About me
Hi, this is just a short profile story of me, so you can get to know me better,
When entering the island of Jorvik, I thought ‘WOW! This is going to be awesome.’ Then when I started a quest I thought ‘WOW! Quests to do,’ and each day of being a non-star rider was training my horse, Bright-Shadow. After I had levelled him up to 15, I begged for a life time star rider and I got it after some hard work. When I became a life time star rider, I got Midnight. When I reached level 9, there were no answers on the map. You had to find them yourself, I thought, Oh, this going to take my life up! But no, it was simple and everyone was glad to help when I needed it. I was training Midnight when I came across an appaloosa, I bought her and named her Rose. She took up Western, and then I decided. Bright-Shadow for Cross Country, Midnight-Mystery for Show Jumping and Rose for Western, I thought then I maybe needed a dressage and pleasure. I got my pony, Gold Mist to be my pleasure and for the quest, but then got Dream Dancer for Dressage. After a few months. I thought I need a race horse!
When entering the island of Jorvik, I thought ‘WOW! This is going to be awesome.’ Then when I started a quest I thought ‘WOW! Quests to do,’ and each day of being a non-star rider was training my horse, Bright-Shadow. After I had levelled him up to 15, I begged for a life time star rider and I got it after some hard work. When I became a life time star rider, I got Midnight. When I reached level 9, there were no answers on the map. You had to find them yourself, I thought, Oh, this going to take my life up! But no, it was simple and everyone was glad to help when I needed it. I was training Midnight when I came across an appaloosa, I bought her and named her Rose. She took up Western, and then I decided. Bright-Shadow for Cross Country, Midnight-Mystery for Show Jumping and Rose for Western, I thought then I maybe needed a dressage and pleasure. I got my pony, Gold Mist to be my pleasure and for the quest, but then got Dream Dancer for Dressage. After a few months. I thought I need a race horse!
Annie's camp at harvest counties
The sky was brightening up with the morning sun. Outside the grass was covered in dew and the air was misty, although, the air was a warm temperature and that meant the day would be a fine one. Annie struggled out of bed as the blinds were being pulled open. It was her first day at the ‘Girls Equestrian Camp of Jorvik’ Some girls were jumping up and down, some falling off their bunk beds and some quietly chattering to each other. Annie yawned,
“Oh what a morning! I forgot I was out in the country side and that everyone waked up early! Why is everyone so excited?”
“Annie! We get our camp horses in 5 minutes! Hurry up or you’re going to hold up the group.” Said a girl who looked at the clock every 5 seconds, “Oh, my name is Alice.”
“Oh, OK.” I love horses but I can't even buy one, it's sad.” Annie said pulling on a pair of jodhpurs. Alice smiled at the clock,
“Let’s go girls!” She screeched and grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her out of the room out into the meeting area. Alice then went off to talk to her other friends but Annie didn't mind as she wanted to think for a while before meeting others or doing anything more.
A tall slim elderly woman came into the room and held up her hand to make all the girls stop chattering. She spoke,
“Hello girls! It’s great to see some old faces and some new ones as her eyes scanned the room. “We are now going to head out to the stables and Johanna will give you a horse for the camp.” She said and smiled and she walked out of the room and then all the girls were quick to leave the room as well. Annie had been thinking the whole time and she was not listening to the women, she just followed like a sheep out to the stables.
“Hello girls! I’m going to pick out your horses.” She smiled and looked at Annie, “some new people here and some new horses too!” All the girls wanted to see the horses and wanted to go with their usual one. Johanna went through all the girls. Alice got a dappled grey that had great potential and looked like he was a show horse. Johanna stood in front of Annie leaving her as the last student.
“Annie, it is. Well tell me about yourself.” Linda said calmly
“I live at Silver Glade, in the village. I love horses, but can't buy one and my parent's wont let me ride much so I don’t really ride and I most likely spend the day fishing or shopping.” Annie said shyly.
“Well you will love horse soon; I’m going to give you…” She stopped for a minute and a huge smile went across her face. “Dream Dancer, but for short just caller he" Dream. She is the big bay in the second stall and for your happiness, she is the best horse at the stables. She's new and well, 16 hh.
“Oh thanks!” Annie said but she didn't even know what she looked like or what she was going to do next. She went over to her horse and patted her forehead. Johanna interrupted everyone,
“I hope you all have made good friends with your horse and_” she was interrupted by a younger girl,
“The stables smell.” She said holding her nose then she looked around at the other girls.
Johanna started again, “Yes and you’re going to give them fresh water, give them hay and muck out the stables.” Annie looked puzzled “It will be a great experience for people that have not done it before.” Johanna said.
“More like a disgusting experience!” Annie mumbled. All the girls started giggling and Annie was surprised she said it so loud.
“Alice will be your leader for this trail ride. Alice has had the most experience out of all of you here.” Johanna said and she walked away leaving Alice in charge. “Get on your mounts!”
“All right! We will just go round the outside of the grounds and while I do that I will tell you more about this place. I will put you in order and line up in a single line.” Alice said happily. She put everyone in a place and Annie seemed to be second, right behind Alice.
“Why am I here?” Annie sighed and steered Dream in line. He perked up his ears and turned his head to the right, trying to catch a glimpse of his rider.
“You will learn.” Alice said and she started to walk her horse and Dream followed. Girls at the back of the line were showing each other tricks on their horses. Alice told them to shush and listen for the sound of the ‘creaking boat’ she explained what it was. “It’s not actually a boat but it’s something in the trees. We don’t know what; maybe it’s the wood rubbing against each other. Now let head down to the village.” She didn't talk until they got there. Annie still confused dismounted at the sight of all the others dismounting too. The shops were aligned around the village and some hairdressers were in the middle where houses were placed overlooking the beautiful view of the ocean.
“This cafe looks nice.” Annie said after Alice asked the girls where they should have brunch. Alice replied with a smile and they went into the cafe Annie requested. They relaxed as they all ordered a farmers breakfast but Annie said she would just like scrambled eggs on toast. All the girls gasped and stared at her.
