Hiding with the Horses

Chapter One

"Three..." The countdown begun and I leaned forwards, grasping the reigns. Already my stomach was turning in excited cartwheels, anticipating the rush of air and the flying sensation that felt unreal, the pounding of my heart and hoof beats.

         Beneath me, Tawny's muscles were tensed as she waited for me to give her the signal to take off, her ears perked forwards and dark eyes gleaming brightly. She loved these races as much as I did. "Two..." I raised myself off of the saddle, instinctively bending into the correct position. “One...” Tawny let out a quiet snort, her breath billowing through the air. She began to shift, but I pulled gently at the reigns to keep her still. My white knuckles began to ache with cold as I had no gloves to protect them. "Go!"

         Tawny lurched forwards beneath me like a racehorse, leaping into the air and breaking into a gallop with little warning. My heart went into my throat as I was nearly left behind, but I struggled to regain my balance and posture, which I soon won. I began nudging her own, asking her to go even faster, though it wasn't as if she needed any more encouragement. She was already focused on the race, giving it her everything.

          The icy blast began to batter my cheeks, making my eyes water and sting. My nose had already been red and runny from the cold, but now I couldn't wipe away the drips that were hanging just above my upper lip. How attractive I must have looked at that moment.

          I kept myself focused on the ground ahead, trying to not let the winter weather distract me. I listened into to the four beats of the gallop. The rhythmic sound would've been somewhat soothing if I hadn't had adrenaline - and two cups of coffee - coursing through my veins.

          Then a flash of brown and black entered the corner of my eye.

          They were catching up.

          We had to win this. Total humiliation would be dancing circles around me if I didn't... And, even worse, it would be the first race Tawny and I lost.

          I had to admit it though, it wasn't looking good. Tommy and Ace were edging into the lead, leaning forwards for speed. The massive muscles in Ace's legs rippled each time his clumpy hooves slammed into the ground, making me swallow nervously. We were just feet apart.

          Desperate times called for desperate measures.

          I raised the crop I was carrying in my left hand, taking both reigns into my right and gave Tawny a small tap. There was an immediate difference, and underneath me I could feel her strides lengthening to take in more ground.

          We were going dangerously fast now, too fast for nothing to go wrong. If Tawny so much as stumbled in a dip, death was a more than likely consequence for both of us. My heart began pounding as I cringed a

          And then, in a dizzying flash of naked brown branches and the whistling wind, we made it. It was so close you could've said it was a draw if you'd blinked, but if you hadn't then you'd have clearly seen my precious Connemara mare take first place in less than a stride.  

          I turned my position and shoulders, letting out a whoop of victory as I circled us around the lifeless trees in a figure-of-eight. I tossed the crop onto the ground, pumping my fist into the air. "The champions win again!" I yelled, a massive grin spread across my face. With every stride Tawny got slower and slower, until my reigns had slipped through my fingers and she was resting at a gentle walk. Tommy and Ace caught up with us, until we were side by side and our horses' steps were in time.

          "Fern wins!" We heard Esme shout back from the starting line. I chuckled again out loud again and watched as her figure disappeared behind the roll of a hill.