"And Ashleigh Bakers on Monty is ready for the triple fence course!" blared the announcer. I blinked. Ashleigh patted me and gripped the reins. Ashleigh was really determined to win blue in the show, this show, the Briarwood Horse Show. So I wasn't going to let her down. Ashleigh urged me into a gallop and I headed for the first fence. It was one of the easy ones, for me, and I cleared it without a problem. The next three were easy as well. Onlythe last was left. The wind blew against my face and I could feel the pressure as we headed for a humungous triple oxer. It was about six heads taller than me, and Ashleigh and I had been working on it for weeks. I galloped swiftly towards it, trying to think of other things besides breaking a leg. Then I thought, Ashleigh wouldn't make me do anything she'd think I'd get hurt doing. That's why I trusted her. As I reached it, I felt a jolt. A jolt of pain. Something was wrong. It was Ashleigh. On top of me, Ashleigh stumbled with the reins. I stumbled backward. Ashleigh screamed, and I could almost feel her warm tears of shock on my tongue that normally felt oats or carrots. She lost the reins and fell backward. Backward off me. I spooked, thinking to save Ashleigh, and reared in front of the fence. The audience gasped. Someone yelled, "Get that horse!" I fell backwards. All I wanted to do was save Ashleigh. Ashleigh was on the ground, a mess. I had fallen. Fallen like Ashleigh. Suddenly, Ashleigh's tears fell on me. She grabbed the reins, hoisting herself up, and headed me towards the triple fence. I remembered from earlier what I had thought. Never to let Ashleigh down. Oh, no, I wouldnÕt this time. I urged all my strength to the jumping of the fence, and jumped. We had cleared it. In just a second. Tears of joy rolled down Ashleigh's cheeks. I could feel them. Feeling them on me. I could feel nothing but what Ashleigh and I had just done as the audience roared with excitement. I fell to my knees. I hadn't let Ashleigh down.
Horse Story by Kate
Age 10 New Jersey, USA
"We can do it, Monty," Ashleigh whispered in my ear. I snorted and pawed at the ground, my eyes twinkling.
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