The Boy Who Loves Horses (Pegasus Equestrian Center Series)

by Diana Vincent

  “Maybe,” River begrudgingly agreed.

  “Also, I suggested a musical freestyle at third level, and she seemed quite enthusiastic.”

  River actually perked up with a look of interest. “Really? I’d like to do that. You’d help me find music and design the ride?”

  “Of course; I already have a few selections that I think would suit Penny.” She handed River a CD with a homemade label. “Listen to these and let me know if any of them appeal to you. I firmly believe the rider has to feel inspired by the music as well as it needs to fit the horse.”

  River took the CD and nodded.

  “Sierra, are you interested in competing in dressage again?” Tess asked.

  “Yes, at least on Fiel. I want to try second level this year.”

  “Good, I think you’re both capable. Okay, now for eventing. River will take Moose intermediate. Crystal and Katrina are both taking their horses preliminary. Gloria will start out with her new horse at training level, and Sierra, you’ll take Silver training level. River, I’d like you to take Felicity beginner novice.” She raised up her hand before he could protest. “One or two schooling shows and maybe one rated event; her owners are satisfied with that.”

  “I guess…”

  She scowled at him, but then shifting back in her chair asked, “What about Corazón?”

  River looked up, startled. “He’s my horse…”

  Tess interrupted, “Don’t get so defensive. I’m just asking if you’re interested in showing him. It’s up to you.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it…maybe beginner novice.”

  “River, come on,” Tess said derisively. “He’ll walk all over a beginner novice course. He could easily handle training level and you know it. He’s already capable of a preliminary course.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “I’ve never seen a horse take to jumping the way he does, so it’s not like he wouldn’t enjoy competition…just think about it.” She raised her hand again when River opened his mouth.

  Tess looked at her list and then reached for a three-ring binder with a separate page for each horse in training. She reviewed with them the conditioning schedules she had outlined and handed them an assignment calendar. “I’ll have this posted in the tack room, so check in there for any changes. You know how an injury or loss of shoe can alter the schedule.”

  They both nodded as they looked over the calendar.

  “The cross country clinic is in two weeks. Sierra, I’ll have you ride Silver. River, as usual, I would like you to demonstrate first over the course. I thought you might like to ride Cory; give him a taste of having strange horses around to see how he might react at an event.”

  “Okay.”

  “Any more questions?”

  They both shook their heads but River mumbled under his breath, “If Crystal is going to ride Diva at preliminary she should get out here and ride more often.”

  Sierra looked at River in surprise, but then she realized his concern was for Diva.

  “I heard that. River, you let me worry about Crystal,” Tess snapped at him.

  “It’s not Crystal I’m worried about.”

  Tess scowled but then rolled her eyes. “One more thing; I thought you might like to see this.” She handed River a regional dressage publication opened to an article. “Do you remember that lady who interviewed me at the dressage championship?”

  River held the magazine so that Sierra could read along with him. The article had a couple paragraphs about Pegasus Equestrian Center and mentioned River, who had amazed the dressage community as well as eventing circles last season.

  …unheard of for a rider as inexperienced in competition to out-perform veteran competitors. Teresa Holmes, part owner of Pegasus Equestrian Center and the young rider’s coach, told our interviewer, ‘River literally began riding before he was born. He is the son of Renee Girard, a jockey killed in a tragic racing accident. River has probably spent more hours on the back of a horse than he has on his own feet.’ His years of riding and a natural ability certainly became obvious as he wowed spectators at the region six championship on Pendragon…

  The article went on to talk about Pendragon’s breeding, training, and competition history and also quoted a statement from Mrs. Galensburg about how proud she was of her horse.

  “Wow,” Sierra breathed out and smiled at River when he caught her eye. He smiled back.

  “This is the kind of publicity that will keep us in business,” Tess said when River handed back the magazine. “I’m very proud of you.”

  “Thanks,” River said somewhat begrudgingly. “Is that all?” He started to get up from his chair.

  “Yes, but I want to talk to you alone for a few minutes if you don’t mind.”

  He shrugged and sat back down and Sierra left the office.

  As soon as the door closed behind Sierra, Tess stated, “I’ve broken up with your father; for good.”

  Startled, River looked up to meet her eyes, wondering why she was telling him this. Tess never talked about her relationship with his father. Nevertheless, he knew she had broken up with him several times over the years, only to forgive and take him back. “You’ve broken up with him before,” he said flatly.

  “I realize that has been a pattern, but believe me, it is really over now. It affects you because your father will no longer bring his horses here for the winter. There will be no board for you to work off.”

  River shrugged. “Cory is boarded here.”

  “Yes, but I have another offer for you.”

  “Like what?” River frowned, studying Tess’s face for what she was really after.

  “You’re not planning on quitting school and going to the track with your father this summer, are you?”

  “No. That’s what he wants me to do but I don’t want to work at the track and I especially don’t want to work for him.”

  “Good, that’s a smart decision. How many more years of school do you have?”

