Jade at the Champs

by Amy Brown

  ‘Good luck, you guys!’ Jade called to Amanda and Kristen, who had just finished at the practice jump. Kristen saluted in reply.

  Jade hadn’t been lying when she said her foot was sore, but it wasn’t so sore that she couldn’t have a little look for the Sands’ truck. It wasn’t hard to find, as the only truck larger than it was the Van de Meers’, and that was parked right next door.

  Inside the shiny beige truck, which had GOLDEN SANDS BAR & GRILL painted on the side with a gaudy cartoon of a chicken wearing sunglasses and holding a cocktail, Jade could hear crying.

  ‘Well, do you want to keep him?’ Mrs Sand asked.

  ‘No,’ Jade thought she heard, between sobs.

  ‘Do you even want to keep riding?’

  ‘I dunno.’

  ‘I know you love him as a pet, darling, but he could kill you. He’s dangerous. I’m not keeping him if we’re always going to be afraid of him — and, really, I’ve run out of ideas. He’s useless.’

  ‘He was good for Tina,’ Loretta said, having blown her nose and pulled herself together a bit.

  ‘Tina’s practically a criminal, selling him to us. Yes, he went fine for her, but no one else has managed to do anything with him. That girl was just tough as nails — no wonder she’s riding track work now. Anyway, I’m not going to be responsible if he puts his next rider in a wheelchair. It’d just be safer to have him put down.’

  ‘No!’ Loretta wailed again. ‘Could we just give him to someone and tell them everything. Maybe he needs to be broken in again?’

  ‘Who is going to bother with him after this sorry performance today?’ Mrs Sand asked, exasperated.

  Jade, who’d been eavesdropping without any subtlety outside the truck, couldn’t help piping up: ‘Um, hello?’

  ‘Who’s there?’ Mrs Sand asked sharply, striding down the truck’s ramp. ‘Oh no, it’s that poor little girl Taniwha injured this morning. See, Loretta? He’s already put someone in hospital today. See?’

  Loretta looked like she was going be sick. She stood behind her mother, saying nothing.

  ‘I’m so sorry about your foot,’ Mrs Sand said. ‘Is there anything we can do? Compensation?’

  ‘Um, no. It’s fine,’ Jade said, unsure of where to start. ‘It’s just — well, I heard you talking about the pony just now, as I was walking past,’ Jade added hurriedly, not wanting to admit to eavesdropping, ‘and I’d like to take him, if you really want to get rid of him. I’d buy him.’

  Mrs Sand looked confused. ‘Is this a joke? Are you making fun of Loretta?’

  ‘No, of course not!’ Jade said. ‘I know he’s a really difficult pony, but in that last round, when I saw him jumping, I thought he could make a great pony one day. I’d hate it if he got put down.’

  ‘What makes you think you’d do better with Taniwha than Loretta?’

  Jade looked worried, not wanting to offend the mother and daughter standing before her.

  ‘I don’t doubt your riding skills,’ Mrs Sand went on, almost kindly. ‘I’d just never forgive myself if I read in the paper that a half-Kaimanawa half-Arab 14.2-hand bay gelding had killed a girl out hunting. I just want to be reassured, that’s all.’

  ‘I’ll be fine!’ Jade blurted out, not at all sure of whether she would be. ‘I have great riding instructors, and I’m quite experienced now.’

  ‘With five-year-olds?’

  ‘I’ll have lots of support.’

  ‘Well, if you can show me some of this support, I’ll think about letting you have Taniwha. I like horses as much as the next person, so I’d rather see him go to a good home than get put down, but he’s just completely beyond me — sometimes he even seems evil.’ He didn’t look evil to Jade; tied up next to one of the other Gorsewood horses, he looked defeated. There was still a sweaty saddle mark on his back and he had no hay-net.

  ‘My dad will be here tomorrow. If he agrees, will you let me take Taniwha? I’d pay!’ Jade said decisively.

  ‘OK, sure; I’ll talk to your dad tomorrow. But no, there’s absolutely no need to pay.’

  ‘No need to pay for what?’ Yannick Van de Meer asked, dismounting from a sweaty Speculaas. ‘Hey, you’re that girl who was riding Kristen’s pony until Taniwha crippled you. Good job, eh?’

  ‘Yannick!’ Mrs Sand scolded.

  ‘Jeez, I was joking,’ Yannick said.

  ‘She wants Taniwha,’ Loretta said, in a small husky voice.

