The sun was just rising in the pink streaked sky . A lone figure in black sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt could be soon ambling up to the barn . She must be a crazy person, you're probably thinking to yourself right now . Crazy, no . But dedicated, definitely . This young woman had a passion for horses because it was one of the only things that she did that kept her out of trouble . When your addicted to alcohol, well, let's just say that you find it quite hard to stay out of trouble .

As she reached the barn, kicking dirt off of her sneakers so as not to dirty the recently swept hallway, she flicked a light on . Carmona Richards, sixteen, walked down the long aisle filled with sleepy eyed horses looking for her own . At last she reached a roomy stall with a golden plaque on the front that read, Miami Lights; this was her boy . He was a handsome gelding of gorgeous chestnut color . Leggy and built for jumping, he stood at a height of 16.1 hands . He nickered eagerly when he saw Carmona and moved forward to greet her gentle pat .

Carmona unlatched his stall door and stepped inside . Her feet sank into the clean sawdust as she began to pet and check over her beloved horse .
"Hey there, Sully ."
The stallion snorted in response to the greeting . After her assessment (finding him in perfect condition of course), she went to get her riding equipment . She came back lugging a whole horde of expensive equipment; only the best of the best for her and Sully .

She set her heavy load down in front of the stall and took a leather halter with a name plate that read Sully . She slipped it over the gelding's head and clipped him to the cross-ties . Sully danced and tossed his head but quieted after a few moments . Carmona picked up her grooming tools and began to thoroughly groom her horse . When she was finished birds were singing and the sun was fully in the sky . Horses began to wake up and stable hands were scurrying around doing their daily chores .

Sully gleamed like no other and his mane and tail were completely free of tangles . She gave him a good-natured slap on his shoulder, admiring her work for a minute or two . After reassuring herself that no dust lay on the horse, she began to carefully tack him up . She started with the red monogrammed saddle pad . She had paid to get Miami Lights sewed onto both sides of the pad . The rich color made Sully's coat even more beautiful .

The saddle she then placed on his back was light and for general use . It was a deep chestnut color and it went well with the rest of the tack . She put the girth on loosely afterwards; she would tighten it when she was ready to ride . She put bell boots on his front legs to protect them in case he brushed a jump . Carmona took the halter off of his head and slipped the bridle on quickly, making sure that the bit was not twisted or under his tongue . She adjusted the nose band and throat latch so they fit comfortably on Sully .

And at last she was ready . She put her hair up in a sloppy ponytail and put her helmet on . Horse and rider walked out of the beautiful barn into the crisp spring air .