The Boy Who Loves Horses (Pegasus Equestrian Center Series) Page 14

  “Slow down!” Tess called out through a megaphone. “Watch the footing. Okay, rein them in and back to me.”

  The riders brought their horses down to trot and then to walk with varying levels of difficulty and resistance and then milled around Tess at a walk.

  “The conditions today are great for practice because this is often what you will find at an event. You all have got to learn to maintain control, so that’s what we are going to focus on today. Cindy, you could have had a bad fall when you hit that muddy spot. You have to walk your course and know the conditions.”

  “I saw the mud,” Cindy replied. “I just couldn’t turn him away.”

  “Exactly, he was on the tail of the horse in front of you and that’s also very dangerous. You have no business out on a course if you aren’t the master.” Tess surveyed the group around her, mentally adjusting her plan for the conditions and the amount of control she noted in each rider. “These are the jumps I want you to take for the first round.” Tess described and pointed out eight obstacles. “They are all beginner novice to novice level jumps, so even if you are riding at a higher level this year, this is where we’re going to start since most of your horses haven’t jumped outside an arena since last fall. Any questions?” When no one had anything to ask, Tess said, “River is going to take Moose over the course first to demonstrate. I want you all to pay close attention to how he stays in control and rates his horse between the jumps.”

  River moved Moose away from the group and down a slight hill, picking up a posting trot. He circled and transitioned to canter half way around the circle and then headed for the first obstacle. Sierra marveled at how easy he made it look to ride the big thoroughbred that had terrified her when she had to trail ride him in the past. Moose’s ears pricked forward and they galloped fluidly around the course, taking each jump well in stride and to all appearances, effortlessly. Tess kept up a running commentary, pointing out where River sat back to slow down for a turn, where he veered off to avoid the mud, and how he approached each jump for the correct take-off. River finished the course and then without any obvious signals, brought Moose down to a walk as he came back to the group.

  The onlookers clapped in appreciation. “Wonderful ride,” one of the observers said amid similar comments from the others. River smiled at Sierra as he brought Moose alongside Minstrel. Diva whinnied, looking at River as if to say, ‘why aren’t you riding me?’ Crystal scowled and jerked a rein to turn Diva’s head away.

  “Thank you; good ride,” Tess stated and then reviewed once again with the group how River had handled each obstacle. “Anything you want to add, River?”

  “Um, watch the footing right after the coop,” he said after thinking a minute. “Stay to the left.”

  “Okay…questions?” Tess looked around and then directed, “Sierra, you ride next; Katrina, after Sierra.”

  “Are you finished with me?” River asked.

  “Yes, you may be excused,” Tess said, turning her attention to Sierra, starting down the hill.

  Sierra felt her nerves tighten, the same as an actual show, with everyone watching. Minstrel threw his head up and snorted loudly, as much as to say, ‘you’re nervous, so I’m wary.’

  “Sorry, it’s okay,” Sierra murmured to him and blew out breaths in rhythm with his trotting stride as she descended the hill and started her circle. She circled twice, allowing both herself and her mount to settle, and as he dropped his head into the bit, she signaled for canter. She forgot about the others as she turned toward the first jump, concentrating on Minstrel and maintaining an even gallop. She completed the course, trying to duplicate all that River had done; sitting back to slow for turns, careful at the coop, and adjusting Minstrel’s pace for correct take-off at each obstacle. As she returned to the group, the onlookers honored her also with applause.

  But it was River’s smile and his nod of approval that meant the most to her. He stood at Moose’s head, having remained to watch her ride before he returned to the stable and chores.

  “Good ride,” Tess commented. “A little slow, however. You could have picked up the pace between the stone wall and the bank. But I’d rather see you err on the side of caution, especially in these conditions.”

  Sierra nodded in response to Tess’s comments; pleased that she had nothing more negative to say.

