TEN MORE HORSES HAD taken their turns, and not one of them went clear. Bird was starting to understand why Hannah thought they couldn’t get ready in one day. This was beyond tough! It seemed that each horse had a problem with one or more of the obstacles. The fact that none of these amazing riders could get all of the elements right surprised her greatly. But nothing could have surprised her more than what happened next.
The announcer’s voice rang out. “Our next contender is Frank Skelton, aboard Gladiator, owned by Dexter Pill.”
Frank! Riding Gladiator?
Bird led Sunny over to the fence to get a good view. Yes, it was Gladiator himself cantering in, looking like a champion. The last time Bird had seen him, he was grazing quietly in the back field at Saddle Creek! Now, his ears were alert, his nostrils were flared, and his energy palpable.
And yes, Frank was riding him. Bird gasped. He wore beautiful old vintage clothes that looked as if they had been mended and cleaned countless times. His cap had turned brown with age, and his crop was topped with a highly polished silver knob.
Go, Glad! messaged Sunny.
Right on, returned Glad. He snorted loudly and reared. He looked confident and powerful. Bird had never seen him like this.
Frank rode beautifully. His hands never moved. He seemed like part of the horse, with his upper body flexible and his lower body strong. When they cantered through the timer and headed for the flag jump, they appeared to be one creature.
Bird watched in awe as they cleared the red-and-white and rolled on to the in-and-out. They had the correct impulsion, and sailed over with ease. The water hazard was no problem, and they seemed to be having fun as they soared over the purple oxer and galloped around the bend. They hopped the single rail and began the climb to the Bank. Glad paused only briefly at the top, then slid down and cleared the rail at the bottom. He appeared to be a little tired now, as they headed for the triple, but he gathered himself together and left all the rails up.
Glad’s not in shape, Bird, messaged Sunny.
Can he finish the course?
I hope so. Well, I want to win, but, you know. I wish him well.
Together they watched as Glad and Frank started for the dreaded Devil’s Dike.
This could be bad. I can’t look, Bird.
I can’t either.
But they did. And horse and rider got it right. They came in steadily, popped the first hurdle, cantered the strides down to the ditch and rail at the bottom, then came up two strides and cleared the jump at the top.
Glad’s sides were heaving and his coat was covered in sweat. Frank slowed him to a trot. Bird knew he was thinking about retiring him from the derby.
But Glad wanted nothing to do with quitting. He neighed long and hard, and fought the bit. Frank laughed aloud. They continued on toward the huge steeplechase hedge. Over they went.
The terra cotta sandcastle was next. Glad slowed and barely cleared it. The big horse was losing energy as he faced the green oxer. He couldn’t push himself completely over, and the back rail of the oxer dropped to the ground. The entire crowd groaned together. Bird had barely noticed the audience until then, but she was pleased to realize how much the onlookers were supporting this team.
The last jump was a vertical, covered in vines, with flowery letters advertising an herbal shampoo. A huge plastic bottle replicating the product stood in the centre. Glad was flagging now. He tried valiantly, but couldn’t quite get his hind end up and over, and the top of the shampoo bottle came down with a thud.
Eight time faults and four rail faults were the penalties, but this ride had been the crowd pleaser, and the best score of the morning. Nobody else had done as well on this difficult, skilltesting course.
Frank waved to the cheering crowd as he patted Glad’s drenched neck. His beautiful smile and his athletic, agile bearing instantly endeared him to the crowd.
Then, above all the noise, Bird heard another sound — her mother’s scream.
20
BIRD AND SUNNY RIDE
May your moccasins make happy tracks in the snow,
And may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.
— Cherokee blessing
Bird stared at the stands. Stuart stood in front of Eva, and Paul knelt beside her. Together, they helped her to a standing position and led her down the tiers to the ground.
A movement in the front row caught Bird’s attention. It was Pete, flapping his hands to get Bird’s attention. He pointed vigorously at the ring, and shooed her away with two hands, indicating that she go ride.
