I think it's official. I'm going to actually strangle a horse. I groan inwardly as Prim gave the fifth buck of the lesson.
"Keep her steady Palmer!" Solomon shouts to me from the middle as we cantered towards the jump. Prim, having just thrown a large buck, wasn't lined up and stopped in front of the jump throwing me over her shoulder. Gasping as I hit the ground I sat up rather quickly. Wiggling every toe and finger I found that everything was in working order. Letting out a serious of coughs I cursed my asthma as I continued to cough.

"Easy Beth," Solomon says arriving around my side as I started to stand.

"I'm fine, I mean I'm gonna ache tomorrow but otherwise fine," I sigh out letting out another round of coughs. Walking slowly over to where Prim was standing on the other side of the still standing jump. Taking her reins from Leo who had also jogged over to grab Prim I led her around for a bit before accepting she was fine. Leading her to the back of the line as Jacob urged Indy into a canter towards the jumps.

"Need a leg up?" Leo asks appearing at my side. I nod and he wraps an arm around my bottom leg, effortlessly flinging me into the saddle. Looking down at him I send him a small smile and he winks

"Don't fall off this time," rolling my eyes I shorten my reins as the next pair goes.

"Good Carmen, keep her steady on the last vertical. Kian go ahead, remember to keep Tiny from running out," Solomon instructs as Kian sends Tiny forward into a smooth canter. They made it cleanly over the jumps and soon enough, Florence was guiding Gin over the final jump.

"Lovely Florence just give Gin a bit more rein when going over larger jumps," Solomon critiques before clapping his hands together, a habit I've realised he does whenever he needs to address the whole group,

"I think that's enough for tonight, besides the dinner halls gonna close soon!" He wags a finger at us and we took that as a dismissal. It's been two days since I got here and the competition was getting harder by the day. Not to mention Prim was being Prim. I let out a loud cough as I dismounted and nearly lost my chance because or not but was put back on balance by a pair of hands on my waist.

"You alright?" I turn around to see Leo looking back at me his brows furrowed. I quickly nod before turning back to Prim and rolling up my stirrups letting out another cough. I really needed my inhaler right about now. Struggling to keep my breathing under control I managed to lead prim to the cross ties and switch her bridle for her halter before clipping her in.

"Beth, you ok?" I jump as Jacob came up behind me and nodded but another loud cough didn't convince him.

"I-I uh must be getting a cold," I say quickly sliding off Prims saddle and saddle pad before hiking  the bridle up on my shoulder and hurrying to the tack room. Dropping off her tack I rush back and quickly took off her boots and finished cooling her off my coughing and breathing getting quicker by the moment. Feeling her arms and chest I found that they weren't very hot and she didn't need a rinse. Leading her to her stall I let her loose and rushed out of the barn.

"Beth! Wait up!" I slow my pace for a moment to see Leo jogging up to me.

"What's up?" I manage our before letting out a loud cough,

"You ok?" I nod quickly to Leo,

"Can we walk and talk?" I ask starting to walk again as he fell in beside me,

"you just seemed really iffy is all," Leo admits

"I'll be fine," I sigh stopping in front of the dorm, "really I mean a little sore but otherwise fine," giving him a small wave I enter the dorm and head to my room.

Moving quickly down the hall I find that the door is unlocked and quickly enter giving Lin a wave I entered the bathroom and stood on my tippy toes grabbing my inhaler from the top shelf. Taking it three times I felt my breathing go back to normal and placed it in my pocket instead of putting it back on top of the cabinet.

Walking back into the dorm I found Lin standing hands on her hips,

"And what was that?" Lin demands eyes narrowed,

"Asthma," Is all I respond with. Lins face softens and she nods,

"Alright then, since you've got it handled how about some dinner? I figured I'd wait for you," she says grabbing her phone and keys from her nightstand as I follow in suit, before trading my half chaps and paddock boots for my Birkenstock's not really caring about the fact that I looked like a sweaty mess. At this point I just wanted food, a hot shower, and my bed. Preferably in that order.