  One by one, Tess sent each rider around the course and commented on their performance. Katrina on Calliope appeared to take the jumps well in stride, but several times she needed to bring the mare all the way to trot to regain control. In spite of the harsher bit and martingale, Gloria still had a difficult time keeping Silver from rushing; a habit he had developed as he was faced with bigger jumps. Most of the other riders had at least one refusal or run-out, with Tess coaching them on how to correct the problems.

  The only other clear round was achieved by Crystal on Diva. Sierra had watched River ride Diva and take her over jumps inside the arena, and recognized the mare’s scope. But what surprised her, was Diva’s tolerance of Crystal’s heavy hands and how she managed to negotiate the course in fine style, in spite of her rider. It seemed at last Crystal had a mount that suited her.

  “Okay, I’ve seen improvement in all your horses. I expect most of you will do very well this year,” Tess announced two and a half hours later. Everyone had completed the initial course of jumps and then Tess had coached over individual obstacles. She finished the clinic by having each rider complete another round of jumps, adding more difficult obstacles according to each rider’s level. “We’ll debrief in the lounge after you have cared for your horses. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of the competition calendar before you leave today.”

  Riders dismounted, milled around Tess asking questions and talking to each other, discussing the clinic.

  “That was fun!” Katrina exclaimed as she dismounted and brought Calliope alongside Sierra, who had already dismounted and was loosening Minstrel’s girth. “I’m really looking forward to training level this year. What level are you taking Minstrel?”

  “Tess is going to have us start out at novice, but if he does okay, she’ll move us up to training this season.”

  “Those last two obstacles were training level heights, and it sure looked like Minstrel handled them just fine,” Katrina stated encouragingly.

  “Yeah, it felt that way. Calliope didn’t look like she had any trouble either. I bet you two are going to have a great season,” Sierra countered.

  “I hope. I’m kind of worried about the dressage test. We have to do lengthenings.”

  “I know. But I think it’s great you’re taking Calliope to the dressage show in two weeks. That’s got to help.”

  The two girls led their horses back toward the stable, discussing the jumps in the clinic and what they might expect in the upcoming season.

  “Shouldn’t Crystal and Gloria dismount and lead their horses up the hill?” Katrina asked, just now noticing that those two were still mounted and passing the riders leading their horses.

  “Of course they should,” Sierra answered. Crystal was talking animatedly to Gloria, waving her hands around even though she held Diva’s reins. Justin walked alongside Crystal’s stirrup and Greg and Luke followed behind the two horses. Then she saw River descending the hill toward the group and even from this distance, she could tell he was not happy. “Uh oh,” she said worriedly.

  Katrina also noticed and added her own, “Oh dear.”

  River walked up to Diva and placed a hand on her bridle rein near the bit. “Get off,” he ordered.

  “Don’t tell me…” Crystal started to retort.

  “I know, I know,” River interrupted in an acerbic tone. “Don’t tell you what to do.” He met Crystal’s demeaning look. “Do you want me to take care of your horse or not?”

  “Hey, you can’t talk to her like that,” Justin cut in.

  River glanced at him with an icy and challenging look. Justin dropped his gaze.

  Crystal looked like
she wanted to kick him in the face. Then she took in a deep breath and huffed, “It’s what we pay you to do.” In a voice loud enough to be sure those nearby heard and would have no delusions as to who was in charge, she said to Gloria, “It’s so hard to get good help these days.”

  Gloria laughed as she knew Crystal expected her to, and they both dismounted and flung their reins off to River. They proceeded up the hill with the boys behind them. Justin and Greg kept their eyes straight ahead, but Luke at least gave River a weak smile on passing.

  “One of these days…” Katrina said in an ominous tone.

  Sierra let out her breath in relief. “I thought for sure Justin was going to start a fight.”

  “Justin?” Katrina laughed. “No, Justin would never fight with someone like River. He’s too much of a coward. I’m more worried about what mean, sneaky things Crystal will think up for him to do behind River’s back.”

