Of Idols and Exhibitors

Amy Amateur, beset with nerves and fumbling to tie a back number, is doing her darndest to remember her 2’6” Derby course. It’s just 10am but she’s been awake since 5. Her jacket hides the stains of the morning’s chores but her horse sparkles. Her stomach protests the muffin devoured on a handwalk and possibly that extra glass of wine last night. She’s struggling to process her trainer’s last minute instructions and she’s forgotten her gloves, again. She has exactly one thought as she trots into the ring, and that is to sit up in her corners.

Ollie Olympian got his early morning run in by 7 and a sensible breakfast to fuel him for the day. He attends to several deals in the works then arrives to swept aisles, clean horses, and a tidy schedule printed on the whiteboard. He greets a magnificent animal in the crossties and does a once-over, out of habit more than anything, as any issue of concern would have already been raised by his team. At 10am he’s got reins in one hand and a leg over the flap as he tightens the girth one final time and threads his way into the schooling ring. By 2pm he’s ridden 6 of his 9 horses and is ready to break for lunch.

Amy’s 2’6” Derby takes two hours thanks to a very casually run gate. Back at the barn she bathes her horse and carefully undoes each braid before cleaning her tack and hauling it back to her car. The fifth time she passes the concession she realizes she hasn’t eaten since that 6am muffin, and steps into line behind Ollie. “Oh, excuse me!” she squeaks, as they both reach for napkins. She wonders if her heart rate will ever recover.