One stride
Two strides
Three strides
"hyuup"
One stride
Two Strides
My blood bled through my tired muscles, my legs ached and my eyes burned from the sand dust that had blown with the wind into them. I was done for, I was losing speed and I was falling behind on time. Focusing on my breathing and seat in the saddle, my mind went to the past six months, the strangest, funniest and saddest six months. His face came into view next to my Mums and I felt a strong pull to the end of the course. Exerting all the strength I had left and fighting through the pain my exhausted muscles let out, I pushed harder, faster, stronger...
My fingersclenched tight on the reins. I gasped in sudden pain as Bars threw his head forward on the last stride.
Shit that hurt.
Trying to look through my blurry eyes I noticed the crowd in the grandstands on their feet, their loud cheers gargled through my clogged ears.
Not knowing who they were cheering for I slowly brought Bars to a collected trot. When the exit whistle blew I bowed my head to the judges and exited the arena.
"Baby you did it" a sexy rough voice cheered as I found my heavy body being pulled from the saddle and wrapped in strong arms.
"You won! You won! And you won my heart"
"I love you Paige"
I had done it.
I had finally worked through my inner hell and made it back on the podium. Looking up into the warm blue eyes in front of me I smiled.
The past six months had been worth it.
Reluctantly tearing my eyes from being locked on the two pools of blue in front of me, i turned to scan the stands for more familiar faces.
My eyes that were still sore and weeping from the dust rested on my Dad cheering with pride and beside him I saw my Mum, in all her beauty smiling sweetly and almost angelically.
A soft light surrounded her body and as I waved she blew me a kiss before disappearing in a crowd of well-wishers.
"She was here" I sighed as the love of my life smiled down at me I didn't need to say who 'she' was he already knew.
"She was always here" he replied placing one of his hands over my heart before pulling my chin up towards him and kissing me with all the passion and devotion he could manage.