“No need to worry! I’m having that too!” Alice called out to all the girls. Then everyone turned to each other to start talking again. “I saved your life!” Alice whispered to Annie.
“How? They attack you?” Annie asked laughing.
“Almost, they will bombard you with typical city girl questions.” Alice smiled and raised her arms as her food slid onto the table. Annie’s did too. It looked so large and Annie offered some to Alice but she refused and told Annie not to worry. Annie sighed and dug into the lot of scrambled eggs. Surprisingly Annie finished it all.
“Annie, if you’re on a farm riding horses, you have to eat it all!” She laughed, Annie did too. Annie knew it was not going to be as bad as she thought. Dream too seemed like she understood Annie. Annie liked her and she knew her family would be happy if she enjoyed the experience she could get a horse for life. “What are you thinking about Annie?” Alice asked as she collected her cutlery and placed it on her plate.
“Oh, just about these surroundings and all this new stuff.” Annie smiled as she picked up a magazine called ‘Horse Talk’ and she sat back to read it. "I love this place and I love horses. Dream seems to be my all time favourite horse, even though she is the 2nd horse I have ridden. I don't mind Silver Glade Village cause it's near many riding schools and next to Steve's Farm. Horses are everywhere in Jorvik. Harvest Counties is my favourite, and I so want to live there." She looked up at Alice who was listening in deep thought. Annie thought, at least someone listens and she smiled. “Wake up, Annie!” Alice yelled at the top of her voice, “Fire!” Alice said packing up all their stuff in the tent, the horse camp was camping out in the bush and somehow, a bush fire was approaching the tents. Annie got up quickly after being pushed around by Alice. They got out of the tent and closed it up, put it in its case and went to their horses.
“Is everyone still sleeping?” Annie called over to Alice. Alice nodded and rushed over to push the fire alarm which could surely wake the world up, “Make an announcement for everyone to get their horses!” Annie got up on her horse and lead Alice’s over to the creek and gave the horses water. She got the feed buckets and filled all of them with water so she could extinguish the loose flames coming towards the camp. Johanna was calling over the speaker, ‘To all riders, please collect your belongings and your horses and head over to Paddock Island!” She closed the speaker and turned the alarm on again, seeing all the riders running around and splashing water on their horses.
“Come Alice!” Annie called over to Alice; Annie was on the back of Dream, who was frightened by everything and Alice’s horse Jasper was being held still by Annie who felt she couldn't hold on anymore, but at the right time, Alice got up on her horse and the 2 girls and 2 horses charged over to Paddock Island…The flames seemed to be dying down but when all the horses and riders had reached Paddock Island, they saw flames burning down trees. Alice saw Johanna running towards the camp students.
“Girls, boys, everyone into the castle and we will have to wait there until I find out a plan!” said Johanna and lead a little girls pony into the castle and the girl crying, holding her teddy and all her belongings. Annie and Alice were in last, making sure all riders were in, but one wasn’t and that was Josh. Annie didn't know what to do, her and Alice exchanged glances and both girls wondered,
“Do we go after him? Or do we just tell Johanna?” Annie asked, Alice shook her head,
“No, because he set up the fire, he was on the G.E.D side and all this time he’s been ‘riding.’ They wanted the minerals from the rocks, they had to blow them up to get them but they had no licence, but the hogs had to get their way fast and their only other way was to set fire on the rocks and the land.” Alice finished off and turned to Annie. Annie bent down to close the castle gate and tears in her eyes; she then got back up on her horse and her and Alice went to the group.
2 days later, after the fire at the fields, Annie was watching Dream trot around the arena at Jorvik Stables but Annie wasn't the rider, it was Alice.
“Oh what a morning! I forgot I was out in the country side and that everyone waked up early! Why is everyone so excited?”
“Annie! We get our camp horses in 5 minutes! Hurry up or you’re going to hold up the group.” Said a girl who looked at the clock every 5 seconds, “Oh, my name is Alice.”
“Oh, OK.” I love horses but I can't even buy one, it's sad.” Annie said pulling on a pair of jodhpurs. Alice smiled at the clock,
“Let’s go girls!” She screeched and grabbed Annie’s arm and pulled her out of the room out into the meeting area. Alice then went off to talk to her other friends but Annie didn't mind as she wanted to think for a while before meeting others or doing anything more.
A tall slim elderly woman came into the room and held up her hand to make all the girls stop chattering. She spoke,
“Hello girls! It’s great to see some old faces and some new ones as her eyes scanned the room. “We are now going to head out to the stables and Johanna will give you a horse for the camp.” She said and smiled and she walked out of the room and then all the girls were quick to leave the room as well. Annie had been thinking the whole time and she was not listening to the women, she just followed like a sheep out to the stables.
“Hello girls! I’m going to pick out your horses.” She smiled and looked at Annie, “some new people here and some new horses too!” All the girls wanted to see the horses and wanted to go with their usual one. Johanna went through all the girls. Alice got a dappled grey that had great potential and looked like he was a show horse. Johanna stood in front of Annie leaving her as the last student.
“Annie, it is. Well tell me about yourself.” Linda said calmly
“I live at Silver Glade, in the village. I love horses, but can't buy one and my parent's wont let me ride much so I don’t really ride and I most likely spend the day fishing or shopping.” Annie said shyly.
“Well you will love horse soon; I’m going to give you…” She stopped for a minute and a huge smile went across her face. “Dream Dancer, but for short just caller he" Dream. She is the big bay in the second stall and for your happiness, she is the best horse at the stables. She's new and well, 16 hh.
“Oh thanks!” Annie said but she didn't even know what she looked like or what she was going to do next. She went over to her horse and patted her forehead. Johanna interrupted everyone,
“I hope you all have made good friends with your horse and_” she was interrupted by a younger girl,
“The stables smell.” She said holding her nose then she looked around at the other girls.
Johanna started again, “Yes and you’re going to give them fresh water, give them hay and muck out the stables.” Annie looked puzzled “It will be a great experience for people that have not done it before.” Johanna said.
