Crown Prince Challenged (5 page)

“Whenever you ride, there will always be the chance of something spooking your horse. Not just wild turkeys—a deer in the woods, a honking truck on the road, a dog that chases you, a motorcycle speeding by. That's the reality. You and your horse must be prepared for the unexpected, and you must be ready to deal with it if your horse bolts off.”

“But a branch swept me off his back!” Sarah exclaimed. “Otherwise maybe I could have stopped him with the pulley rein, like with Gray Fox.”

“I'll grant you that trees don't usually prove the villain. I've noticed those pine branches need to be trimmed, and now I could kick myself that I didn't ask Gus to have it taken care of long ago. But remember, there will be other such situations. 'Tis lucky that neither you nor Prince were badly hurt.” Jack turned to go. “Come get me in the office when you're ready to bandage him.”

Sarah finished rinsing Prince, and after using her sweat scraper to remove water from his coat, she led him to the courtyard, a good place to walk him dry. He was subdued and content to move quietly by her side. As she walked, Sarah thought about how she would break this news to her parents. Maybe she would change into a long-sleeved shirt to cover up the scratches on her arm, and of course she would definitely
not
complain about the soreness on her side where she'd fallen.

Perhaps I can convince them it was an unusual accident, and that falling off a horse is no big deal,
she thought.
I'll just die if Mom freaks out and brings up the subject of sending Prince back. I've got to talk to Kayla.

Sarah dug her phone out of her pocket and speed-dialed Kayla's number. She would have gotten home from her lesson some time ago. Kayla picked up on the second ring. “What's up, kid?”

“Kayla,” Sarah began, “you'll never guess what happened.”

“I don't believe it!” Kayla said, after Sarah filled her in. “I've gone on a zillion trail rides, and I've never come close to being knocked off by a tree branch. We've seen plenty of wild turkeys, though. They're everywhere these days. You're lucky Prince came out of it with only a cut. Can you still ride him?”

Sarah took a deep breath. “I didn't think of that, but I'll ask Jack. He's going to help me bandage Prince. And something else, Kayla. Prince stepped on his reins when he was loose, and one of them snapped. I need to get to Atlantic Saddlery or order some new ones online, but do you have an extra set I could borrow in the meantime?”

“Sure. I have the reins from my old bridle and another extra pair. They're not fancy. I'll bring a set to you at school tomorrow—you can keep them.”

“Cool—thanks so much! But here's my biggest problem,” Sarah said. “I'm worried about how Dad and Mom will react. They might even want me to give Prince back. Mr. Bolton would love that!”

“Chill out,” Kayla said. “I know you're totally upset, but remember—you didn't get hurt, and Prince got only a minor cut.” She paused for a moment. “For that matter, do you really
have
to tell your parents?”

Sarah thought on the question before answering. “Yeah, I do. Jack thinks so, too. I can just see myself getting into more trouble if I don't.”

“Listen, I've got to go finish cleaning Fanny's stall,” Kayla said. “Keep me posted.”

Sarah closed her cell. When she touched Prince's neck, it was dry. He was cool enough to take back to his stall. A good thing, since it was almost time to feed the horses. She led him into the barn and walked him to the back of the barn. She was glad that earlier she had bedded his stall with lots of fresh shavings. It looked clean and inviting.

Prince was drinking from his bucket when she headed to the office to find Jack. A few parents of riders from the four o'clock class were talking to the instructor when Sarah got there. Not knowing how long he'd be tied up, she decided to find Kathleen to ask about the pony lesson while she waited. Sarah found her chatting with the farm's owner, Chandler DeWitt, while Grace was in Pretty Penny's stall running a brush over the pony's face. Mr. DeWitt turned toward Sarah as she approached.

“So it was another runaway for you this afternoon,” said the tall man with a full head of thick white hair and a trim mustache. He looked at Sarah closely through his steel-framed glasses. “I hear you're none the worse for all the excitement, but how is Crown Prince?” he asked.

“He has a cut on one of his front legs, but other than that, he's okay,” Sarah said. “Jack's going to show me how to bandage it.”

