Streaming Light: The Star of the Show Jumping Arena

by Izzy
(New York, NY)

1.. 2.. 3.. and JUMP! I cleared the vertical with ease, landing lightly on my feet. We had practiced this course before. Me and Callie were a team.

Again, cleared a brush jump. Next was the Swedish oxer. It was more challenging, but we had done this many times. 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. and up!

But something was wrong. I could feel it. We were less than a second off. I jumped, but my front knees clipped the pole. My head dipped down and I stumbled. PAIN. There was something very wrong with my knee.

Limping, I ran, but Callie pull me back. Pain coursed through my body but I still wanted to finish! This was one of the most important shows of the year. Fighting with Callie, I pushed past the bit, past the pain, past the shame. Why now? At the Intermediate Horse Championship? But the pain was unbearable.

Finally I stopped.

My coat had been lathered in sweat, just from the exhaustion of pulling from Callie. I stood while the course vet came over and checked me over. When he came up to my front right leg, he stopped, frowned, and looked it over again. He called Callie, and they went away to talk while a groom lead me away to the stable.

He brought me to the show stable and fed me some food, which I didn't eat. I just didn't feel like it. I think that made him worried but I didn't really care.

Sighing, I lay down. Thoughts swirled through my head, thoughts of my earlier life.

When I was a little filly, we lived in a breeding stable. Me and my mama and our owner. There was a time I thought we were the only ones. It was all I knew.

My mama was a bay with a long black mane and tail. Our owner called her 'Poppy'; but her registered name was 'Poppy's Delight'.

I never met my daddy, but I've seen him. He was a black stallion, well-known in the show ring. My owner was a kindly older man who loved horses. He lived with his wife, Mrs. Grey, and their older German Shepherd, Sweetheart.

Sweetheart used to be a police dog, but after she lost her smelling and sight in one eye, she retired from the police job. I was friends with Sweetheart and she always put up with my filly play.

"Lilly!!" cried Callie, throwing her arms around my neck.

I was still drowsy from the tranquilizer the vet gave me, but I gave her a half-hearted snort.

"Oh Lilly, what happened? The vet said you have trauma to your knee. What if we can't show again?" Exhausted, Callie fell asleep on my shoulder.

Her words rang in my ears. Never being able to show again would be devastating. I loved the show ring. The attention, the cheers, and Callie's happiness. Callie really did love showing. Would she get another horse if I couldn't show?

Sighing, I fell asleep next to Callie.

"Streaming Light? Callie Holderson?" called a tall, middle-aged man with dark hair and glasses. Callie stirred beside me. "Callie Holderson?" he called again. This time Callie sat right up, pieces of straw stuck to her hair.

"Dr. James! I'm over here." Callie answered.

"Hey Callie. I'm afraid we have some bad news." said the vet.


Thank you for reading!!