The Horseback Trail Ride

Giselle joins a weekend trail ride at the camp stables for the first time. She has ridden horses before, but never for three hours through open hills. Tavish, one of the older campers, rides just ahead of her the whole way. The trail winds through tall grass and past a shallow creek before climbing into the hills.

Halfway through the ride, a rabbit darts out from the bushes. Giselle's horse startles and breaks into a sudden gallop down the trail. She grips the reins tightly, trying to remember everything the instructor taught them that morning.

The rest of the group falls behind quickly, their shouts fading into the wind. Giselle's heart pounds, but she forces herself to breathe and sit deep in the saddle. If she panics now, the horse will only get more nervous.

She pulls back gently and speaks in a low, steady voice, the way she has practiced. Slowly, the horse's gallop softens into a trot, then finally a walk. Giselle realizes she is shaking, though the danger has already passed.

Tavish catches up a minute later, breathless and worried. "Are you okay? That was terrifying to watch," he says, checking her over quickly. Giselle nods, surprised at how calm she actually feels now that it's over.

They wait together for the rest of the group to catch up. The instructor arrives moments later, checking the horse carefully for any sign of injury. Nothing seems hurt, just startled, and the instructor nods with relief. "I didn't know I could stay that calm," Giselle admits quietly. Tavish smiles and says most riders never get the chance to find out.