“Bird!” Hannah was shaking her shoulder. “Get up! They’re calling for you!” Hannah helped her up onto Sunny’s back. “Don’t worry about Eva. She has lots of help. Now go! Have fun!”
“Last call! Alberta Simms and Sundancer!” the announcer called out. “Come into the Grand Prix ring! This is your last call.”
Bird’s stomach flipped. She was sure she was going to faint. Or vomit. Or both. And there was no time to see what was wrong with her mother. She was thoroughly scared as they trotted to the gate.
As Frank and Gladiator walked away from the ring, Bird saw a familiar-looking man approach them. It was Ed Cage, and he looked furious. Bird would have to check that out after her ride, too.
Bird! Concentrate! commanded Sunny.
She steeled herself. I’m ready.
I need help to get through this.
So do I. Why had her mother screamed like that? And what had Ed just said to Frank? Bird patted Sunny’s silky neck, and put all of the questions out of her head. She tried to focus on the job ahead. Here’s to us.
The bell rang. Bird and Sundancer both inhaled deeply before beginning their canter through the starting timer.
The Canadian flag jump came up fast. Sunny sprang high, and Bird was thrown a little off balance. She reached forward and grabbed Sunny’s mane.
Thanks for letting me get my backside over.
No problem. If you pull back on a horse’s mouth, Bird knew too well, their head jerks up and their hind end drops, knocking the rails down. A novice error.
Mere seconds later, they were facing the nasty looking in-and-out. All the rails were white, and blinding in the sunshine.
Steady, three, two, one, over, messaged Bird.
Land, one, two, OVER! Sunny replied, jumping over the second.
Suddenly, Bird felt at one with her horse. The tension left her body and calmness took over. She heard no noise except Sunny’s steady breathing and his rhythmic hoof beats. Now, instead of jumbled panic, she looked forward to the challenges coming up.
The water jump had looked enormous from the outside of the ring, but with Sundancer’s huge stride and confidence, it appeared now to be more like a blue puddle with a rail in front. They landed past the white line on the far side, and eyed up the purple oxer, deep in the shadows of a small grove of trees.
It was set a little off-centre, and Bird and Sunny adjusted their line to jump it squarely. All the rails stayed up.
Next was the Derby Bank. Bird focused on breathing as they travelled quickly along the grass track around the bend at the outside of the course. Sunny galloped.
There’s a rail up ahead, then a sharp turn to the left, Bird warned.
I know. I’ve been watching this class for hours.
The chestnut gelding slowed two strides away from the single rail. He leapt it carefully, but with enough speed, and turned left in midair to save time. Up the hill they cantered, and slowed as they came to the crest of the Bank — the obstacle that had ended the hopes of many horses that day.
From Sunny’s back, Bird thought the drop looked like an unforgiving precipice.
I won’t look down.
Don’t step back, Sunny. Keep moving forward!
There’s nothing under my feet!
You’ve watched this for hours. You know what it is.
I watched it, but it looked easy!
Glad did it.
Sunny snorted uneasily,
but continued forward. He plunged head first down the twelve-foot, forty-five degree angled hill, sliding his hind end under him. They got to the bottom, took one stride, and lifted off over the second single rail. He cleared it.
Bird’s heart pounded in her ears. Bravo, Sunny.
Easy peasy. But he didn’t fool Bird. Sunny’s heart was pounding as hard as hers.
As the gigantic triple combination loomed, Bird felt Sunny’s agitation. We’re okay. This pace is perfect, Sunny, she reassured him.
As perfect as Glad?
Are you mad?
No! Jealous! Don’t do that again.
It got you down the hill.
I’m better than Glad!
And you’re proving it now.
Sundancer got to the first of the three jumps. He sprang over it with his knees at his nose, landed, and took a controlled stride. He jumped the next. He landed, took another stride, and easily cleared the last one.
Beautiful! praised Bird.
Better than Glad?
Way better!
Now they were heading for the dreaded Devil’s Dike. Sunny and Bird both knew how essential it was to get the speed exactly right.
Not too fast and not too slow, Sunny.
