Today was the day.

I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, making me slightly nauseous. I was always apprehensive going into a new environment, although the fact that this one revolved around horses made it infinitely better.

My mum was waiting in the cab as I loaded the last of Robin's stuff and went to catch her from the field. It was like she could sense my restlessness and tossed her head, dancing out of reach. I shook my head and started after her, but she decided to lead me on a chase around the field. I was panting and way too warm by the time I finally secured the leather headcollar around her face.

I admired her as she walked amiably by my side. She was a shining chestnut colour with a light dusting of white over her flanks, and a delicate white stripe running down her face. She almost never put a neat hoof wrong and always tried her hardest for me. I couldn't think of a better horse to take with me to a riding academy.

She loaded quietly and I put on her travelling gear before tying up a haynet and stepping through the small door leading to the cab.

I propelled myself into the passenger seat and my mum started the engine, coasting out of the driveway onto the road. We were on our way.

***

The drive through the countryside was gorgeous. I got up periodically to give Robin water, although for the most part she dozed quietly. I was glad she wasn't a nervous traveller because I wasn't too sure about having the lorry kicked to pieces. It would hardly make a good first impression.

The drive took four hours. Sadly, I didn't sleep at all, yet still managed to say "Horses!" whenever we drove past a field of them. Everybody did it, regardless of age.

Apart from that, the ride was ridiculously boring and I was glad when my mum told me we were getting close. The butterflies returned, and seemed to have brought reinforcements.

As we rounded the final corner I almost closed my eyes. This was so daunting for me. But even as I forced myself to sit calmly and quietly, something between a whimper and a gasp slipped out as I stared past an enormous set of wrought iron gates to a mansion house nestled among huge gardens. My new home for the next ten months.

My eyes grew wider and wider as we rolled slowly along the smooth tarmac towards the impressive building. There was the double row of cherry trees, shedding their soft blossom onto the driveway. The flat green lawns were so perfect, an emerald expanse under a sapphire sky.

"Autumn, are you alright?"

I dragged my eyes away and met my mum's concerned gaze. I realised that we had already stopped and I hadn't moved at all.

"I'm just so... overwhelmed," I managed to say. "I'm going to live here for ten months."

I was swept up in a lavender-scented hug. "You'll be alright," she said. "This is your dream, after all."

I nodded and pulled away. "You're right. I'll be fine." I straightened my shoulders and stepped into the sun. The smell of freshly cut grass was in the air and I inhaled deeply. It was the smell of summer.

The coolness of the reception area flowed over me. I could vaguely see a high ceiling beyond the small room, and a wide staircase twisting up out of view.

"Welcome to Crescent Bay Riding Academy," the young woman behind the desk said. "Are you boarding here?"

"Yes, I'm Autumn McKenna," I answered nervously. "It's my first time here."

The woman's face brightened. "Oh, you'll love it here!" she said enthusiastically. "I'm Lauren. I'm in charge of all the students here."

I remembered that this was an absolutely tiny place. Only a hundred students were admitted each year, although it still meant that this house had over fifty dorm rooms. I would be sharing with someone.

"Would you like to see the stables or your room first?" Lauren asked. I knew the answer immediately.

"The stables, if that's all right."

"Follow me."

I trailed after the bouncing blonde ponytail with anticipation, hoping that Robin would settle in.

The stables were at the back of the manor, six pinewood buildings each containing twenty stalls. There were two half-doors, and each stable had both of them open. I glimpsed a warm-looking bed of soft wood shavings and a ring for tying up your horse outside the stable.

Lauren pulled a piece of paper from some hidden pocket and scanned it. "Well, you're in room thirteen so your horse will be in block one. Since you're the first one here you can choose your stall."

After a moment's deliberation I decided to go for the very first stable, which was partially underneath a large beech tree providing cool shade. There would also be more room to move if several horses were tied up outside other stalls.

"A good choice." Lauren's voice echoed back at me from inside, and I heard the soft swish of a door opening. "Come on in."

At the back of the stable was a small tack room. The door had a hook attached so I could hang up Robin's headcollar.

There was space for everything inside the tack room. Four saddle racks lined the back wall beneath two bridle pegs. On the left was a row of cupboards and a metal bar to hang rugs over. On the right was a row of shelves above a small space for buckets and feed bins.

"This is perfect!" I gasped. I was a bit of a neat freak so this was heaven for me.  I was still planning where to put everything even as I was walking out again.

"You can go and fetch your horse if you want," Lauren said and I nodded excitedly.

Robin started a little as I lowered the ramp. She had been standing quietly, to my relief, but her haynet was almost empty.

"Come on, girl." I backed her out into the sun and she stood snorting. I grinned at her expression; it was probably just like mine was when I saw this place.

"This way." I felt proud as I walked beside her. She was gorgeous and I wanted everyone to see it.

Lauren broke off conversation with my mum as I approached. "What a lovely horse," she said, casting an appreciative eye over Robin's conformation.

"This is Red Robin, or just Robin," I said and allowed the mare to sniff Lauren's hands. "She's really friendly."

"I can tell." The older girl laughed as Robin's whiskers tickled her fingers. "Put her in the stable for now. We'll let horses out in the paddocks in a couple of days, after they get used to each other."

I led my mare into the cool darkness and let her go. She immediately began to investigate everything and I hung up her headcollar on the tack room door.

"Here's the key to the tack room." Lauren handed me a small key the colour of gold. "Everyone gets personalised key rings, but it takes a couple of days to make them all. For now, let's go to your dorm room."

————–———————

Hi guys! I hope you're liking the story so far :D

I know nothing much is happening at the moment but Autumn's soon going to meet some new friends and the story will (hopefully) get more interesting from there!

Anyway, please vote, comment and tell me what you think!

Until next time,

Chloe :)