The powerful horse feels the intensity.
The young woman wants near perfection
This time.
The energy builds, his feet dance on the arena dirt.
He is ready to go.
She holds him back. Not yet. Not now.
The reins aim his proud head toward the first barrel.
She kicks him hard.
Now!
Like a majestic bullet shot from a large gun,
He heads for the target.
Pent up energy releases in a single shot.
Go!
Go!
The barrel.
Whoa!
The rider sits back in the saddle.
Pulls slightly on the reins.
Left of the barrel, he must make the turn.
Move in tight.
Lean.
Hold his footing.
Do it quickly.
Cleanly.
She kicks him hard again.
The reins go loose.
He leans forward.
He runs fast and hard to the second barrel.
Adrenalin pumps through his massive heart.
He goes forward without fear.
Get the job done.
He does what he is trained to do.
What he has done a hundred of times before.
Go!
Go!
The Barrel.
Whoa!
She sits again.
Go right of this barrel.
Lean in close&too close &keep going.
He holds in tight.
He doesnt fall.
He feels cold metal brush against his haunches.
He swings upright again.
The hard kick comes.
Then another.
The reins go loose.
The young woman is above his neck,
Urging him on.
He senses her desire,
Her need,
Faster! Faster!
Horse and rider merge.
His thundering heart beats through her,
His breath fills her lungs.
There is no sound but the beat of their feet on the earth.
The final barrel.
He knows what to do.
He hears her shout,
Whoa!
She sits just as he slows to make the turn.
The bit pulls gently against his mouth.
Together they turn in tight.
More than twelve hundred pounds
Spinning flawlessly around a fifty-four inch drum.
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