"Alright everyone listen up!" Looking up from my everything bagel to where Solomon stood at the front of the mess hall, he had us all gather there for some reason, "Results for this past week are as follows," and that's why. Anxiously drumming my fingers on the table I waited for him to continue,

        "In first with all 10 points, we have Eila Howell on Star, Kian on Tiny is next with 9.5 points, Fabian on Thunder with 8 points, Leyla on Beau with 8.5, Hollie on Monty with 8.5 as well, Lin on Lilo with 7, Alec on Ginger with 6.5, Ellis on Royal with 6.5, Joe on Lucky with 6, Priya on Kiss with 5.5, Seth on Legend with 5,"
        Now I was getting anxious, it meant I was in the bottom ten, "Brian on Hamlet with 4.7, Florence on Gin with 4.5, Constance on Coda with 4, Kye on Glory with 3.5, Jacob on Indy with 3, Jonah on Moon y with 3, Danielle on Lady with 2.5, and finally, the last two, Beth on Prim with 2, and Carmen on Dia with 1," I sighed burying my head in my hands, I knew that the week hadn't been the greatest but apparently everyone else's week had been better.
        "For those of you who are at the bottom...that means you can only rise up, but it's up to you to make it happen. Now I will see you all in your lessons." As soon as he left I stood abrupt clearing the rest of my alfredo into the trash and putting the plate on the dish rack. Moving quickly I ignored the looks I was getting and exited the building. Hurrying to my dorm I quickly entered grabbing a pair of shorts, a tank top and sneakers. Changing I exited the dorm again with my phone in my head and wireless earphones in my ears. Scrolling through my Spotify I found the playlist I wanted and let it play before finding a trail behind the barns where I picked up my run.

        Since I had started running whenever I felt I needed to get out of my head I would go on a run, blasting music in my ears, not to mention it helped me keep in shape for riding. Running on the trail my arms and legs pumped, blood roaring through my ears as the songs to I Will Wait by Mumford and sons pounded through my ears,
Well I came home
Like a stone
And I fell heavy into your arms
These days of dust
Which we've known
Will blow away with this new sun
But I'll kneel down
Wait for now
And I'll kneel down
Know my ground
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
So break my step
And relent
You forgave and I won't forget
Know what we've seen
And him with less
Now in some way
Shake the excess
'Cause I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you

    As the song eventually ended more songs played and eventually I checked the time stopping to walk for a bit my breath coming in gasps. Oh right, asthma, I thought sarcastically as I struggled to control my breathing. My phone said it was only 9 am, which meant I still had two hours till my next lesson, and I had only been running 20 minutes. Deciding it was time to turn back I turned around continuing to walk for another 5 minutes until my breathing was steady again and I picked up my pace again.

    Making it back I started to walk back to the dorm until someone grabbed my shoulder, shouting a loud "Holy Crap!" I spun around and lost my balance falling straight on my butt. Groaning, I wiped off my hands, pulling my earphones out of my ears to find Leo smiling sheepishly down at me before offering me his hand,

    "Sorry about that," Rolling my eyes I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up. Trying to ignore the fact that I was currently drenched in sweat I raised an eyebrow at him,

    "You couldn't just say my name?" Leo gave me a blank look,

    "I did...five times," well...oops? I smiled sheepishly at him this time,

    "Uh, well, I had headphones in,"

    "No shi-"

    "No swear words!" I quickly interrupted slamming my hand over his mouth. Rolling his eyes Leo grabbed my hand with his own, pulling it off his face,

    "Got it, anyways," he said falling in step besides me as I motioned that I was walking towards the dorm, "I was gonna ask if you wanted to go on a trail ride? Myth has been itching to let out some energy lately, and theres a nice trail with a gallop track on it," I thought a moment, that wouldn't be a bad idea, Prim had been acting antsy lately, but then again would it be a good idea considering we still had two lessons,

    "Palmer!" I spun around this time as I heard my name called from behind me, only to see Solomon jogging to catch up with Leo and I, " I need a favor," He said stopping in front of us, he nodded to Leo before continuing, "I need you to exercise one of our thoroughbred three year olds for me, He should be fine for a ride or something, he just needs his energy out, and I can't do it because Michella asked me to cover her dressage team lesson while she takes her own horse to the vet," I stared stunned for a second, why would he ask me and not Leo?

