After the O’Briens left, Sarah turned to her parents. “I know Prince still needs to prove himself to you, and I just know he will. You don’t know him like I do. He’s as safe as any horse at Brookmeade Farm, and someday you’ll believe in him like I do.”
“We want to think Prince has left his bad behavior at the racetrack,” her father said. “We only hope the facts will bear that out.”
Sarah went to her room to start on her geometry assignment. It was due the next day, but however much she tried, she couldn’t concentrate on angles or intersecting lines. Her mother’s words kept coming back to her. She knew if her parents became convinced Prince was dangerous, he would be taken away from her. No way could she let that happen!
CHAPTER 5
The New Boy
WHEN THE BUS CAME to a stop by the Wagners’ driveway the next morning, Sarah got on and threaded her way to the fourth row to sit with Kayla. After sliding over to make room, Kayla pulled a plastic bag out of her tote. “See what you think of these,” she said, handing it over.
Sarah withdrew a pair of dark-brown laced reins from the bag. “Awesome! These are perfect.”
Kayla was pleased. “Maybe you’ll be using them this afternoon.”
“I hope so,” Sarah replied. She sighed. “It all depends on how Prince’s leg heals. If there’s heat and swelling there when I get to the barn, there’s no chance I can ride.”
“So, what did your parents say when they heard about your taking a fall off Prince?” Kayla asked. She leaned closer to hear Sarah’s reply over the din on the crowded bus.
“You can probably imagine,” Sarah said. “Dad wondered if riding Prince is too risky, and Mom went on a tear about him being dangerous because he’s so big. But get this! After dinner, Jack and Kathleen came to our house to talk to my parents.” She went on to tell Kayla the details of the conversation, concluding with the most important part. “Here’s the biggie—Jack wants me to start riding in the class that follows yours on Wednesdays.”
Kayla thought a minute before responding. “Kelly Hoffman and Nicole Jordan’s class?
Sarah nodded, as they both braced for a stop the bus made further down Ridge Road. “I’m not sure if you knew that Nicole’s horse, Jubilee, injured a tendon early in the summer and couldn’t go out of her stall for a while except for hand-walking. A few weeks ago Paige told me the vet finally gave Nicole the go-ahead to ride her mare if she took it easy. While I was waiting for you guys to come out of the arena yesterday, I saw Nicole leading Jubilee in for the lesson. So I guess the horse is sound again.”
“I’m not at Brookmeade as much as you are” Kayla said, “but it seems like those girls always hang out together. Talk about being joined at the hip! They ride together all the time, and I’ve seen them grazing their horses near the outside ring. You never see one without the other. With all that mascara, they even look a lot alike.”
“Last year, when I was riding with them in one of Jack’s classes, they wanted to be moved up to the advanced Young Riders class,” Sarah said, “but Jack said no. They were peeved when I got to ride in your class using Lady Tate. Anyway, I just wish they would knock off having a grudge against me. It’s not going to be cool riding with them.”
“I’ve seen Kelly riding a bay horse lately, one I don’t recognize. What’s the deal with him?” Kayla asked.
“That’s her Quarter Horse, Midnight Jet. I heard he was shipped in from the West. Kelly just walks away when I ask her anything about him. Maybe you should see if her horse and Fanny have any of the same bloodlines.”
Kayla sniffed and raised an eyebrow. “She’s such a snob—forget it!”
When the bus finally came to a stop at Yardley High, the girls got off and separated to go to different home-rooms. “See you in English,” Sarah said. She was glad she had a second period study hall, where she’d be able to finish her geometry homework. She’d hate to be late on homework her second day of school! But doing her best that day wouldn’t be easy. Her mind kept drifting to her horse. Would his injury be better when she got to the barn, or—she shuddered to think of it—infected, hot, and swollen? And without his usual morning turnout, would Prince be a little crazy?
