Twas the Night Before Christmas and All Through the Stalls…

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the stalls,
Every horse was made ready, prepared one and all.
All the halters were hung, and the saddles with care,
With hope that a victory soon would be theirs.

Then, what in the world do you think I saw next,
A world class horseman, a man they called Tex.
A step that was lively, with hands soft as clay,
I knew that he’d come to help save the day.

And more rapid than eagles his helpers all came,
As he shouted, “Brush that one” and “Band that mare’s mane.”
And into the stalls went the helpers with haste,
You could see the importance written on their face.

The next morning came early, rivals tense and stern,
The class was called in, the results we would learn.
Tex spoke not a word but went straight to his task,
All knew who was best, no one had to ask.

A rosette was soon draped ‘round the neck of his horse,
He gave a nod to the crowd, and took in their roar.
And I heard him exclaim as he walked out of sight,
“Best of luck to you all, and to all a good night!”

T.G. (The Equine Chronicle, Jan/Feb. 2018)