You think I don’t remember?
Aren’t we going a little fast?
Probably.
Then slow down!
Sunny pulled against the reins a little to show Bird he had his own ideas, but he slowed in time to enter the Dike at the optimal speed. Over the first vertical he went, then down the hill to the ditch and rail at the bottom. Sunny got a little too close, so he popped it and landed clear. But because he’d landed so slowly, the stride to the top jump needed more impulsion.
Go, Sunny! encouraged Bird.
Fast now? Fast now!
They flew over the fragile vertical at the top without rapping it, and were safely through the Devil’s Dike.
Bird felt Sunny exhale. She did the same. But they remained vigilant as they faced the solid steeplechase hedge. Over they soared.
The terra cotta sandcastle was right in front of them. From the back of a horse, it looked utterly strange — like something out of Lawrence of Arabia. Bird looked over it, not at it, and Sunny cantered on. He gathered his weight under his hocks, pushed off with power, brought up his knees, and jumped it clear. He cantered strongly to the second last obstacle, the green oxer.
No problem was posed by the distance or size, and they cleared it well. But they missed the sharp right turn to the herbal shampoo bottle and had to go around the Canadian flag in a large loop, which cost time.
I’ll zoom! Sunny took hold of the bit and pulled.
No! Let’s go clear! Bird held him back.
I can zoom and still clear it! He shook his head.
They had no time to argue. The shampoo vertical was only a few strides away. Bird let the reins go slack. Glad knocked the cap off. I don’t care if you do, too.
Are you giving up? Sunny seemed to realize he was fighting only himself. Bird could feel him change his attitude, and start using his brain. He came in straight, lifted off nicely, and the rails didn’t touch a hair on his ankles.
Nice, Sunny. Now zoom!
They galloped through the timer, and it felt so good, they galloped a little longer. Bird stood up in the stirrups to give Sunny’s back a rest, and leaned on his neck. She revelled in the exhilaration of completing this extraordinary course, and smiled from ear to ear with the wind in her face. When they finally slowed to a walk, Bird was laughing out loud.
Bird?
Yes?
Try talking people talk.
Why?
You just made noise from your throat. I think you’re back in business.
“Oh, Sunny! You’re right!”
As soon as they were outside the big grass ring, Bird dismounted.
She was totally elated. Not only had they won the Caledon Derby, but she was able to speak again! She patted Sunny heartily and rubbed his face with the palm of her hand. You’re the best!
Hannah tapped her on the shoulder. Bird turned, expecting praise. Her aunt’s worried face brought her down to earth.
“What’s wrong?” Bird asked.
“It’s Pete. He’s been taken by ambulance to critical care. The medics think it’s another heart attack, and most likely worse this time.” Hannah wiped away a tear. “He wouldn’t let them take him until he’d seen you ride through the finish gate.”
Bird felt her elation drain away. He should’ve stayed at home to recover, and only came to cheer her on. She felt a surge of guilt, and leaned against Sundancer for support. “Oh, no.”
“Let’s hope for the best. He’s in good hands.” Hannah gave her a hug and tried to cheer her up. “Congratulations on a brilliant ride out there! Nobody went clean but you and Sundancer.”
“It was Sunny, all the way.”
Hannah pulled away and stared at Bird, a hand on each of the girl’s shoulders. “Are we having a conversation?”
Bird nodded. “Yes, we are!” They hugged again before Bird remembered Eva. “What’s going on with Mom? Why did she shriek like that?”
Hannah shrugged her shoulders. “She’s fine. I think she just overreacted to something.”
“To what?” asked Bird. But before Hannah could respond, Bird’s eye was caught by three police cars driving out of the grounds, roof lights flashing. She stared. “Why are they here? What’s been happening?”
“While you and Sunny were winning the Derby, lots of things were happening — and exactly as Frank planned.” Hannah’s face lit up as she recounted all the excitement. “When Frank rode Glad out of the ring, Ed Cage started yelling. He’s mad at Frank for taking Gladiator away from Dexter’s barn, but Frank expected that, so he was ready, and taped the entire conversation. Including” — Hannah paused for effect — “admitting that he tried to give Glad an injection that night. And! Did you know Ed’s the one who shot Sunny with a BB gun at the last show? Frank told me.” Now her eyes squinted with anger.
