by M M Johns

Created on: November 16, 2009

Scott lowered himself astride the midnight black stallion, aptly named 'Midnight'. Midnight was a champion bronc who had the reputation of unseating most of the cowboys who attempted to stay on board for the required eight seconds.

Just my luck, he thought as he tightened his grip on the halter rope, checked his hat was firmly on his head and settled in the saddle. Draw this monster on my first big rodeo ride.

He was more afraid of looking like a bloody idiot, being thrown as they came out of the chute, or landing badly and having to be helped from the arena. Pride was the overriding factor in this contest of man against animal, well the prize and glory was also a factor, he had to admit wryly.

He again tightened his grip on the halter rope, braced himself and nodded to the gate man. The gate opened and after a moment Midnight erupted leaving the chute in a jump, landing on four straight legs, which jarred everyone bone in Scott's body, he then twisted and turned, throwing up his hind quarters trying to toss Scott over his head and then trying to throw him off the side by viscous turns and twists. Scott hung on grimly, trying to remember all he had been told, move his legs in the raking movement from shoulders back, keep his spare hand above his head, moving it for balance, lean back and stay glued to the saddle. Time seemed to pass slowly, his head felt as if it was being ripped from his shoulders with sudden corkscrewing. He then heard the buzzer and was aware that he had lasted the distance. He knew an outrider would come alongside and allow him to dismount and unfortunately relaxed just a touch to much. Midnight was not finished with him and did not seem to appreciate that the buzzer indicated that the ride was over.

The horse twitched to the left and as Scott shifted his weight to compensate immediately moved to the right. Scott threw himself back to counter the movement but felt himself sliding off the saddle. A final lifting of the hind quarters and Scott was flying through the air, arms and legs akimbo, flailing uselessly as he tried to break his landing. He thumped down on his back, the force of the landing forcing the air from his lungs in a whoosh, in much the same way as a submarine doing an emergency blow. As he lay there trying to draw a breath, the outrider appeared and shepherded the stallion away. A clown ran up and Scott managed to wave him away and get to his feet to make his way from the arena. Only as he stood did he hear the announcer

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