  “Two, after this year.”

  “What do you plan on doing after you graduate?”

  “I’m thinking about going to college. João left me some money for school.”

  “Here’s something else for you to consider. I want to change your duties here. Your talent is wasted cleaning stalls and doing chores and I am planning on hiring an additional stable hand to replace you. I want you to spend your time helping me train the horses. It would be an apprenticeship over the next two years, and I am prepared to offer you full wages as well as free board for your horse. If the stable continues to profit as it is now and you can prove your worth, Walt and I would offer you a position as assistant trainer with a salary much higher than you make now.”

  River could only stare at her, not at all sure what to make of the offer.

  “You can also teach some lessons.” Noting his frown Tess continued, “I know you’ve been teaching Katrina.”

  “But…”

  Tess interrupted, “You’re doing a good job. I realize her improved dressage scores are a result of your coaching.”

  River could not believe what he was hearing and looked at Tess with an expression that displayed his disbelief.

  “Well?”

  “Um, this is kind of unexpected, but yeah, it sounds okay…I mean the apprenticeship part. I still don’t know for sure what I’ll do after I graduate.”

  “Fair enough.” Tess pressed her palms down on her desk and pushed herself up to her feet. “I’m going to ask Katrina if she wants to clean stalls on weekends in exchange for reduced board. Sierra gets full board because she also helps with conditioning rides. Manuel has a cousin who needs work and will clean stalls during the week days and assist Manuel in the other chores and maintenance that you’ve always helped him with. He can start next week.”

  River nodded and stepped out of the office, thinking about Tess’s offer. He had never minded doing chores, but giving them up to ride more often sounded like a really good deal. One of his firs
t thoughts however, was that he would miss the time he and Sierra spent cleaning stalls together; especially the times before Katrina started hanging around. But then he realized it had been quite some time since he and Sierra had really gotten along together, so what was he really going to miss?

  For now, working as Tess’s apprentice trainer would be okay. He’d have to think hard though, as to whether he would want to continue to work with her after he graduated. They had too many differences in how they viewed the proper training of a horse and rider. And maybe he would go to college; or now that he apparently was making a reputation for himself, maybe he could work for another training stable that might manage their horses more in line with his own beliefs.

  For the first time in his life, River felt like he had options for a future…that he could actually have a future to look forward to. He smiled to himself, thinking he had always seen himself as mucking stalls and grooming horses at the track for the rest of his life.

  He had much to think about and time to make decisions; but one thing he did know for sure. He was not going to quit school. He would never work for his father.

  Only his father still did not know that, and he dreaded the confrontation when he told Cray.

  *****

  The moment Sierra arrived at school Monday morning, she felt the charged atmosphere of some significant event that had everyone in an uproar. Some groups whispered together and others talked in loud animated voices.

  Allison caught up to her before first period. “Sierra, I’ve been trying to call you all weekend. Where were you?”

  “Oh, I guess I left my phone off. You know, after Dean showed up so late as if nothing was wrong, I just didn’t want to hear him call with his lame excuses. I never checked messages.”

  “That’s what I wanted to tell you…about Dean!”

  Sierra studied Allison’s troubled expression. “What?” she asked, a lump of dread balling up in her stomach.

  “Come on, we have almost ten minutes. We need to sit down.” Allison grabbed Sierra’s arm and guided her to a bench seat outside the administration offices. Sierra did not think she was going to like what she was about to hear.

  “After we left, Dean cut in on a dance with Billy’s girlfriend Charlene. He kept dancing with her and ignored Billy when he tried to cut back in. Then Dean left with Charlene. Maryann Jacobs called me on Sunday because she heard the rest of the story from her brother, who’s a senior. Ashley Brown, Manny Arkenstone, and Dean had a bet going as to which of them would be the first to get a virgin into bed. Dean apparently had picked you. Ashley was bragging he was sure to win for he’s been taking Sarah Chambers out for months and she had essentially promised him that the night of the Valentine’s ball, well… When you walked out on Dean, he was desperate for a way to win the bet. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he doesn’t take losing very well. I think he thought you were going to be a sure thing, but when that didn’t happen, he picked the easiest target he could think of…Charlene.”

  “No,” Sierra gasped in a whisper.

  “Charlene is a sweet girl but not very bright. You can imagine…”

  A wave of nausea and dizziness swept over Sierra and she pressed her hands over her mouth. Yes, she could imagine the sweet, convincing words Dean would use; the same words he had said to her that had stolen her heart; the passionate kisses and caresses. She felt fresh humiliation, but also a deep sense of compassion for poor Charlene.

  “To prove he won, he had to get a picture and tape record everything said during the act. Maryann said Dean got a picture of Charlene with his cell phone, and had a small tape recorder hidden somewhere. He’s shared it all with his buddies, and nobody doubts he won the bet.”

  It could have been my picture, my words… if Dean had been just a little more faithful in his promises and consistent in his attention to her she really didn’t know if she eventually might have...She shuddered.