“Is there a chance the cut should be stitched?” Kathleen asked.

Sarah shook her head. “Jack doesn't think so.”

Mr. DeWitt saw the worried look on her face. “My hunch is this will be just a temporary setback. I've seen you riding Crown Prince in the ring a few times, and he was very impressive. You should be proud of the job you're doing. Do you think he's made a good adjustment to life here at Brookmeade?”

“Oh, yes,” Sarah said, her face brightening. “He looks really healthy. He's gained some weight, and his coat looks great. He even has some dapples. Mrs. DeWitt says that's a sign of good health. I think he likes to be ridden, too.”

“Hank Bolton will be pleased to hear that,” Mr. DeWitt said.

Sarah became more serious. “The only thing is, I'm worried we could run into wild turkeys again on a trail ride. I can't let him run away like he did today, but I don't want to be stuck riding him just in the ring or the indoor.”

“Perhaps a stronger bit would help,” Mr. DeWitt replied. “I think I told you about the time a horse fresh off the racetrack ran away with me on a fox hunt. It was the wildest ride I ever had. After that, I never rode him in anything but a Kimberwicke, and he never took off with me again.”

“I'm sure Jack will have some thoughts on that,” Kathleen said.

Just then they saw Jack walking toward them. He beckoned to Sarah. “Let's take care of your horse,” he called, heading in the direction of Prince's stall.

ONCE PRINCE WAS ON CROSS-TIES
in the aisle, Jack liberally applied some of Mrs. DeWitt's furozone salve to the area around the wound. A large gauze pad stuck to it, conveniently covering the injury. “The pad will keep the ointment directly on the cut, and also prevent it from soiling your stable wrap,” Jack said. Next he deftly wound the white quilted wrap around Prince's lower leg, and followed with the blue stable bandage, showing Sarah how to apply it so it wouldn't place excess tension on the tendon. He worked efficiently, but slowly enough so Sarah would remember how to do it.

“Will I be able to ride him right away?” she asked.

“Not until we're sure there's no heat or swelling there. And no turnout tomorrow—hand walk him instead, after removing the bandage. If there is heat and swelling there when you arrive at the barn tomorrow, it's important to hose the leg for twenty minutes with cold water right away, and repeat just before you leave. Do it more often on the weekend, if the swelling persists. And another thing. When you roll a bandage after removing it from his leg, roll it tight. Rock hard. It will roll on better that way.” Jack looked at his watch. “I think Gus might be wanting you to feed some hungry horses now.”

During the time it took to make the rounds feeding grain and dropping hay into every horse's stall, Sarah thought about what lay ahead of her that evening. She would have to tell her parents about her fall. She knew they would hear about it sooner or later. Before leaving for the day, she went back to see Prince one more time and check his injured leg. The bandage was staying in place, and from the way Prince was going at his hay, he was feeling fine. While he ate, Sarah stood close to his shoulder and stroked him softly.

As she pedaled home from the barn, Sarah thought about what she would say to her parents. With the extra time she had spent with her horse, she was running a little late. That would automatically put her mother in a bad mood. Sarah had thought about calling her, but decided it would be best to explain what had happened in person.

When Sarah arrived home, tantalizing aromas told her dinner was ready and reminded her how hungry she was. She quickly removed her paddock boots and washed her hands in the half-bath. She stepped into the kitchen and found her mother near the stove, facing her with hands on her hips. Sarah recognized the look—her mother wasn't happy. Mrs. Wagner brushed past her to call into the den, her words clipped: “Dinner's ready.”

Sarah quickly sat down at the table. She held her left arm close to her side, hoping no one would notice the scratches. Mr. Wagner and Abby appeared at once. The family usually dined promptly at six, and everyone was hungry for the dinner that was twenty minutes late. Mrs. Wagner brought a steaming chicken and rice dish out of the oven and placed it on a hot pad on the table.

Sarah decided to get it over with. Before Abby could start her usual nonstop chatter about her day at school, Sarah took a deep breath and launched into her explanation while the others were still settling into their chairs.