“More like a disgusting experience!” Annie mumbled. All the girls started giggling and Annie was surprised she said it so loud.
“Alice will be your leader for this trail ride. Alice has had the most experience out of all of you here.” Johanna said and she walked away leaving Alice in charge. “Get on your mounts!”
“All right! We will just go round the outside of the grounds and while I do that I will tell you more about this place. I will put you in order and line up in a single line.” Alice said happily. She put everyone in a place and Annie seemed to be second, right behind Alice.
“Why am I here?” Annie sighed and steered Dream in line. He perked up his ears and turned his head to the right, trying to catch a glimpse of his rider.
“You will learn.” Alice said and she started to walk her horse and Dream followed. Girls at the back of the line were showing each other tricks on their horses. Alice told them to shush and listen for the sound of the ‘creaking boat’ she explained what it was. “It’s not actually a boat but it’s something in the trees. We don’t know what; maybe it’s the wood rubbing against each other. Now let head down to the village.” She didn't talk until they got there. Annie still confused dismounted at the sight of all the others dismounting too. The shops were aligned around the village and some hairdressers were in the middle where houses were placed overlooking the beautiful view of the ocean.
“This cafe looks nice.” Annie said after Alice asked the girls where they should have brunch. Alice replied with a smile and they went into the cafe Annie requested. They relaxed as they all ordered a farmers breakfast but Annie said she would just like scrambled eggs on toast. All the girls gasped and stared at her.
“No need to worry! I’m having that too!” Alice called out to all the girls. Then everyone turned to each other to start talking again. “I saved your life!” Alice whispered to Annie.
“How? They attack you?” Annie asked laughing.
“Almost, they will bombard you with typical city girl questions.” Alice smiled and raised her arms as her food slid onto the table. Annie’s did too. It looked so large and Annie offered some to Alice but she refused and told Annie not to worry. Annie sighed and dug into the lot of scrambled eggs. Surprisingly Annie finished it all.
“Annie, if you’re on a farm riding horses, you have to eat it all!” She laughed, Annie did too. Annie knew it was not going to be as bad as she thought. Dream too seemed like she understood Annie. Annie liked her and she knew her family would be happy if she enjoyed the experience she could get a horse for life. “What are you thinking about Annie?” Alice asked as she collected her cutlery and placed it on her plate.
“Oh, just about these surroundings and all this new stuff.” Annie smiled as she picked up a magazine called ‘Horse Talk’ and she sat back to read it. "I love this place and I love horses. Dream seems to be my all time favourite horse, even though she is the 2nd horse I have ridden. I don't mind Silver Glade Village cause it's near many riding schools and next to Steve's Farm. Horses are everywhere in Jorvik. Harvest Counties is my favourite, and I so want to live there." She looked up at Alice who was listening in deep thought. Annie thought, at least someone listens and she smiled. “Wake up, Annie!” Alice yelled at the top of her voice, “Fire!” Alice said packing up all their stuff in the tent, the horse camp was camping out in the bush and somehow, a bush fire was approaching the tents. Annie got up quickly after being pushed around by Alice. They got out of the tent and closed it up, put it in its case and went to their horses.
“Is everyone still sleeping?” Annie called over to Alice. Alice nodded and rushed over to push the fire alarm which could surely wake the world up, “Make an announcement for everyone to get their horses!” Annie got up on her horse and lead Alice’s over to the creek and gave the horses water. She got the feed buckets and filled all of them with water so she could extinguish the loose flames coming towards the camp. Johanna was calling over the speaker, ‘To all riders, please collect your belongings and your horses and head over to Paddock Island!” She closed the speaker and turned the alarm on again, seeing all the riders running around and splashing water on their horses.
“Come Alice!” Annie called over to Alice; Annie was on the back of Dream, who was frightened by everything and Alice’s horse Jasper was being held still by Annie who felt she couldn't hold on anymore, but at the right time, Alice got up on her horse and the 2 girls and 2 horses charged over to Paddock Island…The flames seemed to be dying down but when all the horses and riders had reached Paddock Island, they saw flames burning down trees. Alice saw Johanna running towards the camp students.
“Girls, boys, everyone into the castle and we will have to wait there until I find out a plan!” said Johanna and lead a little girls pony into the castle and the girl crying, holding her teddy and all her belongings. Annie and Alice were in last, making sure all riders were in, but one wasn’t and that was Josh. Annie didn't know what to do, her and Alice exchanged glances and both girls wondered,
“Do we go after him? Or do we just tell Johanna?” Annie asked, Alice shook her head,
“No, because he set up the fire, he was on the G.E.D side and all this time he’s been ‘riding.’ They wanted the minerals from the rocks, they had to blow them up to get them but they had no licence, but the hogs had to get their way fast and their only other way was to set fire on the rocks and the land.” Alice finished off and turned to Annie. Annie bent down to close the castle gate and tears in her eyes; she then got back up on her horse and her and Alice went to the group.
2 days later, after the fire at the fields, Annie was watching Dream trot around the arena at Jorvik Stables but Annie wasn't the rider, it was Alice.
“Looking good, Alice,” Annie said after snoozing on the paddock rail. “Hey, it’s 12:34 pm! We are 4 minutes late and by the time we untack and brush and all that, its 1:00!” Annie panicked and opened the gate for Alice to come out.
“Annie, I told you to keep an eye out on the time! What have you been doing?” Alice said, also panicked, “Points will be taken off for both of us and do you know what that means?” Alice was now in the stable untacking Dream.
“Yes, no trail ride and no riding after dusk tonight!” Annie said putting the tack away and Alice brushing away madly. “I think we don’t need to ride after dusk anyway.” Annie gave Alice another brush.
“What? Riding after dusk is the best, especially at Harvest Counties. It’s a new area and so much to explore I don’t know what to say about your opinion but mine is sure correct.” Alice said in a huff, “Done!” she said and both girls ran to the house for lunch. Every one stood up to Alice and Annie’s present at the lunch room.
