Hi, everypony, and welcome to another episode of Twilight Tries!

So as you can probably tell I’m still here in Sunset Shimmer’s world, and really it’s only been about, oh, three hours or so since I stopped recording for the last episode of this vlog. And if by chance you missed that episode allow me to catch you up real quick.

You see, I came to Sunset’s world to try a sport called breaking that involves dancing and acrobatic movements to the rhythm of hip-hop music. Things went pretty well for the most part, but by the end I’d somehow managed to contort myself in such a way that I was unable to, um…uncontort myself.

Shoot. ‘Uncontort’ isn’t actually a word.

But anywhoo, early on in that episode Applejack had mentioned that she and her family were hosting a tractor pulling competition at Sweet Apple Acres later in the day, and when she did I immediately thought that that would make for another interesting vlog episode. Now obviously after my little breaking incident it didn’t seem like I’d be able to do that episode, but since I’ve managed to get myself, um…decontorted, I can!

Dang it. I used another non-word just now.

So, yeah, I’m going to be trying tractor pulling today!

But what exactly is tractor pulling, you may be asking? Well according to Applejack, tractor pulling is a motorsport where antique tractors – like that small red one over there – or modified tractors – like that big green one over there - compete against other tractors in pulling a heavy sled along a track, with the winner being the tractor that pulls the sled the farthest. It’s something that’s apparently been around in this world for a long time, as well as something that the Apple family has hosted a competition for at their farm since they founded it.

So, yeah, as you can imagine tractor pulling is kind of a big deal around here. And as you can probably also imagine, I’m very excited to try it!

Now before we get started, I just want to clarify that I’m not going to be trying this in the actual competition. There’s a whole series of qualifying factors that go into deciding who’s allowed to compete, and since I just got to this world this morning I obviously haven’t met any of those qualifying factors - whatever they are.

Applejack didn’t really specify them.

But thankfully, there’s an exhibition portion of the event that anyone can participate in as long as they have an experienced tractor puller with them. And as you know, we have a tractor puller with us who’s not only experienced but extremely experienced. Well, we will have once she gets here that is.

I wonder what’s taking AJ so long.

.

Oh, I think I see her now.

And here she is, everypony; Apple…Bloom?

Oh, um, hi, Apple Bloom. What are you doing here?

.

.

What?! You’re saying you’re going to be doing the tractor pull with me?!

.

.

Oh, no, no, no! I don’t have a problem with that! I’m just…confused is all. I thought Applejack was going to be doing this with me.

.

.

Your sister had to take Rainbow Dash to the hospital because she sprained her ankle during their breaking competition? Oh my, I hope it's not too serious.

I suddenly feel like I got off easy just turning myself into a pretzel.

Wait a minute. How much tractor pulling experience do you have, Apple Bloom? Applejack said the experienced tractor puller has to have a certain number of years operating a tractor under their belt to be considered, well…experienced enough. And no offense, but I’m not sure if you have enough years under your belt yet.

.

.

Sorry, you’ve been tractor pulling since you were how old?

.

.

Wow. I gotta admit, that’s pretty impressive.

All right, well, since everything seems to be in-order I guess we should get started then. So, which of these tractors are we going to be using?

Please not the big green one, please not the big green one.

.

.

The b-big green one?

Hoo-boy.

Okie-doki then, let’s head on over to our tractor. Heh heh.

.

Sweet Celestia, look at the size of those tires.

.

Gee, this tractor looks even b-bigger up-close; greener too.

Oh, and there’s a little yellow deer that’s painted on it.

.

.

This is a 6R 215 tractor with 6-cylinder engines, IVT transmission, and CommandPRO? Um, great!

I think.

All right, let me just climb on up in here.

.

Ooh. Comfy seat.

Huh. This actually isn’t as cramped as I’d expected. I mean, there’s even enough space in here for a second seat.

Okay, Apple Bloom, how to I work this thing?

.

.

.

Oooooh my. This is a lot of instructions.

