Faith

Chapter 24: Celebration

          After all the jumping contestants went and did their run, it was time to announce the winners! Nyla sat on my back as Miraculum was sitting down underneath me. Eric and Sparrow stood beside us and we waited. "Alright, those were amazing performances from everyone today but there can only be one winner" said the announcer. I looked at Sparrow who was smiling, then I looked at Miraculum who was wagging her tail with joy. "Alright, in third place we have Judy Williams on Valentine!" Cheers and applauds came from every direction. Judy had valentine trot out into the now clear arena to receive her white ribbon. Once she had received her ribbon they stayed out their and waited for some reason. "In second place..." the women took a small break as she looked at her sheet of paper. "In second place, we have Audrey Freeman on Gold Star" the announcer said, her voice sounding shocked. Audrey gasped but had her horse walk out into the arena. She had a pitiful face on her as she walked out but put on a fake smile as she received her red ribbon. A round of applause were quieter than they were for Judy. "And finally, our first place winner" the announcer sounded surprised but excited as I perked my ears and waited. "Our first place winners, after their incredible performance, first place goes to..." everyone fell silent as drum rolls were played. I lifted my head higher as my ears remained perked, waiting for the first place winner to be announced. "Myla Howard on Imani!!!" People roared in applause as I neighed happily. We won! Our first time! I loved out into the arena with Myla on my back. She had a huge smile on her face as we neared the person handing out the ribbons. The man put the navy blue ribbon on my bridle before he backed away. I looked at Mila who leaned forward and hugged my neck. "Great job girl!" Once everyone was done Eric, Sparrow, and Miraculum came over. "You did it!" Eric shouted with joy. "I knew you could do it" Sparrow nickered softly as Miraculum nuzzled me. "You showed them!"

         We started our way back to the trailer so we could go home! Everyone was laughing and smiling. Sparrow and I were untacked and tied to the trailer by our halters. We waited patiently as Eric and Mila changed clothes and packed everything in the truck or trailer. "I can't believe we won first place" I neighed still excited about winning first place. "You did amazing! No horse ran as fast as you did when you were going towards those jumps!" Miraculum barked as she wagged her tail and laid down beside me. "Well, if you know what your doing and know how high to jump, when to jump, and when to land then you can go almost as fast as you want" I nickered with my ears perked. "That's cool" Miraculum whined as she wagged her tail. "Have you texted your parents yet?" I turned my attention to Eric and Myla. "No not yet, I was planning on surprising them" Myla smiled as she put my saddle in the trailer. "Well, this'll be a big surprise for them" Eric laughed as he was untying Sparrows lead rope. Myla untied my lead rope and lead me into the trailer first. Once I was in, Eric lead Sparrow in before closing the doors. We waited for a minute before I heard the truck engine turn on. Home we go. Home. I don't know what it was but I suddenly thought about my old home. I watched as the truck drove out of this area and over onto the highway. I watched the many trees go by. "You okay?" I looked over at Sparrow who had his ears perked. "yeah, just thinking" I sighed looking back out the passing trees. "What are you thinking about" he asked. I felt him keeping his eyes on me. "Home" I frowned. He seemed a little confused at first but it clicked and he understood. "Do you think ill ever see my brother again?" I asked lowering my ears. I felt Sparrow nuzzle me as he spoke. "You will, with the bond you two hold, you will see each other again" he nickered calmly. I smiled a little but I was hoping that he was right. I hope that I'll be able to see Flash again.

       The drive went by smoothly. I fell asleep along the way but woke up as soon as the truck pulled up at the farm town. Sparrow was the first to be led out by Eric. He wore his second place red ribbon with pride. Myla came into the trailer to get me. As she did she put my first place ribbon on my halter before leading me out. I was surprised to see the group of people that gathered. Myla's parents and many others were there. I stopped and just looked at all of them with my ears perked. All of them were clapping and cheering as I just stood there and looked at them. "Come on girl" Myla said softly. I nickered and followed her to the barn where she put my in my stall. Sparrow was put in the stall across from me. I lowered my head a little as Myla stroked my muzzle. "Great job today girl" she praised. I nickered softly as I began to fall asleep in her arms. "Sleep good" she giggled before kissing my nose and leaving the barn with Eric. I looked around the barn but couldn't see where Miraculum was. Hmm, where did she run off to? I didn't have to look far though. I turned around to find a place to sleep and I see her right there, curled up and fast asleep. I giggled a little before I walked over and laid down beside her. She snuggled up to me as I laid my head down. I smiled a little before I fell asleep.

-Meanwhile-

     Myla smiled as she walked over to her parents who hugged her tight. "We're so proud of you" they both said. Myla hugged them back as her mom had a tear of joy slip down her cheek. When she was let go she looked around her feet with a confused look. "Where's Miraculum?" Eric chuckled as he walked over. "Saw her slip in Imani's stall. She probably fell asleep in there" he laughed. Myla laughed before the crowd left for their homes. "Well, goodnight Myla" Eric smiled before he started for his house. "goodnight" Myla called before she went to catch up with her parents who were throwing a small party for Myla to both celebrate her regaining her sight and winning first place. Throughout the party she talked about how she felt free when we would jump over the fences. How she loved the feeling of the wind in her face. while she was sitting at the table with her parents, a thought came to her mind. "Mom, Dad, is it ok if I take a trip down to Aunt Kara down in Mexico with Imani?" She asked stunning her parents. "Why do you ask?" Her father raised his brow as he took a bite of cake and looked at his daughter. "Well, the slip says that Imani comes from Mexico and I was wondering if I could take her to visit her homeland and see the wide open prairies" she said with a smile. "Aunt Kara says that there is a herd near her house and it might be Imani's" she added. Her parents looked at each other in wonder for a few minutes before they came to a conclusion. "We will set something up" her mom sighed with a smile. Myla smiled at the answer and recited the words 'Thank you' over and over again. She got up from her seat and went over to hug her parents who hugged her back. They enjoyed the rest of the night before Myla went to shower before she went to bed.