No Shortcuts(Completed)

Win it or Leave it

I glance down at my watch: its 2 pm. Almost time for the first race im in today to start. My mount is not owned by me but is owned by a nice lady who acts very similar to me. Her name is rose. (mine is Jay. Not the best name for a 25 year old woman but it gets along well) Glancing around the paddock my ride, number 4, approaches out of the tack up area. Her name is 'Im A Valentine'. She was a slightly taller thoroughbred mare. She was very fast from my previous runs on her. The owner Rose coming beside me as the handler walks her in the paddock. Her looking gracefully and trotting and prancing around, acting like zenyatta used to. Rose began talking to me, Listening closely as I should she stated, "Now remember she doesntly like getting blocked in so stay on the outside and out of the pack. She will run better. Also I talked with the judges and they say you didnt have to ride in a whip in this race, so let me see your whip." I hand her the whip. "Ok we are good." she takes a glance at her mare and smiles, " She will do great today I can feel it. Ok now go show them what no shortcuts are all about!" On that note the bell rang. Walking over to her I hopped on. Patting Valentine while putting my clean black shiney boots into the stirrups. We went under the stands and made it onto the track. Handler unattaches his hands from her 'free from chain' bridle. Walking a bit farther, a handler on horseback grabbed her bridle and lead her to the gates. With that he hands me to yet another handler. I tell the handler, " Im ok I can go in alone." the handler steps aside and I walk into the gate, Valentine calm as can be. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. My head raced seconds. Getting ready. Getting eager. No longer wanting to wait. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. "And theeerree offff" we galloped out. Racing to the lead. Heading to the outside pushing the pace faster. Faster. Faster. All I can hear is echos and cheering. I love racing and seeing a happy horse. Valentines ears forward and floppy. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5... We reached the final stretch. Me and Valentine still in lead. I shout " COME ON GIRL WE CAN DO THIS!!" she listens closely then all of a sudden. She pushes forward from beneath me I can feel all her power just coming out all at once. We passed the finish mark. I looked back and saw how far we were from the pack. The second finished was about 4 horse lengths from me when they were originally only 2. I giggled and a bright smile came upon my face. We had won. Winners circle there we were.