When school let out later that day, the sky had filled with ominous dark clouds, and by the time the bus dropped Sarah off at home, a steady, warm rain was falling. She quickly changed her clothes and grabbed a few Oreo cookies before pulling her poncho from the mudroom closet. She stuffed Kayla’s extra set of reins deep in one of her pockets and started pedaling for the farm. Her bike splashed through puddles along the way, and occasional bursts of wind blew rain into her face. The foul weather brought back her nagging worry of what it would be like getting to the barn during the winter. She would have to depend a lot on her parents or friends for rides—her bike just wasn’t going to cut it.
The parking area at Brookmeade Farm was crowded, which, on this rainy afternoon, meant the indoor would be mobbed. Sometimes in bad weather the large indoor arena was divided so two lessons could run concurrently. Sarah wheeled her bike into the shavings shed to park it out of the rain before heading for Prince’s stall.
When she turned the corner at the end of the aisle, Sarah saw a well-dressed man and woman she didn’t recognize standing near Prince’s stall. They were looking into the large stall across from Prince that had remained unoccupied after Rita’s horse, Chancellor, had abruptly left the farm on Mr. Snyder’s orders early in the summer. Rita’s week of intensive private lessons with Jack, before her show season went into full swing, had come to a grinding halt when Rita’s father learned of the reckless driving prank that had ended in tragedy.
Sarah walked faster, curious to see what was going on. As she got closer, she saw a big-bodied, light bay horse in Chancellor’s old stall. He was attached to a stall tie, and a guy around her age, she guessed, was leaning down to remove the horse’s shipping boots. When he had finished, he released the horse and stepped back to observe him closely.
“He shipped really well,” the boy said, turning to the couple standing outside the stall. “He’s not tucked up at all. The driver told me he polished off lots of hay in the van, and he drank plenty of water when they stopped along the way.” When the boy came out of the stall, he noticed Sarah standing in the aisle and walked toward her. As he got closer, he displayed an even smile, flashing perfect teeth.
“Hi,” Sarah said, feeling her cheeks warming as she noticed how good-looking he was, with a closely trimmed haircut, deep-set blue eyes, and that amazing smile. She shook some rain off her poncho, shyly returning his smile, not quite sure what to say next. “Are you boarding here now? My horse is right across the aisle. I’m Sarah Wagner.”
“Derek Alexander,” he said, grinning. “Pleased to meet you, Sarah Wagner. Yep, we’re moving in.” His gaze shifted to Crown Prince. “That’s a good-looking horse you’ve got there.” He stepped closer to read the info tag attached to Prince’s stall door. “What breed is he? He looks almost too big to be a full Thoroughbred. Is he a Warmblood?”
The tall woman, who was made even taller by black hair piled high on her head, stepped toward them. She spoke to Derek in a chiding tone. “I’ve told you that Thoroughbreds come in all shapes and sizes.” She pointed at Crown Prince. “This horse is your classic Thoroughbred, or the moon is made of green cheese!”
Derek looked inquisitively at Sarah. “And the answer is….?”
“Yes, Crown Prince is a full Thoroughbred.” Not comfortable with the conversation focused on her, Sarah changed the subject. “And your horse?”
Derek gestured toward the stall. “This is Bismarck. He’s a Hol-steiner, six years old, and we imported him from Germany about six months ago. He just made another long trip by commercial van to get here from Chicago. He’s pretty easygoing, which helps make him a good traveler.” Derek suddenly looked embarrassed as he glanced at his parents. “I’m sorry—I should have introduced you. Sarah, meet my mother and father.”
�
�Hello, Sarah,” Mrs. Alexander said. “Since Derek is new here, I hope you can show him around and introduce him to the other riders.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “Mom, I’ll be fine.”
At that moment Jack came around the corner. He offered his hand to each of the Alexanders and welcomed them to the farm. Jack walked over to look in at Bismarck, instantly recognizing a quality animal. He seemed very pleased. “I understand our stable manager, Gus Kelso, checked in with you about feed and what your horse has been fed prior to now,” he said to Derek. “Gus will gradually wean him off that onto the excellent grain combination we feed here, along with high-quality hay. It’s a Timothy and alfalfa mix.”
“We’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” Mr. Alexander said. “Derek has wanted to ride with you ever since he read you were coming to this country. It took a transfer to my company’s office in Winchester to make it happen, though.”