Lin grinned as I exit locking the door behind me. Linking her elbow with mine we made our way out of the dorm and to the dining hall.

"Hurry it up Beth!!!" Lin complains dragging me faster towards the line for spaghetti.

"Ack!" I cry out as I trip over my own feet and naturally, me being me, into another human being.

"Wow Beth, I'd think with how you sit a horse you wouldn't be such a clutz on the ground," Leo laughs helping me back onto my own two feet.

"Yeah, well obviously that's not true, and this time it wasn't entirely my fault," I sigh shooting a look Lin who was currently stifling a laugh, "Now excuse me, my stomach is calling for food," I say ducking away and back to Lin who had jumped into line. Sighing as we made it to the lunch lady I smile at her as I order,

"Spaghetti, sauce, meat balls and two garlic bread please!" The lady smiles at me quickly handing me my order. Heading over to a table by the window which Lin had snagged I let out a yawn as I sat down.

"Tiring lesson?" Lin questions filling her fork with noodles,

"You could say that again, It was bucking day with Prim," Lin winced quite obviously relating,

"How was Lilo in your lesson?" I ask taking a bite of the meatballs and sighing at the taste.

"She's such a sweet heart," she gushes, "Its almost like she knows exactly what to expect or what I'm gonna ask her,"

I grin, "Sounds like you two make the perfect pair,"

"Mind if we join you ladies?" I look up from stuffing my face with spaghetti to see Jacob, Kian, and Leo.

"Not at all," Lin says smiling as they all sat down, Jacob next to me, Kian by her and Leo at the end of the table by me.

"So how you feeling Beth? That fall you took was pretty hard," Jacob asks

"I'm all good, sore but good," I reply,

"You definitely have a crazy mare," Kian comments, I sigh but nod in agreement.

"She lives up to her show name, Promise of a Nightmare," this gets a few chuckles around the group. We all sit in a comfortable silence as we eat our dinner and once I finish I look at Lin who also finished not a moment ago,

"Alright we're gonna head back, I suggest you boys do the same soon," I say bidding them a goodnight before leaving the table with Lin placing our trays on the rack, linking elbows again we move quickly back to the dorm.

"I call shower first!" I yell as I run into the bathroom grabbing clothes on the way. I could hear Lin laughing as I turned on the shower. Undressing quickly I hopped in enjoying the feel of the hot water running over me. Knowing that Lin probably wanted to get into the bathroom by now I quickly soaped up and rinsed before turning it off. Drying off, I put on my pjs, a pair linen shorts and a tank top with a loose sports bra underneath. Opening the door so Lin could brush her teeth I started brushing my own as she came in.

By the time we were done and in bed it was about 10 pm and I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow.

...

"Crap, Crap, Crap!" I grumble as I stumble my way out of the dorm. It was currently 6:45 am and I  had to tack up, and forget about breakfast. Finally zipping my half chap I ran down to the barn, helmet in hand.

Slowing my run to a quick walk I moved down the aisle to Prims stall where I found she wasn't even there. Sighing I realized she was probably still out in the paddock. Jogging back out of the barn I found I was correct as I found her trotting around in her paddock. Snatching her halter and lead from the fence I let myself in and moved out to her. I knew almost instantly she was going to give me trouble. Her head flew up as I attempted to reach the halter over her ears. Silently cursing my height I stood on my tippy toes throwing the lead rope over her back. Managing to slip the halter over her ears as she pretended to be a Giraffe.

"Come on Prim work with me!" I grumble as I tug her forward and towards the barn. Getting a very bad idea as I looked at the time. I looked back at Prim, this could go either very well or very bad. With how she was right now it would take me ten minutes to get her to the barn. Grabbing a chunk of her mane I brace myself with my other hand taking a few test hops. Seeing as she didn't move away I hopped up pulling myself onto her back with my right hand. Situating myself on her back I clamped my legs down around her barrel. Not so much that she would run but enough that I was steady on her back. Taking a deep breath I applied pressure with my calves and kissed at her asking for a canter.