  “Yes, you’re right about that,” Sierra said in a pensive tone. “Do you remember how Gunsmoke reared and kicked out right before River’s demonstration ride at the championship last fall? And how Fiel acted the same way right before our stadium jumping?”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Katrina replied. “I do remember that, and how strange it was for either of those horses to react that way.”

  “Right; I think it’s because of something Justin did. I asked Luke and he said he didn’t know, but he did tell me that Justin has this device he uses to give people electric shocks.”

  “Ahh; that explains a lot,” Katrina said knowingly. “He has been going around school giving kids shocks…some joke.”

  The girls reached the stable and brought their horses into the crossties where River was grooming Diva. He had Silver in the wash stall to give them room.

  “Do you think she could just once give a little to her horse?” River grumbled, although he kept the tone of his voice soothing as he brushed Diva’s neck and gently down the length of her back. “Especially when she worked so well for her today.”

  “What do you expect from Crystal?” Katrina responded.

  “It’s not like Diva and Silver can’t carry them up the hill. But why not dismount and lead them up as a reward? Let them know they did well?” River continued to complain as he bent down to start working on Diva’s legs.

  “Hi, guys,” Luke greeted, coming up to the crossties. “Want some help?”

  Both Sierra and Katrina looked up, but River remained bent over, ignoring him.

  “No, we’re fine…but thanks,” Sierra answered, since Katrina looked to her for an indication of whether she wanted Luke around or not.

  “Really, I’d like to help,” Luke persisted, coming up to Minstrel and stroking his nose. “Just tell me what to do.”

  Sierra wished he would leave. But Luke stood there with an eager grin on his face, and she found she could not be outwardly rude to him. “All right, maybe you could carry the saddles and bridles to the tack room. Just set the saddles down on the pommel and hang the bridles on the cleaning hook.”

  “Sure, that’s easy enough. What’s the pommel?”

  Sierra sighed inwardly and pulled Minstrel’s saddle from the rail and showed Luke how to set it down. “Like this,” she said.

  “I can do that. Where’s the tack room?”

  “It’s there.” Sierra pointed to the open door over to the left.

  “It’s the room with the saddles and bridles in it,” Katrina added glibly.

  “Oh, I see it,” Luke answered unperturbed. He strode away with the saddle over his arm.

  “He still has a crush on you,” Katrina said when Luke was out of hearing range.

  “We’re just friends,” Sierra stated.

  “Maybe you’re just friends…”

  *****

  14 Dressage

  There are all sorts of tact in the equestrian field: that of the hands, that of the legs, that of the seat, and quite simply, the tact of the head. – Nuno Oliveira, Reflections on Equestrian Art

  *****

  Training and conditioning for both horses and riders increased after the clinic. Tess worked out schedules for each competition horse that consisted of dressage work, cross country trail work on hills, and arena jumping. At the beginning of training, each horse had three days of flat work, one day of jumping, two days of trail work, and one day off to rest and recover. Within six to eight weeks, the schedule would increase to alternating one to two days of jumping per week, and three days of trail work.

  Horses that stayed in training with Tess through the winter began the show season already in good condition; for she had Sierra and River ride them out even through the cold months. During the off season, most of the trail work consisted of walking up and down hills, but also occasional short intervals of trotting and cantering.

  Beginning in March, Tess outlined for each horse how many minutes of walking, trotting, and cantering or galloping each one should do on the trail. By the end of two months, the very fit horses competing at training level or higher, might be up to two hours of trail work with up to six minute intervals of gallop. Horses brought to Tess for training at the beginning of the season usually were not as fit. Those horses might be kept to a walk for the first two weeks, and encouraged to stretch their necks forward and down as they climbed hills – great for building up muscles.

  Mornings, Tess schooled the horses either in dressage or arena jumping. When River arrived after school, she had him work the horses she didn’t have time for that day. He usually could fit in three rides each afternoon; either in arena work or on the trail. He saved the longer cross country rides for the weekend.