Mrs. Alexander laughed. “Derek wasn’t totally happy with his father’s promotion and the move to Winchester until he learned we would be close to Brookmeade Farm. How soon can he begin a lesson program with you, Mr. O’Brien?”
“Call me Jack, if you please,” Jack said. “New riders start out with a private lesson so I can evaluate them, particularly when they have their own horses. Then we decide where to place them in our lesson program.” Jack turned to Derek. “I believe I’m booked up this week, but stop by the office so we can schedule something. Gus has made a place for your tack and equipment in the boarders’ tack room,” he said, gesturing down the aisle. “Let me show it to you.”
Jack swiveled to face Sarah. “I’ll be wanting a look at your horse’s leg before my next lesson starts,” he said. “I’ll be back after I show Derek the tack room. Could you please remove the bandage?”
“We’ll be off, Derek,” his father said, as they started down the aisle. “Your mom and I have lots of unpacking to do in the new house.”
Sarah turned to look at her horse. She had never failed to go to him first when she arrived at the barn, and now he stood at his stall door, tossing his head, his eyes fixed on her. When she slipped into the stall, he pushed his slender muzzle toward her. She stroked his face while he tugged at her jacket and nuzzled her coat sleeve. She fished his carrot from her pocket and offered it to him. “I’m sorry I made you wait, Prince,” she said softly. “I guess I’ve spoiled you.” She gave him a quick hug before slipping his halter on and bringing him out to the cross-ties in the aisle.
Jack had done a good job putting on the stable bandage—it hadn’t slipped down at all. Sarah’s fingers worked quickly to remove it and the cotton wrap, anxious to see the injury it covered, and gently pulled off the gauze pad. She was studying the injured area just as Jack returned. He leaned down to look closely at the wound, now twenty-four hours old, before gently placing a hand in back of the cannon bone to check for heat and swelling.
Jack looked pleased when he stood up. “’Tis coming along well,” he said. “The area around the cut is only moderately warm, consistent with healing. The only thing you have to work on is keeping the cut from getting infected, and it will soon be scabbed over. Cold water, wrapping the leg, and stall rest have taken care of any minor stress to the tendon area.” Hearing Jack’s words, Sarah felt a wave of relief. The injury would soon be a thing of the past! She noticed a second shadow on the aisle’s cement floor, and realized Derek was behind them, also looking closely at Prince’s leg.
Jack stepped back and rested his hand on Prince’s hindquarters. “I suggest both of you hand-walk your horses in the indoor today. ’Tis too bad we have the rain, but just stay at one end while the lessons are going on. Bismarck has had a long van ride and needs to stretch his legs.” Jack shifted his gaze to Sarah. “Crown Prince hasn’t been out of his stall today, and proper circulation from light exercise will promote healing. Afterward just slather on a goodly amount of the Furoxone ointment and wrap his leg for one more day.”
Jack started off to his next lesson, but paused and turned around. “Prince’s cut isn’t very deep and should heal over in a few days. By Saturday you can probably get on him again. If you don’t have any polo wraps, best to pick up a set before then. Wrap his front legs only. Paige will show you how to do it, and if she’s not around, Tim and Mrs. DeWitt are also good with polos.” Jack smiled. “And perhaps Derek, too.”
After Jack left, Derek walked around Prince, looking at the horse up close. “He’s pretty tall,” he said. “How do you manage to get your foot in the stirrup?”
“Only with a mounting block,” she said, and they both laughed.
“Maybe you should take some rock climbing lessons, just in case you’re without the block one of these days.” His face became serious. “What are you planning to do with him?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. He’s my first horse, and I’ve only had him since June. I might event him and do some small shows.”
Derek walked over to look out the window. “I think it’s only sprinkling outside now, so before I walk Bismarck, I’m going to bring in some of the things that are jammed into my truck. I didn’t realize I had so much horse stuff until I had to pack it all up.”
Before Derek could leave, Tim and Paige appeared, eager to meet the new boarder. When Sarah introduced them, she mentioned that Derek lived in Winchester.
“The vets that take care of the Brookmeade horses are from the Winchester Equine Clinic,” Tim said, “and a girl who rides in our class goes to Winchester Academy.”
