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

  *****

  A few changes also occurred at the stable. Caretaker was sold and his new owner hauled him away to her own barn. Three weeks after the loss of Magic, Crystal’s new horse arrived on a Saturday morning while Sierra and River were cleaning stalls.

  When Manuel arrived with breakfast, a little earlier than usual, he announced, “Mees Tess she call. Mees Crystal’s new ‘orse ees coming today. Maybe soon.”

  Not long after, a truck and trailer pulled into the stable yard. Sierra and River set aside their pitchforks and went outside to meet the new arrival.

  “River, come give us a hand,” Tess called from the stable yard. She stood at the back of the trailer undoing the fasteners for the ramp. “Oh good,” she said as River stepped up and finished lowering the ramp; then disappeared inside the trailer. A few minutes later he backed out a black and white paint horse.

  Of course he was beautiful. Sierra could not imagine Crystal settling for anything less than magnificence. With his shipping sheet and boots pulled off, his contrasting black and white patches gleamed in the sun. His legs were white up past the knees, he had a white rump, a large white patch on each side of his neck, and a narrow white blaze on a black head. Both his mane and tail glistened a raven-black color.

  River led him around the stable yard, letting him blow and snort at the new smells. Horses whinnied from the paddocks, greeting the newcomer.

  “Why’d she get another baby?” River demanded.

  “He’s six years old; hardly a baby,” Tess answered.

  “Too young for Crystal.”

  “River, I would appreciate it for once if you would keep your opinions to yourself,” Tess snapped back at him. “He’s been shown for two seasons and has done very well. He’s obedient and certainly not green. I believe he is perfect for Crystal.”

  River mumbled a few derogatory remarks under his breath.

  “What’s his name?” Sierra asked.

  Tess glanced at her, as if just now aware that Sierra was even there. “Galaxy.” She turned her attention back to River. “Walk him around for a bit and then find him an empty paddock. We’ll put him in Mag…” She caught herself and then said, “Put him in Butch’s old stall.” She turned away and walked into the office.

  Sierra joined River leading Galaxy down the lane of paddocks. “What do you think of him?” she asked.

  River shrugged. “He seems nice enough. He’s already settling down.”

  “I think he’s beautiful!”

  “Sierra, you think all horses are beautiful.” The corners of River’s mouth turned up slightly. It was the first expression even close to a smile she had seen on his face since the loss of Magic. It surprised her how it warmed her heart.

  *****

  May arrived with only a few weeks before eighth grade graduation and summer vacation.

  In the cafeteria, Sierra had just started eating her sandwich, waiting for Allison, when her friend arrived, obviously excited about something.

  “Has Luke said anything to you?” Allison plopped her backpack onto the table and sat across from Sierra, leaning over.

  Sierra shook her head, her mouth too full to speak.

  “I think he’s going to ask you to the eighth grade ball,” Allison whispered conspiratorially.

  The eighth grade ball was the only evening event that the school sponsored; right after the graduation ceremony. It was currently the hottest topic at school. Although not required, no one ever went without a date, and it seemed the only gossip lately concerned who was going with whom and what everyone was going to wear.

  Sierra almost choked. “What?” She gasped when she finally managed to swallow down the food in her mouth.

  “He asked me in the hallway this morning if you were going.”

  “Allison, that hardly means he’s going to ask me.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  Sierra felt a little angry with Allison for teasing her. “Luke is a very nice boy who is decent enough to be friendly with me, even though I’m sort of an outcast at this school. I think he probably feels sorry for me.”

  “Little Sierra,” Allison sighed. “You really don’t know how attractive you are, do you?”

  “Allison!” Sierra answered, annoyed.

  “Luke is the only boy bright enough to notice. But if you were to take your hair out of those little girl braids and wear even just a little make-up, all the boys would notice your big brown doe-eyes and your very pretty face.”

  Sierra stared at her friend, dumfounded. Was Allison making fun of her?

  Allison laughed at her expression. “You should see the look on your face.” But then she said in a serious tone, “I’m just telling you the truth.”

  “Allison, please,” Sierra said in exasperation.

  “Whatever,” Allison sighed. “I’m going, you know.”

  “What?” No, Sierra did not know and this was quite a surprise. Allison was more mature than Sierra and she noticed boys in a very different way. But she had never expressed interest in any of the boys at school.

  “Yeah, Chris Wong asked me last night.”

  “Oh my God,” was all Sierra could think to say, responding with a typical teenage girl phrase. Chris was a slight-built boy, probably two inches shorter than Allison, and wore black-rimmed glasses that he was always adjusting on his nose. But he was one of the smartest kids in school. “You’ve never said anything about liking him.”

  “Actually, he took me completely by surprise. But I like him well enough. He’s got an admirable brain.”

  Sierra laughed. Of course Allison would only date intellectual types.

  “Anyway,” Allison continued. “If Luke asks you, maybe we can all go together.”

  Sierra wished Allison had never said anything, because after that, she could feel herself blush whenever she saw Luke, and then she avoided him. She didn’t want him to ask her to the ball. The idea of going with a boy – well, it would be a date, and that terrified her. I’m not ready to start dating.

