The Girl Who Loves Horses (Pegasus Equestrian Center Series) Read online

  “Thanks,” Sierra relinquished Magic’s reins, feeling more pleased by Manuel’s praise than all the compliments she had received from strangers.

  Sierra and Manuel had untacked and brushed down the two horses and turned them back into their stalls with an armload of hay to snack on by the time Tess arrived with Crystal at her side, followed by Gloria and Katrina leading their horses. Both girls were beaming and talking excitedly. They had both finished their cross country course without jumping faults or time penalties.

  “Hey guys,” Luke called out waving a handful of papers as he and Justin returned from checking out the scores. He handed the papers, the dressage test score sheets, to Tess, who looked each one over before handing them out to each of the riders.

  “Crystal, you’re in first place,” Justin announced. Crystal’s entire demeanor brightened on hearing the news. It occurred to Sierra just then to wonder why it was so important to Crystal, somebody who seemed to have everything she wanted, to always win. And then it also occurred to her that it would be very unpleasant if she were to ever come out ahead of Crystal.

  Justin and Luke reported on the team’s standings so far. In maiden beginner novice, Crystal was in first place, and to Sierra’s astonishment, she was in third! In novice, Gloria was currently in first place and Katrina was in fourth. The Pegasus team so far had the highest scores.

  *****

  For cross country, Tess had told Sierra to wear a long-sleeved red tee shirt or sweat shirt, which fortunately she already owned. Then each of the riders wore a mandatory protective vest, provided by Pegasus in the stable colors of navy blue with scarlet trim. Tess also gave them a satin cover in the same colors, which stretched on over their helmets. The horses wore red splint boots and red saddle pads with PEC embroidered in navy blue. Sierra thought the colors looked great with Fala’s gleaming black coat, and with her own complimentary outfit, she felt they must present a grand site as Fala pranced from the warm-up area to the starting box for cross country. Many onlookers smiled at them as they passed by and called out encouragements; “Good luck,” or “you look great, have a good ride.”

  Sierra guided Fala into the starting box in a blissful state. They had warmed up well. Sierra had concentrated on getting Fala to move out at a ground-covering, relaxed working trot to loosen her muscles, and then had hand-galloped her around the perimeter of the warm-up area, taking a low cross-rail jump just once to clue Fala that jumping was coming up. Fala seemed filled with energy, boosted by the excitement of the strange surroundings and other horses, yet she had listened and responded promptly to Sierra’s half-halts. Sierra’s own adrenalin kept her senses alert and a little on edge; and she felt her muscles were nicely in tune with Fala’s movements.

  They flew over the course; Fala never once hesitated, not even when asked to gallop through a water crossing (which Tess had not anticipated would be in the maiden course, so they hadn’t practiced at home). In spite of the mud flying up and spattering Fala’s legs and belly as well as Sierra’s legs, and the periods of rain slicking Fala’s coat and Sierra’s clothing, and partially obscuring her vision, they moved forward without losing their rhythm. It was the most exhilarating and delightful experience Sierra had ever had in her life! They flew between the finish poles without jumping faults or time penalties, and again to applause and cheering.

  “Fala, I love you,” Sierra exclaimed as she jumped down and hugged her.

  Tess walked up with a cooler in her arms and actually had a smile on her face. “Nice ride,” she said and helped Sierra loosen Fala’s girth and throw the cooler over the mare’s back. Then Tess moved back to watch anxiously at the last jump of the course, waiting for Crystal to appear on Magic.

  Sierra led Fala at a leisurely pace back towards the stalls but stopped at a point where she could see two of the obstacles on the course, hoping to catch sight of Magic. A lovely paint horse came into view on course with its rider calling to him, “Whoa,” as he tried to slow him for the approach to a vertical rail fence at the bottom of a downhill slope. The rider managed to bring the paint back to a trot, and at the slower pace negotiated the downhill without slipping. Sierra remembered that jump and was grateful for the many times of riding up and down hills at a canter and gallop on the trails, so had not been intimidated by the slope and had allowed Fala to stay in a gallop. She also remembered the muddy spot in a direct line to the jump that she had been able to avoid and watched the current rider also steer his horse around the mud, then pick up the canter again and take the jump. Where is Magic? Sierra wondered, worried, for they had been the next on course after her and Fala. Perhaps Magic had refused or run out and the next rider had passed them up.

