As Sarah rode her bike to the barn the next day, she considered what she could do to help her horse get over his fear of the ditch. One thing she would not do is look down as they approached it. It was possible Prince’s problem was entirely her fault. She must have let him down.
Jack suggested she have Prince ready to ride at four o’clock, when he had no lesson scheduled. That gave her plenty of time to do Prince’s stall and warm up in the outside ring. She had just finished trotting some schooling figures when she saw Jack come out of the barn on foot followed by Kathleen on Wichita. As Sarah walked Prince out of the ring to meet them, Kathleen offered her an encouraging smile.
“Good old Wichita will provide Prince with a lead today,” Jack said. “It should bolster his confidence.” He started toward the trail that led to the ditch, with the two horses falling in beside him. “The challenge we have with your horse is not a problem of a fence being too high or too wide; his dilemma is in his head, the hardest of all problems to address. He fears the unknown. He’s afraid of what might be in the ditch that he can’t see as he approaches it.”
Sarah half-halted Prince, who, with his long stride, was getting ahead of Jack and Wichita. “How can we make him know there’s nothing to be afraid of?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” Jack replied. They entered the trail, with Prince and Wichita walking ahead of Jack and occasionally stopping to wait for him. As they neared the ditch, Sarah could feel tension rising in her horse, and he nervously chomped on the bit. “Halt for a minute,” Jack called out, catching up with the horses. He walked ahead to inspect the ditch carefully. “Lucky for us, this ditch is fairly wide, at least three feet, making it more visible to him,” Jack said. “With mainly sand on its bottom, he’ll see there are no snakes or wild tigers hiding in there.” He beckoned for them to join him.
Kathleen halted Wichita as they approached the ditch, leaving Sarah to walk her horse forward for a closer look. Prince reluctantly took a few steps before putting on the brakes, looking warily at the ditch in front of him. “One thing we must avoid is beating him across the ditch,” Jack said. “A quick smack with your crop can be helpful when a horse hesitates, but if you beat a horse over something, he will always be afraid of it.”
Jack walked to Prince’s head, rubbing him gently and talking reassuringly to him. After taking hold of the reins, he clucked to the horse, asking him to move forward. Sarah also used her aids, and Prince walked closer and closer to the ditch. Finally he was looking down into it, his wide eyes showing white around the edges. Jack dropped the reins, and after slowly lowering himself into the ditch, he began walking from one end to the other, trying to appear as relaxed as possible and whistling softly. Prince watched him intently, his tense body poised to jump back. After a few minutes, Jack climbed out and led Prince around the ditch to the other side. The same exercise was repeated.
“He’s looked into the ditch from both directions and he’s seen that I wasn’t swallowed up,” Jack said. “Now Wichita can help us.” He beckoned to Kathleen to join them. “Sarah, ’tis important you remain calm at all times. He needs to sense you’re not afraid, that you’re in command, and that he can rely on you.”
Kathleen brought Wichita to Crown Prince’s side, and they listened to Jack’s directions. “I want both of you to trot to the stone wall, turn, and with Wichita in the lead, approach the ditch at a trot. It should be less challenging for Prince to jump the ditch heading for home with Wichita going in front of him. Stay firm yet relaxed, Sarah, and keep looking ahead.”
Sarah gulped and took a deep breath as she asked Prince to trot down the trail following Wichita. When they reached the stone wall, Kathleen smiled. “I’ve seen many horses with this same problem. Jack always turns them around.” Sarah took a deep breath. Kathleen’s encouragement made her feel so much better.
They turned their horses, and once Wichita was trotting away, Sarah asked Prince to follow him several horses’ lengths behind. She applied pressure against his sides with her legs while keeping a firm contact with the reins. Prince knew what was coming—his head was up with his ears pricked forward. Wichita soon reached the ditch, and after willingly jumping over it, cantered easily down the trail away from them.