      "Uh, yeah sure," I said, Solomon grinned his eyes crinkling at the corners,

    "Perfect, and Leo make sure you get Myths energy out today so his not bolting around the arena again," Leo nodded, so that's why he asked me, "The geldings name is Jasper, he's in the same stable block as Myth and all his tack is labeled," With that he was gone. I looked at Leo,

    "Well, Wanna go on a trail ride with Jasper and I?" Leo chuckled before nodding,

    "Alright, I'm gonna go change real quick, I'll meet you in front of barn 1 in about 10 minutes? Then you can show me where Jasper is," Leo nodded, giving him a quick wave I jogged off to my dorm. Heading quickly to my room I saw Lin laying on her bed scrolling through her phone, She looked up immediately as I entered,

    "There you are! I was about to send out a search party," She exclaimed sitting up,

    "Sorry I went on a run to clear my head," I apologized, grabbing a fresh tank top, my one pair of Kerrit ice cool silicone grip riding tights and socks before ducking in to the bathroom and beginning to change,

    "And now where are you off too?" Lin called through the door,

    "I'm exercising a three year old for Solomon, so Leo and I are gonna go on a trail ride that has a gallop track," I called back my voice muffled through my shirt as I pulled on the fresh tanktop throwing the sweaty one into the laundry basket we had put in the bathroom.

    "So...Leo," Lin called through the door, I could practically hear her smirk, "What's going on there?" I rolled my eyes, called it,

    "Nothing is going on!" I said right back exchanging my shorts for the riding pants. Hopping a bit as I pulled my pants on, I nearly fell over at Lin's next comment,

    "Well, there better be soon, I've got 20 bucks riding on it," Opening the door I stared at Lin confused as she smirked,

    "Well that was a waste of 20 dollars," I said blandly turning to look in the mirror as I took my hair out of its pony tail and quickly did a messy french braid. Putting some more deodorant on I put it down and reached above the cabinet for my inhaler which I took two breaths of before exiting the bathroom I grabbed my paddock boots and half chaps from where they were lined up at the door and sat in my desk chair pulling on my zocks before putting on the boots.

    "I wouldn't be so sure about that," Lin chirped, I rolled my eyes again, "I mean you guys are spending a bunch of time together," I looked at her blankly again,

    "Yeah...because we're friends," I stated dryly, "I'll see you later, Lin," I stated standing up, grabbing my helmet and phone from where I had placed both on the desk I exited our room with Lin yelling behind me,

    "Don't say I didn't warn you!! Have fun on your date!" Shouting at her one last time i closed the door,

    "It's not a date!" storming down the hall and out of the dorm I hurried to Barn 1 where I saw Leo waiting leaning against the building and scrolling through his phone. He looked up as he heard me approaching and stuffed his phone in his back pocket,

    "Your lateeee," he teased, I rolled my eyes,

    "You can thank Lin for that," I stated, he chuckled and started walking leading the way towards the barn with the two boys.

    "Welcome to barn 6," He said with a wide swooping gesture with his arm,

    "Soooo, any clue where Jasper is?" Leo shook his head,

    "No but most three year olds are on the other side of the building." I nodded and started walking down the aisles as Leo greeted his own horse who was on the third stall in. Scanning name plates I finally found the gelding. Looking at his stall I saw he had his head poking out staring at me, ears perked.
        He was a nice rich bay with four even white socks, he seemed to already be rather tall, standing around 16 hands, with a lanky build. A white stripe on his face with a fuzzy black forelock that came down over his eyes. Sticking my hand out for his to investigate I laughed as he lipped at it. Grabbing the halter that hung on a hook on his stall I slipped it on and let him out.
      Surprisingly for a three year old he already had good ground manners and walked calmly but alertly just a step behind me, his head occasionally butting my shoulder. Finally making it to the cross ties where Leo had Myth clipped in I clipped Jasper in and started grooming him with some of the all barn grooming supplies.

    "Well he seems like a character," Leo chuckled as Japers lipped at my back as I picked his front hooves. I nodded standing straight,

    "He's definitely well behaved on the ground or a three year old though," I added thoughtfully before picking the rest of his hooves. Following Leo to the tack room I quickly found all of Jaspers tack which like Solomon had said was labeled. Grabbing his bridle, which was just a simple one with a snaffle bit, his saddle, which was a black all purpose, a black saddle pad and grey polos I quickly tacked him up and soon Leo and I were getting lined up at the mounting blocks outside the barn.
      Adjusting my stirrups I quickly mounted up. Finding my stirrups to still be a little long I started to adjust them again as Jasper looked around before sniffing noses with Myth. Finally situated I gathered my reins and looked at Leo who was trying to keep Myth at a walk.

