Chapter Three: A Fresh Start

As I climbed over the fence gate I heard Lightning nicker happily. I grabbed his head collar out of a plastic bag and approached Lightning. He snorted and walked over to me happily. I swung his lead rope around his neck and started to buckle up the halter. "Oh no you don't! Not today, we're in a hurry" I said as Lightning started to act up. I pulled at his lead rope impatiently as he threw his head up in the air. I got close to his shoulder and slowly got him to walk on towards the barn. I gave a sigh of relief as he obeyed walking on. When we reached the barn I quickly grabbed a curry comb out of one of the plastic bags and lead Lightning over to the apple tree. I let him eat an apple on the ground while I gave him a full brush. By the time I had finished he looked like he was ready to go to a show. Then took Lightning into the barn and tacked him up. I grabbed the shopping bags and lead Lightning out to the apple tree where I saw a familar face. "Hi there" the man said smiling.

"Hi" I replied he saw my shopping bags of Lightning's things.

"Where are you going" he asked looking concerned.

"Uhh a Riding Academy, I'm keeping Lightning there" I said anxiously.

I picked up my shopping bags and climbed onto one of the apple tree's trunks and swung myself onto Lightning. "Oh, ok then I guess I'll have to find someone else to use this paddock ah" he said kicking the ground.

"Yeah, umm I really have to leave" I said walking Lightning on.

"Hey you can keep him here when ever you want" he yelled after me. I waved and yelled back "Bye" before cantering Lightning on as the man walked off. I looked at my watch, it was getting late I had to be quick. I knew how I could get to Running Wind Riding Academy. I directed Lightning at the fence that was one meter point twenty. I knew I could fall but Lightning could clear it. I sped up his canter and got into jumping position and before I knew it we were soaring through the air! Then we landed onto the grass. Lightning continued in a very fast canter, I slowed him down to a nice easy trot, I continued to ride Lightning all the way to Running Wind Riding Academy. When I arrived Taylah was no where to be seen, I sighed in relief and dismounted. I lead Lightning into stall sixteen where I had been told to put Lightning. His stall was ready with fresh food and water.

I dumped the plastic bags in the corner and I lead Lightning in and untacked, I remembered that I was supposed to hang my tack up in the tack room. Shutting the stable door behind me I took Lightning's tack down the hall to the tack room. I found a spare space with a piece of paper cellotaped onto it. It had writing on it telling me it was my spot. I put my saddle down on top of it and hung my bridle on the hook above my saddle. Then I put my saddle blanket on top of the saddle and went back to Lightning's stall. He was happily drinking from his trough in the corner. I walked in, grabbed my curry comb and started to brush him. Suddenly Taylah appeared outside my stable door "What do you think your doing putting your horse in one of the stables!! A new girl is putting her horse in there!! She's supposed to be very talented and..." she stopped as her jaw dropped open.

"If that's what your thinking yes, I'm the new girl" I said going back to grooming Lightning.

She rolled her eyes "Come on, get him tacked up meet you in the jumping arena in half an hour!" she said and marched off. I looked at my watch, it was nearly five!
　
I finished grooming Lightning and grabbed his tack again. After ten minutes I led Lightning out of his stall and took him to the jumping arena. I mounted from the ground and walked him around the arena, dodging the huge jumps. I asked for a tiny trot, he responded well and calm. I sat in the saddle, leaned back and asked for canter. He took off almost immediately cantering at a huge jump. I went to turn him but it was too late! As his front legs left the ground I sat in jumping position, hung on to the reins and a chunk of mane. He soared over the jump and landed perfectly on the other side continuing in a canter. I noticed the kind lady, Elizabeth she had been the one who let me keep Lightning at the stables. I started to trot over to her, she smiled happily. "Hi" I said halting Lightning. She smiled patting Lightning's neck "He's a beautiful horse, you and both make a good team, you soared over that jump with no problem" she said.

"Thanks, well we have to do some more training, see ya" I replied nudging Lightning into a trot.