At that moment, Sarah felt Prince hesitate, and she responded by sitting deeply in the saddle and urging him on with her legs and seat. Go, Prince, go! her heart cried out to her horse. Suddenly, a stride before the ditch, Prince gathered himself, and with a tremendous leap, launched them extremely high in the air and over the ditch. Sarah found herself laughing as he landed and took off down the trail, soon catching up to Wichita. Both riders pulled their horses up and rode back to Jack. He clapped his hands and shouted, “Excellent! Now come back, and we’ll do it again from the opposite direction.”
The horses jumped the ditch several more times, until Prince no longer over-jumped it or showed any hesitation in his approach. And he no longer needed Wichita’s lead. Finally, Jack asked Sarah to jump Prince over the ditch heading for home and continue cantering to the barn. As Prince ran down the path after jumping the ditch, Sarah was beaming. She slowed her horse to walk when they got to the farm’s gravel roadway and threw her arms around his neck. “You wonderful horse!” Sarah cried out. She was proud and elated.
* * * * *
Over the next few weeks, Sarah followed an intense training program with Crown Prince that Jack mapped out for them. When she arrived at the farm after school, she and her horse first worked on dressage movements in the outdoor sand ring, and when Jack was free, he helped her train over one or more of the cross-country obstacles on the property. Sometimes Kathleen or Lindsay would take one of Jack’s lessons to free him up to work with Sarah. Often Jack would be mounted on French Twist, so he could provide a lead horse, if needed.
During a long stretch of outstanding May weather, Sarah and Prince made significant progress. The telephone-pole-to-bank combination in the meadow near the barn became old hat to them. “He’s learned to do a bank and a drop in one obstacle,” Jack pointed out.
One afternoon, Jack had them approach the white gate from the north hay field, and after jumping it, continue at canter toward the ditch. Although Prince shortened his stride coming into it, he jumped the ditch without hesitation. After spending several days splashing through the brook, a small coop was placed at the edge of the water. Sarah was thrilled when Prince jumped the coop and landed directly in the brook the first time he was asked. He seemed to find jumping into water exciting, and after landing, he splashed through the brook and up the bank on the other side.
Jack considered one obstacle, a huge stone wall that separated two fields, too big for Sarah’s horse. Other obstacles asked technical questions, and Jack felt they were also too challenging for them. Prince’s time will come, Sarah thought. One of these days he’ll soar over everything as if he has wings!
CHAPTER 23
Making Plans
AS THE WEXFORD HALL EVENT got closer, Jack called a Saturday afternoon meeting of the team members and their parents. It was time to go over their plans for the competition. Gus had brought extra chairs into the lounge so everyone could be seated comfortably. Anticipating the meeting might be crowded, Mrs. DeWitt had left her terriers at home. Tim’s mother surprised everyone with chocolate chip cookies that were eagerly sampled by the group. Sarah was surprised when Derek and his parents showed up. “Derek wants to volunteer to be water boy for the team,” Mrs. Alexander said jokingly, “and we just want to cheer for the team.”
Jack stood on the fireplace hearth so everyone could see and hear him easily. “Thanks for coming,” he began. “The Wexford Hall event will be here before we know it, and we need to discuss what you can expect. This should be an exciting competition for our riders and the stable manager. Tim, Rita, Kayla, and Sarah will be able to show how well trained their horses are and how well they can ride. In addition to taking care of her own horse, Kelly’s been studying a few books on horse care and eventing so
she can offer support to the riders.”
I just hope Kelly won’t have a chip on her shoulder, Sarah worried. It would be nice if everyone on this team could get along and work together.
“We’ll be travelling to Wexford Hall on Thursday, the fifteenth of June,” Jack continued, “and we’re grateful Richard Snyder has offered us the use of his four-horse gooseneck trailer and the new truck that pulls it. His employee, Judson, will be driving the horses to Belmont. Between the Brookmeade Farm pickup and the Snyder’s truck, we’ll be able to provide transportation for the five team members. Tack will go in the trailer’s dressing room, with tack trunks in the truck.”
Sarah thought of her father’s old-fashioned steamer trunk that doubled for her tack trunk. It would stand out like a sore thumb compared to the gorgeous modern tack trunks the others had, but her trunk served its purpose.
