A year ago today, I posted these pictures, showing that Caroline’s Lighthouse was underway, as I was writing outside with my horses. The pages you can see (although blurred out), became Chapter Five.
From handwritten pages in a notebook, to the finished product, Caroline’s Lighthouse is now published and available now! Read this scene from Chapter Five, then order your own copy today!
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Caroline turned the gelding toward the grid again, his black mane bouncing in sync with his step. All three jumps were now bigger, the last one an oxer standing three feet, three inches.
She eyed it down, her focus becoming hard as steel.
Benji bounded through the grid eagerly. Caroline stayed with him, landing perfectly on the other side of the oxer.
“Good!” Holly yelled. “Turn down the diagonal line and catch those two jumps. You should get six strides between.”
Caroline didn’t let up on her focus as she looked for the two jumps her mom had directed her to. She kept her eyes up as they made the turn, balancing Benji as they bent through the corner. She found the perfect distance so naturally, and they sailed over the first oxer. Caroline gave Benji a half-halt on the reins as they headed toward the next jump.
“Stretch up, use your core, and leg and leg and leg and leg,” Holly reminded as they cruised down the line.
Their distance was once again perfect as they flew through the air. Caroline found her position and was in the perfect place as they landed. They cantered away, looking for their next jump.
“Good girl!” Holly cheered.
A smile spread across Caroline’s face, for so many reasons. Because of her mother’s praise. Because she had just cleared an oxer set to three feet, nine inches. Because she had finally let determination overcome fear.
But most of all, because she was starting to remember what it felt like to fly.