Um, sorry to interrupt, Apple Bloom, but do I really need to know all this? I mean I know I’m new to tractor pulling and everything, but I don’t think I need to know how to use the interface console to adjust the hydraulics for different sized bales.

.

.

Okay, yeah, I think I got all that. I steer using the steering wheel – obviously – and I use this joystick to control my travel speed and acceleration response. And the interface console will display the readings of how the tractor is doing.

Thank goodness I don’t have to actually use the interface. I am not good with those things.

All righty, I guess there’s nothing left to do now but to start driving.

.

.

Yep, activation button has been pressed; interface display is showing everything is within the operational range; let’s go!

Nice and easy now, Twilight. Just a light touch on the pedal.

.

I…I’m doing it! I’m doing it!

Whoo-hoo!

.

.

Right, Apple Bloom, let’s head on over to the track!

That’s it, Twilight, slow and steady. You don’t want to accidently crush anyone under these massive tires.

.

I’m very concerned that my mind just went there.

.

Okay, we’re here. So, what now? Do we get out and attach the sled?

.

.

Someone will do it for us? Oh, all right.

Aaaand it looks like they’ve already done it.

Wow. Speedy.

Right then. Any last second advice, Apple Bloom?

.

.

Put the pedal to the metal?

Um, could you maybe explain what that means? I don’t believe that’s a phrase I’ve ever heard used in Equestria.

.

.

O-Oh, I see.

Uh, not to excoriate your advice, Apple Bloom, but are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean I know that the sled we’re going to be pulling is heavy and all, but don’t you think that accelerating the tractor as rapidly as possible could make it difficult to control? Or, I dunno, maybe cause the chain to the sled to break and we end up going so fast that we plow right into the crowd?!

Why…Why does my mind keep going there?!

.

.

No, no, it’s not that I think you’re lying to me! I think I’m just a lot more…anxious about doing this than I thought I’d be. I’ve never operated such a large and powerful piece of machinery before, and because of that I can’t help but think that something that could go really wrong will go really wrong.

But I know that you’d never lie to or mislead me, Apple Bloom. You’re conscientious and honest, just like you’re big sister, and if you believe that everything will be okay if I make this tractor go as fast as possible than I believe it too. So, let’s do this!

Here goes nothing.

.

WAAAAAHHHHH!

.

*DEEP BREATHING*

We…We’ve stopped. Is it…over?

.

.

Oh, wow. That was quick. And kind of…exhilarating!

.

.

Well I was still kind of anxious while we were moving, but I suppose it was like riding on a rollercoaster; the anxiety made the whole thing more thrilling.

.

.

Yeeeaaah, no, I’m good. We don’t have to do that again.

At least not right now.

Why don’t we just get out of here and grab a bite to eat at one of the food stands? I’m feeling a little hungry after all that excitement.

.

.

Sounds good. You head on over to the food stands and I’ll catch up with you after I do the wrap up for my vlog.

.

Well, everypony, this episode certainly ended up being more interesting than I thought it’d be. And I went into it already thinking that it was going to be interesting! I honestly didn’t expect my excitement for trying tractor pulling to turn into anxiety. Or maybe it always was anxiety and I just didn’t realize it, who knows. I guess it can be kind of difficult to tell the difference between the two sometimes. But regardless, I’m glad that I did this. Not only because it ended up not being as bad as my anxiety imagined it would be, but also because it really did end up being fun!

So as always, thanks for watching, everypony, and I’ll see you next time on Twilight Tries!

.

Okay, Apple Bloom, what kind of food should we get? It looks like there are stands for apple fritters, churros, and…khachapuri?

Am I saying that right, or did I just use another non-word again?

Author's Note

It's funny how sometimes excitement can suddenly turn into anxiety. Or if you're me, how sometimes any feeling can suddenly turn into anxiety - for seemingly no reason whatsoever.

Thank goodness for comfort stuff like khachapuri and Enya songs.

If there's something you'd like to see Twilight try, please let me know in the comments!