The Fire that Burns Inside Me - Katherine Carison (the best e book reader txt) 📗

I stand quietly as my groom throws the saddle upon my back and tightens the girth. The cross ties flap as I shake my mane. The open doorway before me is edged with a radiant gold light as the morning sun first spills its light into the barn, overpowering the dull white lights above my head. I count the dust particles drifting in the air till a cold bit is pushed gently into my mouth. Mouthing it excitedly as I’m finally led out into the sunshine I swish the flies away, letting the sun’s warmth cover my chestnut coat. Excited jittering sound from the crowd as I search out my jockey, his bright blue and white coat easily spotted. He approaches me, mounts, and we are quickly led away to the find the starting gate. My hooves clip clop on the pavement, my excitement growing. We enter a tunnel. The sound of my hoof beats on the ground echoes eerily. The darkness closes around me and I let it calm my anxiousness for a moment before we suddenly emerge into the sunlight once again. Cheers rise up around me, calling my name, waving banners and signs. I toss my head and do a little prance, just for the crowd. The man leading me takes the lead rope off and gives me a final pat as my hooves meet the dirt of the track. My jockey strokes me gently as we circle, awaiting our turn to be led into our starting gate. The horses’ fierce excitement rages around me. Horses rearing and fighting their riders, but I proceed to remain calm. Finally, we are led into the small stall, the iron gate slamming behind me. My heart begins to pound rapidly as I shuffle my hooves, tensing for the sound, the sound that tells me to run. My jockey grabs a handful of my mane. There is silence…. There’s the bell! The gate before me flings open and I charge forward, muscles tense. Horses fall in around me, creating no escape. I slowly begin to fall behind, attempting to find a way around them. Dirt is flung into my face as we round the first bend. The pounding of hooves on the earth is suddenly drowned out by my breathing as I somehow find my pace. I drive forward, passing the horse in front of me. Then the next…then the next, slowly making way to the front when suddenly I fall in beside the big black horse leading the group of horses. We match paces. He drives forward, I drive forward. We are locked in a dual, shooting away from the other horses. Our strides match perfectly! We skim the second bend when suddenly something inside me turns. I begin driving forward, power pulsing through my body. The reins’ tension on my mouth disappears and I sprint forward ahead of the black horse. Five lengths, now six, now seven! I throw my weight forward and let my legs carry my body. Faster, faster…when all of a sudden…it’s like I’m flying. Soaring over the ground, the golden light of the sun turning my chestnut coat to fire. As I cross the finish line thirty-one lengths ahead, the crowd’s cheers lighten my heart. I am happy to say that I easily won this race, and many others before it. My heart leaps in every stride I take. I am Secretariat, the greatest racehorse that ever lived.

Publication Date: 12-29-2012

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