Tough Love

Home kind of feeling

As I crossed the border into Oklahoma I looked around at the site. Even though it was around midnight. The darkness was pleasant. I was around 2 hours from the rodeo I was supposed to run on Saturday. Arriving two days early was a great plan. I would be caught up on sleep and the horses would be exercised and ready.
I continued my drive blaring my Luke Bryan album to keep me awake.
At around 3 am I pulled into the driveway of the rodeo grounds. I was so exhausted from the haul. I got out of my truck and go into the tack compartment and grab my hammer and a few posts. I drive six posts in around the trailer and connect them with three strands of fence. I unload each of the horses removing their shipping boots and sheets. I decided to wait to feed until after I get up in the morning so they aren't bickering over hay all night. I climb into the living quarters, change and finally go to sleep with Dallas by my side.
I wake up to a knocking sound on my door. I climb down from my bed, almost tripping over my boots to unlock the trailer door.
I open the door to see a young man holding papers. His dark brown hair slightly pushed to one side of his face and bright blue eyes stared at me. Dressed in blue jeans, a paisley shirt with a belt buckle twice the size of my fist. He adjusted his cowboy hat and smiled.

"Ma'am, could I collect your grounds fees your a but early don't you think?" He chuckles

I look like garage.

Sure I say as I hop out of my trailer and go into my truck. I grab my wallet and give him the exact amount.

"Thank you! If you need anything let me know I'm here from noon until around ten" he adds

"Can I warm my horses up in the arena?" I ask

"Sure thing, I'll go give it a drag and come over when it's done"

"Thanks" I say and walk back to my trailer

"My names Jake by the way" he calls

"Sierra!" I call back

He was kind of cute I thought to myself and smiled.
I walk to the horses give each of them their grain and hay and Fill the tank with water.
After Morning feeding I went into my trailer grabbed a worn out pair of Miss me jeans and a tank-top. I through my hair into a bun and grab my sunglasses from the counter.

"Who's ready to ride" I laugh and ask my horses like I actually was going to get a response.

I decided to tack up Avalon first he needed some ride time. I grab his halter off of the post and put it on. Lead him out of the make shift gate and tie him to the opposite side of the trailer. I grab a soft brush and gently brush it over his dust covered black coat until he was clean. I toss the brush back into the trailer and grab my saddle pad through it over and place it on his back along with my saddle. I grab his party cheetah classic equine boots and put on all four and finally put his bridle on. I put my left leg in the stirrup and swing my leg over.

I softly clucked to him and rode him over to the arena. The barrels were already set up and the arena was perfectly drug. Surrounding the arena were bleachers on each side and chutes on the far end.

"Hey I was just going to get ya" I hear and turn to see Jake.

I smile

"I beat you to it" I laugh

I reach for the gate to open it but he stops me.

" I'll get that" he says and opens the gate

"While thank you!" I say and ride Avalon inside of the arena.

I walk Avalon along the fence one lap then switched directions taking him the other way. He loved to know his surroundings so I made sure he knew them extra good. I take a trot him around the barrels a few times and practice sitting, dropping my rein and looking. You could never practice those three things enough as a barrel racer.

"Run him through" yelled Jake from the bleachers.

"No!" I yell back laughing

"I want to see" he calls

"Fine" I say and trot Avalon to the end of the arena.