"Bye!" she called after me as I cantered Lightning at the jump again. I sat in jump position and felt Lightning leapt into the air soaring over the jump. We landed on the other side once again. I slowed Lightning to a halt and hugged him. Lightning snorted and looked ahead as Whistle and Taylah entered the arena. She cantered over to me and smiled

"I guess you were going over the trotting poles with Lightning huh" she laughed. I felt my cheeks go red with anger.

"We'll show her!" I thought cantering Lightning at the jump. I sat in jumping position and soared over it. I cantered Lightning back around to Taylah and Whistle "What trotting poles?" I asked smiling. With her cheeks red with embarrassment Taylah cantered Whistle out of the arena. I thought about what Elizabeth said, me and Lightning and I did make a good team. I hugged Lightning's neck happily "Not bad for a ten dollar horse boy, not bad at all!" I said to him happily. He did a funny type of horse laugh...it was almost like he agreed!

Chapter Two: Going Back to School

I knew there would be a punishment for getting Lightning, I knew it. I put Lightning back in the barn with his rug on and went home to find my Mum sitting at the table waiting. We had a long conversation about how we could afford Lightning. Mum decided I could keep Lightning. She also said if I got a part time job and put all my saving towards Lightning she would pay the rest of the money if I needed any. The only catch was I had to go back to school, and stay there. "Bye Stacy!" my Mum called as I left home at six in the morning. I raced to the barn, fed, brushed and patted Lightning until six thirty. I took him out in the paddock and tied a long rope to his head collar. Then I tied the other end to the apple tree so he could wonder round and graze while I was at school. "Beep beep beep" went my watch, it was seven o'clock! I grabbed my bag and raced down the street to school.

When I finally reached the school gates I was greeted with the loud bell. I raced up the stairs and over to my class room. My teacher Mrs Stone was calling the roll. I opened the door to hear Mrs Stone call my name. "Here!" I answered racing down to the mat. Everyone stared at me, with their big googly eyes. I scrunched up my shoulders and looked at the floor. Mrs Stone dismissed us to our desks to get ready for maths. I sat at my old, brown desk and pulled out my maths book. I wrote the date and started to copy down the equations on the board. I looked up to see instead of equations pictures of Lightning and me. Suddenly I came back to earth as Mrs Stone called my name. "Ye...yes Mrs Stone" I said. "I asked you what your answer is to equation one" she said. I looked down at my blank page, I was dead.

"Ummmm" I muttered quickly working it out.

"She meant to say twenty six" said a voice. I turned beside me to see Taylor happily smiling. "Thankyou Taylor" said Mrs Stone. I rolled my eyes as Taylor started her small thankyou speech. All her friends said owwwwws and ahhhhhhhs the whole time. I just rolled my eyes waiting for the bell to ring. When class was finally over I raced out of class for our half an hour break. I raced outside school, down the road towards Lightning's paddock.

There I found him in the barn wearing his rug. I removed his rug and lead him outside, setting him loose to graze. Then when I was done I raced back to school, couldn't be late for science! When out session was over it was finally lunch time. I ate my lunch fast and eagerly waiting for the lunch bell to go. When it finally rang I tried to sneak out of school unnoticed. I was just about to walk out the gates when I heard her voice "And where do you think your going" laughed Taylor Smith. I turned round to see her, glaring at me followed by her small gang to back her up.

"None of your business" I said racing out of school.

"Mrs Stone" she yelled so I could hear. I rolled my eyes and ran towards Lightning's paddock. When I arrived I caught Lightning tacked him up and lead him over to the apple tree. Suddenly I heard giggling. I decided to ignore it and hopped on Lightning and slowly gave him a signal to go. He went into a frisky canter down the hill. We were nearing the corner when he suddenly spooked! Lightning went skidding on the wet mud barely keeping his footing. I screamed and hung onto his neck for dare life as he galloped back up the hill. Then I saw her emerge from the bushes. Her blonde hair waving in the wind.

"Sorry I spooked that pathetic thing you call a horse" she yelled as her gang started to follow her. Lightning reared as she came closer.

"Hahaha look she doesn't even know how to ride!" Taylor sniggered coming closer.

