Endurance

Prologue

The bell sounded and I felt the small 15.2hh, chestnut, Anglo Arab mare take off beneath me.

"Woah Tango, we still have a long way to go yet girl." I say calmly to the champion endurance racer.

It was the last and biggest competition of the season and I was there to win. We galloped out of the dark bush and onto the sunny beach. The sand flicked up behind us as Tango galloped confidently along the edge of the water. We came onto the grass track that led to the vet check. Tango was starting to sweat majorly and as we were leading by what felt like miles I tried to slow her down. We had been training intensely for this, the Endurance Cup.

I slowed Tango right down to a trot as we entered the vet check area.

"Well done Maddie, your setting a strong, fast time and leading by a lot." My trainer, Sarah told me excitedly.

"Thanks" I replied, a huge, proud smile grew over my face.

The vet checked over Tango and didn't have a good expression. My heart began to sink. I knew it wouldn't be something good.

"I'm sorry but this horse has an incredibly high blood pressure, it wouldn't be safe to carry on." The vet told me and my team disappointedly.

"What! Your telling me there's no way we can carry on. This is the Endurance Cup we're at. I can't just give up." I burst out at the vet.

"It's not safe to continue, I'm really sorry." The vet exclaimed.

My mum turned to face me and said encouragingly "I know it's tough, but if the vet said it not safe then we should take his word and follow his advice." I looked at Tango and had a big, long think.

"I will pull out. If it could hurt my best friend it's not worth doing." I said to mum.

"Good decision darling." She said encouragingly.

I suddenly heard the horrifying sound of a horse drop to the ground behind me. A squeal sounded out loudly. Tango's squeal!

"Tango!" I screamed. I sat down beside Tango and held her head. The light disappeared out of her eyes and I cried loudly. "No, Tango don't leave me yet!" Hot tears trickled down my face.

That horrifying day, the day Tango had the heart attack, dawned upon me. I will never ride again.