Literally just a bunch of stuff that I doubt I'll continue

High level competition and romance

I've spent my whole life training for this.

This year.

I can do it.

I will do it.

Nothing will stop me.

It's late and I'm tired but I must keep going if I want to be the image of perfection.

My fingers are aching, they're sticky with mane stay and cut up and bleeding a little from the needles.

I've only got a couple to go.

And then the tail.

It must be perfect.

No, better than perfect, because perfection is not enough.

Each small rosette braided tight and neat.

Each small rosette tied and sewed seamlessly.

And finally I'm on the final braid.

I begin to plait the short section of glossy white mane, pulling it tight every strand.

I reach the end and tie it off.

I fold it up pushing the banded end into the tightly plaited beginning, right on the gelding's perfectly muscled crown.

I thread the needle through, carefully attaching the braid.

I fold it over again so as to create a rosette.

I begin threading.

Making sure it is absolutely seamless.

I prick my fingers a couple of times but it doesn't matter.

And at last I'm done.

I tie of the thread and cut it.

"Finally! Three horses in three hours!"

I begin to do a little happy dance.

"Hey, Diana, I really think you should head to bed," I spin around, coming face to face to a perfectly sculpted boy, his tired cerulean eyes sparkle even in the dim light of the barn and his cinnamon coloured hair was tousled perfectly.
His shirtless figure drew my own valkyrie eyes and I had to silently remind myself that this boy was nothing more than my friend.
"It's nearly nine, we have to be up at three"

"I know", I nod, spinning back around and beginning on the gentle geldings tail. "I'll head in once I've done this and rugged up"

"Cmon doll, you'll be tired tomorrow, just do it in the morning" his voice tired and husky, a little shaky, likely due to how cold it is.

"I won't have time in the morning, I'll do it now", I begin to (attempt) to put a fine and elegant braid in the Snowy tail of the sleepy equine.
"And don't call me doll"

"Alright then Bluey", suddenly I can feel his hot breath on my neck as he address me with the nickname I received after dying my hair, "at least let me help"

I sigh, stepping back and finally allowing a yawn through.

I drop the attempted braid. It was failing anyway.

"You don't wanna properly braid the tail yet Toots", he begins throwing together a rough and chunky braid that is still better than my attempt. "Cos it's just gonna get all rubbed out and ruined in the trailer", he finishes the braid by plaiting what's left of the snowy tail to the bottom and tying it off.

He the takes the geldings royal blue show cotton and throws it carefully on the palomino's broad back.

He works quickly, doing up straps and then putting on the matching hood and finally the tail bag.