“I’m going to be a junior there, a day student. Most of the kids who go to the Academy are boarding students, though.”
“Have you met Rita Snyder?” Paige asked. “She would also be a junior. She’s thin with long black hair. She drives a green Mustang convertible.”
Derek shook his head. “Our classes don’t start until next week.”
“What do you do with your horse?” Tim asked.
“Before I got him, Bismarck was a show jumper in Germany,” Derek replied. “When we get our act together, that’s what I hope to do with him. I really love doing the jumpers. I wasn’t totally thrilled with my instructor in Chicago, though. I’m hoping Jack can help us. What kind of riding do you do?”
Paige and Tim looked at each other, as if not sure who should answer the question. Paige jumped in first.
“I have a gray Thoroughbred, Quarry, and both Tim and I started eventing our horses this year,” Paige said. “Quarry is off the track, so it’s taken some time to get him retrained. He’s quick, and likes to rush his fences.” She grinned. “At the Maple Crest event in July, there was a huge rock pile on cross-country called Titanic. Quarry was a little intimidated, and he didn’t know whether to rush it or suck back—so he was just right.”
Like the others, Derek laughed. “You’ll have to tell me more some time, but I’ve got to move my stuff into the tack room before it starts to rain hard again.”
“I’ve got some time,” Tim said. “Want a hand?”
“Sure,” Derek said, as the two left for the parking area.
When they were out of earshot, Sarah spoke softly to Paige. “What do you think of the new guy?”
“I think he’s totally cool!” Paige said. “You’ll probably see Kelly and Nicole stopping by here a lot now, like they do around Tim’s stall.”
“I hope not,” Sarah said. “They’ve had it in for me ever since Jack moved me into your class last winter. They don’t speak to me, and I have a feeling they would stab me in the back if they got a chance.”
“I’d ignore them if I were you,” Paige said. “They’re just jealous. Maybe you’ll be back riding with us one of these days.”
“It can’t be soon enough for me,” Sarah said, “but Prince is still green. I saw some of your lesson yesterday, and all of you guys looked awesome. Next year you’ll be long-listed for the Olympic eventing team.”
“Yeah, right before I win the New York Marathon,” Paige said, rolling her eyes. She turned to leave
. “I’ve got to get back to Quarry.”
Sarah looked at Crown Prince standing patiently on the crossties. He didn’t appear to be jumping out of his skin after being cooped up in his stall all day. Maybe he wouldn’t be too rambunctious if she tried to hand-walk him in the indoor. I can clean his stall later, she thought. She left for the tack room to get her grooming caddy. When she returned, there was a pile of tack and horse care equipment near Bismarck’s stall. It looked like Derek and Tim had gone back for more.
After going over Prince quickly with a soft brush, Sarah grabbed a hoof pick out of her caddy. A thorough grooming could be skipped on this day when she wouldn’t be riding, but his feet needed to be picked out at least once a day. The farrier said his feet were healthy, and she wanted to keep them that way. When she had finished, she attached his lead shank to his halter, unclipped the cross-ties, and led him toward the indoor, his shoes ringing on the cement floor.
CHAPTER 6
Trouble Brewing
THE INDOOR ARENA was wall-to-wall horses when Sarah and Prince approached it from the stable entryway. To allow more than one class to ride simultaneously, cavalletti had been placed across the arena to divide it into two working areas. Jack was instructing a group of adults in the far end, while in the closer section, Lindsay worked with a class of intermediate riders. A few well-placed cones marked a boundary that reserved a small portion of the arena for boarders’ horses.
Sarah scanned all the activity. Along with a number of horses that had trucked in for lessons, it looked like every one of the Brookmeade school horses was in the arena. With so many horses going in all directions, Prince became anxious, pulling on the lead shank. He might have some extra energy after all!
Kelly and Nicole were walking and trotting their horses in the tight space reserved for the boarders. This was where Sarah was headed, and the last thing she wanted was trouble with those girls. Having a problem with Rita the day before was bad enough. Maybe she should just take Prince back to his stall and forget this.
Crown Prince Challenged Page 5