  It felt like every eye fixed on her as she walked into homeroom. She stumbled into her desk and kept her eyes focused on pulling out her notebook and supplies from her backpack.

  Throughout the day, friends came up to her, offering sympathy. At first, Sierra only felt further humiliation, but eventually began to take comfort as she realized no one seemed to think she had been a fool or thought she had been gullible. “He seemed so nice,” many of the girls said. “Everyone thought he really liked you.” She hadn’t been the only one fooled by Dean’s charm.

  Charlene did not come to school that day; nor did Dean. But Billy came, and in the middle of English as they were discussing Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility, he burst into blubbering sobs and fled the room. Sierra raised her hand and received permission to follow him.

  Outside the nearest boys’ restroom she could hear Billy sobbing. Since everyone else was supposed to be in class, she entered and found him slumped against the wall hunched over his knees, with his head buried in his arms.

  “Go away,” he blubbered, hearing the door open.

  Sierra ignored the command and sat down next to him, putting an arm around his shoulder. He turned to her and continued to cry against her, soaking her tee-shirt with his tears. When he subsided to sniffles and hiccoughs, Sierra tried to explain.

  “There is a magical charm about Dean that is almost irresistible. I can imagine how Charlene is feeling right now and she probably feels worse than you do.”

  “Nooo,” Billy groaned. “How could she do this to me?”

  “She didn’t do it to you, Billy. She was swept away by a boy from a dream. Dean can make a girl forget reality, forget herself, and believe all the lies he tells. I know; I believed him too.”

  “You’re his girlfriend,” Billy declared in an angry tone.

  “I thought he was my boyfriend but I was never his girlfriend. He enchanted me, just like he did Charlene.”

  “I loved her!”

  “Don’t you still love her?”

  “How can I after what she did?”

  “Billy, I bet Charlene has never had a boyfriend before you. I bet she is totally naïve to the ways of lecherous guys. I think she loves you too, but I think in her innocence, she was temporarily blinded by a very handsome and charming boy. I know how Dean can get into your face and convince you of his sincerity.”

  “She picked him over me.”

  “Well, first of all, she doesn’t really have that choice. And, second, maybe she picked him for a brief enchanted moment. But believe me, his charm eventually wears very thin. If he hadn’t dumped her after that night, she would have come back to you in time.” Sierra didn’t really know that, but it seemed like a good thing to say.

  “He ruined everything between us.”

  “Only if you let him, and he is so not worth ruining a good thing. I’ve noticed you and Charlene together. You have something sweet and special between you. Billy, I know how hurt you feel because that is what Dean did to me. So I also know how hurt Charlene feels. Maybe you can’t today or even this week or next; but Billy, try to forgive her. I think you both can learn and grow from this experience.”

  “Forgive her?” He spat out the words.

  “Yes, forgive her. If you really love her, you will understand. You will know how she is also suffering and how sorry she is. Forgive her.”

  “She’s been calling me and saying how sorry she is,” Billy admitted.

  “Have you talked to her?”

  “No, I can’t.”

  “If you can’t talk to her and forgive her, then both of you will go on suffering.”

  “Sierra, it hurts so bad.” He brought out a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly.

  “I know, Billy, I know.”

  *****

  Dean returned to school on Tuesday but Charlene remained absent for the rest of the week. Sierra caught sight of Dean a few times in the hall; laughing and joking with his friends as if nothing unusual had happened. Perhaps for Dean and his friends, humiliating and hurting another person was nothing unusual. Si
erra avoided him, unable to face him with the hatred and disgust she now felt.

  However, the next time Dean and Caroline came for a lesson, Sierra approached Caroline while Dean rode.

  “I’m sorry about your cat,” Sierra said.

  “What cat?” Caroline glanced at her with a look of annoyance.

  “I heard your family’s cat got hit by a car and killed.”

  “You’re mistaken. We don’t have a cat; my mother’s allergic to cats.”

  “Not even a barn cat?”

  “No,” Caroline replied irritably, and turned her attention back to Dean’s lesson.

  *****

  When Charlene returned to school the following week, it was with Billy. She hung onto his hand and arm wherever they went, avoiding everyone else. Her ready smile and easy laughter were gone, and it broke Sierra’s heart to see the change in her. She hoped time would eventually restore some of Charlene’s innocence, and had no idea her mother hoped the same for her.

  *****

  28 Competitions

  …all work – whether in-hand or ridden – always starts with basic gaits and a clear rhythm. Once the horse is in rhythm, he can begin to relax. Once he relaxes, he can begin to take contact. With contact begins impulsion. A horse can only be straight if he has impulsion, and with straightness comes collection. In other words, collection happens. – Jorgen Koschel

  *****

  Even River had to admit that Corazón loved an audience. His lovely black horse arched his neck proudly and waved his tail triumphantly; trotting in a big forward moving trot, almost passage, as River rode back to the group after his demonstration round for the cross country clinic. It was as if Corazón knew the cheering and loud applause honored him.