“I'm sorry I'm late, but I took Prince on his first trail ride today,” she said in a voice she hoped sounded casual. “Something totally weird happened. A flock of wild turkeys flew up and spooked Prince. He took off down the trail where the trees are thick, and a branch knocked me off. I'm fine, and except for a small cut on his leg, Prince is too. But I had to walk back to the barn, and it took extra time. Then I gave him a bath and walked him dry. I'll try hard not to be late again. I am
so
hungry!”

Mrs. Wagner abruptly put down the large spoon she was about to dip into the serving dish. For a moment the family just stared at Sarah, and then everyone started talking at once, firing questions at her like drill sergeants.

“Are you sure you're all right?” her mother wanted to know.

“Where did Prince run after you fell off?” Abby asked.

From her father: “Does Jack know this happened?”

Sarah told them as much as she could. Her parents occasionally looked solemnly at each other as she spoke, and once her father interrupted her story. “You were able to stop Gray Fox with a pulley rein when he ran away with you at the beginning of the summer,” he said. “Didn't that work with Crown Prince?”

“I didn't have time. The pine trees were too close. I went off Prince before I could even try to stop him. It was just a fluke accident that will never happen again.” Her dark eyes pleaded for understanding.

“You were lucky this time,” her mother said, “but you might not be as fortunate in the future. I've been concerned all along that you might be in danger riding a horse as large and strong as Crown Prince. Now I'm even more worried. You were thrown off him on your very first trail ride!”

Sarah's face darkened into a scowl. “More like
knocked
off him, Mom. You make it sound like Prince bucked me off, like he
wanted
to dump me!” she protested. “It was totally an accident, for crying out loud. The branch was right over the trail.”

“Just a minute,” her father said. “There's no need to overreact. While Crown Prince was on trial, Jack oversaw everything you did with him. Now things are different. It's to be expected that you'll be acting more independently and riding the horse on your own, but does the lack of supervision put you at risk? That's what we need to know.”

Sarah felt her temper rising. “Dad, do you want me to, like, live in a bubble, where I'm totally safe but away from the whole world?” She shook her head. “I could have an accident just riding my bike to Brookmeade! Abby could get hit by a broken bat when she's playing softball. You can't expect me to stop riding my horse just because a freaky thing happened!

“Sarah, calm down,” her father replied sternly. “Your mother and I put a high priority on your safety. We don't want to someday have to ask ourselves why we permitted you to be in a hazardous situation. I think I will have a conversation with Jack about this. It's all about risk, and how much risk you're exposed to riding that horse.”

Mrs. Wagner was frowning. “And remember, our position hasn't changed one iota. If that horse is dangerous, you cannot keep him. He will have to go back to Hank Bolton.” Her mother picked up Abby's plate and began spooning from the serving dish. “In the meantime, let's have dinner. This was the first day of school, and I'd like to hear how it went for both of you.”

Later, after the table had been cleared and the dishes loaded into the dishwasher, Sarah decided to get started on her geometry homework. She picked up her school bag and headed for the desk in her room. Before she got to the stairs, the telephone rang. As usual, Abby jumped up to answer it. “It's for you, Dad,” she said. Abby gave no indication who the caller might be, but Sarah decided to hang around a moment to see.

Her father was only on the phone for a short time, and with his back to her, Sarah couldn't hear what he was saying. After he hung up, he turned to face Sarah and her mother. “That was Jack O'Brien. He and Kathleen have been out to dinner and would like to stop by on their way back to the farm. They should be here soon.” Mr. Wagner looked at his wife. “He didn't say what he wants to talk to us about, but I think we have a pretty good idea.”

For Sarah, all thoughts about homework were gone. This would be the first time Jack had ever come to their home. He must be worried about her fall. What was he going to say to her parents?

Abby went into the family room to watch
America's Got Talent,
but the rest of the Wagner family sat in the living room waiting for the O'Briens to arrive. So many thoughts ran through Sarah's mind. Could Jack have decided that Prince was not the right horse for her? Was he planning to tell her parents he'd made a mistake in approving the horse at the end of the thirty-day trial? Sarah gripped the arms of her chair a little tighter. She would just die if she had to give up her horse!