  Sierra rode one assigned horse after school as well as Fiel. River continued to coach her at least once a week on Fiel in dressage, and if he had time, also on Minstrel, both in dressage and jumping. She and River tried to coordinate so they could ride out on trails together. It wasn’t always possible after school, but every weekend, they planned their rides so they were mounted on horses of near equal fitness levels, and with similar conditioning schedules. Those rides were always Sierra’s favorites.

  Crystal and Gloria rode twice a week in lessons and at Tess’s insistence, maybe would show up on a weekend to ride out on the trail. The conditioning of Diva and Silver ultimately depended on Sierra and River. Katrina rode almost every day, taking two lessons a week from Tess, and then working on her own on the flat and conditioning trail rides.

  Sierra could hardly wait for the first horse trial of the season in May. In the meantime, there was the dressage show to anticipate.

  *****

  Since turning sixteen, River had earned his driver’s license, and Manuel had been taking him out to practice hauling a horse trailer. The Saturday of the dressage show, River drove the rig with Tess in the front seat next to him. Sierra and Katrina sat in the back repeating to each other their memorized dressage tests.

  “Do you know where to turn?” Tess asked after directing River off the highway onto a side road.

  “It’s the second right coming up,” he answered.

  “Yes; don’t forget to start slowing way before the turn,” she instructed. “The idea is to never have to apply the brakes suddenly.”

  “Umhm.”

  “Watch the ruts…slow down!”

  Why is she nagging him? Sierra wondered. She thought River was doing a great job driving, and he had already slowed and veered away from each pothole of the rough road, even before Tess said anything. Perhaps she’s nervous with him driving.

  River slowed way ahead of the turn, pulled into the show grounds and parked, all the while Tess kept up a stream of warnings and instruction.

  The first thing Sierra noticed after they had unloaded the horses, was the very different atmosphere of a dressage show compared with a horse trial. Although an underlying sense of excitement still pervaded the air, there was nowhere near the bustle of activity and noise, and fewer horses. Competitors tended to trailer in with just enough time to prepare for and r
ide their scheduled tests, and then leave. At a horse trial, all the competitors arrived in the morning and remained for the entire day of the show.

  Since Sierra, Katrina, and River were riding at several different levels, they would spend most of the day at the show, so had rented stalls for the five horses. They removed the shipping gear and settled the horses into their temporary quarters.

  “You have enough time to hand walk Calliope, Minstrel, and Felicity once around the grounds before you need to get ready for warm-up,” Tess announced. “I’ll stay here to keep an eye on Penny and Fiel.”

  Calliope and Minstrel, both veterans of many horse shows, looked around with interest at their surroundings, exhibiting a heightened level of excitement, but well under control. Felicity however, a baby at three years old, snorted, pranced, and half-reared at the end of her lead. River patiently allowed her to express herself, as long as she didn’t pull against him. He talked to her soothingly until she finally managed to walk instead of jig.

  “You’re going to have your hands full with her,” Katrina warned, her eyes wide at Felicity’s antics. Calliope had already settled down and lost interest in her surroundings; drawn more to the potential grazing opportunities of the grassy areas.

  “She’ll be okay,” River murmured, talking to the filly rather than Katrina.

  This was Sierra’s first time out with Minstrel, and she was pleased that he had also readily settled down. She hoped he would remain this calm when she rode him at a horse trial.

  By the time they returned to the stalls, Felicity had settled into an even walk. But as River finished grooming her and began to tack her up, she knew something different was about to happen, and she seemed to have lost her ability to stand still. She swung her body from side to side and stepped forward and back from where she had been tied to a ring inside the stall, and whinnied at every horse that passed by.

  River never lost his patience with her, but continued to talk to her soothingly; and gently but insistently manipulated her to move where he wanted her as he put on saddle and bridle. At last he had her ready and led her to the warm-up area with the others coming to watch.