Grand Jack

Grand Jack

She wakes up early, before the sun
Has risen in the East
She has a thousand things to do
A hundred at the least

The morning air is crisp and chill
Cold now, but soon to warm
Early sunlight rays poke through
As she drives out to the barn

She sees the course with eight tall jumps
And in front, the judge’s stand
As she walks in, through West Star’s gate
Show clothes in her hand

A high arched neck, soft dark eyes
And coat striking velvet black
His strong breath, a cloudy mist
Her jumping horse, Grand Jack

Jack is groomed to gleaming night
His mane is pulled just so
The saddle’s polished, the bridle’s clean
For today their big horse show

She tacks him up, shines her boots
And leads him out to hack
She pulls on her gloves, her helmet too
And ties her number ‘round her back

The butterflies are flying fast
Her nerves are strung full force
As they walk up to the entry gate
And ride in to jump their course

She trotted round in courtesy
As the judge signaled the go
She cantered Jack to their first jump
Their stride a rhythmic flow

Like an eagle, Jack took flight
Soaring through the air
A gentle landing, the perfect jump
Nothing could compare

Grand Jack and her nailed every one
The course was all the same
Until the last tall vertical
That’s when the trouble came

She thought she saw the distance but
One stride she failed to wait
And much to her great horror she saw
That stride would seal their fate

She asked for the jump too soon
The crowd gasped in suspense
As her and Jack, without control
Fell straight into the fence

Brushing off the dust she stood
Her crop still in her hand
Grand Jack rose, and gently shook
To brush off all the sand

She looked at the silent crowd
As tears welled in her eyes
Because today, her and Jack
Would not win the prize

She led Jack back to his stall
Her head held low in shame
Because of her they had failed
She was all to blame

But Jack he knew just how she felt
And nickered in her ear
She looked up to his soft eyes
And saw forgiveness strong and clear

She wiped the tears and stood up tall
As her face broke to a grin
Because she knew, her and Jack
Next time they would win