2009 Youth Award Winners
First Place: Grace, Age: 12,
Plymouth Florida
My Most Memorable Horse Experience
I woke up around 7:00 running down the hall, knowing what today was;
a day that two of my friends and I were all going for a day-long trail
ride through the nearby woods on our horses. I ran into my room getting
dressed as quickly as I could. Into the kitchen I went packing an outstanding
lunch for three: three turkey sandwiches, three apples, and three Cokes.
I grabbed a lunch box and my boots on the way out.
My friends Cortne, her horse Roxie, and Chelsea and her horse Bamboo,
also my horse Cinnamon and I are going on an amazing trail ride out
into the woods, where ever our imaginations would take us. We all knew
the trails like the back of our hands and were ready for an adventure.
I groomed, and put the bridle on, and called them to say I was ready
and headed down the driveway. We decided to go bareback the day before.
We all met down at the end of the road, where the pavement ends. Then
we started out into the wood. We went through just fine until we had
to cross the pond. Cortne’s horse Roxie refused to get in, and her being
the youngest of us she got on Cinnamon and I rode Roxie. After a good
five minutes I got her through the pond which was only about three feet
deep but it was a blast. Once all the horses settled down, Cortne and
I switched horses.
Swimming on a horse is the most incredible thing I have ever gotten
to do. The cool sensation of water on your legs, the feeling of excitement
going though your tummy, and the best part is the time you spend with
your horse and, of course, friends. As Cinnamon splashed through the
chilling water, the sun was glaring down at the water, twinkling, shining,
over our reflection. I remember saying how marvelous it was - just picture
perfect. After we got out of the water we went on shore to have lunch.
There was a swing hanging by the shore around which we sat. Chelsea
wanted the swing which was okay with me because I liked sitting in the
sugar sand. We tied the horses up on a stump by the pond they drank
and played in the water, nibbling on the grass and weeds.
We all brought a portion of food to make one big meal, and, for sure,
treats for all of the horses. Left over pizza from the night before,
chips, sandwiches, and soda filled our tummies. We tacked up and headed
to the meadow. Walking through the tall grass and we spotted a flock
of turkeys. We had to chase them. Up and down the hills we went while
feathers went everywhere! Once they flew over the fence we stopped.
Walking our horses to cool them off, we decided to head back to the
pond until we noticed an orange tree out in the distance. When we got
there, peeled one orange we found out they were seedless and they were
delicious; really juicy and sweet and the horses love them especially
Bamboo. We filled the empty space in our lunch boxes full of those oranges
and headed back to the pond.
We went into the pond one more time because it was getting dark. The
last time was flabbergasting. The sunset made it better then the first
time, the colors of the sky and clouds. Purple, blue, pink, orange,
yellow, it was beautiful. So we headed back. It felt like the fastest
walk Cinnamon did all day but she knew where we were going - home. As
we walked we said goodbye and went off in separate directions. When
I got home I gave Cinnamon a bath and headed to my house, ate dinner,
and went to bed, thinking about my best day ever!
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