Crown Prince (27 page)

When the veterinarians and Jack left, Sarah stayed behind with her horse. The skin around his eyes wrinkled as she talked softly to him. “You're not a bad horse, and together we'll show them you're a great horse, even if you never set foot on a racetrack again.”

Stepping back, she took her cell out of her pocket and dialed Kayla, who picked up on the second ring. “Hey, what's happening?” Sarah asked.

“I'm getting Fanny ready for the show. I just gave her a bath, and her white stockings look like Mr. Clean was here. Now if they'll stay that way until tomorrow,” Kayla said. “Clipping her whiskers and bridle path is next. What about you? Has Dr. Reynolds been to your barn yet?”

“That's why I'm calling,” Sarah said. “He said Prince can be ridden anytime! Did I tell you that my parents are insisting they be here when Jack gets on him the first time?”

“Are you serious? It sounds like they're expecting the worst.”

“They want to be sure he's not crazy. The stories his trainer told my father made Prince seem like a lunatic. I don't believe he'll act that way with me, and I'll be so glad when he's no longer on probation. I'm going to see what time is convenient for Jack. I want to get this over with.”

“Chill out! And let me know when Jack's going to ride him. I don't want to miss it.”

Sarah immediately went to the loft and tossed down some hay for her horse. Standing over the opening, she saw him dive into it as if he hadn't eaten in a week.

Now to find Jack. He might still be with the veterinarians checking out Jubilee. On her way to Jubilee's stall, Sarah saw that Dr. Reynolds's truck was gone from the parking lot. She wanted to ask Nicole what the vets had said about Jubilee. As she got closer, she saw Nicole come out of her horse's stall, but Nicole didn't look particularly pleased to see her, so Sarah changed her mind and turned toward the office. She was curious about Jubilee's leg, but she'd have to find out about that later.
I wish those girls would knock off giving me a hard time,
she thought.

Lindsay was talking to a noisy group of young riders in the office about the horses they would ride that day, but there was no sign of Jack. Sarah stepped outside just as Mrs. DeWitt and Grace came up the steps. They were both dressed in jodhpurs and paddock boots, obviously planning to ride, and Taco and Spin were right at their heels.

“Hi, Sarah. Has Dr. Reynolds seen your horse yet?” Mrs. DeWitt asked.

“He sure has.” She gave both dogs a quick pat. “He said Prince's gum has healed so he can have hay again.” She paused. “And he can have a bit in his mouth now.”

“That's great news! This is what you've been waiting for. So when's the big day? When will Jack ride him?” Just hearing Mrs. DeWitt say those words sent a shiver up her spine. It wouldn't be long now.

“Actually I'm looking for Jack to ask him that question. Have you seen him?”

“Call him. Unless he's on a horse, you should be able to reach him on his cell.”

Sarah smiled at Grace, who held up her riding helmet for Sarah to see. “Grandma's taking me on a trail ride.”

“I'll bet Pretty Penny will love that!” Sarah said. She waved as they started off to groom and tack up.

Sarah dialed Jack's cell, and he answered right away. “I'm at the carriage shed working with the foals,” he said. “And how may I be helping you?”

“My parents want to be here to watch when you ride Prince for the first time. Do you have any idea when that might be?”

“Hmmm, let me think,” he said. “‘Tis soon we want to get started.” He paused to consider his schedule for the day. “I'm tied up this afternoon. How about in an hour?”

Sarah clutched her cell tighter. “So soon! Actually I think that might work, since it's my dad's day off. I'll let you know if they can't make it,” she said.

“I'll meet you at Prince's stall,” Jack said. “I want to check the bridle, in case it needs adjusting. The side pieces need to be short enough to keep the bit stabilized in his mouth, and the flash noseband needs to be tight enough. Please have it ready, but don't try putting it on before I get there.”

Her next call was home. “In an hour?” her mother said. “You're lucky we're both here now. Your father is mowing the grass, but I'm pretty sure we can be there in time. I'll let you know if there's a problem.”

Sarah stood still, clutching her phone. It was all coming together! In an hour, her future with—or without—Crown Prince would be decided. She had to let Kayla know. And in the meantime, she still had sweeping to do.

