risky business

[Snowflake]

Good boy. I soothed, petting the colt's sweat darkened neck as I rode him at a canter on the inside of the track. It was four in the afternoon, and it was warm. I hadn't evened needed a jacket today - it had been rising 25 degrees celcius. Unseasonably warm. it was the end of winter, after all. A storm was brewing over head, and the wind was growing stronger with every passing minute. I glanced up at the overhanging branches of a tree growing in the middle of our training track as they creaked and groaned in the wind. Just a few more minutes, matey. I murmurred, noticing James sitting on the rail, watching us intently. Instantly, he was all I could think about.

A sudden, extra strong gust of wind blew across the track, and a branch over head cracked loudly. It all happened so suddenly, I didn't even have time to react. Studly Dudley shot forward, going from canter straight into a full bore gallop, leaving me behind in mid air. I fell hard on my side, my wrist crunching beneath my weight at an odd angle. Oww! I screamed as a sickening surge of pain swept from my wrist and throughout my body.

Sarah! I heard James yell as he ran across the track to me. I groaned, clutching my wrist as pain continued to sear through my entire body. My wrist felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand red hot knives. Are you okay? James asked, kneeling beside me. No.. I moaned. My wrist.. I stupidly tried to move it, and was rewarded with a sharp surge of pain again. He scooped me up easily in his arms, carrying me off the track. I vaguely noticed Marissa had caught my yearling colt Dudley, who was very spooked.

What happened? James asked. Can you walk? I took a deep breath. Yes. He set me down gently, then leaned in to look at my swollen, painful wrist. He touched it sofly, noticing as I winced. I think it's broken. He said solemnly. Let's get you to a doctor.
Horror pulsed through me. Broken?

***

No riding for at least two weeks, Miss Star. The doctor said sternly. I scowled at him. Two weeks? I would get so fat in that amount of time.. No riding! My life revolved around riding. My yearlings needed training. My racehorses needed exercising. My mares.. my stallions.. My life.
I'd prefer if you didn't ride until you got the cast off. Then take it easy for a while after. He continued. My scowl darkened to a glare as he continued to wrap my wrist in plaster. The pain was numbed for now - I had been given pain killers, and they had somehow put my broken bone back into place. It's not a bad break - but stressing the break will weaken it further, and you could end up breaking it again. He added for my benefit. James held my good hand in his, kissing it gently to sooth me.

Angry, frustrated tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to fall.
But the Palm Tree Paradise is on Saturday! I wailed. The doctor shrugged. No track doctor is going to let you ride in a race with a broken wrist. I opened my mouth to argue back, then closed it, sighing, defeated.

***

Hey, at least you got to ride in the Dubai World Cup. James said in an effort to cheer me up. I scowled at him. Don't remind me. It had been a terrible and terrifying race. Euphoria had stumbled out of the gate just as she had in the Derby, then had shut me out throughout the whole race in a desperate attempt to win. We had come fifth.

James shrugged, giving up. He would try again later, I knew. But who would ride Euphoria in the Palm Tree Paradise? It had already been decided that Marissa would be News Flash's jockey in the race, so she couldn't take Euphoria.

Who's going to ride Euphoria? I asked, dried tears feeling sticky on my cheeks as fresh ones started pouring out. James sighed, reaching for my good hand without taking his eyes off the road. He massaged it gently with his thumb as he spoke. I don't know. Let's think about it in the morning, okay?