  ‘Wow!’ Yannick said, taking his pony’s bridle off and slipping on a halter. ‘Are you mad?’

  ‘I like him,’ Jade said.

  ‘Go for it, then. At least you won’t beat me when you’re riding him, eh?’ Yannick laughed. ‘Hey, can you ask your team-mate on the dun pony if she’d like to do the Jigsaw with me tomorrow? It makes sense because you’re obviously out, and everyone agrees Loretta’s not riding any more — right, Loretta?’ Loretta nodded feebly, making Jade feel sorry for her again. ‘Mum even reckons our teams might be allowed to split the points if we win.’ He grinned as he pulled off his sky-blue gloves.

  Jade was taken aback. Yannick talked so fast, and it was often hard to tell if he was being serious or not. ‘Um, I’ll ask Becca about it.’

  ‘Cool, thanks.’

  By the time Jade had hobbled back to the trucks on her crutches, she was genuinely feeling like a lie down. Dorian, who’d been dozing in the late afternoon sun, looked up and snickered gently. Before hoisting herself onto the truck’s bunk, Jade found a horse mint in her grooming kit and gave it to the patient pony.

  It felt like she’d only closed her eyes for five minutes when Jade was woken by the return of her teammates. Reaching for her crutches, Jade sat up and eased herself slowly off the bunk. She could hear excited voices and the familiar creaking and rattling of untacking.

  ‘Jade, I got second!’ Becca called, beaming. Dusty, who was drinking noisily from his bucket, was all untacked except for the pretty blue sash still tied round his neck.

  ‘Well done!’ Jade said, trying not to sound envious. She couldn’t help wondering where she and Dorian would’ve been placed.

  ‘It was the best jump-off we’ve ever done — eh, Mum?’

  ‘Yep, you rode beautifully, and Dusty went like the clappers,’ Becca’s mum said, beginning to unplait Dusty’s mane.

  ‘How are the others doing?’ Jade asked.

  ‘The senior ring is still going; David and Corina both got into the jump-off, which is fantastic,’ Becca’s mum said.

  ‘And Kristen and Amanda are waiting to hear the results,’ Becca said, taking off her helmet and carefully untangling her hairnet. ‘Mum watched Amanda’s jump-off and thought it was fast.’

  ‘My word, that Blue can motor around a course!’ Becca’s mum said. ‘I’d be very surprised if anyone beat their time. Though that Van de Meer girl — Yannick’s older sister — might have given them a run for their money.’

  ‘Did Yannick win the junior event?’ Jade asked Becca.

  ‘Yeah, it was a close one again. And he’s not actually that bad — he congratulated me this time.’

  ‘Oh, that’s right,’ Jade said, remembering. ‘He asked me to ask you if you’d like to do the Jigsaw with him tomorrow. Apparently his mum reckons our teams could split the points if you get placed.’

  Becca’s face lit up. ‘Really? When did you see him?’

  ‘Just as I was walking back to the truck.’ Jade blushed faintly, not wanting to have to explain her rash decision just yet.

  ‘What do you think, Mum?’ Becca asked.

  ‘Why not? It’d be a shame to miss the last event. Shall we go and see if Yannick’s at his truck, plan for tomorrow?’

  While Becca and her mum went to visit the Gorsewood team, Jade was left to keep an eye on Dusty and Dorian. Running her fingers through Dusty’s ridiculously curly mane, Jade worried: about her offer to take Taniwha, about poor Pip — whom she’d hardly thought about all day — and about her dad on the long drive from Flaxton. He hadn’t driven
since the accident. He shouldn’t be driving right now.

  ‘You look deep in thought,’ Kristen said, sliding tiredly off Johnny’s back.

  Jade jumped. ‘I was miles away. Hey, well done!’ Johnny, Jade saw now, had a handsome yellow sash around his neck.

  ‘Thanks,’ Kristen said. ‘I’m really happy with Mr Sparrow today; a woman even asked if he was for sale after our jump-off. But the real stars are Blue and Amanda.’

  Amanda, to her credit, couldn’t stop making a fuss of Blueberry Tart. ‘It was mostly down to her — she’s never been so good,’ Amanda said, hugging her horse’s neck.

  Blue and Johnny had their noses deep in their feed buckets by the time David and Corina returned, exhausted and elated from their jump-off.

  ‘We’ll have to celebrate tonight!’ said Michaela, who’d been watching the end of the senior event. ‘Our team has some of the best young show-jumpers in New Zealand, I’m convinced. David, two wins today! I’d tell you to give yourself a pat on the back if I didn’t hate that phrase. And Amanda, stunning riding this afternoon: thoughtful and brave.’

