Eat Dirt

Prologue

7 years ago...

I walked into the little pens placed about the rodeo grounds where Dally, my palomino quarter horse mare was. Today was my barrel racing show.

My head wasn't fully in the game though. My biological dad was the one who took me here. He finally was off of work. Honestly, I wish I could be here alone but I'm only fourteen so I can't do that.

I grabbed Dally's rope halter and entered the pen where she nickered for me. I put her halter on and led her out to the trailer. I was excited yet extremely scared at the same time.

Taking a deep breath, I tied her to the trailer and groomed her off really good while also spraying conditioner in her mane and tail. I tacked her up in her pink saddle pad, leg wraps and frayed pink leather coming off the reins.

I then went and changed into my matching sparkly pink top, cowboy hat, jeans and boots. I prepared myself before settling onto Dally.

My dad walked over and gave me a small smile. I gave one back. "I'll see you in the arena, good luck," he said before walking off.

"Thanks," I muttered under my breath before beginning to walk Dally down the gravel path to the large indoor arena.

Once I got there, I warmed up with the other riders. Dally was very upright and wanted to take off. She would need to save her speed though.

Soon, the speakers came on and announced the barrel racing. People went wild in the crowd.

"Up now we have Mary Swine, on deck Annie Defranco," the person standing by the ingate said. A lady walked her horse out of the warmup ring and to the starting and ending pen. Then, she galloped out.

I watched as she ran back in and the time was announced before I watched a few other riders.

"Next up, Malaya Ryder, on deck Faye Carlino," the in-gate lady said.

I took a breath before urging Dally on. Something seemed off today. Dally wasn't lame though. I patted her neck before entering the starting pen. I took a breath and held her back before I heard the buzzer.

That's when I let loose. I let her go and kicked her on. We ran out and I blocked out everything. I was lazer beam focused. I ignored the cheering, the timer, everything besides my and my horses heartbeat and the sound of her hooves hitting the dirt.

I held onto the horn as we came around the first barrel, aproaching the second. We had a crappy turn out of the first barrel, causing us to bend weird.

At the second barrel, we were counter bending weird, Dally tripped and we both went tumbling into the barrel. This had happened once before but this one hurt like a bitch. My breath was knocked out of me as Dally got up but my foot was still stuck in the stirrup.

Dally freaked out and began to bolt all the while my foot was still stuck in the stirrup. I heard the 'Oh's' in the crowed as I was drug across the arena.

At first, I tried to kicked my foot free but I was stuck and everything began to hurt and I just couldn't.

Staff ran into the arena to try and get Dally while I heard the sirens of the ambulance but it seemed distant.

Eventually, my foot came free while Dally went off bucking and kicking. I landed in the dirt with a tumble. I was all scraped up on my face and dusty. I could barely keep my eyes open and couldn't move.

I heard the faint voice of paramedics and then I was put in a neck brace and lifted onto a stretcher. That's the last thing I remember before everything blacked out.

3 weeks later...

I've been out of the hospital for a bit but haven't found the courage to ride Dally. I'm with my mom right now and Liam, my stepdad. Luckily, he's left me alone for now.

I have a broken pelvis, broken arm and a torn ligament in my leg with a few stitches above my eyebrow. Not bad.

I'm just still healing and am scared to ever ride again. What if that happens again?

It's such a confidence knocker. I've been going out to the barn and visiting her but even then, I'm a bit scared to get close. I know people at my barn I ride at are pitying me.

My trainer is riding Dally but I don't know what we're going to do with her.

3 years later...

I've been back on Dally and practicing barrel racing more. I even had a laid back show the other weekend and she was great. I am finally getting my confidence back!

Or at least I was.

My dad said I have to sell Dally and get a new horse. I bawled my eyes out, begging him not to sell her.

He said she was too dangerous even though it was my error during the accident three years ago. Now here we are with a trailer pulling up to sell Dally.

The girl walked out and I led dally to her. I've had her for six years. Six years! I was going to miss her so much and tried everything to beg my dad to keep her but I couldn't. My mom and Liam didn't care what happened to her.

I handed her the lead rope after giving her Dally's blankets and some treats. "I probably look like a wreck right now, selling my childhood best friend. Please take care of her," I said.

The girl who seemed to be a little older than me smiled. "I will, don't worry," she said.

I gave her a small smile back before hugging Dally. "I'll never forget you, girl. You be good now," I said before patting her and wiping the tears out of my eyes.

I watched as she was loaded up and driven away.

I'll never forget her or the accident...