  Then Magic crested the hill and began the descent, his brilliant red coat gleaming with the slickness of rain and sweat. Crystal with her hands just inches from his bit struggled to slow his frantic gallop. Out of control, Sierra noted and gasped as Magic slipped, one hock bent nearly touching the ground; but he righted himself and flinging his head in desperation, fled on down the hill in a straight line for the jump.

  “Look out for the mud!” Sierra yelled.

  Crystal’s face was fixed in a rigid expression of terror, her eyes on the jump ahead. She did not notice the mud and as Magic tried to veer around, she jerked him back on a straight line and slapped him with her crop. He flung his head up, reared and plunged forward. His front legs came down into the slick mud and he lost traction. Sierra watched in horror as the panicked horse, his legs slipping underneath, struggled to regain a footing, and then his back leg twisted and they went down.

  Crystal screamed! She managed to fling her body out of the saddle and away from the thrashing horse. Magic landed on his side, his legs flailing. Somehow he got his forelegs planted and struggled to push himself up but didn’t seem able to get his hind legs into a position to lift his weight.

  A flurry of activity ensued. Several people rushed over to Crystal and others were running, talking into two-way radios. The next rider had been halted at the crest of the hill. An announcement over the loudspeaker called for the paramedic team and the on-sight veterinarian to come to cross country obstacle five of the maiden course.

  “I’m okay, dammit!” Crystal screamed out at the people trying to prevent her from moving until the medics arrived.

  Just then Tess came running up followed closely by Walt Douglas, Justin, and Luke. “I’m her father, let us through,” Mr. Douglas shouted out and the crowd obediently moved back to let him move up to Crystal’s side.

  “Daddy,” Crystal sobbed hysterically.

  Two four-wheelers arrived and two paramedics jumped off the first and rushed over to the crowd around Crystal. Another two men got off the second and joined the people who were standing around Magic, still flailing and struggling to get to his feet. Sierra longed to go over to Magic, but with Fala in her care, all she could do was stand by, a helpless onlooker.

  After a short exam by the paramedics, Crystal was helped to her feet and walked with her father’s arm around her shoulders. The entire left side of her body was covered in mud. Long tracks of tears streaked her muddy face, ashen in color. On the other side of her, Tess’s face was equally drained of color. The crowd parted as they walked over to Crystal’s struggling horse.

  Two people, one on each side and holding onto Magic’s bridle, were trying to pull him forward while several people behind tried to push against his hind end as he struggled to stand. With a mighty groan he at last heaved out of the mud and stood trembling, supporting his weight on three legs. The left hind leg he held bent at an awkward angle at the hock.

  “What’s going on?” Katrina and Gloria came jogging up behind Sierra, both their faces with anxious expressions.

  “Magic went down. I think Crystal’s okay, but it looks bad for Magic,” Sierra explained briefly. Not having a horse to hold, the two girls hurried to join the crowd, now gawking at the tragic scene.

  The veterinarian, who had arrived on the four-whe
eler, was examining Magic’s leg. He stood, shaking his head and spoke to Tess. “He’ll need x-rays, but it’s obvious there’s a fracture.”

  “Can you do something so we can get him home?” Tess asked.

  “I’ll splint the leg and give him pain medication,” the vet replied, shaking his head morosely.

  The Pegasus truck and horse van pulled up on the nearby road and Manuel jumped out to open the ramp. The vet had finished his first-aid work, and Tess led the limping horse to where she and Manuel and other willing helpers managed to load him into the trailer. The crowd dispersed, the rider who had waited at the top of the hill was signaled to resume the course (her time had been halted during the emergency), and there was nothing for the rest of them to do but load up the other horses and return to the stable. Tess and Katrina actually helped Sierra and Manuel put on the shipping gear and load the other three horses. Then Tess drove off with Gloria and Katrina. Mr. Douglas had already left with Crystal and the two boys. Manuel and Sierra followed behind with the horse van.