    "We can trot if you'd like," I offered as we entered the trail,

    "That'd be great," He said exasperatedly. Giving Jasper a slight squeeze I was happy to see he bounded into the trot, his long legs eating up the ground in a quick but smooth trot. Trotting for a while in silence I looked over to see Myth gnawing at his bit clearly wanting to run,

    "Sooooo, I take it Myth likes to run?" I commented,

    "You can say that again, he's actually an ottb, he had been running till he was 4, so two years before I met him and in those two years he was mostly retrained," I made an 'o' with my lips, that made much more sense.

    "So where's this gallop track?" I asked,
    "Just up ahead," I grinned seeing the field that was clearly it,

    "Race ya!" I called over to his as I pushed Jasper into a canter, he long legs eating up the ground even more,

    "Not fair!" Leo called but a steady beat of hooves told me he was catching up just fine. Rising into two point I hand galloped Jasper for a bit before pushing for a real gallop.

         Grinning as Jasper ran I looked straight ahead the wind howling in my ears. Looking back for a moment I saw Leo also in a two point Myth galloping with what seemed like all his might to catch us. Leo wasn't urging him on so I took it as Myth just wanted to run.          

          Eventually the field started to end so I slowed Jasper to a canter, then a trot and finally a walk, Leo and Myth soon fell in step besides us.

    "Well that was exhilarating," I grinned a bit breathlessly, Pulling Jasper to a stop and letting him have his head. Leo did the same. Placing a hand on Jaspers hind quarters I leaned back for a bit looking up at the sun, soaking it in.

    "Uh...Beth..." I opened my eyes looking at Leo, "he's eating a leaf," sighing I pulled Jaspers head up, of course he would eat a leaf.

    "He's such a goofball,"

    "That he is," Leo chuckled. Pulling my phone out of my pocket I checked the time. Well crap,

    "Shoot, we gotta get back, it's 10:20 we've been gone for like half an hour already," Leo nodded and we turned the boys around going into a slow canter instead of a gallop through the field.

    Reaching the main trail we slowed to a trot and eventually a walk as the school came into view,

    "Thanks for asking me to come," I smiled at Leo, "I really needed this,"

    He grinned, "Anytime," hopping off the horses in front of the barn we walked them to the cross ties where we did a quick untack and grooming. Running a cool towel over Jasper's sweaty body I checked how hot his chest was, which luckily seemed to have cooled down, trading the crossties for his lead rope I waved to Leo before leading Jasper down to his stall, where he immediately dunked his head into his water bucket. Laughing I gave him one last pat before exiting his stall and heading to Barn 1.

    Remembering last minute to grab my helmet from where I left it as the cross ties I backtracked,
    "Seriously? You blew me off to hang out with a trainee?" Huh? I slowed my walk to a stand still, probably shouldn't be listening but she sounded snobby and that sounded to familiar,

    "Yeah I did, and believe it or not they're good company," Leo? I heard a snort,

    "Oh come on, most of them are gonna be going home anyways, besides wasn't she the one that came in dead last," well...they're obviously talking about me, whoever they are,

    "Give it a break alright? She's riding Prim, besides Solomons just pissed she cares too much about other people," well that's one way to say it...wait how did he know?

    "Oh come on Leo she's a nobody, going nowhere, and obviously if she can't handle Prim she shouldn't be here," Ouch, who the hell did this girl think she was?

    "Leave it alone, Kiera," I heard another sigh,

    "Fine just stop hanging around that trainee so much," I heard another sigh  "now come here," and suddenly I heard no more talking. Grabbing my helmet I quickly and quietly tried to sneak past where I thought they were by Myths stall, sadly it didn't work,

    "Beth?" I looked to my right no use now, "what're you still doing here?" A pretty brunette stood besides him inside Myths stall, her hair and make up were immaculate, and currently her eyes were narrowed in perfect slits towards me,

    "I- uh- well I was just hanging out with Jasper a bit more," I stumbled out, that sounded like something I'd do right?

     "Anyways, I've gotta get going now," I said, slowly backing up, giving Leo another wave I quickly scurried out of the stables to barn 1. Speed walking to Prims stall I looked at the time, 10:45 alright, I should have enough time to tack. Smiling happily as I saw Prim peacefully dozing her back leg cocked, I whistled softly gaining her attention. Entering her stall with her halter I said a hello before quickly sliding it onto her face and leading her out to the cross ties.
       Grooming her quickly I hurried to the tack room, grabbing all her tack I went with black boots and a maroon saddle pad before hurrying back to her. Tacking up I made sure the saddle was placed right and her boots weren't loose before sliding off her halter and trading it for her bridle.
       Grabbing my helmet I put it on and led Prim out to the arena. Looking at my phone one last time I saw I had 5 minutes till 11. Entering the arena I lined her up and mounted. Carmen was already there on Dia and seemed intensely focused on her mare, obviously she didn't want to be last again.

