My Barrel Racing Best

It was a gut wrenching moment. I, Stephanie Jones, was on my way to the qualifying rounds that, if I pass them, I could have a chance of going to compete in the richest rodeo in America. The key concept was simple; ride a horse at a gallop, turn around three barrels and then run back. Seems simple right? It's seems like something not to fret over... but if you were wearing my shoes you'd understand. I keep saying to myself "I'm not going to make it past the first round..." and "do I even have a chance?" I was in such a panic mood because the other people I was competing against in the competition were National champs, or even went to World champs. So the pressure was on; and on me. I just need to relax, but this is just way to stressful for me, as I've never been in a situation like this before. But I guess I'll have to wait and see how everything goes.
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We have made it to our correct place on the grounds. My mind was lost... I had to focus; but I simply can't. Our first round of qualifying was in 2 hours. I got all dressed and ready. Checked my horse Sysco for any signs of distress or pain, brushed him, and tacked up. Sysco has been my main horse for quite some time now... I'd say five and a half years now. We've been through everything together. State Championships, fairs, Regionals, Nationals, and now even the highest level! I can't believe how far we have become it's just amazing. I'm proud of him. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be here! Gosh, I keep getting myself distracted. I need to focus. "Focus Stephanie FOCUS!" We trotted over to the warm up ring. It's so weird riding in the same ring as your idols, such as Fallon Taylor and so many others. It's so weird knowing the your idols, are now against you, and you're against them. They want to win, and so do I. I finished warming up trotting and slowly sped up to a nice collected lope. Sysco's gaits felt smooth, he wasn't skipping a beat, he was ready. Now that I know he's ready, I can be too. I finally gradually relaxed in my saddle and could focus now. I was much more calm. I felt happier about myself too. I looked at the clock; thirty more minutes until the first round starts.
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"All barrel racers please enter the waiting alley." Shouted the announcer. Here we are, waiting in line, waiting for our turn. I looked down at my hands... they wouldn't keep still. My stomach is a pancake turner flipping pancakes at the moment. There are nine people in line in front of me, and there is 50 people in this first round. I got a good spot and won't be waiting forever, but the sad part is I'll have to watch and listen for the times of the other riders to make sure my placing doesn't get to low. If it does, I might not move onto the next round.
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"Next up is Stephanie Jones riding Domino Effect." There's our moment. Our time to shine. Our time to prove that we are good, and we can do this. I quickly adjust myself in the saddle, and get Sysco ready for take off. Fix my reins, give a light kick, lean forward and we're flying off. We were as fast as lightning! "Look at that nice first turn! One of the best turns I've seen all day!". I saw glimpse of the time clock, but I couldn't read it. I lost a stirrup going around the second barrel and Sysco tripped a little; but not hitting the barrel. Thank goodness. "Woah Sysco slipped and almost hit a barrel that was a close call for a hit barrel! Let's see how they do on third!" On our way to third we go. Smooth as can be... we made a slick turn and within 3 seconds we were turned around and heading back to the alley already. "And it's a perfect turn look at them go!" The crowd starts cheering. Our final time was sixteen point one seconds. Our fastest yet! I gave Sysco a big pat, and a hug when I leaped off. Now to play the waiting game... everyone else was getting seventeen, eighteen, and a few fifteen point nines. I had a feeling we would maybe be going to the next round. But I can't for sure know yet.
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"Number twenty three, Stephanie Jones..." We made it to the next round! I was jumping for joy. We need 2 more clean runs and we'll be going to the biggest, and richest rodeo. The next round was in an hour. I got him cooled down and calm again. We did a quick five minute walk and trot warm up. Back to the alley. I was number twenty three out of thirty, so I was one of lasts to go. I keep hearing fifteens, and a lot of seventeens. Their horses are getting tired and not as fast. I'm just hoping he goes fast. Well, with everyone running the way they are I'm keeping all of my hopes up.
