Page 2 of The Cowboy's Promise

Bringing Apollo out of his stall, Heather led him down to the cross ties. There were eight, four on each side of the aisle, but there was only one other horse being tacked up.

The facility was called The Kimberly Show Grounds. Hank Kimberly, a nationally known show jumper turned trainer, had built it to accommodate all forms of horsemanship. People flocked to watch everything from jumping to roping and reining, and even bull riding. The stalls were oversized, and the amenities were first rate. While Heather had always found the experience thrilling, the thought of showing there was intimidating.

“Hey, fella,” Blake said, placing her saddle on the stand and giving the horse a carrot. “You’ll be a star.”

“I hope so. That ring is so big and there are so many people here.”

“Nothin’ bothers him, does it, boy,” he said, rubbing the horses face. “And Heather, that’s thanks to you.”

“I’m not sure how much his temperament has to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you,” he replied, placing the saddle pad then the saddle on the horse’s back. “Take a deep breath and hear me when I say you are as good as anyone here, and Apollo is even better.”

“I agree about Apollo.”

“He’ll take it all in stride. Just do what you do at the ranch and forget everything else.”

“You’re right!” she said firmly. “I’m determined to get over these jitters. I know he picks up on my energy, so I have to.”

“Exactly. Here comes Julie. I have to give her a hand. I’ll see you in the warm up ring closest to the barn.”

CHAPTER TWO

Leading Apollo outside and stopping at the mounting block, Heather climbed into the saddle and rode to the ring. Reaching the gate she leaned over and opened it, then turned him around and closed it. She could feel eyes on her. Not everyone could do the simple maneuver, and though they were surrounded by new sights and sounds Apollo took it all in stride

“You’re such a good boy,” she said softly, stroking his neck. “How did I get so lucky?”

After a few minutes of walking around, she was about to break into a trot when she noticed Courtney walking King Henry towards the ring. The horse had a chain around his nose attached to the lead rope. It was a practice Heather hated. She was about to look away when King Henry spotted the water truck parked nearby. Terrified of the odd looking thing he shied and tried to bolt away. To Heather’s horror Courtney jerked on the rope and began yelling.

“Like that’s going to help,” Heather muttered under her breath as her blood boiled. But noticing the commotion was starting to affect some of the other horses in the ring, Heather lifted her phone from her pocket and sent an urgent text to Blake.

Courtney’s in trouble with her grey by the warm up ring. Hurry.

He immediately responded and said he was on his way, but Heather continued to worry. Courtney wasn’t wearing gloves, and it was possible the spooked horse still prancing would jerk the lead rope from her hand. But a moment later Blake appearedfrom the barn and jogged towards them, breaking into a walk when he neared. Hastily handing him the lead rope, Courtney quickly stepped back.

Heather watched as Blake stood completely still while the big grey continued its nervous dance and tossed his head. When he finally stopped and snorted, Blake encouraged him to move from side-to-side, then in a small circle. When the horse finally relaxed Blake led him slowly towards the water truck. It was only a few minutes before Henry was sniffing the tires. As Blake walked the horse back to Courtney, Heather glanced around at the other competitors. They all wore spurs and carried crops. She had neither.

“People,” she grunted. “I hate them all.”

Riding across to the gate, she headed out and was starting back to the barn when she heard Blake calling her. Turning back around, she rode up to join him.

“Where are you going? You were only in the ring a short time.”

“I’m sorry, I do want to face my fears, but this is no place for us. I can’t stand being around all these people. They don’t understand the first thing about horses. All they do is bully them.”

“But you can lead by example.”

“I’m not sure anyone would pay any attention.”

“You’re wrong. People take notice when their horse isn’t doing well and there’s someone around them that seems to have answers.”

“Maybe, but I need to be back in the peace and quiet of the ranch.”

“You can be so stubborn sometimes.”

“I’m not stubborn, I just know what works for me and what doesn’t, and if I see one more horse with a stupid chain aroundits nose I won’t be responsible for my actions,” she exclaimed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell but it pisses me off.”

“I agree, but you can’t live in a bubble.”

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