“How late are you?” said Johanna her hands on her hips but everyone knew that she couldn't keep a straight face and she burst out laughing. “Oh OK! There are burgers in the fridge for you but this room is locked so you’re going to have to eat outside. Sorry to say but, no trail ride this afternoon and no riding until the ‘after dusk ride.’ To the girl’s relief they were saved but what about points? They didn't need to remind her because she had already put them on the whiteboard. “Quick sticks, I have to go feed the horses in the paddock.” And she then walked out of the room and waited at the door to lock it. Annie and Alice quickly walked out with their burgers.
“That was close, what is the time anyway?” Alice asked Annie. Annie yawned and looked at her watch,
“Eh, 12:50, I’m so tired I’m going to eat and then sleep until the ADR.” Annie said and looked up to Alice’s confused face. “ADR is After Dusk Ride. I made it up” and she smiled. Alice laughed and ran into their cabin which they shared with 2 other girls, Grace and Miranda. “These boots are killing me.” Annie said and she kicked them off. She finished her burger and got some warm clothes out for the ADR and she made her bed comfortable to sleep on.
"Annie. We are leaving now! I've already tacked up Dream, you can't do this again because you've done it too many times, and coming in late, sleeping in and all these other things you shouldn't be doing." Alice said to Annie who was just waking up. "Oh, and get changed into these clothes." Alice chucked the clothes on Annie's face that Annie had gotten out earlier. Annie yawned and said,
"It’s been so long. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. I have already slept so long. That was a nice sleep, and wow it's chili in here. I should put those clothes on..." A few minutes later Annie was out the cabin door with her riding/warm clothes on and Dream was tied up in the warm up arena. "Thanks, Alice. Don't worry, I'll get my act together and I will get an alarm clock, wait...I already have one." Annie clipped the lead-rope from the bridle and she got up on her horses back.
"Ready everyone?" Johanna called out and turned around to see some riders chatting to their friends and she stared at them until they stopped talking at sat on their horses quietly. "OK we are ready." She said as if she had been waiting for 5 hours but it was only 5 seconds.
"She's angry today I think." Annie said to Alice when they started to walk out of the training arena.
"No, she's just like that on these trails because last year someone got lost in the dark." Alice replied. Annie thought that sometimes Alice was too serious and didn't want to talk to anybody and other times she was fun and cool to be around. "Get up, move!" Alice said to her horse, kicking it with her heals.
“Everyone’s acting weird since Josh passed away and Johanna too. I think we should tell Mr Martin about how he was part of G.E.D and he was the one who set the fire.” Annie said, unsure of what Alice was going to say.
“I don’t know.” Alice replied firmly, “No one wants to talk about it, even his horse…At least I saved his horse…
“Annie, I told you to keep an eye out on the time! What have you been doing?” Alice said, also panicked, “Points will be taken off for both of us and do you know what that means?” Alice was now in the stable untacking Dream.
“Yes, no trail ride and no riding after dusk tonight!” Annie said putting the tack away and Alice brushing away madly. “I think we don’t need to ride after dusk anyway.” Annie gave Alice another brush.
“What? Riding after dusk is the best, especially at Harvest Counties. It’s a new area and so much to explore I don’t know what to say about your opinion but mine is sure correct.” Alice said in a huff, “Done!” she said and both girls ran to the house for lunch. Every one stood up to Alice and Annie’s present at the lunch room.
“How late are you?” said Johanna her hands on her hips but everyone knew that she couldn't keep a straight face and she burst out laughing. “Oh OK! There are burgers in the fridge for you but this room is locked so you’re going to have to eat outside. Sorry to say but, no trail ride this afternoon and no riding until the ‘after dusk ride.’ To the girl’s relief they were saved but what about points? They didn't need to remind her because she had already put them on the whiteboard. “Quick sticks, I have to go feed the horses in the paddock.” And she then walked out of the room and waited at the door to lock it. Annie and Alice quickly walked out with their burgers.
“That was close, what is the time anyway?” Alice asked Annie. Annie yawned and looked at her watch,
“Eh, 12:50, I’m so tired I’m going to eat and then sleep until the ADR.” Annie said and looked up to Alice’s confused face. “ADR is After Dusk Ride. I made it up” and she smiled. Alice laughed and ran into their cabin which they shared with 2 other girls, Grace and Miranda. “These boots are killing me.” Annie said and she kicked them off. She finished her burger and got some warm clothes out for the ADR and she made her bed comfortable to sleep on.
"Annie. We are leaving now! I've already tacked up Dream, you can't do this again because you've done it too many times, and coming in late, sleeping in and all these other things you shouldn't be doing." Alice said to Annie who was just waking up. "Oh, and get changed into these clothes." Alice chucked the clothes on Annie's face that Annie had gotten out earlier. Annie yawned and said,
"It’s been so long. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. I have already slept so long. That was a nice sleep, and wow it's chili in here. I should put those clothes on..." A few minutes later Annie was out the cabin door with her riding/warm clothes on and Dream was tied up in the warm up arena. "Thanks, Alice. Don't worry, I'll get my act together and I will get an alarm clock, wait...I already have one." Annie clipped the lead-rope from the bridle and she got up on her horses back.
"Ready everyone?" Johanna called out and turned around to see some riders chatting to their friends and she stared at them until they stopped talking at sat on their horses quietly. "OK we are ready." She said as if she had been waiting for 5 hours but it was only 5 seconds.
"She's angry today I think." Annie said to Alice when they started to walk out of the training arena.
"No, she's just like that on these trails because last year someone got lost in the dark." Alice replied. Annie thought that sometimes Alice was too serious and didn't want to talk to anybody and other times she was fun and cool to be around. "Get up, move!" Alice said to her horse, kicking it with her heals.
“Everyone’s acting weird since Josh passed away and Johanna too. I think we should tell Mr Martin about how he was part of G.E.D and he was the one who set the fire.” Annie said, unsure of what Alice was going to say.
