When we got back to the stable, I pulled Athena out of her stall and placed her in cross ties, preparing to put her saddle on her. I watched as Riley put Tigger in cross ties in front of Athena, and then he looked around, looking lost.
I took pity on him.
“His saddle is over there,” I said, pointing in the general direction of his saddle.
He walked back with it, with that lost look again.
“Are you telling me that an up-and-coming rodeo star doesn’t know how to saddle up his horse?” I asked.
For the first time today, I showed any emotion at all.
“Shut up,” he said, getting defensive.
He wasn’t nasty as he usually was, but he certainly wasn’t playful.
“Sorry,” I said.
Why was I apologizing? If anyone else had this knowledge, especially in the professional circuit, he would be a laughingstock.
I took the saddle from him.
“Watch closely. You will knock Rodrigo’s socks off if you can do this yourself at your next rodeo.”
He watched as I placed the saddle pad, the saddle, and the cinch—the band that secures the saddle—to the horse. I tightened the cinch and signaled it was good to go. He removed the cross ties and rode Tigger out into the front lawn. I was only a moment behind as I threw on Athena’s gear.
“Ladies first,” he said.
I led Athena into the arena and to the starting line.
“Let’s make things interesting,” Riley called out.
“How so?” I asked.
“If I win, let me take you out dancing,” he wagered.
“And when I win?” I asked.
“Your choice.”
“An undisclosed favor at the time of my choosing.”
“That’s awfully open ended,” he said.
“Yeah, and you are having fun—during work hours.”
“Fair enough.”
I signaled that I was ready. Riley hit the timer, which made the starting noise. Athena and I lived for this sound. We took off for the first barrel and then to the second. I could feel her power under me. I could feel the rhythm of her hooves hitting the dirt. I could hear her labored breathing over my own. I was feeling good about my time as we made it around the third barrel. We crossed the line, and I heard the timer again. I already knew that it was a great score. Some things you just knew.
“Thirteen point nine,” he said. His face was a little white. He didn’t know if he and Tigger would beat us. A little humble pie never hurt.
Now you may think I was a hypocrite, but I wasn’t. I knew there were better riders out there; I’d seen them. I did know for a fact, though, that Athena and I were a better team than Riley and Tigger. Hell, the horse was scared of him half the time. A horse didn’t give his all for a rider like that.
We traded spots, I hit the timer, and then they were off. The first barrel and the second were cleared. I was shit talking when Tigger came too wide and too fast around the barrel. His back legs slipped out from under him, and his back half hit the ground. He cried out in pain as Riley rolled off the saddle.
Tigger wasn’t getting back up on his own. I jumped off my saddle, trusting Athena to stay put. I ran to Tigger and slid to the ground next to him, startling him further.
“Shhh, Tigger. Calm, boy. Let me look at it,” I said, looking at his back right leg, which took most of the brunt of the fall.
