Under a cloudless sky, the scent of fresh grass filled the air as I readied myself for the horseback riding contest. The routine was clear: take a brief tour of the course, bow to the judge, then the judge would start the timer. As I completed my circuit, I noticed the judge, distracted by a phone call, had already started the timer. Tick-tock. Panic surged through me like a wave. "Emily, run! RUN!!" My coach's urgent voice pierced through the noise. The wind whipped my face as I urged my horse forward. Faster, faster. Every muscle in my body tensed, every heartbeat echoed in my ears. Despite the chaos, the bond with my horse—her powerful strides beneath me, the rhythmic beat of her hooves against the earth—and my coach’s encouragement carried me through.
Emily’s Workshop 
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