"Like you would know" I yelled patting Lightning on the neck. She raised an eye brow "Oh really. Bring your mule to Running Wind Riding Academy tomorrow after noon, if you're brave enough" she laughed. I felt anger grow inside me as she disappeared down the street with her gang. I calmed down and gave Lightning a small signal to go, he responded with a walk. Amazed I gave him a pat on the neck "Good boy" I said halting him. I tried it again, he walked. I gave another small nudge with my legs. He went into a slow canter. I took him to a walk again and slowly gave him a nudge with my legs. He tossed his head as if to say "Ha this is easy" gave a flick of his tail and trotted on. Then he continued in a canter then into a gallop, he was amazing! When it was time to go back to school I dismounted. Took off his tack, and let him out to graze once more. I guess going back to school wasn't that bad at all except for Taylor Smith being there!

The next day dragged on until the bell rang for school to finish. Mum had packed me some afternoon tea in my bag for when I went to Running Wind Riding Academy. I got Lightning and lead him down the street, it was too risky to ride him. We walked for a least forty five minutes until we came to Running Wind Riding Academy. It was a very fancy place indeed, show jumps were set up all over one arena, the other was a dressage arena. I lead Lightning up towards the stables where she appeared. "Excuse me, coming through" Taylor said. My jaw dropped as she walked towards me. She wore brand new riding pants with a collared top. She also wore a fancy black helmet and held a long black whip.

"So you're here. I didn't think you'd show. Well I'll cancel my class, go into the dressage arena meet you there soon I have to go get Whistle" she said walking off. I walked over to the dressage arena and mounted Lightning. I trotted him over to the water trough for a drink. He drank half then stood still waiting for a command. Suddenly I heard another horses hoof beats. I turned to see Taylor riding a beautiful steel grey stallion. He was in black tack with a red saddle blanket, he was about sixteen hands high and was beautiful!

"This is Whistle he cost me forty thousand dollars!" she boasted halting him in front of Lightning.

"Well how much did your horse cost" she grinned waiting for a pathetic answer.

"Ten dollars" I muttered.

"Ten dollars!" she yelled across the arena. My face turned red, I'd show her! I gave Lightning a nudge with my heels. He trotted calmly at a good pace. I saw Taylor watch in disbelief as I sat in the saddle and nudged him again. I felt his speed quicken as he started to canter, I cantered him halfway around the arena then I halted him right in front of Taylor.

"Not to bad for a ten dollar horse eh" I said smiling. She rolled her eyes and nudged her horse on. I watched her horse in amazement as he cantered around. I noticed a woman looking at me from the stables, I looked away turning my attention back to Whistle. He was muscular and handsome but I would never prefer him to Lightning.

"How well can you jump?" Taylor asked as she halted Whistle infront of me.

"I'm great" I lied smiling. I looked at my watch it was already four o'clock, the perfect excuse to leave.

Taylor glared at me as if she had read my mind "Your right you should be going by now I'll see your jumping skills on Friday, come in the afternoon at about five" she said cantering off. I turned Lightning and trotted him over to the exit of the place. It was Monday how was I going to teach Lightning how to jump in four days! Then I saw the lady I had noticed before she walked over to me.

"Hi" she stammered "Ummm hi, why have you been watching me?" I asked. The lady laughed

"Because your an amazing rider my dear! I'm Elizabeth, a friend of the manager of this place and I think you've got what it takes to ride here!" she said.

Gobsmacked I replied, "Are you serious!"

She smiled "Im serious, I'll have a word with Louise our manager she'll agree. Come back tomorrow put your horse in stall sixteen, oh and the tack room is a few stalls down from there. You'll have to pay a fifty dollar payment to keep your horse here every week but we have discounts on hay and things. Oh sorry dear I have to go, see you tomorrow" she said starting to walk off.

"Bye!" I replied feeling my heart beat faster. I hugged Lightning tight, we were in!