  But Luke never did say anything to Sierra about the dance; not even to ask if she was going.

  *****

  Graduation came and Pam took her daughter out to a popular Italian restaurant to celebrate after the ceremony; while most of the other graduates went to the eighth grade banquet with their dates, and then to the ball.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Pam said again for about the hundredth time.

  “Thanks, Mom, I know.” Sierra felt overly stuffed after eating every bite of her linguini with Alfredo sauce, tons of fresh bread, and a Caesar salad.

  “Um, I’ll be right back.” Pam dabbed her mouth with her napkin and left the table.” A few minutes later she returned with two large packages which she presented to Sierra. “Your graduation present.”

  “Mom, thanks!” Sierra’s eye lit up with anticipation. “Should I open them here?”

  “Yes, why not?” Pam encouraged, beaming.

  Sierra tore off the wrapping paper of the largest package and her heart jumped as she recognized on the box the name of a company that made riding apparel. She lifted the lid and beheld a beautiful pair of black leather boots. “Ohh,” Sierra cried out. “They are so beautiful!” She jumped up and hugged her mother in the tightest hug she could muster. She knew the boots were an expense they really couldn’t afford.

  “You’ve earned them,” Pam squeezed back. “I got them at the tack store downtown, so if they don’t fit we can exchange them. Now, open the other one.”

  Grinning, Sierra returned to her seat and opened the second gift. Inside was a tailored black hunt coat. She looked up at her mom, her eyes already glistening with tears of joy.

  “I found a pattern and made it. I hope it’s what you want.”

  “It’s perfect!”

  *****

  20 Summer

  In everyday life man uses his hands a great deal, but in fact they are not very useful for controlling the horse. On horseback the rider must overcome his natural desire to use t
he hands for everything. – Michael J. Stevens, A Classical Riding Notebook

  *****

  The first afternoon after graduation, Tess approached Sierra while she was tacking up Tequila, her assigned ride that day.

  “Sierra, I have an offer for you.”

  “Yes?” Sierra turned in surprise.

  “If you can commit to helping with morning chores everyday during your summer vacation, rather than just weekends, and help River get horses ready for training rides in the mornings and lessons in the afternoons, Pegasus can sponsor you for two events this season. Plus we can pay the required membership fees for the USCTA and USEA. How does that sound to you?”

  “Great!” Sierra replied. “I would love to do that.”

  “Good, I would like you on the Pegasus team. You need one qualifying ride to participate in the Pacific Regional Championship this fall. If you can qualify in one of your events, we can also sponsor you in the championship.” With her usual abruptness, Tess walked away.

  “Yes!” Sierra exclaimed out loud. She finished putting on the bridle and led Tequila outside.

  “Sierra, are you going on the trail?” River called to her from the outdoor arena where he was schooling Crystal’s new horse.

  “Yeah,” she answered.

  “I’ll come with you.” He dismounted and led Galaxy out of the arena and came up to where Sierra waited for him.

  “How’s he going for you?” she asked as they walked the horses to the field’s mounting block.

  “He’s very lazy,” River replied. “I think he was started too young, over-trained, and pushed too hard, and now he’s bored with arena work. If Tess would listen to me they would take him out of the arena and just trail ride him for a few months; see if that wouldn’t spark him up a bit. He’s not a bad horse, but he has no enthusiasm.”

  Sierra loved to hear River talk about the horses; always amused at how verbal he could be when it was his favorite subject. They mounted up and started toward the trail.

  “Did Tess tell you that Pegasus is going to sponsor me in two events?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I’m glad.” He sounded sincere and even smiled at her.

  “Did you say something to Tess?”

  “No, you’ve earned this on your own; winning your very first time out!” He grinned again.

  “Thanks; Fala was wonderful.” Sierra had longed to tell River all about that day; how his advice had helped her in the dressage test, and how sweet Fala had behaved for her. But Magic’s tragedy prevented her from wanting to bring up any reminders of that day.

  Since the day they had sat together with Storm, they had not talked about Magic. Their routine had resumed the usual pattern of working and riding together as if nothing had happened. But Sierra knew River mourned for Magic and smoldered with hatred for Tess and Crystal. She had no idea how she could help him.

  It was a perfect day for trail riding with the sun shining but enough breeze to keep things cool. Sierra rode ahead on Tequila who had far more energy than Galaxy. They walked and trotted and walked again.

  “I’m supposed to gallop the last stretch,” Sierra called over her shoulder to River.

  “Good,” he answered, “go ahead whenever you’re ready.”

  Tequila could be heavy in the hands at times, so Sierra shortened the reins and took a tighter hold as she signaled him to canter. He seemed eager and started out at a steady pace, but he wanted to speed up every few strides. Soon Sierra felt as if she was in a tugging match with him to keep him at the pace she wanted. He didn’t scare her like Moose, but she still felt frustrated at her inability to maintain control. They rounded the last bend and she pulled him hard, actually causing him to throw his head up as he came back to a walk. They stepped off the trail onto the field and River came up alongside her.

  “You’re riding too much with your hands,” he stated casually.

