Ashleigh's pov

"In my wildest dreams" I snicker, closing the link to the EFA tuition prices.

There were only a few days until Christmas and we were on winter break. So here I was, bored out of my mind and searching the web. I close the laptop and let out a sigh.  Darn schools, always costing so much money.

I glance up and look out the window, smiling when I notice the light blanket of snow layering the paddocks. The soft glow of the sunrise starts peaking through my curtains, warming my room. It was going to be a beautiful day and I was glad I could spend it at the Holloway barn instead of school. Luckily for me, the vet has given us the all clear to start bringing Venus into work as of next week.

I zip up my coat and sneak downstairs with my riding boots in hand. These new thermal socks I had on worked like a charm, keeping my feet warm as I tip toed along the wooden floorboards. Reaching the front door, I slowly open and close it behind me before rushing to slide my boots on. Jumping out onto the snow, I felt a small smile tug onto my lips. It was good to be out in the fresh morning air with snow that has yet to be turned brown. The grooms would be arriving very soon and I wanted to be out riding by then.

There was just enough light for me to find the barn light switch. As the lights flicker on, all the horses start to nicked and poke their heads over the stall doors. Usually I would take Florence out for a gallop in the morning but today was her day off. Miora didn't need to be exercised in the morning as she didn't get hot as often. Winter who was recently backed, also didn't need riding. So my mind settles on Comanche, the reject race horse was still finding it hard to adjust to normal stable life. The incident a few weeks back didn't help him either, and I don't blame him. We both were struggling to cope with the recent events...

"Hey gorgeous" I coo, holding my hand out for the gelding to sniff.

Being cooped up in his stall at night clearly seemed to frustrate him. But since it was winter and the temperatures were going dangerously low, no horses were allowed out in the paddocks after dark. The gelding pawed the ground with impatience, a trait he's had since he's arrived.

Quickly I move to take him out of his stall, and after a thorough brush he was ready to be tacked up. I was so lost in thought that I didn't realise other people had arrived at the barn already. Glancing at my watch confusedly, I noticed that there was still 20 minutes until anyone's suppose to arrive. Suddenly, emerging from around the corner was the RMPS group. Leah, Caroline and Edwin were carrying helmets by their sides while the other didn't.

"Hey guys, what are you all up to?" I call, offering them a smile.

"We were uh, just going to brush some horses, nothing to see here" Caroline says quickly while Leah looked guilty.

"We're going out riding in a bit" Eve shrugs.

Eve's cool demeanour meant one thing, they were up to something. I resist the urge to roll my eyes at their sneaking around. It was typical of them to do such a thing and rely on Eve to lie through her teeth. Deciding I wanted to have a little fun, I prod further.

"Where abouts? I can wait up for you guys" I said, hiding my smile.

"Oh no, that's okay! We don't want to keep you waiting, that race horse of yours looks like he's about to break loose" Leah says a little to quickly.

I knew what they were up to, I just found it funny that they were hiding it from me. I knew they were teaching Edwin, Caroline and Leah to ride again. Why? I'll never know. I would join them but with the sneaking around, I took the hint I wasn't invited. It didn't bother me much as I knew they had their reasons. They were probably going to surprise me with something, after all, Christmas isn't that far away.

"Yeah alright" I shrug, turning to take off Comanche's halter and exchange it with his bridle.

"I'll get that" Alex says, taking the halter from my hands and putting it away for me.

I roll my eyes this time. Alex acting weird definitely meant they were up to something. They all gave him a 'what the hell' look as soon as he came back. Weirdos.

"You all just going to stand there or?" I said, picking up my helmet that sat on the ground nearby.

"Uh well, bye" Leah says, tugging the whole group the other way.

I stifle a laugh and shake my head.

Tightening my chin strap, I check my stirrups and tighten the girth. Once that is done, I take Comanche outside to the mounting block. Much to my annoyance, he was having once of his moments today where he would move away. After staying persistent, he finally stood still as I bounced into the saddle.

"Good boy, lets get going" I mutter, gathering my reins and letting Comanche go into a brisk walk.

You know how in the first 10 minutes of your ride, you can usually predict if you'll be falling off that day. Well today I felt like I would be falling off. Comanche was a bundle of energy, and with his constant ping pong game of 'guess when I'm going to spook', my peaceful morning wasn't so good anymore. Deciding it was best to let his energy and tension simmer away with a long gallop, I find a long stretch of land. Once I'm confident that he's warmed up, I waste no time in letting him free.

I allow my arms to go forward and give him more rein. Staying in two point position on Comanche was easy as I had good balance. But what I wasn't expecting was a rodent to spook him. One minute I'm in the saddle, and the next I'm sailing into the snow. It's not as welcoming as it sounds either. Hitting a hard, cold and wet surface wasn't my idea of fun.

"Darn it" I grumble, standing up as soon as I didn't feel winded.

Glancing up the track Comanche and I were just on, I spot him around 100 metres away. Trudging through the snow, Comanche casts me a guilty look. Little poo head. Ugh!!

"Why can't you just relax, the world isn't going to eat you" I mutter as I finally grasp his reins.

Since Comanche was super tall and liked crow hopping when ever I get on him, I decide against riding back. There wasn't the cliche tree that was knocked over. There wasn't a stump in site. Just a heap of snow and open land.

As you can imagine, it's thrilling.

Really.

Since I didn't want to end my ride now, I search for something that will help me get back on. A broken tree, a stump, anything really. Luck seemed to be on my side because I finally found a fallen tree after a couple minutes. It gave me enough extra height to get my leg to reach Comanche's stirrup.

Hoisting myself into the saddle for the second time this morning, I untrustingly glance at my surroundings. Once I was sure there was nothing to spook Comanche again, I steer him towards an open field where I planned on exercising him.

On some of Comanche's bad days, he would spook at something as little as a tree.

...

The ride back at the barn was a lot less stressful as Comanche seemed to calm down. I couldn't wait until he had more exposure as he's going to be an amazing partner in eventing. Smiling slightly as I dismount, I pet the gelding on the shoulder reassuringly. I don't hold grudges at horses who spook, it's just what happens. Horses aren't robots. And it wasn't entirely his fault, I do admit that I've been a little tense lately.

I find myself completely distracted with caring for Comanche. It was only until I left that I saw Navarre and Luna were no longer in their stalls. Eve wasn't kidding when she said they were going riding. As in the whole RMPS group.

Sighing, I shut Comanche's stall and go give Venus a dose of her daily TLC.

"Only a week until I can ride you again girl, one week" I spoke, slipping on the mares halter.