1x1 w/ starwalker

[astrophile.]

ryan king
the remaining twenty or so minutes were mostly a blur to ryan, mainly consisting of him strapping his rigging on the back of his horse, striking up a few conversations with riders he'd come to know over the years and waiting. the big bay, branded with an h on his hip, wasn't the best draw and he wasn't the top horse ryan had been hoping for, but he had seen him go before, witch doctor was a seasoned veteran, and he'd seen riders make good scores on him. he'd be perfect for getting back into the groove of things, and ryan told himself he'd get his chance later. the music cut out and was replaced by the announcer's voice, welcoming everyone to the 49th annual carson county stock show and rodeo. the anthem was sung, then a prayer, and after the grand entry- which ryan was not participating in- it was showtime. he'd be going out early, as witch doctor was in the fourth chute. he practically vibrated with excitement and bounced on his toes when the first chute gate slammed open and the first horse blew out and broke in two. the cowboy got his mark out, then began laying his spurs on the chestnut colt's back while he did his part. it was a good effort by both horse and rider, and a score ryan would have to compete with. at the buzzer the cowboy freed his hand and made a successful dismount onto one of the pickup men while the other took care of the bronc. an 83 from the judges moved the young man into a temporary first place. the second man to go out had bucked off, crashing into the dirt for a no score. the results of the third out, ryan didn't quite know, as by that time he was focusing on getting himself situated on the back of witch doctor, climbing over the chute gate and settling down inside. he pulled his fingers through the rigging, which reminded him of a suitcase handle, gripping until his knuckles turned white inside his glove. laying back, he put a hand up, and after drawing in one last breath, gave a nod of his head.

asher hawkins
after the grand entry had gone out, the anthem sung, asher was now positioned over near the chutes, waiting for the next rider to nod his head. ranger was coiled up underneath him, ready to leap into action at the first sight of trouble. so far, there hadn't been any, with two out of the three riders to go making nice rides and getting off safely, while the other had been bucked off prematurely, crashing into the dirt and just missing the impact of the mare's hooves by a hair. "that's the thing." he could remember his dad telling him one night in wyoming when asher was in his teens. "the broncs, they'll try as hard as they can to avoid stepping on you. the bulls on the other hand..." you'd get some that would leave you alone, and then you had the hooky ones, the ones who'd do everything in their power to make sure you left that arena with a limp. But still, accidents happen, and it sure as hell hadn't been one of those bulls that had torn up his knee, ending his career after just two short years. thank god he'd had a backup plan, a college education and a ranch to return home to, unlike so many unlucky others.

now he waited, eyes on the carson county sheriff's office bucking chute as the fourth cowboy prepared for his go. all three of the broncs had bucked exceptionally well, all three of them hawkins horses as was witch doctor. the bay was very near and dear to asher's heart, foaled, raised, and trained on the hawkins ranch. the first colt out of the late and great medicine woman. as far as the kid on his back, asher had seen him ride before. after all, it was one of his own buckers whose hooves he had landed under when he was bucked off before asher could get to his side. once again, accidents happen, and it was up to him and his father, as pickup men, to make sure these accidents didn't happen as often. a job they were pretty good at.

shyanne walker
from where she was, tucked away in a nearby pasture, shyanne had the perfect view of the arena, could hear the announcer's voice loud and clear as he gave introductions and scores. though it would be at least another hour and a half before the barrels were set up, the blonde was already feeling the excitement and energy of competition. the feeling must've been contagious; under her, riata tossed her head, coiled up like a spring and raring to go. the three week break, spending her days lazily grazing on a hill with a half dozen other horse friends, had seemingly done her good, her muscles rippling under her shiny bay coat. with a smooch and a squeeze she leaped into a powerful lope, eating up the ground with her massive stride and growing stronger with every beat. alone in the pasture with no one else but her mare and the distant chirp of the crickets, shyanne smiled to herself. she had a good feeling about both her and her beloved riata's condition. the lightest contact with the reins and she turned, and shyanne herself was feeling much more refreshed if they both stayed like that, there was no telling the things they could accomplish this year. although it was just a small event, and some would argue a rodeo is just a rodeo- cheyenne and pendleton and houston, they're all the same- she couldn't help but feel that this one mattered just a teensy bit more. pretty soon they'd be leaving this small ranching town in the dust, off for the neon lights and the fancier shows. but for now, this go meant the world.

the rattling of another chute gate, the pounding of the hooves on the dusty arena sand let shyanne know another cowboy had started his ride, but she was in her own little world with riata, only inferring by the groans from the crowd that he bucked off before the buzzer. after a series of figure eights and circles, she brought riata back to a walk, letting her have her head and giving her neck a pat. as the night wore on, the familiar nervousness began to fill her, the fluttering in her stomach. it was a feeling she couldn't shake, no matter how many times she's done this. soon enough she'd bring riata back to her trailer, give her a final check over before their run. it'd be time to go and they'd do good or they'd do bad, only time would tell, then it would be on the road again, onto the next one. but for now, she was in that pasture, oblivious to the world going around her. just a girl and her horse as the texas sun slipped under the flat, dusty horizon.