My heel meets her side,

A push to move faster, slowly,

But slowly doesn't happen like

Her hooves slowly speeding.

More like, 

she speeds up,

And I slow down.

Skip the steady in between, 

Bopping up and down in a bouncing trot,

Right to the canter, dust flying,

my heart thrumming, stomach buzzing. 

Hoof beats harder than my body tremble,

She charges through the grass,

Bridle and stirrup metal clashing with adrenaline pumping.

My fingers tangle in reins, braided

Thumbprints pulling tight,

Gentle not to tear her mouth foaming.

Trainer attempts calm, but it's too late--

She's already stopped short, and I 

Tumble forward.

Breath knocked gone--

What just happened?

Golden day, sky blue and

Cotton-y,

I should be on my back,

Maybe sitting upright in hoof dust?

But I'm standing, invisible hands

Pushing me

Flat-footed. 

"Are you ok?"

My lips upturn, adrenaline radiating

Alongside sunshine on my back;

Pupils wide, fearless, and

"When can I get back on?"