  ‘How did you go?’ Jade whispered to Corina, as Michaela continued raving. Corina didn’t say anything, but pulled a crumpled green sash out of her jacket pocket.

  ‘Fourth’s really good!’ Jade said, trying not to sound condescending. ‘Any placing is good — that’s what Becca’s mum said.’

  Corina shook her head, disappointed. ‘It’s just not been our day. Medusa’s beaten David and Toby before — I know we can do better than this. It’s just frustrating letting the team down; Gorsewood were second and third behind David in both events today.’

  ‘If anyone’s let the team down, it’s me,’ Jade said, waving her cast at Corina. ‘At least you weren’t silly enough to try and catch a bolting horse in your bare feet.’

  Corina laughed. ‘I suppose not.’ That evening, the hard-working horses were turned out in the paddock before nightfall, and the hungry riders were allowed to celebrate with a barbecued feast.

  Sitting outside, her polar fleece zipped up to her chin and a paper plate piled with steak, salad, bread and a corn cob, Jade felt pleasantly sleepy. Her dad had phoned to let her know that he was staying the night in Turangi, so there was no need to worry about him driving in the dark. And he’d been able to reassure her that Pip’s condition wasn’t any worse, and perhaps was even a little better.

  Jade’s one nagging worry was Taniwha. As her team-mates relived the day, describing each of their rounds to an entranced Mr Parry, Jade couldn’t bring herself to mention the offer she’d made Mrs Sand. That could wait until tomorrow.

  12

  Two Ponies

  Wearing track pants rather than jodhpurs, as they were easier to pull on over her cast, Jade did her best to be helpful on Sunday morning. But on crutches she wasn’t much use at catching the horses, or even at carrying everyone’s belongings to the trucks. In the end, she was left with Mr Parry to do the breakfast dishes.

  ‘I think I’ve done something silly,’ she said quietly to Mr Parry, as he washed and she dried.

  ‘What’s that then?’ he asked, strangely unsurprised that this mousy girl had finally spoken to him.

  ‘I offered to buy the pony that broke my foot.’

  ‘The one you lot were talking about last night?’ Mr Parry asked. ‘The one that reared and took off?’

  Jade nodded.

  ‘Why?’ Mr Parry asked.

  ‘He’s a good jumper, and I like the look of him,’ Jade said unconvincingly. ‘And I don’t want him to get shot.’

  ‘Do you still want him today?’ Mr Parry asked.

  ‘I think so.’

  ‘Then if I were you, I’d tell Michaela about it. She’s got a top eye for a horse and will give you some good advice.’

  Jade nodded, relieved that the first adult she’d told about Taniwha hadn’t shouted at her.

  When the dishes were finished, Jade hopped outside and helped Becca roll up the last of Dusty’s plaits, and then it was time to go. The Flaxton team said their goodbyes and thank yous to Mr Parry. Kristen presented him with a beautifully wrapped bottle of tawny port.

  ‘Oh, this is the nice stuff,’ Mr Parry chuckled. ‘You lot spoil me.’

  He stood, waving the bottle at the riders and calling, ‘See you next year, I hope!’ and ‘Good luck!’ as the trucks rolled slowly down the driveway.

  At the showgrounds, everyone seemed busy, especially Michaela, whom Jade was desperate to consult about Taniwha. What with finding Johnny’s lost tendon boot and convincing Corina that Medusa’s fetlock wasn’t at all stiff or swollen, Michaela had no time for the girl in track pants, a T-shirt and one gumboot, who was trying to keep her crutches out of the way.

  ‘Michaela,’ Jade called shyly, when the coach seemed to be between tasks.

  ‘What is it, Jade? Becca and I were just about to find Yannick and walk the course. You should come, too.’

  ‘Too late,’ Jade whispered. From where she was standing on the ramp, she had a good view of the approaching Gorsewood team members. Yannick on Speculaas, flanked by Frieda, Mrs Sand and Loretta on foot. ‘The Van de Meers are coming,’ Jade said in a small voice.

  ‘Good,’ Michaela said. ‘I wonder if Frieda’s charmed the judges into letting us split points.’ Frieda had not managed to charm the judges. ‘It’s outrageous,’ she said in a slow, deep voice. ‘On the scoreboard we are clearly the winning teams already — you are slightly ahead, actually. The other teams are only competing for third. Outrageous,’ she said again, savouring the word.

