Something's Gotta Give

Tramp Entry for TLEC's Training Show. I'm gonna put a few into this, since I never got to really show them at HITS xD

Name: SC Got Your Boyfriend
Rider: Iris Sterling
Class: Hunter over Fences
Entry 902

Story:
When we rolled up to Timberlake Lane Equestrian Center, I was actually surprised. I thought this would be a western, back woods, less-nice-than-Miss Kaity's place. But it was actually very well kept with very nice facilities. Miss Kaity parked and we unloaded all the horses yet again, borrowing some stalls as there was no way all of them could hang out on the trailer. Tramp and Grindy stayed on the trailer. Tramp stomped irritably at flies, while Grindy just munched hay, calm as you please. They would be the first to go, and Miss Kaity needled me repeatedly until I started to get them ready. I decided to band Tramp again, for practice, but left Grindy free. But really. This was a schooling show. They didn't have to be that great...

After warming up both horses, Tramp was up first. After all her success recently, I actually felt pretty good about this ride. Warm up had been pretty uneventful, for her, and as we waited at the gate, she actually stood still. It was our turn to go. Circle to get the pace. First jump. Second jump. Roll top... then it happened. Tramp landed and exploded into a violent, heels to the air buck. She plunged forward in a hop then kicked out again before just racing around the outside of the arena. It was a good half a lap before I got her under control. Face burning in embaressment, I retired myself - there was no recovering that ride. At the gate, I prepared to complain, then saw Miss Kaity's face. I was in for it.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice steady. I knew she already had an answer she wanted. "I don't know! She's just crazy and started to buck."
"No. You got passive. Your leg slipped back over the jump and on the landing you caught her mouth. That's not the riding you've been giving us the last few weeks."
What? How dare she! I rode just fine! Face even redder, I swung off and grabbed Grindy from her hands, warming her up a bit while another horse was in the ring.

But the longer I sat on the bay mare, the more I thought about that jump. Had I gotten sloppy? No! Of course not. We all knew Tramp was a little unpredictable. But... I had felt a little off balance on the landing... Maybe...?

**Background property of TimberLakeLaneEC