I took Lightning back to the paddock that afternoon, got him some apples with grass and got Lightning ready for the night. I got some stuff ready to be moved tomorrow morning and left the rest to take in the afternoon. When I finally left it was getting dark so I ran home. I told Mum about the woman and Running Wind Riding Academy, she wasn't pleased about how much we would have to pay money to keep Lightning there, but it worked up all the same cost as keeping him in the paddock because we got a discount on hay and things at the Riding Academy. After our discussion and dinner I went to bed with many thoughts about Lightning. I didn't know how in the world I was going to teach Lightning how to jump but I knew I could. I fell asleep after that and slept a dreamless sleep. "Beep Beep Beep Beep" went my alarm clock when I woke up the next morning. I reached my hand out of the covers and went to hit the snooze button. I pulled my hand back as the alarm continued to beep, I had set my alarm extra early and the snooze button wasn't an option. I pulled my covers off my head and looked at the alarm clock once more. It was five o'clock in the morning and it was time to move Lightning's stuff.

I got dressed, grabbed two big plastic bags and raced to Lightning's paddock. I folded up his blanket and put it in one of the plastic bags. I also put in some apples. I then put his halter, brushes and hoof pick in the other shopping bag, I was ready! I went out in the paddock and decided to make a start with jumping. So I grabbed some fallen bamboo sticks from the small patch of bamboo trees the neighbours owned to make trotting poles. I tacked Lightning up and trotted him between them. He trotted calmly over each one perfectly. I dismounted Lightning and let him graze while I grabbed four big rocks. I put two side by side and opposite them were the other two. Then I balanced two bamboo sticks over top of them to make a small knee hight jump. I mounted back on Lightning and cantered him at it giving him his head. He leapt over the jump about a meter high in the air. I hung on for dare life as he soared high into the air. We landed safely on the other side. I calmed Lightning down and gave him a pat on the neck after it. Then I tried the small jump at a trot, towards the jump and gave him less head, he jumped it more calmly, knowing I was in control. I then dismounted and made the jump higher to just below waist height. I mounted again and cantered at it, doing the same strategy. He jumped over it perfectly and cleanly he was like a pro. I did some more work at waist height then cooled Lightning off. I dismounted, untacked and let him loose to graze, it was school time. The day flew by and as soon as school ended I made my way to Lightning's paddock, it was moving time!

Chapter One: Finding Lightning

"Stacy! Hurry up the bus isn't going to wait for you!" yelled my mum. I stuffed my book in my bag and raced downstairs. I raced out the door grabbing my lunch money on the way. The school bus was right at the end of my drive way, Lance our bus driver beeped his horn repeatedly. "Coming!" I muttered as I leapt onto the bus steps. Lance started up the bus right away as I handed him a dollar. I sighed, there was no seats left. I walked between the rows of seats hoping for a space. Suddenly I tumbled onto the floor. "Hahahahahahaha" chorused all the kids. One of my worst enemies Dray Kentucky laughed the loudest pulling his leg back in. I walked off trying not to cry, it felt like my nose was about to bleed. Then I found a seat, the only seat left beside Snot Boy. I groaned as I sat beside him. He turned and smiled as he sniffed up a large amount of snot.

The bus stopped as another person got on, Taylor Smith. "Excuse Me" she said walking between the seats. She wore the fanciest clothes, high heels and lots of make-up. What would you expect? She is the most popular girl in school. Her adoring friends shoved another girl off her seat to make a place for Taylah. "Ah ah ah ah" Snot Boy started. I went to stand but it was too late "Ahchoooooooo" he went shooting a snot ball right at me. I dodged as it flung onto the window "Ewwwwwwwwww" everybody chorused. Suddenly the bus stopped at school. I shoved my way out just as Snot Boy let out another sneeze all over the bus seat. I turned away, utterly disgusted I raced off the bus. I couldn't face everybody today I couldn't go to school, I stumbled out of the bus and made my way down the street. I came to the paddock that was always empty, it was for sale but no one would buy it. I hopped over its fence and headed towards the shed. I noticed a sign in the middle of the paddock it said "Buy Horse for $10!". I rolled my eyes, was I imagining things.

I threw my bag down beside the apple tree and made my way to the barn door. I opened it expecting to see its hay flooring, its cluttered shelves and the occasional mouse or two. But there was in the middle of of the barn was a horse, a chestnut with a white star on its forehead. It looked up at me with its sweet eyes. At that very moment something passed between that horse and me, something like destiny. Suddenly I heard a voice "Hey your that kid that always hangs round here, do you want the horse?" a man asked. I turned round to see him standing in the doorway. "Of course I want him!" I replied stunned at his question. "You got ten dollars?" he asked, I nodded grabbing my lunch money. I handed it to him he chuckled "The beast is yours" then he started to walk off. "Wait! Does he even have a name?" I yelled. The man turned round "Ummmmm Thunder maybe.....no no......Lightning, yeah his names Lightning" he yelled walking off again.

