Finding Balance

The air was still. I looked ahead across the dirt arena, holding the reins tight against the brown horse's neck. Tension held my shoulders rigid. Slowly, I flexed my fingers. They opened and closed, responding to my will. I leaned slightly forward, shifting my weight into the horse's flank to test my balance. My grip tightened firmly around the leather strap, steady and controlled. I remained upright in the rearing stance, breathing through the silence.

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