“I don’t know.” Alice replied firmly, “No one wants to talk about it, even his horse…At least I saved his horse…
The end
Weak or not
It’s one of those hot summer days where you can’t even get outside even sitting inside doing absolutely nothing is making me feel hot. I’m just watching horse videos right now and seems like the T.V has had enough, it’s hot too. So I get out a book about horses, but I can’t stay still in this heat so I get out my radio and turn it onto the program about, horses. Everything in my life has to do with horses, an hour before all this I had washed all my 5 horses, but they still don’t seem at their happiest, I don’t blame them on the heat.
“Ann, Aurora is on the phone!” My mum calls out, what? I never even heard the phone ring! But I get us and drag myself over to the phone.
“Hello Rora how’s the heat over at your place? I’m about dead now.” I said droopily.
“Oh cheer up will you! I think you needed these summer holidays. Do you want to come over for a swim?” She asks, I have my own pool but my dad still hasn’t cleaned it!
“Yeah, that’d be great!” I said happily. “Do you want me to bring anything?”
“No it’s fine. How about 2 o’clock?”
“Yeah, I’m free then. See you then.” I hang up and quickly get all my swimming gear out.
“What? Are you going over?” My mum asked. I nodded and did my smirk and she knew she had to drive me. “Oh ok!” She sighed. I ran to the car, it was 1:30 but it takes like 30 min to get there.
I reached her front door and knocked, my mum said ‘bye’ and went back home and Aurora answered the door.
“Hello!” She said in a funny accent. I giggled.
“Hi, OMG my feet are burning on the concrete.” I huffed.
“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” She asked, she held up her hand as for a no reply. So I just walked in with her hand command. “Alright, time to get in.” And we walked up to the pool. We jumped in at the same time; it was the best moment ever!
It’s been a week since I have been to Rora’s house; it’s no longer hot anymore so I’m just going to ride. At the minute I put on Dream’s saddle, I receive a text from the Jorvik Horse Show Committee. I opened it up to see it, it read; ‘Dear rider, we encourage you to come to the Jorvik Horse Show on the 30th of December. The prize is 1000 star coins, worth a horse! To enter please follow the link below…’ Oh, this sounds fun, I might call Rora to see if she got one but at the second I was about to dial her number, she called.
“Hello?” I say politely.
“Oh, Annie did you get the text? I got onto the link and it said you can do it in pairs and get 2000 instead! We can get 1000 each!” Aurora, being Miss Excited was most likely celebrating with her music on in the background.
“Yeah, if we win sure, count me in!” I said happily. I did a silent ‘YES!’ in my head but I knew that in the whole of Jorvik there were going to be a heap of better riders. “But there are so many other awesome riders that are going to beat us!” I said. I didn’t want to get that excited about it that when we lose we have a mental break down.
“Don’t be like that. We are almost level 15ers now! We just have to practice, weak or not!” Aurora sounded proud of her speech.
“Yeah, I guess. See ya.” And I hung up, seriously? All those pro riders against us, I better start training. I thought in my head. I’m just going to ride my horse and train-What horse am I going to ride? This moment was going to change everything, I didn’t even know what ride it was, Dressage, Cross Country…What? I had bought Dream after the camp, so I was thinking to use her but she’s a dressage horse. So, I’m just going to call Aurora.
“Hey!” Aurora said.
“Hi, what is the competition skill?” I asked a million thoughts rushed through my head, hat if it was something I suck at…?
“It’s Show jumping!” She screeched and I smiled
“Yes, I’ll ride Midnight. Thanks.” She hung up and now I’m thinking of a solution. Midnight is a No.1 Show jumper in Jorvik. All the top riders are pretty impressed with him. Alright, it’s time to ride. I climb on his back, “You’re a really good jumper, no matter how high the jumps are!” I complemented. “How about 1.30 meters, yes that’s right,” After the warm up, I jumped about 50 cm, then got higher and higher. “Whoa! What a jump, was that a cat jump?” I was shocked. I dismounted, “Now? You put a splinter in it?” I huffed. Walking him around before putting him in his stall, I then called Aurora to tell her I wouldn’t be able to ride him. “I’m sorry!” I said painfully. She told me to get Bright Shadow, my cross country horse. “Ok,” I said finally.
It’s been 3 days, Bright Shadow is doing well and today I’m supposed to go to Rora’s house to train with her. I gasped when I saw our team outfit Aurora’s mum made, the over top was purple satin with ‘A.H & A.D’ in white text on the back and front. The jodhpurs were just whatever we wore and same goes for the boots. The helmet cover was purple satin with the same text, standing for Annie Hayfield and Aurora Darklund. Aurora’s mum always gets into the competition style.
“WOW!” I said to Aurora when we got to her arena.
“Huh?” She said
“Those outfits are amazing!” I was fulfilled with happiness!
“Yeah, pretty cool eh?” She said, we didn’t talk much while practicing but we had to do a personal performance at the end so I suggested we did our 3 steps backwards, rear and do a high five then do a circle at a trot then do a hard stop. Our horses are experts at it; it’s like our secret handshake with horses. “That was great.” Aurora said after an hour or nonstop practicing. Dismounting was a sad feeling but our legs were so sore!
“Aur-Aurora Darklund and Annie Hayfield please attend to the training area!” It was us; it was the day we were actually going to do the jumping! Aurora giggled because the guy running the speaker pronounced her name wrong. We walked our horses over, Aurora was riding her first horse ‘Autumn-fire’ and I was also riding my first horse, ‘Bright Shadow.’
“This is so scary, look at those massive Cross Country horses!” I whispered over to Aurora.
“Yeah, our horses are big too. Like really big Cross Country horses.” She smiled and we started jumping, but after about 5 minutes…
“Aurora Darklund on Autumn-Fire and Annie Hayfield on Bright-Shadow please attend the Show jumping area!” it was a different man speaking and Aurora gave me a high five. She started the first jump, it was pretty good! I felt awesome in the amazing satin work uniform. She nodded her head for me to start, Bright-Shadow elegantly trotted around the arena and I jumped the first one.
Our ending performance was like 1 millisecond out of the maximum time. Everyone clapped; it felt so good that it was all over.