“Yes, I know. Ed Cage,” said Bird. “What a cad.”
Hannah nodded.
“And so then Frank called the police?” Bird surmised.
Hannah looked up at the cruisers. They were pulling away from the show grounds. “Yes. Mack Jones is taking Ed in now.”
“And Wanda?”
“What about her?”
Bird thought back. Did Hannah even know about Wanda’s involvement? No. Now that she could speak she had to be more careful. Frank should be the one to divulge details as he saw fit. “I haven’t seen her around, that’s all.”
“Neither have I, now that you mention it. Anyway, walk Sunny out a bit, and get ready to be given the grand prize. What will you do with all that money?!” She grinned broadly. “They’re going to bring out the podium and make a real fuss!” Hannah patted Sunny’s neck and hugged Bird again. “I can’t tell you! I’m so proud of you both!”
Bird led Sunny around to the water trough, where the champion jumper wet his lips and drank.
Enough for now, Sunny. You don’t want a tummy ache.
That’s an old tale. I’m thirsty.
No, it’s true.
Someone came up behind them. “Hi, Bird.”
Bird turned to see Sally Johns standing there. Bird was surprised that she’d come.
“I know you can’t talk, but congratulations.” Sally appeared to have more on her mind than praise. She was looking everywhere but at Bird.
Bird decided to stay mute — this was not the time to say the wrong thing. She touched her cap in a response that she hoped looked humble, not comical.
“So.” Sally spoke quickly. “I came to tell you, you rode great, but I know what’s going on. Wanda told me. My father and Hannah — everybody thinks you can do no wrong, but Wanda figured it out.” Sally pouted and tried unsuccessfully to stem the tears. “We came to make sure Tall Sox wasn’t here, and now she knows where he is.” Sally sniffed, and wiped her nose on
her arm. She pushed out her chin and stalked off to the parking lot.
Bird thought fast. What did Sally mean? Wanda knew where he is? Tall Sox was innocently grazing in the back field with Amigo. Was she going to get him? He’d let Sally take him for sure — Bird had told him to be good to her! She had to move fast. She looked around for Hannah, but her aunt had completely disappeared. Where had she gone?
Frank? We have a problem!
No response.
Bird looked at her watch. Five minutes had already passed since she’d dismounted. Men were busily setting up the podium in the ring. The judges would be ready to present the prizes soon. Did she have time to dash home?
Bird looked at the line of trailers and cars leaving the lot. Wanda’s car would be stuck in that jam for some time. Maybe the prize-giving would be over by the time they got to the farm.
Frank?
The heck with it. She couldn’t take that risk, sitting around waiting to be given a prize while Tall Sox was taken off the Saddle Creek property! Once he’d gone, it would be extraordinarily difficult to track him down.
Bird cinched the girth and climbed up on Sunny’s back. Let’s go home. We have a job to do.
What about my victory lap?
Later!
Nobody noticed the girl and the chestnut horse vanish from the grounds. They trotted past the grass ring and broke into a gallop across the field to the road. They headed home directly through the fields, and jumped four fences along the way. They arrived at the back field three minutes later. Sunny hopped the split rail fence on the fly.
Sox! telegraphed Bird.
The sweet bay gelding with four white socks and a white blaze lifted his head from the grass. Amigo was right beside him.
Can you come with us?
Where?
She looked up to the barn. Cliff was on the tractor, taking the manure out to the pile at the back.
To the barn.
Can I come, too? asked Amigo.
Sure! Bird urged Sunny across the field, followed by the two horses. “Cliff!” He couldn’t hear her. Sunny jumped the fence beside the barn, and they cantered up beside him.
“Cliff!”
He looked up, totally surprised. “Bird! Why aren’t you at the show? And you just spoke!”
Dark Days at Saddle Creek Page 21
