July Story Contest

Flying
By: RustyGirl
Age: 15

She mounts beside the ring, and says, “we're gonna do great.”
Before I know what's happening we're riding through the gate.
We pass another horse, the rider seems upset.
I know that if I don't do well the girl with me won't fret.

We circle for the judges (first impressions matter),
She asks me to quicken my trot and then tells me to canter.
We head toward the first jump, I fear we're going too slow.
However, I trust my rider, she always seems to know.

She doesn't urge me on, we quickly close the space.
My rider finally tells me to swiftly speed up the pace.
Two strides from the jump now, I clear this one with ease.
She knows that I can do this now and lets me jump as I please.

We sail over the jumps, we're flying through the air.
We finish the course in record time and leave for the next pair.
They do extremely well, you can't help but be impressed.
I turn to see my rider's face – she seems a bit depressed.

The judges call us back, we all stand in a line.
Everyone goes quiet because it's judging time.
The ribbons are handed out, there's only first to go.
My rider looks excited. Who gets it? She seems to know.

A judge comes over and says, “congratulations, you did well.”
My rider leans down, hugs my neck, “I knew we could do it, girl.”
We leave the ring with the ribbon tied around my neck.
“It's pretty,” my rider says, “and we'll have another soon, I bet.”