Bonus Prompt 3: 10 Years Later

“Just let her go through the course herself,” Sylus smiled, way hung as Wings trotted around the arena with the tiniest girl on her back, “She’s gentle! Don’t get in her way when she goes over those jumps!”

The girl, named Lisa, giggled as Wings trotted over some poles, the mare staying steady and calm as to not accidentally jostle the little one out of the saddle.

It had been 10 years since Wings’s arrival. 10 years of Sylus taking her through endurance, 10 years of Sylus taking her through trails, 10 years of her being his best friend.

And now here she was, in his own barn, on his own property, giving a little girl one of her first jumping lessons. He never thought Wings would be okay with jumping in an arena again, not after what she had been through.

But Sylus watched and smiled as she bounced over a tiny cross rail, flicking her ears back to her rider to make sure she was still there.

“Pull her around to me!” Sylus smiled, walking over as Lisa gently pulled Wings over and stopped her in front of him.

“You two are doing amazing,” he smiled, “But that’s where we are leaving off for today. You have your lesson next week where we can pick up again. You’re doing so well, Lisa!” He smiled, helping Lisa cool down Wings before the girl headed home with her mom.

Sylus led Wings into the barn, clipping her into the crossties to the halter under her bridle as he started to unlatch it, “Say…. Would you be willing to take her through jumping classes? Like, actual shows?”

Wings perked up, nickering at him as she nuzzled him.

“You would?” Sylus smiled, “I’m glad to hear, you’ve grown so much since we first met. I just know you’re going to be an absolute superstar in the ring. No more pain, no more suffering. Just you and your little girl.”

Wings whinnied as Sylus hugged her neck, “I love you so much.”

Wings nickered it back.