“And the winner is Winged Rapier!!!”
Perhaps you could be forgiven for not noticing the announcement. After all, you had only been christened Winged Rapier a short while ago. On the other hand, not realizing you had already crossed the finish line might cause a few raised eyebrows. As it is, you never even pause in your running, even after the grey veers off the track. Only when a group of four other horses appear out of nowhere and get in your way do you slow down enough to hear the cheering.
In mild confusion, you finally stop. Suddenly, a man runs up and pats your shoulder. “You won, boy! You won!”
Sheepish but proud, you follow the man to a raised platform and step up to the circle in the middle. The grey is already there, along with the mare who snagged third. Now in place, you raise your head and whinny in triumph.
Soon, a wreath is placed on your neck and a few short announcements are made. Then, it ends, and you all go your separate ways. The same man who guided you to the stage takes you to a building off to the side where you enter a horse sized shower. After putting your wreath aside, a couple of humans scrub you down and rinse you off, and you do your best to cooperate with their efforts. You even try to help dry yourself off afterwards by holding the towel in your mouth and rubbing it against your flank, much to their amusement.
Once clean, the wreath is returned, and you are led back to the front entrance. The man at the counter waves you over. “Good racing there, kid! I knew you had it in you! And now, here’s your special prize!” With a big smile, he holds out…