[Gift] #3 - Giddy Up, Jingle Horse

As her alarm went off with a jolting ring, Elle groaned. She hadn’t slept well, and it was cold… why was she up this early anyway? She rolled over to turn her alarm off, and saw the attached note: SLEIGH RIDES! She shot out of bed, rushing to change from her pajamas into a warm turtleneck and fleece lined tights. In her early morning sleepyness, she had totally forgotten that today was the day she had been looking forward to all winter.

A few months ago, she had found an old horse drawn sleigh at the stable she worked and rode at. She had asked the stable owner, Niamh, if she could try it out. Niamh had told Elle that if could get it operational, she could have it. Early Christmas gift, she said. After weeks of sanding and painting and fixing harness straps, the sleigh looked brand new. Once it was ready to use, Elle started slowly introducing one of the stable’s Loshenkas, Butter Pecan, to it. He took to it like a fish to water, and any time he saw the harness he would whinny in excitement. One day, Niamh had come down to watch them practice. After Elle had finished untacking Pecan, she asked Niamh what she thought. 

“I think you should offer sleigh rides on Christmas Eve. It would be a great way to raise some money for the stable!” Niamh grinned as she patted Pecan on the neck, watching Elle’s eyes widen with excitement. “What do you think?” Elle’s answer was a resounding “YES!!!”, and ever since then the girl had been spending every free minute practicing with Pecan, making flyers, or fitting the sleigh harness with jingle bells. Finally, it was time for her and Pecan to take Niamh out for a test ride, the day before they were set to go public. Elle had loaded the two horse sleigh full of soft plush blankets, and groomed Pecan until he shone.

“Alright kid. Let's see what you’ve got!” Niamh said with a grin, settling onto the sleigh bench. Elle grinned back at the barn owner.

“All aboard the Pecan Express!” The girl declared, settling into the driving seat. With a cluck to the golden Loshenka, they were off.

As Elle remembered the many months it had taken to prepare for this day, she stuffed her feet into her thick winter boots. After a quick breakfast, she left for the stable. 

“Good morning Pecan!” She exclaimed as she approached the Loshenka’s stall. The stallion’s ears pricked at the sound of the girl’s voice, and he watched as she rushed around the stable, grabbing grooming supplies. Within the hour, Pecan was gleaming. Elle checked her watch. She still had three hours until the sleigh rides began. Well, she might as well exercise some horses while she waited.

Elle had worked three horses by the time Niamh came down to the stable to help her prepare for the sleigh rides. 

“Are you ready?” Niamh asked with a smile. She already knew the answer.

“Yes!!” Elle replied, already dressed in her sleigh-driver outfit: A fluffy red coat, warm black pants, gloves, and a Santa hat. The two women began to tack up Butter Pecan, who got his own Santa hat under his driving bridle. Just as Pecan was fully fastened into the sleigh harness, a silver car pulled into the driveway. A young couple stepped out, and walked over to Niamh.

“Is this where we go for the sleigh rides?” The young woman asked, looking at Pecan and the decked-out sleigh.

“Yes ma’am, right here!” Niamh replied, gesturing to the open door of the sleigh. Elle jumped into the driver's seat, adjusting the long leather reins into her gloved hands. After the couple had hopped in and settled themselves under the blankets, Niamh closed the door behind them, and gave Elle a nod. With that, they were off.