“That was amazingly sick!” I said so happily.
“Oh, my we did an awesome job!” Aurora said giving me a high five.
“All Show Jumping riders please attend the training arena!” The speaker announced. Aurora and I went over to the arena and we waited for the announcement of the places 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st.
“In fourth place,” said the announcer, “Is Zoey and Sasha!” people clapped, “In third place we have Lauren and Madison!” people clapped, “In second place we have Paige and Layla!” people cheered,
“Oh My God, first place,” I screeched then sighed and Aurora squeezed my hand
“And in first place is Annie and Aurora! Receiving 2000 star coins!” We screamed!
“I told you it doesn’t matter if your weak or not!” Aurora said so happily. I jumped up and down, I was chatting away ignoring what others had to say and it felt the best!
That night we went out for dinner and shared out the money, 100 star coins each, it was the best day of my life, ever! Aurora was right, she really did mean, weak or not, you can still win if you have the courage! I smiled at her when we were departing the restaurant and we laughed, we could definitely tell we were going to say the same thing we were going to buy with our star coins!
“Ann, Aurora is on the phone!” My mum calls out, what? I never even heard the phone ring! But I get us and drag myself over to the phone.
“Hello Rora how’s the heat over at your place? I’m about dead now.” I said droopily.
“Oh cheer up will you! I think you needed these summer holidays. Do you want to come over for a swim?” She asks, I have my own pool but my dad still hasn’t cleaned it!
“Yeah, that’d be great!” I said happily. “Do you want me to bring anything?”
“No it’s fine. How about 2 o’clock?”
“Yeah, I’m free then. See you then.” I hang up and quickly get all my swimming gear out.
“What? Are you going over?” My mum asked. I nodded and did my smirk and she knew she had to drive me. “Oh ok!” She sighed. I ran to the car, it was 1:30 but it takes like 30 min to get there.
I reached her front door and knocked, my mum said ‘bye’ and went back home and Aurora answered the door.
“Hello!” She said in a funny accent. I giggled.
“Hi, OMG my feet are burning on the concrete.” I huffed.
“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” She asked, she held up her hand as for a no reply. So I just walked in with her hand command. “Alright, time to get in.” And we walked up to the pool. We jumped in at the same time; it was the best moment ever!
It’s been a week since I have been to Rora’s house; it’s no longer hot anymore so I’m just going to ride. At the minute I put on Dream’s saddle, I receive a text from the Jorvik Horse Show Committee. I opened it up to see it, it read; ‘Dear rider, we encourage you to come to the Jorvik Horse Show on the 30th of December. The prize is 1000 star coins, worth a horse! To enter please follow the link below…’ Oh, this sounds fun, I might call Rora to see if she got one but at the second I was about to dial her number, she called.
“Hello?” I say politely.
“Oh, Annie did you get the text? I got onto the link and it said you can do it in pairs and get 2000 instead! We can get 1000 each!” Aurora, being Miss Excited was most likely celebrating with her music on in the background.
“Yeah, if we win sure, count me in!” I said happily. I did a silent ‘YES!’ in my head but I knew that in the whole of Jorvik there were going to be a heap of better riders. “But there are so many other awesome riders that are going to beat us!” I said. I didn’t want to get that excited about it that when we lose we have a mental break down.
“Don’t be like that. We are almost level 15ers now! We just have to practice, weak or not!” Aurora sounded proud of her speech.
“Yeah, I guess. See ya.” And I hung up, seriously? All those pro riders against us, I better start training. I thought in my head. I’m just going to ride my horse and train-What horse am I going to ride? This moment was going to change everything, I didn’t even know what ride it was, Dressage, Cross Country…What? I had bought Dream after the camp, so I was thinking to use her but she’s a dressage horse. So, I’m just going to call Aurora.
“Hey!” Aurora said.
“Hi, what is the competition skill?” I asked a million thoughts rushed through my head, hat if it was something I suck at…?
“It’s Show jumping!” She screeched and I smiled
“Yes, I’ll ride Midnight. Thanks.” She hung up and now I’m thinking of a solution. Midnight is a No.1 Show jumper in Jorvik. All the top riders are pretty impressed with him. Alright, it’s time to ride. I climb on his back, “You’re a really good jumper, no matter how high the jumps are!” I complemented. “How about 1.30 meters, yes that’s right,” After the warm up, I jumped about 50 cm, then got higher and higher. “Whoa! What a jump, was that a cat jump?” I was shocked. I dismounted, “Now? You put a splinter in it?” I huffed. Walking him around before putting him in his stall, I then called Aurora to tell her I wouldn’t be able to ride him. “I’m sorry!” I said painfully. She told me to get Bright Shadow, my cross country horse. “Ok,” I said finally.
It’s been 3 days, Bright Shadow is doing well and today I’m supposed to go to Rora’s house to train with her. I gasped when I saw our team outfit Aurora’s mum made, the over top was purple satin with ‘A.H & A.D’ in white text on the back and front. The jodhpurs were just whatever we wore and same goes for the boots. The helmet cover was purple satin with the same text, standing for Annie Hayfield and Aurora Darklund. Aurora’s mum always gets into the competition style.
“WOW!” I said to Aurora when we got to her arena.
“Huh?” She said
“Those outfits are amazing!” I was fulfilled with happiness!
“Yeah, pretty cool eh?” She said, we didn’t talk much while practicing but we had to do a personal performance at the end so I suggested we did our 3 steps backwards, rear and do a high five then do a circle at a trot then do a hard stop. Our horses are experts at it; it’s like our secret handshake with horses. “That was great.” Aurora said after an hour or nonstop practicing. Dismounting was a sad feeling but our legs were so sore!
“Aur-Aurora Darklund and Annie Hayfield please attend to the training area!” It was us; it was the day we were actually going to do the jumping! Aurora giggled because the guy running the speaker pronounced her name wrong. We walked our horses over, Aurora was riding her first horse ‘Autumn-fire’ and I was also riding my first horse, ‘Bright Shadow.’
