnight’s mane and tail were flowing but not fancy. Katy thought Lucinda was a shame to her own horse. Well at least she should decorate Midnight to win some points! Katy huffed in disbelief. The announcers over the speakers were introducing everyone to the Grand Pix. It usually took about 20 minutes so Jade went over to all her students to tell them some useful tips before performing in the show-jumping course. “Okay, here’s the thing: Ur, Katy, make sure Mystic is calm and gentle over the jumps. You’ve got to be calm and gentle to make him calm and gentle; Lucinda, make sure Midnight takes the right turn and also make sure that he goes easy with those jumps; Cassie; think! Okay, the announcer has finished! Go, Cassie!” hissed Jade. Cassie and Boudicca entered the arena arcade. Cassie rounded up Boudicca in the first few jumps. The crowd cheered. Boudicca jumped the first three fences but then knocked over the second row of fences with thirteen faults. She came back to the rails with a slight nervous face as Katy entered the arena. Katy had wondered why but then shrugged. Who cares? Katy and Mystic rounded up the first few fences quite well-but then-disaster! At the last 1 meter solid fence, Mystic completely lost his nerve-he started rearing and bucking soon; then, Katy was flying over his head and landed flat on the ground.

Chapter Seven

“Is she breathing? Is she still alive?” those words crowded around Katy as she lay dead still on the hard, floor. Mystic was rearing and going crazy. Jade went to the rescue and calmed Mystic down. Cassie and a few other students like Lucinda and Tommy were all outside of the arena, looking in shock, all except for Cassie, who was hiding a sly smile. And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. “Is she breathing? Is she still alive?” those words crowded around Katy as she lay dead still on the hard, floor. Mystic was rearing and going crazy. Jade went to the rescue and calmed Mystic down. Cassie and a few other students like Lucinda and Tommy were all outside of the arena, looking in shock, all except for Cassie, who was hiding a sly smile. And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. . And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. And as the hooves were all rusty and dirty, jade thought that they have never had seen such dirty

When they called up the farrier, Mystical Blue was lying on the arena floor and Katy was taken to hospital. And then she went to hospital without a second thought.

There are so many ways to love him. Cassie and a few other students like Lucinda and Tommy were all outside of the arena, looking in shock, all except for Cassie, who was hiding a sly smile. And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. Of course, she had no intention in touching it but it was disgusting, as Jade thought she needed to call the farrier. And, of course, a sly, happy scowl. It lasted quite long when, Jade had to call the ambulance and she also had to call the farrier and vet since Mystic’s hooves were a mess right in the middle of the center. There were so many rusty things on it. And most of all, there was even a hot top spot in it that made it all fluffy and poufy. The most disgusting thing about in the center. As she did it. And she jumped, definitely.