“The horses will be put up in temporary stabling under a large tent,” Jack continued, “and our team will have one additional stall for storing our feed, shavings, and tack. This will be the stable manager’s headquarters, and I’ll be going over Kelly’s job with her separately. I plan on bringing hay and bagged shavings in the Brookmeade truck, along with feed tubs and water buckets. For Fanny and Chancellor, we ask you to bring your own grain, so they’re fed what they’re used to getting at home. Please have individual meals divided into small paper bags with labels, which will be a huge help to Kelly when she’s feeding the horses. Your individual paper bags should be stored in a small plastic barrel with a top that has your name on it.”
Jack paused when Rita’s hand shot up. “Will there be any limits on what we can bring for our horses?” she asked.
Sarah and Kayla exchanged knowing smiles as Jack answered her question. “With only so much space in the trucks, we ask that you bring only the essentials you’ll need to take care of your horses and yourselves—and one of each, please.” There were a few snickers from those who remembered the Brookmeade tack room when Rita had moved Chancellor there for a week’s training. “With the exception of your saddle, all your horse equipment must be stored in your tack trunk.”
When there were no further questions, Jack continued. “I spoke with the event organizer yesterday. They received our entry on time, along with those for seven other teams. As you know, the team will be staying in a co-ed dorm at the Belmont School, with a shuttle bus making regular trips back and forth to the event grounds. Eventing rules will prevail, and I’ll be giving the riders information on these. Each rider will receive a packet of information when we arrive, which will include the times they will ride for dressage and cross-country on Friday and Saturday. Show jumping on Sunday will be in reverse order of standings.”
Kayla raised her hand. “What should we bring for clothes? Will we be getting a list on that, too?” “You’ll need to bring competition clothing for each of the three phases, as well as casual attire for the other social activities that are planned. I understand there will be a barbeque on one of the evenings, as well as an equestrian quiz game at some point, just for fun. As soon as I get more specific information, I’ll let you know.”
Now Jack turned to another subject, lodging for the family members. “There are two motels, plus the Juniper Bed-and-Break-fast Inn in Belmont, and we have a handout with information on those places for any of you parents who plan to stay over. How many of you are planning to come?”
Tim’s father spoke first. “Carol and I went to all of Tim’s events last year, and we certainly wouldn’t miss this one.” Mr. Snyder indicated he planned to be there over the weekend, and Kayla’s mother said she wanted to be around all three days. Mrs. Hoffman would be having house guests, and she might be driving them up to watch for one day. The Alexanders’ plans were up in the air, and Sarah wasn’t sure about her parents—it depended on her dad’s work schedule at The Creamery, which had opened for the season.
Jack appeared to have finished his remarks, so Chandler DeWitt took the opportunity to say a few words. “Dorothy and I are proud to sponsor this Brookmeade Farm team that’s riding in the first Wexford Hall competition for junior riders. The material Jack will give you describes the rules that the organizers will have in place.” He paused for a moment, as if trying to think of the next words. “I don’t anticipate any problems, but please be reminded that any use of alcohol or drugs will be cause for dismissal from the competition, and smoking anywhere near stabling or at the Belmont School is not allowed. It’s important to remember that you’re representing this farm, and good sportsmanship and courteous behavior must be shown at all times.”
Mrs. DeWitt also wanted to address the team and their families, and she stood up to face them. “We’ve decided that with his eventing experience, Tim is the logical captain of the team, which means that any communication from the organizers to the team will go through him.” She held up a large shopping bag. “And I hope you’re as excited about this as I am. In keeping with our farm colors of red and white, Chandler and I got each of our team members a red-and-white striped rugby shirt to wear on cross-country, as well as matching helmet covers.”
“Cool!” Kayla said, as the shirts and hat covers were handed out. “They’ve got the Brookmeade Farm jumping horse logo.”