“This is so scary, look at those massive Cross Country horses!” I whispered over to Aurora.
“Yeah, our horses are big too. Like really big Cross Country horses.” She smiled and we started jumping, but after about 5 minutes…
“Aurora Darklund on Autumn-Fire and Annie Hayfield on Bright-Shadow please attend the Show jumping area!” it was a different man speaking and Aurora gave me a high five. She started the first jump, it was pretty good! I felt awesome in the amazing satin work uniform. She nodded her head for me to start, Bright-Shadow elegantly trotted around the arena and I jumped the first one.
Our ending performance was like 1 millisecond out of the maximum time. Everyone clapped; it felt so good that it was all over.
“That was amazingly sick!” I said so happily.
“Oh, my we did an awesome job!” Aurora said giving me a high five.
“All Show Jumping riders please attend the training arena!” The speaker announced. Aurora and I went over to the arena and we waited for the announcement of the places 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st.
“In fourth place,” said the announcer, “Is Zoey and Sasha!” people clapped, “In third place we have Lauren and Madison!” people clapped, “In second place we have Paige and Layla!” people cheered,
“Oh My God, first place,” I screeched then sighed and Aurora squeezed my hand
“And in first place is Annie and Aurora! Receiving 2000 star coins!” We screamed!
“I told you it doesn’t matter if your weak or not!” Aurora said so happily. I jumped up and down, I was chatting away ignoring what others had to say and it felt the best!
That night we went out for dinner and shared out the money, 100 star coins each, it was the best day of my life, ever! Aurora was right, she really did mean, weak or not, you can still win if you have the courage! I smiled at her when we were departing the restaurant and we laughed, we could definitely tell we were going to say the same thing we were going to buy with our star coins!
The end
new horse
“Ok, I’m getting him now.” Annie said proudly to her club mates.
“Go for it Annie.” Mia said, along with other riders.
Annie was at the stable, about to buy one of the best breeds in Jorvik! The Arabian. Annie spent about 40 minutes at the stable deciding on a name.
“Smoke Hunter” Annie said, after she bought the grey Arabian. “He’s a bit crazy, I think he needs training, do you like the name?” Annie said to her friends,
“Totally suits him!” Susan said with a smile. The girls met up at Harvest Counties Bridge so everyone could see Annie’s new horse.
“So now I have 7 horses to feed, I can’t believe it, I swear it was only yesterday when I had three!” Annie was tiding up for the night. “I hope you enjoy your company Smokey, everyone is all very friendly, and you’re the second youngest in the family.” And that was it, Annie now had 7 horses to feed each day. Maybe she should have listened to her father…
“How’s the new horse going Annie?” Leni asked by text.
“Great, he just needs some work.” Annie replied, “How is your new horse?”
“Good, he’s going great!” Leni said.
~End of Conversation~
But Smokey didn’t need a bit of work, he needed a lot!
“You are only on level 2, how will I ever get you to 15? That really will take, a long time. But I guess you are the only one to train.”
Annie travelled to different places to do races, after a long day, Smokey and Annie were quite tired, so they went into Greendale for a slow ride.
“You did well today Smokey,” Annie said, patting Smokey’s neck. “You would be great for Trek.” It was silence in the forest, just a few birds and the wind. The heat was intense but in the forest, it was much better. Smokey was quite frightened of the massive logs, and the ramps made out of them. Annie was trying to get down a small cliff by one of the ramps but Smokey refused.
“Smokey, you would rather go down one of these ramps then the sudden cliff!” Annie moaned, getting frustrated. “Co-me O-n!” Annie dismounted, she grabbed the reins and went down herself. She was fine, and nothing happened. Smokey’s eyes were stunned, but he still refused. “If you going to be like that, then o down the cliff yourself!” Annie turned her back on him and headed down up to Gold spurs farm. She knew Smokey would follow but he didn’t. He didn’t even make a noise. “Smokey!” Annie called, she whistled as well, but nothing happened.
Finally, she heard thundering hooves, and it was Smokey! A relief to Annie but what was wrong with Smokey?
(Changed to Annie's view, not the narrator)
I slowly reached out to grab the reins with my sweaty hands. I quickly turned behind myself to see if I was going to fall again but there was nothing. I looked over Smokey’s body to see if there was any damage.
Nothing. Phew!
We were about to head home when I heard yelling which was so not a good time because Smokey would get spooked.
“Hey you!” I heard a low booming voice say, it surely wasn’t talking to me because it was out of sight. “Hey girl stop moving!” I heard it say again, but this time louder and a spun around, my eyes on a short old man. Jakob…
“Hey, Annie?” The man said puffing. I nodded but wasn’t sure why. “Your horse destroyed the fences around my yard, lucky I caught all the horses!” I looked at Smokey, that’s why he was going crazy on his way back. “You will have to pay you know.” He said and gave me a piece of paper with his number on it.
No way. This was serious!
“I’m so sorry but I don’t have the money!” I wailed while trying to keep a firm grip on the reins, Smokey was just making life worse! Jakob sighed and patted Smokey’s shoulder. This could have been it, I was free and wouldn’t have to pay! But…it wasn’t.
“You can make up for it by doing Goldspurs farm chores, you know I’m too old for it, and going up the hill every day for food is hard. Okay?” His voice wasn’t angry but I could tell he expected instant money.
“Yes, I will. But you know I live in Silver glade village and my horses are at Steve’s farm so I can’t take the distance every day.” And it was true! Jakob stared down the Greendale path and nodded. A short moment later he said,
“Annie, I thought I would never get to tell you, and I am so sorry because the Councilor wanted me to tell you but I haven’t yet but this is the time.” I shuffled my feet and Smokey felt uneasy.
“What?” I said blurting it out,
“Your father, before he left…He gave you a house in Jarlaheim, but it’s run down and near the stables. You cou…” I cut him short.
“You-he…what?!” I breathed heavily, I had passed a rundown house in Jarlaheim before, but I never knew it was mine!
