Yearning to Live

Last Jewel

Tom clipped a lead rope to my halter and lead me out of the stall. I turned and looked at the cats. They were sleeping quietly, I figured I better leave them that way. Tom put a silk stables blanket and led me out of the barn. We joined a huge parade of horses and humans to the paddock. Mady, Jasmine and Natasha joined Tom and I. Anna was nowhere to be seen, she was probably getting ready. The air was energetic and contagious. I pranced down the concrete as reporters milled through the crown to catch a glimpse of people interesting enough to interview. The noise was tremendously loud. Some horses swiveled their ears, while others had to stop their crew to settle the horse down. I tried to stay patient. After walking under a tunnel and through security lined paths, we finally made it to the entrance of the paddock. I was saddled fourth.

I heard a noise of well orchestrated boots hitting the ground in unison. I crane my neck to see the jockeys in their bright silks approach us. I saw the thin saddle be laid on my back. The girth was tightened, really tight. Then Anna appeared on her crutches and I forgot about the girth. She came up to me and nuzzled my forehead with her hand. I heard an amplified voice announce riders up. Anna got a boost from Mady and was lifted into the air. She crouched on my back in the leather and grabbed the reins as the were tossed over my head and neck. Mady mounted a horse and steered me out of the paddock. I felt Anna shift in the saddle and the air suddenly turned tense. I could tell the will to win ran deep in a lot of people. As I was led past the grandstand, the crowd roared. I pinned my ears back to block out the noise. We soon reached the gate. A guy took the reins from Mady and circled me around a couple times. He jogged straight at the gate. I trotted in, because I really had no other choice. Flashbacks of all the races I started the gate in came back. The dirt was the same sinking feeling as before. I grew tense as the moments passed. Anna gave me a reassuring pat on the neck to try to sooth me. It would've helped except the last gate slammed closed.