Prologue
I reach forward and my fingers gingerly wrap around the lead rope. The silver plated leather halter shone in the arena light. “Come on girl,” I murmur to her. I click my tongue and I lead her forward. She steps up next to me obediently.
“Good luck Liv,” my mom whispers to me.
I nod to her and I head towards the arena entrance. I step forward to join the long line of horses and handlers.
Steady...
Was my outfit fine? Was it clean? My mom was fussing over me earlier before I took the lead. Too late to turn back now. I feel my heart thump faster as I approached the arena. Why did I have to be the first person in?
What was the pattern again? Start with her nose at the cone. You remember.
I take in a steady breath and exhaled slowly.
I start to perspire as I get close enough to see the huge crowds that cover the bleachers that surrounds the arena. Easy. If you are worried, the horse will be too. I relax a bit, knowing it would just be me, my Arabian, and the judge the moment I pass through the arena gate.
My Arabian walks in step with me. I feel her excitement through the tugging and I whisper to her softly, “Easy girl, easy.”
She relaxes to the sound of my voice. I walk slower, to remind her to relax. She does so.
I step closer and closer each time. My heart begins thudding faster and faster and I try to relax myself. My palms begins sweating and I feel the leather lead rope begin to slip through my grip.
I grip it harder so she doesn’t escape from me.
My foot touches the soft arena and the past three months flashes before me.
YOU ARE READING
One Bay Later
RandomAll Olivia Cooper wants to do at the Bickleson Huntington Annual End-of-Year Horse Show is ride one of their mares or even her own (almost) gelding in the horsemanship class. But her father has other ideas. He is set on the idea of his daughter show...
