Make it or break it...

Posted on Wednesday 3 February 2021 @ 05:29 by Lieutenant Breana Rathburn
Edited on on Tuesday 16 February 2021 @ 14:53

Mission: Homeward
Location: Earth, Texas Ranch
965 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Three days, it had been a long three days... Unlike her brother and some of the other ranchers she'd spent almost every waking moment out around the corral. While they couldn't work with the mustang for more then eight hours a day, there was nothing in the rules that said one couldn't hang out around them. And that, had been what she'd done.

Now though, she had to wait till she was called for her time up. She would have two hour to tack up her horse and ride it though a series of obstacles. She had no worries about this if it was just her and the horse... but no, this was happening in front of a crowd and a bunch of hopeful adopters.

Her boots tapped along the wood flooring of the porch as she paced and worked on focusing her mind and thoughts. Working though how would be the best way to get them both though this. Taking some slow deep breaths she jumped a little as she heard her name called. Pausing as she drew in a breath and held it a moment before giving a nod, she grabbed her tack and headed to the corral her gaze upon the young stallion that clearly had also picked up on the energy level and was acting out some. Something that would make her work even harder.

Setting the tack aside she picked up the lunge rope, starting an easy roll of her wrist as she stepped into the corral with the horse. Giving a clicking sound with her cheek as she used the swinging rope to get the horse into an easy run in the circled ring. "Easy boy... easy" Her voice calm as she worked, starting a low smoothing tone to remind the mustang that it was him and her. The two of them... nothing else mattered. Turning slowly, the rope falling to her side as she faced the crowd, ignoring Indigo for the moment... she waited.

Smiling as she felt the breath of the horse on her neck, she reached up with the end of the rope and clasped it onto the bridle before running her hand over the side of the horses face as she turned to face him looking him in the eyes with a nod as she murmured a few soft words to him.

Leading him over to the railing, she gave a quick tie up before picking up the saddle blanket and placing it on. Next the saddle, the whole time she spoke softly, soothingly, nonsense that only her and the horse heard. Nothing was rushed, while she knew it was a timed event, she also knew that she had to focus on what she was doing and not the horse. And because of that she kept settled and relaxed as she prepared Indigo for the next step.

"We got this..." She said with confidence as she untied the slightly prancing horse now. Clearly he knew what was about to come and was feeling the energy starting to rise as the crowd chattered and clapped at times. Taking another few minutes to lead him in lazy circles before she stepped to the side and slipped a foot into the saddle before boosting herself up and into the saddle.

A fleeting moment of distraction caught her for some reason as she pondered once more why she stuck with living in space and not down here on solid ground. Why she choice the stress of dealing with things that could blow up, or species that could kill them at the drop of a hat. Why she Starfleet and not ranch life? Why.... Her thoughts suddenly yanked back into the present as Indigo had quickly realized she wasn't paying attention and reared up as if to toss her off.

A quick nudge to the sides as she leaned forwards to urge the horse to drop back down and take off in a forwards bolt. It was a moment that would cost her a couple points, but it kept her in the saddle and refocused the two of them. Quickly, she maneuvered them though the first obstacle as if she'd meant to do that.

The horses ears flickered back as if to listening once more to the random nonsense that he heard from his rider. Each moment, word, touch done to build the trust between them, and to flow though the course. While it wasn't easy, or perfect, the course was cleared and she dismounted and moved to lead the mustang onto the horse trailer for the bonus points. A task that she'd heard no one else ha done yet.

Muscles rippled though the strong mustangs body as they heard the crowd cheering and counting down the time. It was this part of the competition that she hated. All the competitors hated it. But, the judges had to see that each horse could handle it and not spook. Turning her back to the horse, she walked on into the trailer and stood with bated breath to see if he would follow. And as she heard the hooks hit upon the floor of the trailer and the horses breath once more against her neck. Bree smiled and relaxed. No matter what, they had done it.

Stepping the horse back out of the trailer, Breana led him on around and out of the ring. Smiling, she knew that no matter if they won or lost... she'd done her best and had proved she still had it. But now... it was time to relax and search out answers, answers she already knew in her heart. As much as she loved what she was doing.... there was still life out there she had yet to find. Starfleet was still not done calling to her.