Cut It Sharp

Horses Name: 9843 SFR's Home-style Apple Pie
Riders Name: Piper Harding
Show: White Blood Stables Winter Races
Class: Barrel Racing
Registration Number: 2
Extra Images: Where them Spots At and Stand Out, We Own the Crowd
Placings: 1st and Judge's Choice (WBS Winter Races RESULTS)

-----Story-----
    Watching the clock was a nasty habit she'd picked  up as a child. Piper had no idea why she still did it, only that she did it before every round. She could see the clock counting down out of the corner of her eye. Piper forced herself to look back at her horse. The red-head looked around the near empty arena. Most of the spectators were still out watching the skijoring event. There was another hour before the barrel race began. The race would soon be over, then there was a short cool down period for horses to rest. Piper and Amy still had time to get ready.
    Her horse's prior performance left no doubt in her mind that the mare could do it. Amy was a born racer; she took each turn with a smooth slide before galloping off towards the next barrel. It didn't matter how sharp the turn or how small the circle, Amy took them all in stride. Even in the cross country track earlier, once Piper had set a pace, Amy had been happy to turn or spin on a dime. A quick pat on the shoulder re-affirmed her confidence. The show would be fine.
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   Piper smoothed the white and green blanket one more time. Why Cece had chosen to get a white blanket, she had no idea. It would be stained brown and grey before long. For now, though, it was stylish. Amy's registry number, 02, was pinned nicely to both sides. Piper continued to check various bits of equipment. All the belts and buckles were secure. Not one of Amy's hairs was out of place. She looked stunning.
   The call came to warm-up. Piper grabbed the saddle horn and hoisted herself up. They were up soon so it was best to get going quickly. Amy was all too happy to pick up a nice jog. She flung her head gently, till Piper loosened the reins a bit. Amy stopped fiddling and let her head hang low to stretch. The pair circled the ring for a few minutes, with Piper changing the pace up their trot ever lap or so. A soft tap with her outside heel brought out a smooth lope. Piper left Amy on a loose rein, letting her circle the ring twice before cutting across to switch directions. She slowed down to a walk and practiced circles. Amy responded immediately. They were going to do fine.
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    Barrel racing was addictive. It was a rush. Piper grinned as the gate opened in front of them. It was a game. She clucked Amy onward. On command, the mare bolted forward. Piper leaned forwards in her seat and dropped her hand. Amy swung to the left. A indigo-blue barrel greeted them as the first barrel. The pair rounded the edge in record time.
  The second barrel appeared faster than the first. Piper's breath hitched as Amy dropped low to skid around the edge. She felt the slight tap of the barrel's edge against its leg and then they were off again. It would probably hurt once she got off the horse, but for now the adrenaline was pumping too fast for her to feel pain. A mixture of dirt and sand sprayed behind them as the slid around the barrel.
   Now it was time for the final barrel. Piper's gaze traveled towards the last pillar. She loosened the reins further, giving Amy her head. The mare dropped her head. Her rider could feel the muscles beneath her bunch as Amy prepared to launch forward. Piper kept her eyes trained on the barrel.
(600 words)----------------

Look at Piper slide around that barrel, gg girl.

I originally went for some fishbowl perspective and idk what happenened???????

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