It's Complicated

Chapter Twenty-Three

   This is it. The last class of the last day. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

   "You ready, Abby?" I open my eyes at Madison's voice. I nod mutely as I look over the course, mentally going through my plan one more time. "Okay. Go kick some butt!" She pats my booted leg as the ring stewardess opens the chain across the gate and motions me toward jump number four to pre-load. I urge Starr into a trot, slowing him to a walk as the bright rainbow jump gets close enough to almost touch.

   The crowd claps as the girl before me passes over the finish. They have a decent time, but an early rail cost them the class. I hear the announcer call my name and number and that's my cue to face the judge, drop my right hand to my side, and nod in a salute. He nods back and the buzzer sounds. As of now, I have 45 seconds to get to the start line. "Okay, Buddy. Let's do this."

   I pick up a good canter and make my way around the ring to fence one. The spectators along the rail and in the stands go silent as I pass by the electronic eye and the timer starts. Fence by fence, we make our way through, and as we pass the finish I let out a little breath. "That is a clear round, and Abigail and Starr Symphoni advance to the jump off."

   The buzzer goes again and I take a moment to collect myself before kicking Starr into a fast canter. We gallop around back to fence one and I steady his pace and stride when we get close enough. As we sail over, I have one dominant thought in the back of my mind. 'Isabelle's time of 30.28 seconds is still the time to beat.'

   I cut corners and take a few jumps on an angle to shave off precious seconds. We fly over the last jump and I gallop him over the finish line. Turning in a circle, I slow him down, patting his sweaty neck before looking up at the board. '29.61.' I stare in disbelief.

   "And we have a new leader. A fast time of 29.61 seconds, and Abigail Forestor takes the lead!" The audience cheers as I walk Starr back out of the ring. Waiting for me are Dani, my mother, and much to my delight, my father.

   "Congrats, Kiddo! I'm so proud of you!" My dad calls as I pass on my way to the warm-up ring to let Starr cool down a bit. I grin at them all as I pass by. Madison meets me halfway to the other ring and reaches up to high five me.

   "Awesome job, Abby. That's going to be a difficult time to beat." My smile is practically glowing as I thank her and carry on my way. Isabelle and Bleu are waiting for me as we walk into the now almost empty warm-up ring.

   "That was amazing, Abby." She congratulates me. I beam at her. "I always knew you were my biggest competition." I laugh as the two horses fall into step beside each other.

   "Thank you. You did pretty great yourself. Beating that time was very difficult." Isabelle grins. We continue walking, going through our rides; what we though was challenging, how we could've done better. We're discussing the triple combination, and how we should practice oxer to oxer to vertical ones at home when Madison calls to us, beckoning us back over to the main ring. The last horse and rider are on course and it's time to prepare for mounted presentations.

   As we make our way over, I hear the crowd 'aww' and I look at the ring. They pulled a rail in the triple combo. It's official. I won the class. I grin over at Isabelle to find her already beaming back.

   "Congratulations." I flush red and somehow smile even wider.

   "You too. Second isn't too bad. I really should know." She's still laughing slightly when we get to the ring. I quickly jump off so they can throw the Champion cooler over Starr's back. Once it's secured, Madison gives me a leg up.