  It was the last thing Sierra wanted to hear after fighting with Tequila and feeling as if her shoulders might be pulled from their sockets. “He’s willful,” she snapped back in frustration. She had been doing everything Tess was trying to teach her to take control; shorter reins and quick hard jerks in succession. But with Tequila on the trail, it all seemed to no avail.

  River looked at her with eyes suddenly opened wide. Sierra had never snapped at him before or questioned his advice. Then he shrugged and said, “You’re starting to ride like Tess.”

  That felt like a kick in the stomach because from River, it was not a compliment. Sierra brought Tequila to a complete halt, more abruptly than she wanted. River halted next to her. “Just what am I doing wrong?” She asked with irritation still thick in her tone.

  River said softly, “You don’t need reins to stop your horse.”

  “Yeah, right,” she retorted back.

  River narrowed his eyes and started to say something, then seemed to change his mind. “Watch.” He dropped his own reins so that they lay loose across Galaxy’s withers and moved him forward a few steps and halted. He turned Galaxy to the right a few steps and halted, then back towards her and halted again. He never touched the reins.

  Sierra’s frustration turned to shame and despair. How does he do that? “Galaxy is a much better trained horse,” she said defensively.

  In answer, River dismounted. “Get off,” he ordered.

  For a moment Sierra considered kicking Tequila into a trot and fleeing. But she swallowed down her feelings of resentment and humiliation and jumped off.

  River handed her Galaxy’s reins, and then agilely swung himself up onto Tequila’s back. He dropped the reins around the horse’s withers again, and moved Tequila forward a few steps, halted, turned him a few steps, halted, and then back towards Sierra and halted again; exactly as he had on Galaxy. He swung out of the saddle and handed Sierra the reins, taking back those of Galaxy.

  “River,” she began humbly as they walked the horses back to the stable. “I don’t think I will ever ride as well as you.”

  “Yes you will. You used to be able to stop a horse without reins. Don’t you remember how you were changing gaits and halting on the lunge line before you ever started using reins?”

  Sierra did remember, although the wonderful harmony of those lessons had receded from her present reality to a lost, but cherished past. “I always thought you were the one in control,” she said.

  “No, most of the time I wasn’t doing anything.”

  They walked in silence but Sierra’s mind was bombarded with thoughts; comparing how riding used to feel under River’s coaching and how it felt now with Tess.

  “River, there’s no way I could have slowed Tequila on the trail without using the reins. He had his own ideas about how fast he wanted to go.”

  “I’m not saying go galloping out on the trail without reins. I just wanted to remind you how little you need reins for control. The reins are a way of asking your horse to listen to you. Reins help you collect a horse. And galloping on the trail, yeah, I certainly use reins but I slow first by sitting deep and using my stomach muscles.”

  Sierra nodded and then blurted out, “Why won’t you give me lessons anymore?”

  “I thought you wanted to take lessons from Tess.”

  “Yes, before I knew anything. I loved my lessons from you and I almost hate my lessons with Tess,” she confessed.

  “I don’t think Tess wants me to teach you again,” he replied thoughtfully.

  “What am I going to do?”

  “I can’t tell you what to do,” was his most unsatisfactory answer.

  *****

  Two weeks later, Sierra rode Fala in her second horse trial, at junior beginner novice at a rated show. Crystal rode Galaxy and along with Gloria and Katrina, competed at junior novice level. Ann McGoverney competed at the next highest level, junior training.

  It was a much more pleasant experience than Sierra’s first event; no rain and no tragic accidents. She started out tense and nervous, but once in the warm-up ring and focusing on Fala, sh
e was able to tune out the background and calm her nerves and muscles. She and Fala were in fourth place after their dressage test, and then finished with clean rounds in cross country and stadium. The second and third place riders after dressage each had one refusal cross country and time penalties. At the end of the trial, Sierra finished in second place, and had earned her qualifying ride to compete in the regional championship.

  Crystal had been in second place after dressage and went clean cross country, but with time penalties, and Galaxy took a rail down in stadium jumping which knocked her into third place. Gloria finished in fourth and Katrina in sixth place.

  “Why were we only second in dressage?” Crystal demanded of Tess. “We didn’t make any mistakes.”

  “No, it was a good test,” Tess replied. “But he’s lazy. He needs to move with more energy. The horse that scored higher moved with more impulsion than Galaxy and the judge liked that. We’ll work on perking him up. I have a method I’m going to try to get him to pick up his feet when he jumps too.”

  “Something better perk him up,” Crystal threatened.

  Sierra remembered what River had said about giving the horse a few months of just trail riding. But she doubted if that was in Tess’s plans. Crystal wanted to compete with him now, and she wanted to win. Sierra felt uncomfortable about Galaxy’s future.

  *****

  21 Rapping

  All rapping (poling) is forbidden in Eventing Competitions, and shall be penalized by disqualification. EV111: Abuse of Horses, United States Equestrian Federation Rules for Eventing, 2010

  *****

  At the end of each lesson with Tess, Sierra tried to muster the courage and explain she would like to quit and take lessons from River again. But Tess always seemed impatient and sometimes disgusted with her, and Sierra never felt like it was the right moment.