Chapter Text
Eden’s jaw clenched as the 3’6 course loomed ahead of her, a sense of dread festering in the pit of her stomach. Something was off. The arena lights were brighter, people were louder and her head was foggy. Not eating breakfast probably wasn’t the best idea... Neither was overthinking herself into a relapse the night before an important show.
“Hey,” Jess’s voice snapped her out of her trance. “You okay? You look a bit pale.” “Yeah,” Eden said lightly. “Totally fine, just a bit nervous.” Jess slapped a hand on her thigh.
“You’re gonna be fine. Just set him up and get out of his way. He’ll take care of you.”
“Right. Thanks,” Eden gave a small smile, and continued watching the 15 hand Appaloosa go around surprisingly quick. Everything’s fine. All nerves. Her wrist ached.
“Now entering the ring is number 284, Eden Voss riding Cairo’s Reign,” the announcer’s voice rang through the arena and an awkward silence followed. Eden exhaled and nudged Cairo forward. The gelding immediately went into a jig the moment his feet touched the footing. She held him back just for a moment and once he gave her a step or two of walk, she loosened the reins and squeezed her outside leg behind the girth. Cairo launched into an organized yet powerful canter, ears pricked forward. It was then Eden’s muscle memory locked in. Shoulders tall, steady leg and a determination so intense nothing could break her focus.
Three, two, one, Eden counted as she found the distance to the first fence. Cairo snapped his knees up to his nose and sailed over it with plenty of room to spare. She planted her weight into her left stirrup and the gelding turned like a crotch rocket around a corner. Smooth and perfectly balanced. The next few fences were the same. Eden’s vision danced with black dots in the corners, likely from lack of oxygen. Breathe, Eden, she scolded herself and forced an exhale. Then they turned to the oxer on the diagonal and Eden suddenly felt faint. Cairo must’ve sensed it too: he leaned on her leg, head raised and whale eyeing the fence. On instinct, she threw open the opposite rein and pressed him forward. Cairo listened-maybe a bit too well, and chose the long spot.
“Shit!” Eden gasped as she felt his shoulders coming up about two strides early. “Sit BACK!” Morgan yelled from the edge of the white fence. Cairo launched, and for a brief second Eden thought they would make it. CLUNK! His hind leg came up late, and his knee knocked into the top rails. The world tilted, and Eden felt her stomach drop before she understood it. Her helmet struck the dirt first, the impact rattling her teeth, and searing hot pain shot through her neck as she landed.
Cairo’s nose struck the ground, his knees skidding across the footing as he fell. The momentum threw his hindquarters into the air for a brief moment, then slammed into Eden, the full force of his body crushing her into the dirt. The gelding flailed in a desperate attempt to get to his feet. Eden didn't have time to register what happened before his hind hoof struck the side of her head.
A sickening CRACK echoed off the arena walls like a gunshot as her helmet split in two. His hind hoof caught her cheekbone, just below her temple, blood erupting from the wound. Eden leapt to her feet on instinct, was stable for a brief moment, then collapsed into a heap.