I turned round and looked at the him. "Hey Lightning, easy now" I said walking towards him. He suddenly reared in fright backing into the shelves of paint. I grabbed his head collar and pulled on it as the paint cans fell right behind Lightning's legs. He bucked furiously as they tumbled to the ground. When he had finally calmed down I gave him a pat on the neck. He lowered his head and nuzzled me. I wondered of he was hungry. I looked around the shed, there was nothing. I suddenly remembered the apple I'd stuffed in my pocket! I pulled it out put it in my hand and held it out to Lightning. He arched his neck forward and started to eat it. After happily munching the apple I lead him outside the shed and into the paddock. I took him over to small hole that was filled with water. Lightning drank eagerly until it was nearly all gone. "That's enough boy" I said pulling him away and over to the apple tree.

There was about thirty apples in the tree but I had picked all of the bottom ones over the past week. I then took a risk. I flicked Lightning's lead rope over his neck, used the tree and climbed up onto his back. He was at least fifteen hands high, it would have been impossible to mount him from the ground! I sat on his back and slowly reached up, I picked seven apples letting them fall onto the ground. Lightning started to get fidgety so I slid off his back onto the ground. I sat down leaning against the apple trees trunk as held Lightning's long lead rope and let him graze. I grabbed my school bag I had dumped down beside the tree and pulled out a fruit bar. I stuffed it in my mouth got on my hands and knees and shoved the six remaining apples in a pile in front of Lightning. He crunched up one, then started to graze. I smiled and leaning back against the tree trunk. I was heaven, my nery own horse, something I'd wished for all my life. It must of been about lunch time when I dozed off in the heat of the day.

I woke up a while later and looked at my watch, it was two thirty! I looked up to see Lighting was gone! I felt my heart racing, I got up and frantically looked around. Then I saw Lightning around the other side of the tree munching happily on the grass. Relieved I grabbed the five apples left over and picked up his lead rope and led him back into the barn. I put the apples down in a small pile then searched the barn until I found an old rug. I gently put it on Lightning's back. Lightning snorted, pleased with his rug he nuzzled me. "Bye beautiful boy" I said hugging his neck. He gave a neigh as I grabbed the shed key the man had left behind. I blew Lightning a kiss goodbye as I shut the shed door and locked it. I then grabbed my school bag and headed home.

I decided to walk, I couldn't be bothered to wait for the bus. When I arrived home it was three thirty my usual time to get home. Mum put a packet of crackers down on the table for afternoon tea. I grabbed a few and stood up "Where are you going darling?" Mum asked "Ahhh got loads of homework" I lied racing to my room I couldn't wait till I got to see Lightning the next day. My Mum followed "Darling I know you've got no homework" I heard my Mum say. I sat on my bed and groaned "I'm sorry mum I jus..". I started to say "Don't even start Stacy you know your not allowed to wag school, I'm very disappointed in you I thought we sorted this out last time" she said putting her hands on her hips. "Please don't be mad but I have to tell you something" I said. "What could be worse than missing school" she asked angrily. "Missing school and buying a horse for ten dollars" I whispered loud enough for her to hear.

"Oh my god Stacy how could you, with your father gone we can never afford to keep it!" Mum yelled. "The man who was selling the horse said I could use his grazing paddocks for free, and I'll do chores to get money for his food" I said quickly. "Well you get no money if you don't do chores and if you will show me I would like to see this...this ten dollar horse" she said. "So where is he" she continued. "Down the street" I muttered getting up and walking towards the front door. I took my Mum down the street to the paddock, into the barn to find Lightning wide awake with tack on the shelf beside him. "Mum this is Lightning" I said. My Mum gasped, before she could make any sudden movements towards Lightning I grabbed his head collar. I didn't want him to spook in front.