Prim moved cleanly from a walk and forward into a smooth canter her rocking motions seeming easy to sit. Grinning as we, for the first time, moved together our actions linking together like a well oiled machine I directed her towards the gate. Only then did I realize how bad of an idea this was. Prim gradually sped up as we neared the gate her ears perked forward. My eyes widened as I realized what she was going to do. Hopelessly tugging at the lead rope I deepened my seat but to no avail. Prim saw that gate as a jump. And Jump it she did. Moving into two point at the last moment as Prim launched off the ground I couldn't help but laugh as we landed cleanly. Throwing my arms around her neck I praised her endlessly for taking that jump. Sitting up I turned her towards the barn sending her into a smooth trot.

"Are you crazy?" I slow Prim to a walk seeing Leo come waking up with the same horse that he gave me a ride on to catch Prim.

"Well, that depends on what you mean," I say slowly,

Leo huffs, "I mean I just saw you clear a four foot fence with room to spare, and not to mention bareback, without a helmet and it was a solid fence,"

I laugh awkwardly, "Well I mean, to be fair it was Prims Idea and I didn't really have an option,"

Leo sighs walking beside me as I move Prim forward, "You seem to be running a bit late today,"

"Crap!" I mumble saying a quick goodbye. I kiss Prim into a canter towards the front of the barn before quickly dismounting and leading her inside to the cross ties. Clipping her in I move quickly. Grabbing her tack and my helmet before quickly grooming her, happy that she isn't too dirty I quickly tack her up and by the time I make it to the arena everyone is already on but luckily they are still warming up and Solomon's was talking to Michella at the center.

Leading Prim to the mounting block I buckle my helmet and quickly mount up. Sighing as she listens to my commands and bends. Tucking her head in neatly and giving me a smooth walk. Letting her walk for a lap knowing she was still a bit warmed up from our crazy ride. Clucking to her she glides into a collected trot. Did someone switch out my horse?

Grinning I do a few circles with her bending nicely around my leg. Seriously, I think someone switched her with another horse.

"Alright everyone please come to the middle!" Slowing Prim to a walk I guide her next to Indy and Jacob before stopping her and giving her some rein.

"Today we are going to be doing more combination jumps. When you aren't jumping you will be in the middle again. Don't worry this time you will be going through the several times and taking the jumps in different orders. Before we get into that though would you all please move to the rail and take up a canter. Focus on keeping your horse collected and a good space between you and the horses around you. The order will be Jacob, Florence, Kian, Carmen then Beth." Turning Prim I take up my position behind Carmen. Following the others leads I wait till Carmen is trotting to trot and then after she canters a few steps I ask Prim for a canter.

Managing a lap with her collected I see her near Carmen and Dia, Shortening my reins I manage to slow her but not before Dia pins her ears and lets out a kick. Crap, not good, Prim pins her ears in retaliation nipping at Dia. Struggling to pull her back Dia continues to kick at Prim and no offense to Carmen but she was helped in no way. She was pulling on the reins trying to stop Dia but that was it. She should have turned her mare away if she kept kicking. Prim, having enough let out a buck, and another, and another, and another. At this point it was a fight between the mares. All the other riders had stopped watching as Carmen and I struggled to bring our mares under control. Gritting my teeth I wrenched Prim's head back, it wasn't something I had tried yet with her but there was a horse at my old stable that it worked with.

Turning her head to the inside I clamped on my outside leg shooting her to the side so she had no other option. Prim finally stopped bucking. Coming to a complete stop breathing heavily but Dia wasn't having it. Dia had turned into a bronc. What the heck was wrong with this horse?" Sighing I hopped off Prim tossing my reins to Leo who had come over and ran towards Dia. Solomon and Michella were also trying to approach but I was the closest. Grabbing Carmen's right rein I yanked Dias Head up, turning her in a tight circle till she stopped trying to kick out and stood silently nostrils flared and breathing heavily. I looked up at Carmen who shakingly picked back up the right rein nodding her thanks to me.

