DANDY FACES HIS FEAR AT ARENA CROSS COUNTRY!
Dandy, a striking bay gelding with a heart of gold, had always been a reliable partner for his rider, Lucy. But there was one thing he feared more than anything—arena cross country. The tight turns, tricky combinations, and solid fences made his heart pound. Unlike the wide-open fields of traditional cross-country courses, the enclosed arena left him feeling trapped.
On the day of the competition, Lucy could feel Dandy’s hesitation as they entered the ring. His ears flicked back, nostrils flaring as he eyed the imposing fences. “You’ve got this, boy,” she whispered, giving him a reassuring pat.
The buzzer sounded, and they were off. The first few jumps were manageable, but then came the dreaded water tray—a shimmering blue patch that Dandy had refused in training. He skidded to a halt, snorting in protest. The crowd held its breath.
Lucy took a deep breath, steadied him, and circled back. “Trust me,” she murmured. With a determined squeeze of her legs, she urged him forward. This time, Dandy gathered himself and soared over the water. The audience erupted in cheers!
With his confidence growing, Dandy tackled the remaining fences with newfound courage. The tricky corner combination, the angled brush jump—each one fell behind them as they galloped toward the final obstacle. With a powerful leap, they cleared the last fence, landing smoothly as the timer stopped.
Tears pricked Lucy’s eyes as she patted Dandy’s sweaty neck. He had faced his fear and conquered it. No matter the final placing, he was a champion in her heart.
As they left the arena, Dandy held his head high. He had proven to himself—and everyone watching—that even the bravest horses can overcome their fears.
