The Terrifying Lesson
Clutching the ragged old reins, I walked my gelding out into the large arena where the riding instructor was waiting patiently. A few more children on horses ambled along slowly behind me.
“Today,” called our teacher, “we will be jumping.” As if he knew what she was saying, my little dun gelding Kit, stamped at the dark soil impatiently.
“Come on then, get in a line and go!” our teacher shouted. We shifted ourselves into a line carefully and started cantering around the course and flew over the fences as they came.
They were only small jumps, I might add. As my second fence camp up, I had forgotten to tighten (Or you might call it shorten) my reins. Oh jeez…. I thought wildly.
“Tighten your reins! Tighten them, tighten them!” My teacher was going mad.
“It’s too late!” I snapped back, gripping the reins tight. Kit soared over the obstacle and I was flung forward. Not off, but onto his neck. To my disappointment, there was another fence just a few strides after that one.
I clutched Kit’s mane in my hands and shut my eyes tight. He flew over the small jump. I opened my eyes slowly, my heart thumping wildly. I was still up on his neck. Looking around, I noticed that everybody had come to a halt and was staring at me, their face trying not to show the unbearable laugh. Embarrassed, I slipped back into my saddle and took hold of the reins shakily. Remembering my teacher and hoping she wouldn’t be angry, I managed to look across and peer at her.
“If you are fine, then carry on.” She muttered waving her hand at the next jumps.
My Marked Work emily