"What was that?" Solomon stood in front of us, his face red, and not the blushing kind of red, "You are here because we thought you were the best, If you cannot control your mare you will be moved to a different horse or completely expelled from this camp!" Solomon was practically shouting now and I realized it wasn't at me, but Carmen,

"Sir, It wasn't Carmen's fault, Prim got to close, it's a known fact Mares either one, hate each other, two tolerate each other, or three completely despise each other, I shouldn't have let Prim get so close" I rush out

Solomon narrows his eyes, "I think it is best we end this training session early, Palmer," Uh oh he just said my last name, "my office as soon as your mare is taken care of, Pierce you to," Solomon snaps before marching out of the arena. Sighing I walked over to where Leo stood with Prim and took back my reins before leading her straight out of the arena not bothering to look at anyone. Sighing I un-tack and groom Prim quickly deciding I probably shouldn't keep Solomon waiting. Prim had her hoof cocked the whole time and didn't look like she wanted to actually kill anyone at the moment. I sigh again clipping on her lead rope and unclipping the cross ties before leading her to her stall. The moment she entered it she poked her head right back out letting out a whicker. It's official... Mares are crazy.

Moving down the aisle towards Solomon's office which was at the end of the aisle I quietly entered his office. He was standing arms crossed and leaning against the desk. Carmen didn't seem to have come yet.

"Have a seat," His words were deathly calm and honestly freaked me out more than his almost yelling earlier as soon as I had sat down he spoke, "Why is it you seem to always want to solve the problems of your fellow trainees?" Well this wasn't what I expected,

"I don't follow," I say honestly, Solomon sighs rubbing his face,

"Beth, I saw you at a show two years ago, and two years ago all you were focused on was your horse and yourself, what happened? I don't mind you helping your fellow trainees but trying to take the blame? You were plenty far behind Dia and Carmen should've been able to handle the situation better. I know I didn't handle it perfectly but Ms. Palmer, you have talent yet you don't seem to use it fully." He was right, I was a different person back then but now, now I'm where I'm at. I stared at my hands in my lap as Solomon looked at me,'

"Beth I've seen lots of riders rise and then fall, I've seen some continuing rising, tell me beth are you going to rise? Or are you going to fall?"

I looked up at him, and answer honestly, "I don't know"

"I suggest you figure that out soon Ms. Palmer, and I suggest you figure it out before you fall too far behind the rest." He sighs once more, "That is all, you may go, send Ms.Pierce in as you leave," I nod standing up and walking to the door, "Good luck Ms. Palmer,"

Exiting quickly I nod to Carmen who was waiting outside the door, "You'll be fine," I reassure and she sends me a grateful look before I continue on. Making a beeline for Prims stall and let myself in not really bothering to think if this was crazy or not. Wrapping my arms around her I let a single tear roll down my face and into her mane. A lot has happened in the past two years, and it has changed me, the only thing is, did it change me for better or for worse.

Sighing I sat down in the corner of Prim's stall near her head and where she could see me. Grinning as she nudged me I ran my fingers through her fiery mane. As crazy as this mare was, I really was happy to have the opportunity to ride her.

"What am I gonna do with you?" I ask her, in response she lips at my pocket no doubt looking for treats. I laugh and pull one out of my pocket before giving it to her. Sighing in content, I nearly laugh as I think about all the times I've sighed today. Leaning my head back at the wall, I close my eyes breathing in Prim's horsey smell as she kept her head beside me. Hearing a grunt I open my eyes to see her laying down. Her head now in my lap. Laughing I stroke her neck, and lean back again playing her forelock, eyes closed. Not long after I felt the tiredness from the morning pulling me into sleep.

Sooooo here's chapter four!!!!! Sorry it's been taking so long to update!!!! Had a bit of a writers block for awhile!!! Anywho hoped you enjoyed and pleaseeeee

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