Sunset Shimmer's Horseriding Experience
Lesson Learned (Rewritten)
Author's Note
Rewritten, readvised, and redone. Added more to it and made everything flow better!
Thank you all for 50+ followers, it means so much. 
Lesson Learned (Rewritten)
The seven girls sat at the center lunch table. They talked about topics ranging from Pinkie Pie's stories about Sugarcube Corner to Rainbow Dash's new moves on the soccer field. From Rarity's new fashion line to Fluttershy's dealings at the animal shelter. Sunset Shimmer stayed quiet and listened to her friends talking. She enjoyed her time with them when they all sat together at the table and talked. Whether it be about their lives or random questions about nothing, she enjoyed all the laughs they shared together.
"So, Applejack! Our annual slumber party is this weekend! Do you have everything ready?" Pinkie Pie asked in her usual high-pitch happy tone.
"O'course I do, Pinkie Pie, nothing is out of ordinary this weekend. Granny and Mac are goin' to visit my cousins in Appleoosa, and Apple Bloom is with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo this here weekend. So, we all basically have the place to ourselves," Applejack said with a hint of pride, or maybe gloat to show she could be trusted all alone with friends over.
"Lucky! My mom won't let me have anyone over without her being there!" Rainbow complained, stabbing her spaghetti with her fork.
"That's because you made us play a drinking game and punched a hole in your wall," Fluttershy's barely audible voice spoke.
"In my defense, I swear it called me flatter than it was," Rainbow motioned to her chest as the other girls laughed over the memory.
Sunset Shimmer looked at Twilight and smirked. She saw the blush that erupted on Twilight's face when that night was mentioned and knew exactly what she was blushing about. She stirred the potatoes on her plate as she remembered too.
"Hey, I was thinkin'. Maybe this weekend we can take out the horses and ride 'em again! I mean, ya'll had a lot of fun last time we did," Applejack smiled.
"Oh darling, are you sure it's safe this time? The last time we tried you hurt your ankle in the footholder!" Rarity said with a slight coo in her voice.
"It's called a stirrup, Rarity. And yes, I am most definitely sure it's safe! The mares shouldn't be in heat for another two weeks," Applejack rolled her eyes as she spoke.
"Hey, Sunset, where you come from, do you girls get bitchy when you get your period?" Rainbow inquired, her mouth full of meatball.
Sunset looked at her with an embarrassed glare. "I was like that all the time with or without that issue going on. But, yes, some mares get really agitated when they are in cycle."
"Anyway, how'd ya'll like to ride this weekend?" AJ asked once again, trying to avert attention from Sunset's embarrassment.
"I suppose it sounds fun."
"TOTALLY!"
"Sounds awesome!"
"Yaaay.."
Sunset listened to the shouts of agreement, she looked at Twilight and shrugged.
"I guess I could try it," Sunset finally answered.
"Yeehaw!" Applejack cheered as the bell went off. "Uhp, I got gym. I gotta go, see ya'll later!"
And with that, the girls said their byes and went to their separate classes. Sunset walked to her advanced algebra class slowly, pondering her situation. 'It isn't the first new thing I've tried. I mean, I tried walking on two feet, figuring out fingers, riding a motorcycle, becoming a she-demon, becoming a goddess-like being, and worst of all bras. I can handle this.' She forced herself to perk up, sighing and running to class before she was late.
Sunset stared at the seven horses in their stables. She watched as her friends, except Twilight, all walked to their horses. Rainbow ran to one stable marked "Firefly". Rarity strode to "Glory", Fluttershy shuffled to "Posey", Pinkie Pie skipped to "Surprise", and Sunset waited for her horse. Applejack walked Twilight to a brown horse with a darker brown mane and tail.
"This here is Twinkle! Apple Bloom named her when she was just a youngin," Applejack patted the mare as it snorted softly.
"Hi, Twinkle, I'm Twilight," she spoke softly, petting the mare before her.
Sunset stared at all the girls and their horses. They were all either getting them saddled or getting familiar with the animals. Sunset Shimmer walked to the last stable, looking at the mare within. She was a beautiful black horse with tiny white spots speckling her coat, a thin line of white fur down her muzzle, and black fetlocks around her hooves. Her mane was white, as was her tail. Sunset walked in and patted the mare's muzzle, smiling at her.
"That there is Midnight. Beauty, ain't she?" Applejack stepped in, grabbing a saddle. "She's gonna be the horse you're ridin', Sunset."
"She's really pretty, I have to admit," Sunset said.
