We followed Henry and Vivian into the barn and toward the crossties where a beautiful black mare stood. She had a white star on her forehead and a white stocking on each leg. I watched as Addison walked up to her and held her hand out for the mare to smell and touch. She then rubbed her hand up the mare’s face and patted her neck before she turned back toward Vivian. “She’s gorgeous. Super flashy for the hunter ring, that’s for sure. I hope she moves as good as she looks,” Addison said as her eyes still assessed the mare.
Vivian laughed. “You will have to see for yourself. We haveher all ready for you. Henry is going to get on her first just so you can watch her movement from the ground and see her form over fences, then she’s all yours to try.”
Addison nodded. “Sounds perfect. Let me go grab my helmet, half chaps, and paddock boots from the truck to change into really quickly.”
While Addison hurried off to get ready, I spent some time asking Henry and Vivian questions about the mare’s medical history. I explained what my examination would entail if Addison was interested in moving forward. They provided me with her most recent X-rays to review, as well as a folder containing her complete medical history and bloodlines. Dahlia was a five-year-old Dutch Warmblood by a pretty impressive hunter/jumper stallion that even I had heard of. She was starting to jump and already showed great potential. Addison could do a lot with her, and being that she was so young and inexperienced, she could get this horse for a steal compared to what this mare would go for once her training was complete and she had show experience under her belt.
Addison returned from changing into her riding gear as Henry placed the bridle on Dahlia. He checked that her girth was tightened and led her outside to the ring. Addison, Vivian, and I all stood up against the fence outside the ring to watch Henry warm up the mare.
“Her trot and canter are gorgeous. She really knows how to extend at the trot while keeping her neck relaxed. Her canter floats,” Addison said to Vivian, keeping her eyes on Dahlia the entire time she spoke.
“She’s just naturally a beautiful mover. She also just started lead changes, and so far, so good,” Vivian responded. Addison nodded and smiled. Henry took the mare over a couple of smaller jumps to show Addison her form. I glanced over at her and smiled. She was entranced, watching the mare intently. Then Henry brought the mare over to Addison for her to get on.
Addison took the reins from Henry. “She has a hell of a jump. This mare sure is something,” she said to him.
He laughed and nodded. “That’s an understatement.” Henry took his spot next to Vivian and me at the rail while Addison walked Dahlia over to the mounting block and got on. I’d been around horses all my life, between polo matches and even hunter/jumper competitions, as they were common sports among the crowd that my parents ran with. I dated girls who competed in the hunter/jumper ring, but nothing compared to watching Addison ride this mare. While watching Addison, I knew I was watching a nationally top-ranked rider. Everything she did was graceful and effortless. She made it look easy, and I knew that riding a young, inexperienced horse was anything but. This woman had talent.
After jumping the mare over a few fences, Addison trotted her over to us with a massive smile on her face. I couldn’t help but smile too, seeing her completely in love with this horse. I looked up at her with a smirk. “So, are we doing a PPE today?”
Addison threw her head back and laughed. “What do you think, Adler?”
I chuckled. “I’ll go get everything ready.” I knocked myknuckles on the fence before turning around to head toward my truck.
The PPE was uneventful, as I predicted that it would be after reviewing her files and X-rays prior to performing my exam and taking my own set of rads. Addison was elated. She joined Henry and Vivian in their office to sign the bill of sale and to work out the details of wiring the funds, while I loaded my truck back up. As I prepared the trailer for Dahlia, I turned to see Addison leading the mare toward me.
“Perfect timing. Everything is ready to go. You ready to take her home?” I asked.
Addison nodded and led the horse up the ramp to the trailer and settled her inside. I whistled to Coal to get in the truck. While we were dealing with the horse, Coal ran off with the barn’s yellow lab and did only God knew what.
Addison and I jumped into the truck and waved goodbye to Henry and Vivian. I glanced over at Addison. “Well, I’m glad this wasn’t a waste of a trip.” I smirked.
Addison snorted. “You and me both.”
We made our way down the long gravel drive with Dahlia in tow and Coal already passed out in the back seat.
Chapter 5
Addison
Whataday.Iwas ecstatic that everything had worked out with Dahlia and she was coming home with me. The future was bright for this mare, and she was just what I needed to stay at the top and remain competitive in the hunter ring—the missing piece. Cash and Dahlia would help market me as a top trainer to potential clients, but first I still needed to find my own place to begin my dream that had been a long time coming.
I made a quick call to Eli on the way home to thank him for connecting me with Henry and Vivian. He was overjoyed that it all worked out and said he was looking forward to seeing me in the show ring again. After hanging up with Eli, I put my phone in my lap and laid my head back against the seat, ready for the long ride home. Just as I was about to start up a conversation with Dean, my phone vibrated in my hand.
Ava:
Soooo, we are all dying to know. How did it go???
She’s amazing. We’re on our way home now with her. I can’t wait for you to watch her go!
Ava:
Yay!! Congrats! I feel like using your 6-month severance from douchenut’s company to buy her was a real FUCK YOU.
Walker:
First, congratulations, Adds. Pumped to meet the new horse. Second, you used your 6-month severance to buy her??? Why didn’t you just let me get her for you? I don’t like you spending that kind of money before you even get your business off the ground.
Weston:
