[Bonus Prompt #3] Winning?

Zenith’s hooves hit the soft ground. Hoof beats. I balanced over his back, with my hands on his withers and my legs above me. My anxiety peaked as Zenith kept moving. He kept moving. He wouldn’t stop. My heart was beating out of my chest. All I could hear was the blood rushing to my head. I moved my legs down, still hovering over Zenith but now in a split. My blood rushed down to greet my body. Zenith’s strong and agile body kept moving. Cantering. Around. In. Circles. It felt like time was frozen. 

I moved. I brought my legs down to Zenith’s sides and sat there, moving to the rhythm of his canter.

Time for the final move. I stood on Zenith’s back, carefully placing my feet so he wouldn’t be uncomfortable. Zenith kept moving. This would be the hardest move by far. But it could also be the prettiest if done right. I put my arms out in front of me, and sighed as Zenith kept moving. Three. Two. One. 

My body turned, and was going higher. I could hear Zenith’s short and strong draws of breath, and his forceful exhalation. My body twisted in midair, and I was coming down to the ground. When I hit the ground, I instinctively rolled. I stood up quickly, and whistled. Zenith ran over, and I took a bow. Mirroring my movements, Zenith bowed as well. He nudged me, as if checking on me. I was a little dizzy from the rolling, and stopping so suddenly, but otherwise I was perfectly fine. 

I could hear the crowd cheering. And an announcer, “That was Alison Traric riding, Counting The Stars. This pair has been doing fantastically. They are Superstars” The announcer’s voice faded. I stood up from my bow, and so did Zenith. We walked out of the arena, where Elijah met us. 

“Ali! Hey! That was incredible! Your dismount looked better than I could have imagined!” Elijah said laughing, and hugging me. “It felt so weird!” I said, laughing along. Elijah gave Zenith a pat. “Good boy!” He said. I sighed. “I’m hungry, do they have any food around here?” I asked. Elijah gave me a weird look. “What do you mean, do they have any food around here? Of course they do, its a prestigious competition! I’d be worried if they didn’t!” Elijah said. I laughed.

 We all walked around the venue, finding yummy things to eat. I gave Zenith lots of baby carrots. He often nudged me as we walked. I didn’t have a halter on him, because I felt like he was really good about following me.

I got a lot of congrats as I walked around, and a lot of people seemed overjoyed. I was happy, Zenith and I did something big, and it seemed like we had done a good job at it too. After the competition ended, me and Zenith went back and were announced as the winner of the competition. It felt good to hear everyone clapping and congratulating us, as if we weren’t just a lost horse and a lost rider who had found peace and trust together.

I never talked about it, and honestly I tried to hide it, but I haven’t bought the best horses. I’ve bought some insane horses cough who have tried to end my life. But Zenith, Zenny, 6505, Counting The Stars, whatever name you know, he is the best horse I’ve ever met, let alone worked with.