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  17 Cannon Bone

  If we are to raise ourselves up to higher levels of equestrian expression, we need to become constructively self-critical and develop a refined degree of self-control. An essential part of this lies in striving to put aside our ego. The earthly ego ever threatens to warp our ability to assess ourselves and our performance objectively. Only when our desire to learn is constantly tempered by modesty and a genuine interest in the horse’s well-being, will we be on the path which leads to the blossoming of true horsemanship. – Erik Herbermann

  *****

  Manuel pulled into the stable yard and halted the rig. A van belonging to Dr. Patterson, Pegasus’s vet, already sat parked near the stable entrance. At the sound of their arrival, the others stepped out of the lounge where they had been waiting.

  Manuel and Sierra had not talked much during the ride home. Once, Manuel sighed deeply and murmured, “Pobre Reever.” His words echoed Sierra’s own thoughts, How is River going to react?

  River must have heard the trailer for he came out from inside the stable. His hair shadowed his face as he walked to the back of the van, to Sierra’s relief. She did not want to see his expression. River lowered the ramp and stepped inside to stand at Magic’s head. Tess came over to help Sierra and Manuel unload the other three horses first. Then River carefully backed the injured chestnut out. Whatever pain medication or tranquilizer the vet had given Magic certainly had taken effect, because he moved very slowly, swaying, and with his head low. He still did not put any weight on his splinted left hind leg.

  “Take your time, take your time,” Dr. Patterson coached needlessly from the side of the ramp. When Magic was finally unloaded, River led him slowly to the wash stall where Dr. Patterson had set up his x-ray equipment. The others followed to watch, except Manuel and Sierra who went inside the stable to put up the other horses. Sierra still hadn’t mustered the courage to look at River.

  Dr. Patterson had completed his exam and taken the x-rays by the time Sierra and Manuel finished with the other horses and joined the group. The vet stood in front of his computer at the back of his van, studying the x-ray images with everyone looking over his shoulder. Sierra steeled her nerves to glance over at River. He had remained with Magic, and had his back to her holding Magic’s lead. The chestnut stood with his drugged head pressed against River’s chest while River stroked his neck.

  Dr. Patterson coughed a few times as he moused back and forth between the x-ray images. Then he motioned to Tess, pointing at one of the images. “See here…and here. It’s very clear. There is a fracture of the cannon bone.”

  “What does that mean?” Mr. Douglas asked in a business-like tone.

  “We could attempt to repair it. This sort of surgery has been done. I am quite certain he would survive, but there is no way of knowing what level of soundness he will ever achieve. There’s a chance he could heal to where he could be used as a pleasure horse. It’s doubtful he could remain sound enough to compete, especially at jumping. But it is possible.”

  Coldness seeped down Sierra’s spine and into her arms and legs. She could barely breathe. Her legs felt weighted as she followed the group to stand around Magic.

  River looked up at Dr. Patterson, his color pale and mouth tight, and Sierra’s heart dropped at the hope she saw in his eyes. The vet shook his head and put a comforting hand on River’s shoulder.

  “What is your recommendation?” Mr. Douglas asked.

  “It depends on what your daughter’s attachment is to the horse and how much you are willing to invest. It would of course be different if he were a stallion or a mare.”

  “He is insured,” Mr. Douglas stated.

  “I’m sure this injury will qualify for reimbursement of medical expenses. But I should let you know that most insurance companies I have dealt with would consider this injury as justifiable to put the horse down. They would most likely reimburse his insured value.”

  “Put him down,” Crystal snapped out.

  Mr. Douglas ignored her and continued discussing with Dr. Patterson. “You’re of the opinion he’ll not be fit to compete? I paid forty thousand dollars for this animal!”

