Chapter 25
Addison
This was it—Mountain Laurel Farm’s first horse show.
I could hardly believe I was here and that all this was happening.
I had Levi stay at the farm to tend to the other horses, since Ava stepped up to help me out at this show.
We spent the first few hours setting up our show curtains on the front-facing stall that showcased our barn colors of navy blue, hunter green, and a deep plum purple.
All competing barns put up fabric to cover the outside of the stall walls that faced the aisle, trimmed with a fabric border in their chosen barn colors, with their name stamped across the front as well as the name of the trainer and location of the barn.
After getting the curtains up, we got all the stalls set up.
We used the first stall as a makeshift tack room and the next two stalls as crossties, where we could prepare the horses for their classes.
Ava got to work spreading a generous amount of shavings in all the stalls we were using for the six horses that we brought to Evergreen River, while I set up the final stall that we were using as a feed room to house all the hay and grain.
I sat down in one of the chairs that we’d positioned at the front of our row of stalls to take a break. Ava came out of the tack room with two plastic champagne flutes and an open bottle of Veuve. I tipped my head back and laughed. “Does anyone celebrate as much as we do with champagne?”
Ava smiled and shrugged while pouring the champagne. “If they don’t, they’re doing it wrong.” She handed me a flute before she sat down in the other chair and lifted her flute toward me. “Cheers, Adds. You did it. You’re living your dream right now.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I toasted her and took a long sip.
“So, have you seen or spoken to Dean at all?” Ava asked.
I hadn’t seen or spoken to Dean in over a month.
I spent my days focused solely on my clients, their horses, and my horses.
Thankfully, we hadn’t needed him medically at the farm for anything this last month, allowing me to continue to hide.
Having this horse show coming up could not have been a better distraction for me, but I still ached for the man every single night when I lay awake unable to sleep.
If I didn’t keep myself busy, he was all I thought of, he was all I saw.
If I actually found sleep, I dreamed of him. He was everywhere.
There were so many times I almost broke down and reached out, but I reminded myself that I needed this time to sort through my feelings and not to rush things.
I was still so mad at him for all the lies, no matter how well-intentioned they were.
He had been lied to before and betrayed as well. He knew my past, and he knew better.
“No, I haven’t.” I didn’t elaborate any further.
Ava nodded. She could read me well, so she smartly changed the subject. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“Everyone should be arriving throughout the day to school their horses over the show jumps. The following day, the show actually starts, and I have a smaller class that I’m going to use as a warm-up for Cash.
Dahlia’s classes start too, and I’m going to take a couple of my clients’ horses into a warm-up class to prep them. ”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll play groom, so I can help tack up horses and take them when they’re done.” Ava took a sip of her champagne.
“Thanks for all your help today and this week, Avs. I just haven’t had the time to hire anyone for shows yet.
I need to find someone soon, though, because I’m taking Cash and Dahlia to Wellington in two weeks.
I think I’m going to ask around some of the barns at this show to see if they know anyone. ”
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize that you were going to WEF. Any big names going that week?” WEF was the Winter Equestrian Festival that took place in Wellington, Florida, every year and showcased some of the world’s top riders and horses.
“Lyle Ward, Betsy Frasier, and Kent Miller, to name a few. I’m kind of nervous about it. It’ll be my first big stage with Cash.” I took a long pull from my champagne flute.
Ava’s eyes widened. “That is quite the lineup, but don’t be nervous. You and Cash will rock it. Any clients going?”
“Not to this one. I think a couple may fly out to watch me compete, but I’m not taking any client horses to that show. I’m not even showing Dahlia. I’m just taking her so she gets the experience and exposure.”
“That’s so cool. I remember you always talking about one day competing in a Grand Prix at WEF. You should be proud of yourself that you’ve made it this far, no matter the outcome.”
“Yeah, it’s all pretty surreal. I just hope Mom, Dad, and all the James siblings can make it.
I know I’ll need the emotional support.” I chuckled.
“But I also know it’s during a hectic time at the vineyard and winery, Walk is in spring training, and who knows if Weston will be called out on a mission.
Not to mention, it’s expensive between the airfare and hotels.
” I sighed, the realization sinking in that it might just be me by myself competing in the largest Prix of my entire life and career.
Ava could see the worry etched on my face. She reached over and squeezed my thigh. “Hey, let’s just focus on this show right now. We’ll figure the rest out later.”
“You’re right. One day at a time.” We both realized the double meaning of that statement.
It was Saturday evening at the horse show, which meant it was time for the Grand Prix, also known as game time, for me and Cash.
For this show specifically, the Grand Prix would be set at 1.
5 meters, or four feet eleven inches, and the prize money was fifty thousand dollars.
Each show was different in terms of prize money and occasionally the height of the jumps.
We had a solid eighteen entries for tonight.
The show so far had been very successful, and I couldn’t be prouder of my clients and their horses.
The divisions they competed in today consisted of two over fences classes, where they jumped a predetermined course consisting of usually eight jumps, and then an under saddle class, where they walked, trotted, and cantered in the ring alongside everyone in their division (which could be anywhere from six to more than eighteen horses) in front of a judge.
The judge assessed the horse’s movement and placed everyone accordingly.
Heather placed fourth and fifth with Tank in her three-foot Adult Amateur over fences classes, along with a solid third place in her under saddle.
Jessica was just getting back into showing again, so I put her in some lower-level schooling classes, and she did amazing.
She and Willow placed third and fifth in her two-foot-six over fences classes, along with a second place under saddle.
Sarah moved up this show to the three-foot-three Adult Amateur division and was understandably a little nervous, but she pulled it off.
She and Apollo placed fifth and sixth in her over fences, along with fourth in her under saddle class.
And Little Gracie got first and second place in her walk/trot class on Waffles.
Cash won both of the smaller classes that I put him in for a warm-up, which really gave me confidence going into tonight.
He felt great, and I felt great. Dahlia’s debut in the hunter ring was also a success.
She placed second and third in the Baby Green over fences classes, along with winning the under saddle, which did not shock me at all.
The horse looked like she was floating on air when she moved.
Mountain Laurel Farm showed up and showed out.
We had a line of ribbons showcasing our success hanging across the top of the front stall where our barn curtains hung.
Some of my clients still had a couple more classes tomorrow to close out the show, but this entire show had played out beyond my expectations.
As happy as that made me, I still found myself having to shove down the longing, the ache, the need for Dean’s presence because he should be here. I wanted to share this with him. I wanted his support and his encouragement. Getting ready for the Prix without him here felt all wrong.
Ava walked into the tack room, pulling me from my thoughts of Dean as I was putting on my helmet and gloves. I was going seventh tonight in the order. “Cash is ready when you are.”
I smiled. “Thanks, sis.”
“I’m so excited to watch you compete in a Prix again. It’s been too long. Walk wanted us to FaceTime him before you got on. Let me call him really quick.” Ava pulled out her phone and clicked on Walker’s name.
We waited a few moments, and then his face appeared on the screen. “Hey, Adds! Looking good, girl. You ready? Game time.” Walker was always one of my biggest cheerleaders.
“As ready as I can be. The course has a couple of tricky spots, but when I walked it, I found the path that I think will work best for Cash to keep us clean. How’s spring training going?”