All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Less Than 20 Seconds MAG
Saturday morning. Early. Walking up the barn aisle, I see Maddie’s head pop out of her stall. She nickers softly as I reach into my pocket and feed her a peppermint, her warm breath on my hands and face. I’m dressed in a collared shirt, jeans, boots and my cowboy hat, and she knows what’s up - it’s time for a show!
I lead my horse out and brush her. Her classy paint coat turns from dull to shiny like a new car. I put on her protective leg gear and load her into the trailer.
Thirty minutes later, we arrive at the show. Dust is flying and there are
horses far and wide. Everyone is excited, especially the horses. Prancing, with excited snorts and whinnies, my horse is set. Saddle up, hop on, we’re ready to go!
Now it’s time to warm up and wait for our turn. Standing at the starting gate with all my friends, I can feel the adrenaline building. Butterflies so strong they practically lift me out of the saddle. It’s okay, we’ll do fine. Horses snort excitedly. It’s finally our turn! One final good luck from a friend and it’s time.
Maddie prances to the gate. We enter and take off like a shot. Head to the first barrel, turn. It’s clean and sharp. Guide her to the second and we’re around. Aim for the third, clean turn, and fly home, wind whipping through our hair. For a second it feels like I’m flying. Then, as though it never happened, the breathtaking feeling ends much too quickly.
I stop. A wide smile lights up my face. Praise comes from all around. Years of practicing, days of frustration, four hours of getting ready, one show a month, and it’s all over in less than 20 seconds.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 1 comment.
0 articles 2 photos 81 comments
Favorite Quote:
"Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice." - W. Shakespeare.<br /> "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do." - Confucius