Crown Prince Challenged (32 page)

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.”

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.

“I hope Gus will be able to do all your work while you're away.” her mother said. “When I saw him last week, he looked awfully tired. And a lot older.”

“Mrs. DeWitt told me they'll have Lucas work some extra hours. Gus knows I won't be here for a few days, and he'll make sure the horses are taken care of. This morning I did the sweeping that I usually do on Saturday. That should help a little.”

After Sarah had showered and changed into some fresh jeans and a T-shirt , she and her mother packed her things into the SUV. “Are you sure you have everything?” her mother asked.

“I checked the list Jack gave us,” Sarah replied, hopping into the front seat. “Except for my helmet, everything's in my suitcase, even my body vest. My helmet is in my tack trunk, along with my boots. Let's go!”

As they drove toward the parking area at the farm, Sarah was surprised to see the Snyder's new gooseneck trailer already pulled up near the barn. It was sparkling white with green Pyramid Farm lettering, and matched the new white truck that pulled it. They were early, which meant Chancellor would have a longer time to stand in the trailer before they left the farm. Jack and Judson stood near the Brookmeade pickup that had several bags of shavings stacked in its bed, and Gus was tossing hay bales in beside them.

“I think we can put my things in the trailer's dressing room,” Sarah said. When she stepped inside with her suitcase, she noticed her saddle and a few others were already on the racks.
One less thing to bring out from the barn,
she thought. Her mother handed her the plastic garment bag that protected her show coat and her boot bags. After they had made the transfer, Sarah gave her mother a hug. “I hope I'll see you on Saturday,” Sarah said. “I'll call you with my cross-country time as soon as I find out.”

“You be careful, Sarah,” her mother said, frowning. “And good luck.” Sarah waved and watched her mother pull out of the lot. As the SUV started out the farm road, the Romanos' silver trailer was coming down the hill. Sarah started for the barn to get Prince wrapped. When she stepped inside, she saw Tim had Rhodes on cross-ties in the aisle near where his tack trunk, a suitcase, and other things were piled. Sarah scooted over to touch base with him. “It looks like you're ready to go,” she said, noticing Rhodes was already wearing his shipping boots. “Rhodes looks like a seasoned traveler, and a handsome one at that.”

“Now that you're here, I guess we're just waiting for Kayla,” Tim replied.

“Kayla's trailer is pulling in right now. All I have to do is move my tack trunk to the truck and put Prince's shipping boots on.” Sarah thought a minute. “Where's Rita? I didn't see her outside.”

“She was in the feed room with Kelly dishing up the rations for Prince and Rhodes,” Tim replied.

“I'd better get Prince ready to load,” Sarah said, turning away from Tim. As she started along the aisle, out of the corner of her eye she saw Paige by Quarry's stall. She hurried over to her.

Paige was looking in on her horse, but turned as Sarah got closer. “I wanted to see you before we left,” Sarah said. “You deserve to be going to Wexford Hall, not me. I wish things had turned out differently.”

Paige came over to Sarah and gave her a hug. “You're so sweet,” Paige said. Her pretty face was sad, with no trace of her usual smile or laughter. “Some things just weren't meant to be, I guess. But Quarry's legs are getting better. We'll have our chance another time.”

“Do you think you'll get over to the event?” Sarah asked.

Paige thought a minute. “I don't have to work on Sunday. Maybe I'll drive over to watch the show jumping.”

Just then Sarah heard Jack calling her name. She rushed to the doorway and waved to him. “We're going to be ready to load your horse in ten minutes,” he said. “We put your tack trunk in the truck and your saddle in the dressing room.”

Sarah turned and bolted for Prince's stall. The hay she had left for him earlier was completely cleaned up, and he stood quietly in his stall. His shipping boots were where she had nested them by the door. Picking up his lead shank and good halter with the sheepskin liners, she slid into the stall. Prince was so beautiful! When she had groomed him earlier, the last step was to go over him with a soft cloth, and now his dark bay coat shined like cut glass. He looked at her closely. Could he sense something unusual was going on?

Sarah had oiled his fancy halter with the nameplate so it looked brand new. Once he had it on, she brought him out of his stall and snapped him on the cross-ties. She quickly put on his shipping boots, making sure they were tight enough not to slip down. With a last glance around to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything, she unclipped the ties and led Prince out of the barn, walking to where Kayla and Tim stood with their horses near the rear of the big trailer. Fanny also wore shipping boots, and her chestnut coat shone brightly. “What a gorgeous young lady!” Sarah said.

“Me or Fanny?” Kayla asked.

From that angle, they could see Chancellor in one of the stalls, his black coat gleaming in the sunlight that streamed in one of the large windows. Jack signaled for Tim to bring Rhodes Scholar on. After his partition was secured, it was Sarah's turn to load her horse. This large rig may have resembled the vans that had shipped Prince to the racetrack, because he walked on with no hesitation.
I hope you'll be as agreeable about everything else this weekend,
Sarah thought.