Applejack saddled up Midnight, Sunset watching the seemingly uncomfortable saddle put in place. The former unicorn was familiar with saddles and saddlebags, but in her world they weren't as bulky and misshapen as they were here. In fact, this thing didn't even look remotely safe for a mare of this stature.
'That doesn't go there-- what are you even--? What is that? That goes in the mouth?!' Sunset cringed as Applejack got the horse ready to be ridden, trying to make sure there were no signs of discomfort from the mare.
"Alright, she's ready to ride!" Applejack smiled, patting the Midnight's flank.
Sunset approached the horse, looking at the mess of equipment on it. She stepped into the stirrup, hoisting herself up only to fall back into the dirt and hay. She dusted herself off, trying again. Sunset was able to make it into the saddle, this time landing awkwardly in the seat.
"Umm.. is she... comfortable?" Sunset asked, looking at the equine.
"Heck, she's comfy. Never had a problem with her before!" the cowgirl replied, patting Midnight's flank again before running up to the barn door. She led her gelding outside, jumping on his back and taking off with a victory shout.
As the girls carefully trotted their horses out, Sunset slightly kicked Midnight's side to go forward. The mare didn't budge. She did it once more, firmly, and Midnight started into a trudge-like walk.
'How can they do this? It's so uncomfortable! And I'm sure it isn't just weird for me!' Sunset thought as she looked down at the mare, running a hand through Midnight's mane as if the equine would answer. As expected, she did not respond with more than a snort.
Midnight kept walking forward, soon starting into a slight gallop. Every single time the mare's hooves hit the ground, Sunset bounced, causing her butt to hurt and bra to strain. It was like sitting bowlegged on one of the most disturbing seating arrangements she had ever experienced. She felt mean, like she was being rude and forcing Midnight through agony. It wasn't natural for a horse to ride a horse. And in fact, it almost disgusted her. Sunset's poise shifted, making the mare turn in the process.
'This is so wrong this is so wrong this is so wrong!'
"Alright, ya'll! Time to get'em goin'!" Applejack kicked her gelding's haunches, Sunset watched as he reared and took off.
"Oh, great!" Sunset said, faking an excited smile. The pony-turned-human looked down at the mare she sat upon. Midnight seemed disinterested in almost everything she looked at. The mare turned her head twice before shaking it, startling a yelp out of Sunset Shimmer. The former unicorn adjusted her posture, giving Midnight's haunch a hard kick with her heels.
In hindsight, it seemed like a good idea.
The mare reared up on her back legs, Sunset screaming like the first time she saw a changeling. As soon as Midnight's full weight hit the floor again, the horse took off at full speed. Celestia's former prized pupil had absolutely no idea what to do. She was up the creek without a paddle, as Applejack often said. She yanked on Midnight's reins out of pure panic, causing the mare to startle and rear yet again. Only this time, Sunset didn't have a firm placement on the saddle. The flame-haired girl fell backwards off the tall equine, right onto the hard dirt ground. The wind knocked out of her as she hit the ground, her head knocking into hard surface. She groaned and stayed still, hearing Midnight's hooves trot away. Everything was quiet for a second before she heard Twilight's voice. It was faint at first, but quickly increased volume as the pseudo-scientist got closer. Sunset looked up at her girlfriend, gently grabbing Twilight's hand to try to reassure her that she was fine. Sunset's breath came back to her slowly, mumbling out mild words of comfort to the nerdy girl she called Twily. It didn't last long as her friends came to her aid quickly, taking her inside to help her recuperate.
A few hours after the ride, Sunset was still sore. Her groin and legs were aching, her head and back practically radiating pain from the earlier accident. The human world's Twilight Sparkle was snuggled by her side, resting her head on Sunset's shoulder as the group rested in AJ's room.
'Well, at least one good thing came of this.' the flame-haired girl thought to herself, smiling at a sleepy Twilight.
"Today was suuuuper fun! Besides Sunset falling off Midnight, are you okay?" Pinkie yawned but yelled at the same time.
"Yeah, Pinkie, I'm fine. Thanks," Sunset gave a tired smile to the party planner.
"Totally awesome, Applejack. I knew Firefly could beat Ace," Rainbow smirked, speaking quietly for once as she rested her hand on Fluttershy's sleeping head.
"He wasn't in his best condition, take me up on a race when he hasn't been in the rodeo the past week," Applejack rolled her eyes and shot her a glare. "I think despite the incident, this went pretty well today. What d'ya say ya'll? Want to do this next time I hold the party?"
Sunset shot open her half asleep eyes, jolting up quickly.
"NO!!"
