is already over twenty and blind, but she was already since she was born. When Zandra was still young, I always rode up the mountain with her and galloped across the meadows." nice time back with her.
"You rode a blind horse?" Asked Kai. "I can't imagine Zandra liked it. I can't think of anything worse than being blind and someone is sitting on my back and galloping around with me."Kai snapped venomously.
"You know Kai.", I began calmly, "Sometimes blind trust is better than the sharpest perception." I conjured a carrot out of my trouser pocket and gave it to Zandra. She thanked me by pressing her mouth against my cheek as if she wanted to kiss me. Then I started to introduce my friends and Kai, we are not really friends, to the horses and suggested a little ride in the afternoon. Tyson, Ray, Kenny and Justin immediately agreed and Kenny asked me for one of the smaller horses. Actually, I didn't want Kai to come with me, but I asked anyway, out of politeness. As expected, I got no answer. But since it's my last days with the BladeBreakers, I wasn't satisfied with that and asked again. Ray talked well to Kai again and he finally agreed. Suddenly, nimble hooves thundered across the ground and a little Knabstrupper came racing towards us as if a whip had come alive after him.He headed straight for Tyson and braked abruptly. So the little gelding threw dirt through the air and Tyson got everything. He nudged Tyson cheekily with his mouth. "This is amigo." I introduce the two of them. We spent a few more hours in the pasture and I told them a few stories that I had experienced here. Granma hit the triangle hanging in the porch with something metallic. There was lunch. Tyson was excited about Grandma's dinner. Zandra accompanied us to the gate.
"Have a nice day, my old girl." I said goodbye and patted her neck gently.

There was Grandma's famous vegetable stew. As terrible as it looked, it tasted so good. Tyson wasn't sure at first whether to eat this or not. But since he was very hungry (how could it be otherwise) he started to eat. I could tell from the expression on his face that he liked it after all.
"By the way, your mother called and asked if everything was okay.", Granpa began." And tomorrow there will be a small cup. We signed you up, Lu. "he added.
"What cup?" Ray snapped my question from me.
"First a small jumping tournament. Eight obstacles, 1.50m high and then an off-road race.", Grandma explained. "Now that you no longer blade you should train with Diablo for tournaments like this. He's a first-class horse. Melissa Jones also competes with Gold Star, by the way."
Grandma said this just to stimulate me. Melissa and I have long been competitors when it comes to equestrian sports. Now I had a chance to prove myself. Before Melissa and before Kai. He should see what a good team Diablo and I are, so that he knows that I didn't step off the team for nothing.
"Do you want to sleep in the barn tonight?" Asked Grandpa and winked at us.
"Auja !!", Max shouted.
"Can we ride out after dinner?",I asked.
Of course, my grandparents didn't mind and invited Tyson's grandfather for a carriage ride. While I was handing Strawberry her bottle, Grandpa and the others fetched the horses. I had to stop laughing when Tyson came with Amigo. Diablo was looking forward to a ride and was dancing excitedly as I saddled him.
"Shall I help you?" I asked Kai.
Kai was just about to snaffle Summer, a sand-colored mustang gelding. Since I got no answer as usual, I left Kai by the way and checked again whether everything was okay with Diablo. After ten minutes we finally left the farm towards the mountains. Thick, fluffy clouds hung over us and blocked the sun to give us some shade. We rode through a narrow gorge and I brought up the rear. Kai, who rode in front of me, looked good on Summer. Apparently he sensed my piercing gaze and turned around in the saddle."Is what?" He hissed at me.
"No." I mumbled softly and concentrated on my horse again.
"Do you feel like a little gallop when we're out of here?" Max called and his question echoed in the gorge. Summer stopped in shock and looked around fearfully. "Come on, honey," I said, clicking my tongue. Summer started moving again. The gorge ended and we reached a meadow overflowing with wildflowers. Except for Kenny, everyone agreed to a gallop. In short sentences I explained to him what to do and he pushed his pony, Charlie, on. Diablo made a mighty leap and stormed forward. I took the reins shorter and brought Diablo in at a working gallop. Tomorrow at the cross-country ride he can of course run that fast, but not yet. I turned in the saddle. Tyson hopped up and down happily because he couldn't stay in the saddle.Tyson didn't seem to mind and laughed. Ray, Kai, Cliff, Max, Gary, and Justin were doing great on horseback, and Kenny seemed to have fallen in love with it too. I turned back around and tried to hold back the tears that had filled the corner of my eye.

