Chapter 3: The Dressage Debacle
The day of the dressage competition dawned bright and clear, with the sun casting a golden glow over the Meadowbrook stables. The air was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as the riders prepared for the event. Emma, the team’s resident perfectionist, was especially focused. Today was her chance to showcase Bella's impeccable training and grace. Emma had spent countless hours rehearsing her routine with Bella, perfecting every transition, turn, and movement. Bella, a striking chestnut mare with a flair for the dramatic, seemed to understand the importance of the day. As Emma braided Bella’s mane, she whispered words of encouragement, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Laura, Ben, and Tom gathered around to wish Emma luck. Laura patted Bella’s neck. “You’ve got this, Emma. Bella looks amazing, and so do you.”
“Yeah,” Ben chimed in with a grin. “Just remember to smile and don’t think about how everyone’s watching your every move.”
Emma shot Ben a mock glare. “Thanks for that, Ben. Very helpful.”
Tom, ever the supportive coach, gave Emma a reassuring nod. “Just do what you’ve practiced, Emma. Trust in Bella, and everything will fall into place.” With a deep breath, Emma mounted Bella and headed towards the dressage arena. The judges were seated at their table, clipboards in hand, ready to evaluate every movement. Spectators lined the arena, creating a buzz of anticipation. Emma took another deep breath, focusing on the rhythm of Bella’s walk as they entered the arena. The test began beautifully. Bella moved with fluid grace, executing each movement with precision. Emma felt a surge of pride and confidence. They were nailing it. But just as they approached the halfway mark, something caught Bella’s eye—a patch of particularly lush grass just outside the arena. Emma could feel Bella’s attention shift. “Not now, Bella,” she whispered, trying to maintain their rhythm. But Bella, being the diva she was, had other plans. In an instant, she broke into an impromptu canter towards the grass, ears pricked forward with excitement. The crowd gasped, and Emma’s heart sank. She tried to steer Bella back on course, but Bella was determined. She reached the patch of grass and began munching contentedly, oblivious to the chaos she had caused. Emma, red-faced but composed, turned to the judges with an apologetic smile.
The judges, initially taken aback, couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. One of them leaned forward and said, “Well, that’s a first. We’ve never had a horse leave the arena for a snack mid-test.”
Emma finally managed to coax Bella back into the arena, deciding to finish the test with as much dignity as possible. To her surprise, the crowd started clapping and cheering, appreciating her efforts to maintain composure. Bella, now satisfied with her impromptu snack, resumed her elegant movements as if nothing had happened.
With the test completed, Emma exited the arena to a round of applause. Laura, Ben, and Tom were waiting for her, grinning from ear to ear.
“Well, that was certainly memorable,” Laura said, giving Emma a hug. “You handled it brilliantly.”
Ben couldn’t resist adding, “Bella sure knows how to make an impression. She’s got a taste for the finer things in life, literally.”
Tom patted Bella’s neck, shaking his head in amusement. “You did well, Emma. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, but you kept your cool. That’s what matters.”
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