  “Of course there are no absolutes. There is always a chance, but unlikely. I really can’t give you any statistics. I would say it’s probably a fifty-fifty chance he could recover enough to stay sound for light work.”

  “Just put him down,” Crystal spit out the words.

  “Crystal, I only insured him for twenty-five thousand. I would take a big loss.”

  “We’ve already lost with this beast,” Crystal answered. “He could have killed me!” Her face remained ashen and her lips began to quiver as she sniffed back tears.”

  River turned. He looked first at Tess who stood with a look of shock frozen on her face, still drained of color. Sierra had never seen her look so distressed. Then River looked at Mr. Douglas. In the most respectful tone Sierra had ever heard from River, he asked, “Please sir, give him a chance.”

  Mr. Douglas sighed deeply, puffing out his cheeks, and running a hand over his balding head. “Twenty-five thousand is better than nothing,” he said to no one in particular. He could not meet River’s eyes. “What kind of time frame are we looking at before we would know how useful he will be?” Mr. Douglas asked the vet.

  “An injury like this will take many months, even a year or more. Even with surgery it will require a lengthy recovery.”

  Mr. Douglas sighed again.

  “Daddy, I won’t have a horse to ride. Let’s just put him down and be done with it.”

  “You have Caretaker,” he answered his daughter.

  “Pa-lease,” Crystal drew out the word sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “Besides, he’s for sale.”

  “But you could ride him while we shop for another mount, and give this one a chance.”

  Everyone looked at Crystal, waiting her decision.

  “Put him down,” she answered with finality.

  River snapped his head around to look at her. A flash of rage passed over his face, but he shut his eyes and took a deep breath to regain control. In almost a whisper, he met her icy expression and pleaded, “Please, Crystal.”

  Crystal’s eyes widened in surprise. “And what have you ever done for me but treat me like dirt?” she asked vehemently.

  River did not look away. “I’m sorry. In the future I will treat you with the respect you deserve.” (Sierra wasn’t quite sure how he meant that.)

  “Just what does that mean?” Crystal retorted.

  “I will greet you with courtesy. I will jump to whatever it is you need me to do. I will be your slave.” Sierra heard the desperation in his tone. Tess watched, with a look of horror.

  Crystal smiled a slow, malevolent smile. “Hmm,” she considered. “Well…” Then she looked away and to her father. “I don’t think so. Put him down.”

  Mr. Douglas shrugged and said to Dr. Patterson, sounding slightly embarrasse
d. “I guess that’s her decision.”

  “Tess,” River turned to her. “Please, don’t let her do this. He deserves a chance.”

  His words seemed to stir Tess up. She actually looked remorseful. “Crystal, in all fairness…”

  “Put. Him. Down.” Crystal shouted the words and then flung herself into her father’s arms. “Daddy, he almost killed me!” she sobbed against his chest. Mr. Douglas made a tsking sound, rubbing her back, and then nodded toward Dr. Patterson.

  *****

  18 Empty Stall

  The horses will ever remain our true and ultimate judges; let us always listen to them. – Erik Herbermann

  *****

  “River, perhaps it would be best if you went away,” Dr. Patterson said gently. They had slowly led Magic from the wash stall to a grassy patch at the edge of the stable yard. It would make it easier for the renderers to remove the body. Tess stood next to the veterinarian, her posture still and tense and her face fixed in an expression of horrified shock.

  River shook his head, avoiding eye contact with the others and keeping his body close to Magic’s head, allowing the chestnut to press against him as he kept a hand on his neck, stroking gently. In a choked voice he pleaded one more time. “Can’t we wait a few days?”

  “No, son,” Dr. Patterson put a hand on River’s shoulder. “This is the best decision. I know you don’t want him to suffer.”

  River could not accept this as the best decision. If Magic were to have surgery right away he imagined there would be some pain afterwards, but they could give him pain medicine and he would eventually heal. In River’s mind, there was a very good chance he could even heal sound. No one had considered what Magic might prefer.