As the race began, the air seemed to vibrate with the cheers of the crowd. Norma surged ahead, her horse responding eagerly, though it was clear to any discerning eye that this animal had little aptitude for long-distance racing. Yet, in the opening moments, her advantage appeared undefeatable. Prudence, mounted upon Daisy, kept her eyes fixed on the path ahead, her pulse quickening.
Daisy was a mustang, a creature of wild temperament and untamed grace, accustomed to uneven terrains and the unpredictable stretches of grasslands. An open, flat course like this one should have been simple in comparison, yet Prudence knew that her mount's strength lay not in straight sprints but in agility and cunning over obstacles. Many competitors had imported lean, racing-bred horses, sleek and built for speed, and in the early stages, it seemed as though Prudence would be left trailing.