When she'd finished her chores, Sarah saw it was almost time for Jack to arrive. They were ready for him. From his earlier grooming, Prince's dark coat shone like a mirror, and her tack was neatly arranged in front of the stall. Prince seemed to know that something was up, and he moved about uneasily. She combed his mane, trying to make it lie neatly on his off side, but a few minutes later he shook his head, sending it flying in different directions.
He can probably pick up nervous vibes from me,
she thought.
I've got to chill out.

Chancellor was eating hay in his stall across from them, finally relaxed in his new place. Sarah and the other boarders were relieved that Rita had taken several boxes of her things and one saddle home. Kelly Hoffman was one of the few who seemed to enjoy Rita's company, and they'd been spending a lot of time together. Kelly rode her horse, Midnight Jet, on the trails with Rita after Rita's private lessons.

Most of the boarders had ridden that morning, and the barn was quiet enough for Sarah to hear Jack's boots on the cement as he approached. “‘Tis the day we've been waiting for,” he said in his most cheerful voice. “Your horse is going to pass this test with flying colors.”

Sarah suspected he was trying to calm her fears. She swallowed hard. “So much depends on this,” she said. “I'm glad you're the one getting on him.”

“Let's get him tacked up,” Jack said. “You hold his head while I put the saddle on. The bridle will come last.”

With the saddle in place, Jack picked up the bridle and looked at it carefully. “I think your bit is stout enough not to irritate his gum, but these side pieces on the bridle might need to come up a notch. It's important they're short enough to stabilize the bit, so it moves around in his mouth as little as possible. We'll be able to tell once 'tis on.” Jack put the reins over Prince's head and removed his halter. It only took him a few seconds to deftly insert the bit in the horse's mouth and pull the bridle over his ears.

Prince reacted by throwing his head up and violently pulling backward. He began to nervously chomp on the bit and toss his head. Jack held onto the reins loosely, not trying to bring the horse's head down. “I'm giving him a chance to find out for himself that things are different now. He's got to learn that a bit won't cause him pain anymore.”

Jack and Sarah watched the horse, who continued to nervously toss his head. “Once he's settled down, I'll adjust the side pieces if need be,” Jack said, “and tighten the noseband just enough to keep his mouth closed. We don't want him opening his mouth to evade the action of the bit.”

They stood in the stall for several more minutes, letting Prince chomp on the bit and occasionally shake his head. The bridle appeared to be a good fit, and after Jack buckled the noseband, he took the reins, preparing to leave the stall. “I saw your folks waiting on the hillside above the ring with Mr. DeWitt. Don't worry. I think they're going to like what they see.”

With Jack leading Prince, they made their way out of the barn and along the roadway to the outdoor ring. Sarah gulped when she glanced at the slope in back of the ring. She hadn't expected this much of an audience! Kayla was sitting on the grass with her mother, Abby, Paige, and Tim. Sarah's parents and Mr. DeWitt were in lawn chairs near them. A number of boarders Sarah didn't know sat with Kathleen and Lindsay, and Kelly and Nicole were under the large oak tree. She noticed that even Gus was leaning against a tree on the other side of the road, waiting to see what would happen. There was no sign of Mrs. DeWitt or Grace, which meant they were still on their trail ride, and as usual, the Jack Russells had gone with them.

Prince continued to sporadically chomp on the bit, but not as often, as his attention was drawn to the spectators.
They're probably wondering if this will be a rodeo,
Sarah thought.
I can think of a couple who are probably hoping it will.

When they reached the ring, Jack led Prince inside, and Sarah closed the gate behind them. Jack seemed calm and composed, entirely focused on the horse beside him, and after his regular longeing sessions in that ring, Prince also seemed relaxed. Sarah didn't notice Kayla walking casually down the hill to join her next to the rail.

Hey, kid,” Kayla said, appearing beside her, “what do you think?”

“I'm freaking out, Kayla. If he does one bad thing, it will be all over.”

“Jack will do a good job. You must know that. Be glad that Rita isn't here. Paige said she went out to pick up some lunch. It didn't take long for the word to get out, though. It looks like everybody in the barn knew Jack was going to ride Prince, so maybe Rita purposely skipped out. She doesn't like to see Chancellor sharing the spotlight with any other horse.”

