GEORGIA JUNIOR RODEO

By Sydney Covington

 I feel her massive heart; begin to pound beneath my seat,

As we set outside on ready, with those we must defeat.

Each breath’s a little deeper than the one before,

We sense excitement all around us and adrenaline galore!

And now, we hear our summon down to the arena floor,

She knows as well as me, the crowd’s old familiar roar.

Together we start our dance, through the ally toward the send,

And I smell the sweet aroma of her sweat upon the wind.

We surge into the spotlight, focused she and I,

Our target set, together, we spread our wings to fly.

Suddenly, all is silenced, the wind strong against my face,

Nothing but the two of us in this realm of space.

Together, we push for speed, in rhythm stride for stride,

As the first turn fast approaches, I sit firm against my ride.

It’s all about the balance as I reach to pull her nose,

Firm and steady pressure, and round the turn she goes!

We spot our second target; I pull hard up on the horn,

Together we’re back in rhythm, and once again airborne.

I kiss a little to her, and we scream across the pen,

And it happens, just like that, we’re in a turn again.

I push back on the horn, deep into the leather,

Firm and steady on the rein, around the turn we weather

Quick up into the driver’s seat, I push for number three,

And I feel her massive body, give it all to me.

I set back for the turn and feel her back-end swiftly gather,

Then we slide around the drum in our Cowgirl swagger.

I feel her muscles flex, as she explodes toward the finish,

I push the reins up her neck, our speed shall not diminish.

I kiss to her to hurry and she runs with all her heart,

The race to find the finish is, for sure, her FAVORITE part.

I know the crowd is screaming, but I haven’t heard a voice,

For them a deafening silence, it seems my ears just have no choice

But, I can hear her respirations deep and hard with every stride,

And the lather on her chest supports our scorching ride.

As we dash across the laser beam that stops the ticking clock,

I let up on my hustle and she sits back on her hock.

Suddenly, I hear the crowd, with their reassuring roar,

And my mom and dad are screaming as they point toward the score.

I know she cannot read it, yet she knows, I have no doubt;

Because, it was our best time ever, she ran her heart slap out!

We’ve learned to help each other; we’re a team, her and me,

A Cowgirl and her horse just have a bond you cannot see.

So, take care with Explosives; as you saw, THEY DO IGNITE!

And, I appreciate you ridin’ with me and “DYNAMITE!!!”

SEE YOU AT THE RODEO,
til then, SLIDE & RIDE, ROPE & HOPE, OR TURN AND BURN!!!
SYDNEY

"COURGAGE is being scared to death - and Saddling Up Anyway"  -John Wayne