steeplechase.
around and around,
gallop
*yank*
jump.
you clipped it, idiot. *smack*
again, better this time. get your shit together.
gallop
*smack; followed by a yank*
jump
tumble.
the frigid embrace of the blue surrounds everywhere along my right side as i hear yelling and try to catch my breath. this is the fourth day in this god-forsaken event.
when will it end? shouting about the cost of the saddle and the huff of the rider as i lay in the water between the angular jumps; i can't feel my back-right. the groom rushes towards me; a kind and gentle man who does more for me than the self-proclaimed "best horseman" ever could.
he looks. horrified. i try and stand upon seeing him, wanting to make his life any easier than the others around me have but he rushes at me and grabs the reins, trying to keep me down.
his wide eyes bounce between my back legs and the growing crowd of people around us, not a one of them is recognizable. he looks panicked so again- i try and stand. i strike my two front legs out into the water that i'm submerged in and try to get myself together. but- before i can even process what's happening, i'm falling back again.
and again.
and again.
and again.
i'm out of breath and exhausted at this point. the groom is now sitting in the water with me, holding my head in his lap to keep it from submerging. he looks scared until his eyes dart to the right and a person in tall boots rushes out of the now dwindling crowd, carrying a case of some sort.
the grooms shoulders drop and his mouth is agape; he knows something i don't.
the new person examines my legs through the water, getting their riding gear soaked; not that they seem to mind. i know better though; i know there's consequences if i get them wet. i try and stand once more, making it onto three legs an even hobbling a step.
but before i know it its over. i'm back down, half on the shore now. the groom is removing my bridle, struggling to undo the pointless flash-band as he slides the gag-bit out of my scabbed mouth. he's gentle about it, letting it drop like its a final service. one last kindness. he has my halter but he isn't putting it on, opting to simply wrap a leadrope around my neck as he kneels back down with me.
i'm almost.. scared. through the beating and the yanking and the harshness- this is what's doing it for me? shit, man.
he strokes my head and talks kind words to me, something about doing my best and giving it everything until the very end. he's blocking the view behind me but i see the white coated person is here too, whispering the same sentiments as they shave a small section of my neck and trim a long part of my tail off, handing it to the groom.
what is happening is something i have never experienced. the crowd is gone, all of my tack is laying in a heap on the shore of this man-made obstacle course. all that remains is the groom, the white-coated person, and the sun rays beating through the large oak tree above where i lay.
its a beautiful day, really. the birds are talking and i can hear the moles in the soil having a great time, too. the water was even cold, to find a silver lining in all of this. i feel tired, but i feel comfortable. the groom is crying with a smile on his face as he bats the flies away from my face and parts the hair from my eyes, he kisses my forehead and keeps whispering. i wish i understood his sentiment, but that wasn't in my training.
maybe when i wake up i'll pursue a different career. maybe dressage, or a kids pony. maybe the groom and i will run off together. maybe.. things will be better. no, things *have* to be better. a little nap first won't hurt though, hmm?