“You've got that one right,” Sarah said.

Jack led Prince around the ring once in each direction and then approached the mounting block, something he reserved for very large horses. Sarah leaned against the rail and found herself gripping it tightly. The time had come. Soon they'd know if Prince's bad behavior of the past was behind him.

Before stepping up on the block, Jack halted Prince and lifted the saddle flap to tighten the girth. He pulled the stirrup irons down, checked their adjustment, and prepared to mount. When Jack gracefully swung his leg over the horse and sat lightly in the saddle, Prince immediately walked forward. He was still somewhat preoccupied with the audience above the ring, but he chewed the bit occasionally as Jack gradually took up more contact with the reins.

Sarah felt like clapping her hands! There hadn't been the explosion she'd feared, but she knew the test was far from over. Jack's legs were firmly against the horse's sides, asking him to move forward into a slightly resisting rein that controlled where he went and how fast he traveled. When they reached one end of the rectangular ring, Jack asked Prince to circle before continuing along the rail. Later he changed direction across the diagonal, and Prince continued to march forward, sometimes chewing nervously on the bit, but for the most part seeming to accept it.

When they reached the other end of the ring, Jack sat deep on his seat bones, closed his legs, and with a gentle but firm hand asked the horse to halt. Sarah held her breath. She knew this would apply more pressure on Prince's mouth. His head came up, as if he anticipated pain, but he halted when asked. Jack stroked his neck and praised him. They walked forward and repeated the exercise several more times, until finally Prince not only refrained from throwing his head up, but even brought his nose down slightly.

Sarah knew the real test would come at a faster gait. When Prince was moving willingly forward at walk, Jack closed his legs and used the voice command “Trot.”
He's building on what we've been doing on the longe line,
she realized.
Prince knows the word.
Sure enough, Prince broke into a trot, and although he continued to chew the bit and toss his head occasionally, he showed no discomfort or real inclination to be unruly. Those watching could tell he was nervous, but his movement was still beautiful to watch.

“He doesn't act like he's on the verge of blowing up,” Kayla whispered to Sarah.

Jack circled Prince before sitting the trot and asking him to spring forward into canter. Not sure of the aid, the horse at first trotted faster, but then broke into the three-beat gait and continued to canter around the ring. This was the horse who had supposedly acted like a nutcase at the racetrack? It was hard to believe!

After circling the ring once more, Jack asked Prince to come back to trot. While sitting deeply and continuing to apply his legs, he closed his fingers, putting pressure on the bit to ask the horse to slow down. The audience on the hillside watched closely, hoping the transition would go smoothly, while at the same time worrying it might not. But like a seasoned trouper, Prince came back from canter to trot and then to walk. Those spectators witnessing this demonstration who knew Crown Prince's actual background realized what an amazing performance it was!

Jack, usually serious, was smiling broadly. He praised the horse loudly, stroked his neck, and felt relaxed enough to give him a free rein so he could stretch his head and neck down.

“He couldn't have gone better!” Jack called to Sarah. “Come into the ring, please.”

After Jack dismounted in the center of the ring, he checked Sarah's footwear. “Good. You're wearing paddock boots with a heel, I see, not sneakers. I want you to ride your horse.” Jack unbuckled his riding helmet and gave it to her. “But first put this on.”

Sarah stared at him in disbelief. It hadn't occurred to her this would be part of the plan! “You want me to ride him
today?”
she asked.

Without responding, Jack led Prince to the mounting block and motioned for her to follow. “Just do everything the same as you would if you were riding Lady Tate,” he said, as he shortened the stirrups. “Breathe deeply and relax. It won't help him if he senses you're nervous.”

Sarah's heart was pounding as she stepped up on the block and prepared to mount her horse. This was truly the final test, and she knew her parents were watching with worried and critical eyes. Thank goodness Jack was right there, holding Prince by the bridle. She picked up the reins, put her foot in the stirrup, and slowly swung her leg over her horse's back. When she had settled herself in the saddle, she looked at the ground. It was a long way down!