vivian 6

Where was she? This was my first big race, and she wasn’t here. I wrung my hands for the tenth time when she walked up hand in hand with Castiel. I rushed up to her. “Where have you been? I’ve been a nervous wreck here without you!” I exclaimed not acknowledging Castiel. “I’m sorry Vivi. I had a lunch date with Cas. I’m here now.” She says hugging me. I was shaking.  “you’ll do fine. I promise.” She says smiling at me once she pulls away. I swallowed hard as a groom came and took silver foot to be saddled. ”You think so?” I asked. She nodded. “I know so. Go get em tiger.” She says winking at me. I smile and follow the groom and silver foot. I heard footsteps coming toward me. Cas was by my side. “I saw your breeze this morning. It was great. You have this one in the bag Vivi. And you’re an amazing rider.” He says slowly and deliberately. I look at him slightly shocked and shook it off. He was just being nice because Temp said to be nice. I nodded at him and walked off.

           

            We were in the gate, and it was silent. The bell rang and silver automatically leaped out of the gate cleanly, landing a spot in third. Good. He knew to stay at the pace he was at until I let him go and as we turned the corner I let him run. He passed the second place horse and was about two lengths off of the leader’s flank. “good boy, I said to him as he kept his pace, tricking the horse in front to thinking he was in the clear. This was a smart horse if you put the right rider on him. As we hit the stretch I let him go and in seconds we were neck and neck with the leader. The announcer was yelling our name as we passed and grew farther away from the pack leaving them In our dust…literally. We passed under the wire and the crowd exploded with applause and cheering. I stood in the saddle and waved to them all, blowing kisses to my family in the stands. As I rode on a reporter came to me on horseback. “how does it feel to win such a big race on your first time out on this horse?” she asked sticking the microphone in my face. “amazing!” I exclaimed and rode off toward the winner’s circle.  

 

My father smiled up at me as he took the reins to lead me into the circle and said “I’m so proud of you Vivian.” I smiled back down at him. “it was all this big guy.” I said patting Sliver’s shoulder and we rode into the winners circle. As soon as the camera clicked a groom lead us off.i dismounted and he took Silver back to the barn We were surrounded by reporters. “will you keep her as his jockey?” one shouted at my father and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “of course, the sire of the colt was hers. She saved him at birth. And she is damn good at handling that colt. She should have been riding him all along, and she will be from here on out.” He said and began walking with me, breaking through the crowd. The reporters began shouting again and he held his hand up. “I’m sorry gentleman no more comments, I have a horse to congratulate!” he said leading me away. When we got to the backside Temperance ran up and nearly tackled me. “I told you you’d win!” she exclaimed and I laughed. “yeah I know you did.” I said and smiled at her. “celebration is in order!” lane said, passing by Tempy and picking me up, spinning me around easily. “congrats baby.” He says and kisses me. Cas walks up. “roadhouse? On me?” he ask. I shrug. “sure.” I say and Temp smiles at me. I’m still not forgiving him, but I’m not going to let him ruin my win for me.