Race With the Wind

Chapter 48

Leona unclips my lead rope as we come closer to the gate. The Sky Princess went in already cantering powerfully down to the first jump. Leona looks up at Sarah. She lifts her hand that holds a pin. "You forgot this", she says as she pins it onto the shoulder of Sarah's jersey. Sarah smiles,"Thanks", she says as she rubs her finger over it. We come closer to the gate. The big black stallion in front of me leaves. Leona pats me,"Come on Destination S", she says clapping. Sarah says it too. Sarah gives me a pat. The crowd cheers as we leave. Sarah trots me and I trot balanced- on the bit with my head arched. Sarah squeezes me to a canter. She sits light out of the saddle. We canter down to the start. The crowd cheering and I can hear a few chanting my name.

Glic's P.O.V.

We all shout at Muffin who is struggling to turn on the TV with his pointy nose. Sean is inside the farmhouse looking at the race, which is perfect for us because no will notice the TV in the barn, still. Muffin finally turns on the TV. We all let out a loose breath as we see Scooter and Sarah cantering down to the starting line. "Thanks Muffin!", we all chant. The embarrassment leaves his face. Sammy stands beside me in my stable. Sean left us lunch but we are to excited to eat it. "Scooter and Sarah look good", Sammy says. I nod. "Yeah lets hope she places somewhere!", Cara says. She looks over at Calumbo's stable. She looks at the ground. "If only Calumbo could see her", she whispers. "Don't worry Cara, deep down I know Calumbo believed she'd get this far!", I say cheering her up. She looks kindly at me. We all look up at the TV to see Scooter sizing up the jumps. Holy God! Scooter is tiny. We'll be lucky if she even clears the first jump! She being a 15hh racehorse, can just about see over the jump...with her head and neck up high. A big 16hh horse stands next to her. I'm surprised she got this far. I pray to God for Scooter to not injure herself badly. As if Sammy knew I was worrying he looks at me in way he's saying; don't worry, she'll be fine. I nod my head. I see The Sky Princess and think this going to be a race between 'Queen' and 'Rival'.

Scooter's P.O.V.

Mother! Mother! Mother! Mother! Help! Big horses! Big crowd! Big bully over there! Sarah scratches my withers. I feel a bit calmer. The jockeys all say good luck to each other. Sarah shortens her reins. Mother, Calumbo, Father, anyone! Help me please, I think worryingly. We all trot in a circle. A man wanted to take a picture of all thirty horses and riders lined up before the race. Sarah walks me and lines up beside a big dark bay gelding. "Good luck!", she says. "And you too!", I say back. I turn to my left to find The Sky Princess beside me. "Hope you recovered well", she says. "Thanks", I say back. "But not recovered enough to win this", she says with a snort. I pin my ears back. I stamp on the ground. She just laughs. "Remember Sarah. Only one winner!", Miranda says smirking. Sarah just fiddles with my mane. She takes a breath and squares her shoulders. "Just you and I", she whispers to me. The man takes the picture of all the horses lined up. We all trot back to walking or trotting in a circle. The English National Anthem plays. I listen to the music while all the other horses freak out. The crowd screams when the National Anthem is over. Sarah pats me hard.
We walk in a circle more. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Destination S!", a familiar voice chants. I look behind me to see Bold Runner. His coat is a glossy black. He has grown! Bigger than me. "If it isn't the one and only Bold Runner", I say smiling. He chuckles. "If it isn't the mare who I thought I would be seeing here!", another familiar voice chants. It's Tough Kid. She stands tall. Bold Runner is as big as her. She has a bit of a flea-bitten coat. She must be an old horse, but experienced. "Hope you have recovered well!", she says. "Yeah! Looked painful!", Bold Runner says. "We thought it was the end of your racing career", he says sadly. "I'm alright. I'm not finishing racing on this note. I have The Sky Princess to get at for what she and her family has done to me", I say staring at the chestnut mare that has almost crushed my dreams. She is horrible. I can't let her continue this to me. I have to win. "I have to win", I say quietly. Bold Runner and Tough Kid look at each other. "We understand Scooter. That is 'The Queen of Racing' right there that you're challenging", Tough Kid says. I nod my head. This is war then. Between a queen and a challenger. "I have some talking to do to her", I say as I see the flag being raised.
The line is raised and the flag is up. I breath slowly. Just you and I. I block the crowd, the horses, the jockeys- everything out of my mind. I concentrate on Sarah and myself. Just you and I. I'm doing this to clear my father and mother's names. This is my race wether that chestnut mare is not comfortable with it. I need to do this for Sarah's safety, my friends, my home and for Calumbo. My only family that I ever really got to show off my skill. I think of what my mother told me before I left. Show the humans what you can do, Scooter. Show them you can fly over the jumps like a bird. Show them that you will never be taken down. Scooter, I want you to race with the wind. This is my achievement. I think of the fear Calumbo had in his eyes before he died. I still see those eyes in my sleep. In my mind. Whenever I blink. I'm going to turn that fear into pride. I look at The Sky Princess one more time. I breathe and look ahead at the first jump.
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