Mrs. DeWitt reached into a separate bag and withdrew a red body-protecting vest. “In keeping with the new requirement that all eventing competitors wear adequate body protection when they’re jumping their horses, we’re also providing team members with one of these vests. Thankfully the incidences of riders coming off their horses during a competition are rare, but should something go wrong, we want our team to be ready.”
Mrs. DeWitt thanked the riders and Kelly for their hard work, praised the horses on the team, and thanked the parents for supporting the riders. “And there’s one thing more. The Wexford Cup is actually a large silver bowl. It will be a challenge trophy, so the name of the winning team will be engraved on it, and it will go home with that team until next year’s event. Who knows, maybe it will come to Brookmeade Farm. We wish all of you good luck!”
As they left the lounge, Sarah invited her parents to come see Crown Prince. Neither one had visited the farm in some time. Sarah had groomed him earlier, since she had another cross-country school with Jack scheduled for later that afternoon. When they turned the corner to approach his stall, Prince raised his head from eating hay and nickered softly when he saw Sarah. “He must be very fond of you, Sarah,” her father observed.
Sarah picked up her lead shank and went into the stall to bring her horse out for her parents to see up close. Her mother quickly stepped back when Prince came out of his stall. “He seems even bigger than I remember!” she said.
Sarah laughed. “He’s a big pussycat, Mom. He wouldn’t hurt anyone.” She hugged Prince’s head as she did so often, and the horse half closed his eyes, enjoying her attention.
That evening, Sarah called Kayla. “Are you totally psyched?” she asked when Kayla picked up. “I can’t believe we head out in two weeks! I’m really glad you talked me out of quitting the team. Prince has been awesome jumping the cross-country fences, including the ditch, although he still hesitates for a moment when we get close to it. I wish there was another place we could school over other ditches.”
Kayla thought a minute. “I think our dressage could be tighter. Fanny doesn’t have a very good extended trot, and if there are many spectators, she’s bound to be distracted.”
“Oh, my God, I hadn’t thought of that,” Sarah said. “With eight teams, there will be lots of spectators, even on cross-country. I can’t afford to have Prince looking anywhere except where he’s going.”
“Fanny’s jumping well these days, and I’m pretty sure she’s fit enough. I’ve been taking her to the preserve at least three times a week and doing some galloping in a big field. There are a few hills, and we’ve been doing those too. How about you?”
“With all the cross-country schooling we’ve been doing the last month and our rides to the
old orchard, Prince must be fit.”
“I do wish Paige was on the team with us,” Kayla said. “I’ll miss her! But listen, I’ve gotta go.”
For their lesson later that week, Jack had the class work on the dressage test they’d be riding at Wexford Hall. They all seemed to handle the movements well enough, but Jack caught many accuracy problems. “If your test calls for a transition at E, then it means at E, not a stride after or a stride before,” he said more than once.
Training for show jumping was also a high priority, and their last lesson was devoted to work on the hunt course. The jumps were set high and wide, and Jack had designed a course with sharp turns and changes of direction. “’Tis quick thinking you’ll be needing to get around this course clear,” he said. “You must always be planning for the next fence.”
CHAPTER 24
Wexford Hall
AFTER DOING HER MORNING CHORES at the barn, Sarah sped back home on her bike. Today was the day she and her teammates had been waiting for! The Snyder’s four-horse trailer would be arriving at Brookmeade Farm at eleven o’clock to pick up the horses going to the Wexford Hall event. Her suitcase was packed, her tack oiled, her tall black boots polished, and a brand new black show coat was ready to go. Later in the morning her mother would be taking her and her things back to the farm.
Mrs. Wagner greeted her when she came into the house. “Is there anything I can do to help you, Sarah?”
“Thanks, but no, Mom. I’m going to take a quick shower and change. My tack trunk is packed, and I groomed Prince, so all I’ll have to do when I get back to the barn is put on his shipping boots.” He hasn’t worn them since he went to the vet clinic to have his wolf tooth removed, she thought. It seemed a long time ago, and so much had happened since then. Training had transformed Crown Prince from a green Thoroughbred off the track to an event horse ready to compete in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.
Crown Prince Challenged Page 24
