Elise’s face popped up, sharp blazer contrasting frantic eyes. “Winnie! Are those the new boots? Tell me you didn’t blow that money on something practical.”
Despite everything, my lips twitched. “Yeah. They’re perfect. The saddle too.”
“Good. Now go be incredible. Love you.”
The call ended. I handed the phone back.
“You sure you’re okay?” Cassie asked quietly.
“I have to be.” I swung into the saddle, settling into new leather. Bandit shifted beneath me, muscles coiling. “No other option.”
She squeezed my knee. “Then go win this thing.”
***
The staging area churned. I tuned it out, focusing on Bandit’s breathing, the heartbeat pulsing through my legs.
We walked slow circles. I ran the pattern: approach angle, lean barrel one, tight turn, power through two, nail the third pocket, sprint home.
First place was $18,000. Second was $7,000. We needed first.
The announcer boomed: “Next up, from Pawhuska, Oklahoma, riding Bandit’s Ace of Spades—Naomie ‘Winnie’ Jameson!”
Adrenaline spiked. I nudged Bandit toward the gate.
The arena opened—massive, three barrels under blazing lights. Stands packed, hundreds of faces blurring into noise.
I positioned at the start line. Timer tech raised her hand. Three. Two. One.
Green light.
Bandit exploded.
Speed and wind and thunderous hooves. His stride lengthened impossibly. First barrel rushed up—I shifted weight, felt the new saddle’s balance. Bandit dropped low, swooping around, metal grazing my knee.
Out. Surge toward the second.
Second barrel—tighter. I leaned hard. His haunches dropped, pivoting clean.
Two down.
Third barrel. Make or break. Lungs burning, thighs screaming. We flew into the pocket. I shifted at the exact microsecond. He cut close—barrel rocked.
Don’t tip.
It settled.
Final sprint. I crouched lower. Faster, boy. His hooves blurred. Finish line rushed closer.
We crossed. Buzzer sounded.
I looked up at the jumbotron.
15.3 seconds.
The crowd erupted. Wall of sound—cheers, whistles. I caught Cassie’s voice cutting through before patting Bandit’s neck.
“Good boy,” I murmured, voice rough. “You’re amazing.”
