By: Alexis Zehner

Crackling of a speaker,

coldness of the rain

and the musty odor of the barn,

a feathery light touch on my back,

It’s time….

Leather meets metal

as my foot slips easily

into the shiny silver stirrup,

my stomach buzzes with butterflies,

a soft snort and I take a deep breath

gazing out at the arena,

the bright colored flowers guarding

picture perfect jumps,

the now muddy ground,

a sudden jerk and we’re there,

the jumps looming infront of us,

another deep breath,

together,

a team,

a soft whoosh,

a thud,

and it’s over

a sapphire blue ribbon blowing gently in the wind.