The cup
I woke up at half past five. In a couple of hours we would be going to the Cup and I was damn excited. I sat up quietly in my sleeping bag and looked around. The others were still sleeping peacefully. My gaze wandered to Kai, who was sleeping a little to one side. Even in his sleep he looked stern. I crept quietly down the stairs. Once at the bottom I was greeted by Strawberry. Even Rio was not long in coming and jumped up on me joyfully. Together we went over to the stable. With a groan the stable door opened and Diablo peered over the box door.
"Good morning! Are you as excited as I am?"I asked Diablo, stepping into his box.
As if he understood me, he nodded his head. After he got his breakfast I started to untangle his tail and mane. When we came back from the ride, I gave him a hair wash. At the show jumping competition, great importance was attached to the appearance of the horses and riders. Grandma knew the jury members and gave me a few tips after dinner yesterday. His hair was slightly wavy and felt like silk. "Okay, my handsome," I said to Diablo. "I'll quickly jump in the shower and then I'll go on with you."
Grandpa came towards me when I left the stable and we wished each other good morning.
"I'll get everything ready for the transport. You go have breakfast and change your clothes," he advised me and disappeared into the barn to get the car. As my grandfather told me, I went into the house.I headed straight for the kitchen. A wonderful smell rose to my nose when I entered the kitchen. To my surprise, Kai and Ray were already sitting at the table and having breakfast.
"Good morning," I mumbled to the two of them and started to spread strawberry jam on a toast. My hands were trembling terribly because I was so excited. Kai had closed his eyes as always and was drinking his tea. Ray only nodded briefly because his mouth was full.
"Hello Lu, my little one.", Grandma said when she came into the kitchen and put my riding gear on an empty space.
"Hi Grandma," I said, my voice trembling terribly.
Grandma raised her eyebrows reproachfully and put her hands on her hips. I took another bite of my toast and then set it aside. Suddenly I felt really sick and I got up quickly.
"Lu, you have to eat something.Otherwise you won't be able to stay on the horse at all. "my grandmother chided me.
“I'm not hungry. I'll have a quick shower.” I slowly left the kitchen and headed for the bathroom. A look out of the window told me that the others were coming and I hurried to shower. Max only came in once to bring me the riding thing. I quickly slipped into my black riding breeches, put on my baby blouse, slipped into my riding boots and put my gloves on. I left the bathroom in a hurry and went back over to the stable. Grandpa was waiting outside with the van. I put his light blue holster on Diablo and put a blanket around him. Usually Diablo distrusts the horse truck, but today he went in without batting an eyelid. I patted his neck in praise and then got into the car.
"How long are we going?" Justin asked when Grandpa started the engine.
"About twenty minutes.Are you all buckled up too? "Grandpa checked the rearview mirror and we all nodded. I fumbled excitedly with my riding helmet.
"Now stay calm.", Tyson's grandfather said to me, who was sitting behind me.
"Easier said than done," I admitted and swallowed hard.
"Don't panic, Lu. You know the forest inside and out and Diablo could jump the obstacles with his eyes closed." Grandpa encouraged me.
"Which forest?" I asked carefully.
"The one from Carters, with the swamp," Grandpa explained.
"Oh dear," I said relieved. I really knew the forest inside and out. Hopefully none of the other riders knew the paths I knew.
"Just stay calm and trust your horse." Grandma advised me and I nodded weakly.
With a slight sigh, I leaned back and tried to relax. Suddenly I started up again."Who will take care of Strawberry today?"
"Bill does that.", Grandpa replied and drove into the next driveway. Bill is an employee at the farm and takes care of the animals when Grandma and Grandpa are not around. You could really trust him.
The trip went by far too fast and before I knew it we drove to the fairground. Everywhere there were vans with horses and excited participants paced up and down. My stomach tingled violently when I got out. I got Diablo out of the van with Grandpa. He puffed out his nostrils excitedly and lashed his tail. While I tied Diablo, he pranced impatiently.
"Get him ready. We'll get your start number in the meantime." Grandma offered and I nodded thanks to her as she and Grandpa set off.
"Oh man there is a lot going on here! And do you smell that too?" Tyson asked and looked around with flashing eyes.At least he was in a good mood, damn it !! I'm just too excited. If I cramp up while riding, Diablo becomes insecure. Justin put his hand on my shoulder encouragingly.
I gave him a weak smile, brushed