  ‘Can’t say I’m surprised,’ Michaela said. ‘It was hard enough persuading them to let Jade ride Dorian. Look, you two,’ Michaela said to Yannick and Becca, ‘why not do the event for fun — you’re already tacked up and you’re ready to go. I’m sure no one would mind that.’

  Yannick seemed to disapprove of doing things just for fun, but Becca agreed heartily. ‘Please, Yannick,’ Becca wheedled. ‘We may as well.’

  ‘Fine,’ Yannick said. ‘Fine.’

  ‘Great! Let’s go down and have a look at the course together, shall we?’ Michaela said.

  Seeing the matter of the Jigsaw was resolved, Mrs Sand bellowed to Jade: ‘Still keen to take Taniwha?’

  Jade blushed from her neck up, seeing Michaela’s face. ‘What’s this, Jade?’ Michaela asked, incredulous.

  ‘The girl with the broken foot offered to take Loretta’s pony yesterday,’ Mrs Sand announced. ‘I just want to know if she’s still interested. And, if so, whether you’ve room in your trucks to take him today.’ Mrs Sand thumped Loretta’s back. ‘Don’t start crying again, darling — you’ll be better off without him.’

  Michaela gave Jade a long, questioning look, then said with remarkable composure, ‘Jade’s father will here by lunchtime; perhaps we could discuss Taniwha then?’

  ‘Alright,’ Mrs Sand said impatiently, ‘but we’ll be leaving straight after the prize-giving and I’ll want to know whether we’re taking the brute with us or not.’

  As she was no longer competing for points, Becca’s nerves had left her. She was happy to walk the course with Yannick, and leave Michaela to have a frank discussion with Jade.

  Having heard Jade’s reasons for wanting Taniwha, Michaela sighed. ‘Jade, just because the last pony you adopted turned out to be a good bet doesn’t mean that this one will. Pip is bombproof and willing — a lucky find on your part. Taniwha, or whatever his name is, might be a nice, talented pony somewhere underneath all the fear and frustration he’s developed with Sands. But even if he is, it will take a long time to bring him into his own. Lots of hard, patient work on your part. Shows, pony club — all those things that Pip does without turning a hair — would be a massive challenge with a pony like him.’

  Jade nodded, thinking only about how nice it would be once Taniwha had settled down. She was patient; she could help him, couldn’t she?

  ‘Jade, are you listening to me?’ Michaela snapped. ‘Ca
n you honestly tell me you’d rather go back to square one with a pony that broke your foot rather than buying an already proven pony? Sure, get something younger and greener than Pip, but not a pony that’s been beaten up and confused.’

  ‘But that’s why I want him!’ Jade argued. ‘I want to help him.’

  ‘It’ll be years of hard work, possibly for little reward,’ Michaela warned. ‘I don’t care.’ Jade was uncomfortably aware that Kristen, Amanda, Corina and David seemed to be tacking up very slowly. Although they appeared to be doing up girths and threading reins through running martingales, Jade could tell they were listening.

  ‘Have you called Mr White to ask if he’d mind an extra pony in his paddock?’

  Jade was quick with her answer. ‘Pip doesn’t use the paddock anymore, so there’s lots of room. And that Lisa girl had her horse, Floyd, there earlier this year.’

  ‘And what about Pip?’ Michaela continued. ‘How will you cope with a troubled youngster and an ill old pony? Will you have time?’

  ‘I’ll make time!’ Jade was almost shouting. ‘Sorry, I just really want Taniwha.’

  ‘Evidently,’ Michaela said dryly. ‘Look, let’s wait until your dad gets here. If he lets you have the pony that broke your foot, call Mr White. If he agrees to graze the pony that broke your foot, I’ll drive him home in our truck. Provided he loads! I can’t be doing with a repeat of Medusa’s drama.’

  Jade frowned. It was more than likely that Taniwha would cause problems in the truck. ‘Dad won’t agree to it unless you tell him it’s a good idea.’

  ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea; I think it’s a gamble, and that you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into,’ Michaela said, making Jade’s face fall. ‘But — wait, don’t look like that — I’ll also say that I think you could provide Taniwha with a much, much more capable home than the Sands. How’s that?’

  Jade grinned, seeing that Michaela had come around.

  ‘I’d vouch for Jade,’ Kristen piped up, unable to keep quiet any longer. ‘It’s not much different to Andy with her pony, Piper, and they’re doing pretty well now. And remember when Johnny used to go berserk at shows? Taniwha’s just green.’