Elizabeth Kibler

Jenna pressed her shoulders down, close to the saddle, as Juniper galloped vigorously down the track. Jenna and Juniper had been a team for over five years, and Jenna knew that this year they had an excellent chance of garnering a trophy in the state equestrian finals.

As the intrepid pair rounded the final curve, Jenna noticed they were leading, which bolstered her confidence. Jenna gave Juniper a gentle yet meaningful nudge with her free hand. In response, Juniper’s ears quivered and she gained speed. In the last moments before passing the finish line, time seemed to slow, and Jenna thought about how the past five years had brought her to that moment.

Five years ago, when her parents had first suggested that Jenna join an equestrian training class, she’d had no inkling that the activity would be such an immensely important part of her life. Her mother and father dogged Jenna about finding an after-school activity; yet, she had never found an activity that suited her. In hopes of curtailing a negative response to horseback riding, Jenna’s parents took her to the stables to suggest the activity. Jenna was surprised when her mother turned the car onto a dirt road—which wound and snaked for more than a mile—leading up to an immense, secluded barn.

When Jenna got out of the vehicle, she inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the sweet, warm air. The sun was setting below the tree line, and the scenery was impeccable. Jenna saw groups of equestrian students trotting with their horses into the barns. Jenna had never ridden a horse before, and the idea slightly frightened her. Suddenly, Jenna felt a gentle nudge at the nape of her neck. She inquisitively spun around and there stood an immense horse with chestnut fur and sparkling hazel eyes. Again, the horse nudged at Jenna as if to make her acquaintance. Jenna smirked and giggled at the amiable animal.

From that moment on, Jenna and Juniper were phenomenal equestrian partners. The instructors at the school told Jenna they’d never seen a horse take to a human the way Juniper took to Jenna. They started riding the dirt paths together every day. Juniper had ceaseless patience with Jenna, and the pair became inseparable.

While Jenna still made ample time for academics and socializing, she constantly thought about Juniper and racing. Every day, Jenna made time for practice and for caring for Juniper. From their initial meeting, Jenna recognized that she and Juniper were compatible. While usually very docile, Juniper had an untamed streak that would emerge when she galloped freely on dirt paths in the forest. Jenna, too, was usually the picture of tranquility; however, when she and Juniper rode along the winding, serpentine paths, she felt wild and exhilarated.

Every year Jenna and Juniper entered the local equestrian trials. In the past, the pair had finished with respectable scores; however, they both yearned for a first-place finish. Jenna did not lament her losses. Instead, she put all of her energy into improving her score for the following competition. Jenna knew it was imperative that she practice daily with Juniper if she wanted to reach or surpass her goals. While she did not want to feel overly optimistic, Jenna constantly tried to maintain a positive attitude about her prospects in the competition. Her daily, rigorous training kept her motivated.

As Jenna and Juniper passed the finish line, their eyes gleamed with fervent satisfaction. Juniper slackened her pace, and Jenna whispered, “We did it!”
Question

What personal trait did Jenna use to finally qualify for the equestrian trials?
Responses

A cowardlinesscowardliness

B friendlinessfriendliness

C perseveranceperseverance

D selfishness