    "Perfect I was just looking for you two!" Solomon called entering the arena. Looking over at him I pulled Prim up from the walk we had started and Dia stopped her warm up as well, "As you know the riders with the last two placings have to be given a chore till the next placings to see if they did any better. Your chore this week will be helping with morning feed, so each morning at 5 am you will be expected to come to barn 1 and feed all the horses here according to the board in the feed room. Understand?" We both nodded, "Alright, you may continue your warm up and I forgot to tell you two but I've decided to split up your lesson today, other then one other, the rest of your group will be with Hana Fowler,"

       By now others were starting to filter in and I sent Prim out to the rail collecting her at a walk for a lap before asking for a trot. Taking a deep breath I attempted to find that place, the place where I ignore everything around me, of course I still have an eye on where other horses are, and focus purely on Prim. Trotting her in serpentines I finally ask for a canter around the corner.
     I found she doesn't like to use speed through the short side of the arena so we would be working on consistent speed and looks today. Turning down the centerline I worked on our side passes. Keeping my eyes up I watched for any incoming horses and asked for the side pass. Moving smoothly Prim practically floated back to the rail her legs moving smoothly.

         "Good Beth!" My head snapped around to see Solomon watching me with a smile on his face. "Alright you two bring it in!" Hearing the gate opening I saw Jacob and Indy walk in, Leo and the same girl from earlier following. You have got to be kidding me. After Jacob mounted Solomon finally explained the plan for the day,

       "I know you are all wondering what is going on, well I decided today your gonna have a change, I want you all teh be used to different teaching styles so you are all split up because you will be having semi private lessons with rotating trainers. For instance, I'm going to start with Jacob and Indy, Leo will go with Beth, then Kiera, by the way this is Kiera Reyes, another working student, she just came a bit later, but Kiera with Carmen.

         Then after about 15 minutes we will all rotate." Well this'll be interesting, "You are split up purely so you have more room. The first rotation is as I just said, then we will rotate me to Beth, Leo to Carmen and Kiera to Jacob and so on, got it?" We all nodded, "Alright let's get started, Leo you take the far side, I'll take the middle, and Kiera will stay here," Splitting up Leo walked beside Prim and I. Stopping in the middle I made a circle around Leo collecting up Prim,

         "Are you guys all warmed up?" Leo asked, I nodded silently, "Ask her for a canter, make sure she doesn't drag behind with her back legs," Doing as he asked I tapped Prim twice with my outside leg asking for a canter, Holding her up with my legs I urged her on until Leo called us again, "Alright, slow to a trot and do it again, Try to keep her collected through the transition, You may not notice but you release the contact for a slight moment between each transition," Leo instructed.

          Slowing her then asking again I did as he asked and we did it over and over again until he finally asked me to walk. "That was better, now I want you to transition from a walk again," Sitting deeply I did as he asked, and Prim clearly had had enough. Let out a snort, before crow hopping. Slamming into her neck I instinctively Grabbed her mane, sadly she decided she wasn't done and let out a large buck to where all four hooves were off the ground.

       Somehow Managing to not hit the ground I lost my stirrup and held myself on with one hand on the reins and one stirrup before she stopped dead and my legs flipped over her neck to where I basically did a back handspring off of her and somehow landed on my feet, of course me being me, I fell straight on my but after, breathless as Prim stretched her head down to me nuding me as if to say, 'sorry, didn't mean for that just couldn't control myself.' Leo was by my side the instant I sat down,
         "You ok?" I nodded once before he helped me stand up, dusting myself off I looked at him,
        "Leg up?" before he could answer Solomon called over,
      "You alright Beth?" I sent him a small smile and a thumbs up. Lining up by Prim Leo did as I had previously asked and basically tossed me into the saddle. Situating myself I nodded to him before he walked back to the center.

        "Alright, she can't get away with that but shake her tail feathers, get her mind off of it then do it again," I nodded and quickly asked for a trot and did multiple tight circles, and a few side passes before slowing to a walk. Taking a deep breath I calmed myself down, and counted to three before asking for the canter. She went without complaint.
After that we all rotated and I went to Keira

Woooohoooo dramaaaa, so I totally did a cliffhanger ;) hope you all enjoyed it and I hope I'll remember to update soon! What's you guys think? I think Jaspers adorable, pic up above of Jasper, and I want a jasper someday :3

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