“Annie, sorry but I haven’t seen you around. I can show you, if you want. But you will have to bring all your belongings to it yourself, later.” He started walking up to the path to Jarlaheim, I slowly followed.
It felt like the day had gone so quickly that I didn’t get to bring all of my clothes to the house, a few members of Goldspurs farm had come to help me, but we were done for the night.
“Remember Annie, you must start tomorrow at 7 am sharp! Come to my house and we can start. The Goldspurs family can collect your stuff while you work. But you will have to feed your horses before 7!” Jakob said in his old man voice.
I flashed back to last night when I managed to fit all 8 horses in the stable and remembered how hard Smokey was trying to get the stall with Rosey, but he moved in with Dreamer. Oops… Jakob had his hands on his hips.
“Yes, I know. Ok.” I said and strolled back to my house. Things rushed through my head as I wondered why my dad would give me a house and not my mother. Why was my father such a secret person, where did he leave to and was he hiding anything else from me?
“Go for it Annie.” Mia said, along with other riders.
Annie was at the stable, about to buy one of the best breeds in Jorvik! The Arabian. Annie spent about 40 minutes at the stable deciding on a name.
“Smoke Hunter” Annie said, after she bought the grey Arabian. “He’s a bit crazy, I think he needs training, do you like the name?” Annie said to her friends,
“Totally suits him!” Susan said with a smile. The girls met up at Harvest Counties Bridge so everyone could see Annie’s new horse.
“So now I have 7 horses to feed, I can’t believe it, I swear it was only yesterday when I had three!” Annie was tiding up for the night. “I hope you enjoy your company Smokey, everyone is all very friendly, and you’re the second youngest in the family.” And that was it, Annie now had 7 horses to feed each day. Maybe she should have listened to her father…
“How’s the new horse going Annie?” Leni asked by text.
“Great, he just needs some work.” Annie replied, “How is your new horse?”
“Good, he’s going great!” Leni said.
~End of Conversation~
But Smokey didn’t need a bit of work, he needed a lot!
“You are only on level 2, how will I ever get you to 15? That really will take, a long time. But I guess you are the only one to train.”
Annie travelled to different places to do races, after a long day, Smokey and Annie were quite tired, so they went into Greendale for a slow ride.
“You did well today Smokey,” Annie said, patting Smokey’s neck. “You would be great for Trek.” It was silence in the forest, just a few birds and the wind. The heat was intense but in the forest, it was much better. Smokey was quite frightened of the massive logs, and the ramps made out of them. Annie was trying to get down a small cliff by one of the ramps but Smokey refused.
“Smokey, you would rather go down one of these ramps then the sudden cliff!” Annie moaned, getting frustrated. “Co-me O-n!” Annie dismounted, she grabbed the reins and went down herself. She was fine, and nothing happened. Smokey’s eyes were stunned, but he still refused. “If you going to be like that, then o down the cliff yourself!” Annie turned her back on him and headed down up to Gold spurs farm. She knew Smokey would follow but he didn’t. He didn’t even make a noise. “Smokey!” Annie called, she whistled as well, but nothing happened.
Finally, she heard thundering hooves, and it was Smokey! A relief to Annie but what was wrong with Smokey?
(Changed to Annie's view, not the narrator)
I slowly reached out to grab the reins with my sweaty hands. I quickly turned behind myself to see if I was going to fall again but there was nothing. I looked over Smokey’s body to see if there was any damage.
Nothing. Phew!
We were about to head home when I heard yelling which was so not a good time because Smokey would get spooked.
“Hey you!” I heard a low booming voice say, it surely wasn’t talking to me because it was out of sight. “Hey girl stop moving!” I heard it say again, but this time louder and a spun around, my eyes on a short old man. Jakob…
“Hey, Annie?” The man said puffing. I nodded but wasn’t sure why. “Your horse destroyed the fences around my yard, lucky I caught all the horses!” I looked at Smokey, that’s why he was going crazy on his way back. “You will have to pay you know.” He said and gave me a piece of paper with his number on it.
No way. This was serious!
“I’m so sorry but I don’t have the money!” I wailed while trying to keep a firm grip on the reins, Smokey was just making life worse! Jakob sighed and patted Smokey’s shoulder. This could have been it, I was free and wouldn’t have to pay! But…it wasn’t.
“You can make up for it by doing Goldspurs farm chores, you know I’m too old for it, and going up the hill every day for food is hard. Okay?” His voice wasn’t angry but I could tell he expected instant money.
“Yes, I will. But you know I live in Silver glade village and my horses are at Steve’s farm so I can’t take the distance every day.” And it was true! Jakob stared down the Greendale path and nodded. A short moment later he said,
“Annie, I thought I would never get to tell you, and I am so sorry because the Councilor wanted me to tell you but I haven’t yet but this is the time.” I shuffled my feet and Smokey felt uneasy.
“What?” I said blurting it out,
“Your father, before he left…He gave you a house in Jarlaheim, but it’s run down and near the stables. You cou…” I cut him short.
“You-he…what?!” I breathed heavily, I had passed a rundown house in Jarlaheim before, but I never knew it was mine!
“Annie, sorry but I haven’t seen you around. I can show you, if you want. But you will have to bring all your belongings to it yourself, later.” He started walking up to the path to Jarlaheim, I slowly followed.
It felt like the day had gone so quickly that I didn’t get to bring all of my clothes to the house, a few members of Goldspurs farm had come to help me, but we were done for the night.
“Remember Annie, you must start tomorrow at 7 am sharp! Come to my house and we can start. The Goldspurs family can collect your stuff while you work. But you will have to feed your horses before 7!” Jakob said in his old man voice.
I flashed back to last night when I managed to fit all 8 horses in the stable and remembered how hard Smokey was trying to get the stall with Rosey, but he moved in with Dreamer. Oops… Jakob had his hands on his hips.
“Yes, I know. Ok.” I said and strolled back to my house. Things rushed through my head as I wondered why my dad would give me a house and not my mother. Why was my father such a secret person, where did he leave to and was he hiding anything else from me?