Rodeo Hearts

Chapter 1

----------------------------------------

The sweltering sun showed no mercy as it's rays released unforgiving heat. It was easily 100° degrees outside. Beads of sweat trickled down the cowgirl's face. It seemed she could not keep it wiped away fast enough.

The only relief was an occasional breeze that would only last a few seconds at the most. Even then it would kick up dust that would settle on her skin. Her throat soon became raw. She decided against the idea of going to get water because they would call her name at any moment.

The stands were full as she watched the other girls post fast times. If she was nervous you couldn't tell it. She looked confident in her and her horse's abilities as a team.

She pictured the run she was about to make in her mind. The turns, the acceleration in between, and the Final dash for home. All of a sudden a voice snapped her out of the daydream, she immediately realized it was the announcer calling her name;

"Up next folks we have Aurora Lamar riding her horse, Eagle!"

Aurora took a deep breath and made sure her hat was securely in place. She cleared her thoughts as she patted the large sorrel horse on the neck.

"Lets go girl." she said softly.

Aurora knew her and Eagle would have to be on top of their game to place let alone win. Eagle was a huge mare that stood at 16.1h. She was the color of an untarnished copper penny. Her long flaxen mane danced in the breeze. A blaze ran down her face and thinned out at her nose. On her lower lip the blaze continued, to make it look like she was wearing lipstick.

Aurora acquired Eagle when she was 4. Before Eagle came to the Lamar's she was used as a work horse by a relative. Aurora saw her potential and quickly purchased the horse. Every since then the man calls her offering double or triple the price she paid for Eagle. Every time Aurora politely declines.

Eagle knew exactly what was about to happen. The horse had been been running barrels for the past 3 years, but the excitement never dulls. As they entered the alleyway, She desperately wanted to run. Aurora fought to hold her back.

Finally, they neared the mouth of the arena. Aurora tried no longer to hold her back. Eagle took this as her cue. Aurora could feel the power underneath her as Eagle ran. They ran for the first barrel, and everyone watched as the team left a scorching trail behind them.

♞Aurora's POV♞

As soon as we got to the first barrel, I sat down and my muscle memory kicked in. My outside hand instantly grabbed the saddle horn as I asked Eagle to rate*.

I could feel her stretch back out like a slinky as I pushed her on to the second barrel. On the backside of the second barrel, I lifted my leg and put it behind me. It was either that or kicking the barrel over. There was no way I was going to let a barrel down if I could help it. It was a risky move since I could have easily been slung off the side.

I smooched to Eagle and pushed her to the third barrel. The third was perfect; It was a clean run! I asked for every bit of speed Eagle had left and she gave it to me. I slowed her back down as we entered the alleyway. That felt like a really great run. Little did I know how good it actually was.

I turned my attention to the announcer.

"Folks hang on to your hats, your not going to believe this...14.56! A new arena record!"

I fist bumped the air and rubbed Eagle's neck giving her a endless praise. I went and took Eagle to cool her out. I was riding around the rodeo grounds, when realization hit me pretty hard.I broke an arena record!