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The announcer called us. More pressure, and more stress, we have to a least get a fifteen I think to go to the third round. "First barrel is clean!" Second barrel he slid on let's not do it again. We made it safely around. "One last barrel!" He was flying to third. He came to fast I didn't slow him down soon enough and we knocked the barrel over. "And it's a barrel down". We have an additional point five seconds added on so I had to rush home now. The clock is at fourteen five and we are halfway home. I'm staying into the alley way, not looking anywhere else, the crowd is cheering. "Fifteen point seven, that's puts her in tenth place!" The crowd goes wild, I go wild, everyone... is going wild. This was now our best time ever. I know I will be next round. Tenth out of tenth for the last round. I barely made it. But at least in going into the last round. Only five of us will be going to the big rodeo. The last round was also tomorrow morning. So I had time to calm and relax, and so did my little Domino Effect... well, Sysco for short. I definitely need some rest. It's been a long day. Tomorrow won't be as bad because there is only one round left and I won't have to wait so long.
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It was morning, and a stormy one. Glad the arena was indoors. The warm up ring wasn't though. It was 9:00am. I quickly ate my toast for breakfast and fed Sysco. It was ten thirty and the ring was drying up. The last round was at three today. I groomed Sysco, gave him a treat, and decided to check over and lightly clean some tack. We all ate lunch, and after that we got note that the ring was dry and people can start to warm up. Since it was so early being one o'clock nobody went right away. Giving me free range and the whole arena. I put Sysco in a halter and lead, no saddle, and no bridle. I took him to the warm up ring and we did lunging, and trotting in hand just to get the muscles moving and in shape for the day. We still had two hours till the round... so I stopped and put him back tied to the trailer. Sysco was semi warmed up now, we won't need to warm up tons before we race. It's two fifteen now. We are tacked up and ready. We warmed up a little. People were running late and getting in last minute warm ups. While we are for sure ready everyone else is getting frustrated and rushed.
♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤♡◇♧♤ Two fourty five everyone is called out to the alley way in to a line. Everyone before me has been getting sixteen, seventeen, and one fifteen point nine. Their horses were tired, worn out. Sysco was ready to go, ready to run, run like the wind. I could feel it... I know it! It's my turn now! Hands shaking, mind lost, butterflies, we leaped out of the alley way to first. "Clean turn!" We moved smooth and quick around second off to third, wind in my hair. "She makes it around the last barrel nicely and now for home they go!" I suddenly can't here the announcer anymore, or anyone and anything. Everything is a blur except for the alleyway where I'm focusing. We stopped the clock and made it to the alley again. I didn't even hear what time I got. Blurry sight is gone now, I can suddenly hear again. All I hear is the crowd going crazy, wild like Mustangs and the announce finish his sentence "... and give them a big round of applause!" I'm panicking. What was my time? What was it? I missed it. Someone tell me. SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT MY TIME WAS! Only five out of fifteen are going to make it. Am I one of them? I don't know!
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Eventually my mom told me my time. It was our best, and fastest yet, fifteen exactly. During this whole thing we've been getting better bests. I cant be more proud of my horse. The horse that means so much, and has brought me here. The announcer is going to call who is in the five now. I NEED TO listen closely now. First and second place wasn't me... but then the announcer said "number three... Stephanie Jones and Domino Effect!" Domino Effect being his show name, that was us. We were third place out of five. I'm crying now. Tears filling my face as I ride the winners laps waving to the crowd. It's a dream come true for me. I'm only sixteen years old, and going to one of the biggest, and richest rodeos in the USA. I can't be more proud. I collect my ribbons, trophy and winnings.
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We went out to eat dinner that night to celebrate. We went to Outback and I had some amazing steak. We spent one last night at the competition grounds in the trailer. We would leave back for Wisconsin tomorrow morning after breakfast. Checked on Sysco one last time for the night and I ended up falling asleep right next to him. My mom was looking everywhere for me. She woke me up for breakfast. I ate, and then decided to go for one last ride before we went home. The outdoor arena had some small jumps set up in it, so it wasn't just open flat. I asked a worker near there if I could ride in the arena and she said go ahead. I grabbed my English tack, tacked up, and decided to do some light jumping and mostly walking afterwards just to relax.
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Dad called me over and said to pack up. So I did. Cant believe we were leaving already. Feels like we just got here. This whole weekend has been hectic and rushing, and exhausting. We've got more practise to do so we're ready for the big rodeo. I still can't believe we made third out of five. Someone is getting a bunch of treats when we get home! Sysco tried his harest, and proved to me and everyone, that he's quite the mighty horse. Hard work really pays off. You'll know when it does.
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Just about home now. About an hour and we'll be home! I can't wait to sleep! I'm just completely exhausted. Sysco is too. We need a break. We are turning into our driveway, Shasta my other horse starts begging like crazy at our sight. I'm really glad to be back home!