Crystal's Rodeo Debut by Stephen Bly

Author:Stephen Bly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: competition, evangelism, witnessing, family life, moving away, horse and girl, girls boys, courage faith, friendship fun, girls 8 to 14
Publisher: Bly Books

Chapter 6

The Best Tans At Highland High

By four o’clock, Crystal changed her clothes and cared for Caleb out in the pasture. Her dad promised to build a small stable in the corner for Caleb to winter in. Until then, he roughed it in grass not grazed in a long time. Crystal supplemented his diet with alfalfa hay and a few sweet oats. She combed him down when Karla joined her, drinking a soda.

‘Where’d you get that?” Crystal asked.

“From Dad. He just got back from Spokane. The lawyer said the house deal would be final in thirty days, and with Dr. Shelby’s approval, Dad’s going to go ahead and move our belongings here. You want a drink?" She handed the soda to Crystal.

"I’ll sure be glad to get the rest of my clothes.” Crystal took a sip and then cleaned Caleb’s hooves.

"Where did you learn how to do that?” Karla asked.

"I can’t remember ... either Shawn or Mr. Kirkland told me. He's the one who gave me Caleb.”

"Megan told us all about it. I wish I could have been there, only that spill in front of the stagecoach didn’t sound so neat.”

Crystal placed the saddle blanket and pad on Caleb. "It all happened so fast, I didn’t have much time to think about it.”

Karla sat down to watch Crystal. "Did I tell you about Patty Devers? She never got a horse after all.”

“What?” Crystal twirled around. "What happened? That's all she’s talked about in forever.”

"The way I heard it, Patty had a slumber party at her house and some boys snuck in. When her dad found out, he put his foot down about the horse.”

"What boys? Do you know who they were?” Crystal tried to guess.

"I really don’t know.” Karla watched her put on the bridle and bit.

"You want to ride him?” Crystal offered.

"You mean it?”

“Sure, but you’ll have to wait. I just gave him a few oats, and I didn’t ride any yesterday. You’d better let me take the first lap around the pasture.”

Crystal mounted, and before she got her right foot in the stirrup, Caleb was off and running. Even in the small pasture he gained speed circling the interior of the fence. Three laps later, Crystal stopped him.

"I’m impressed you learned all that in just these few weeks."

"I’ve had some good teachers, plus Caleb’s a really good horse. Come on, it’s your turn.”

Karla cautiously walked over and patted Caleb’s nose. "You’ll have to show me what to do.”

"He’s pretty tall. You might have a hard time getting up and on him the first few times, just like I did.”

Karla pulled herself on top of Caleb before Crystal finished speaking.

"Now, kick him with your heels, and move the rein whichever way you want him to go,” Crystal advised.

The big gray began to walk around the pasture. Karla made one complete loop, then stopped. "Okay, that’s it. I’ve had enough. How do I get down?”

"Just stand up and throw your right foot over. Hold onto the horn and let yourself down.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.