New Rider (8 page)

Eager to get out of earshot, Carole hurried to complete the job. She was just finishing up when she heard Max outside. Figuring he had come to check on Zach’s progress, she stopped working in order to listen to the conversation, certain that Max would not be as impressed with Zach’s technique as Stevie and Lisa obviously were.

“It looks like you’ve made some good strides,” Max called to the boy.

“This is fun,” Zach yelled back. “It’s not even like working.”

“Nice job, Stevie,” Max said. “I’ve been trying to get him to do those moves for an hour, and now you’ve taught him in fifteen minutes. I’m very impressed.”

“Thanks, Max, but he’s a natural. I only made it fun.”

“If we can only keep him interested long enough, I think he’ll make a really fine rider one day,” Max said.

“Oh brother,” Carole mouthed quietly to herself. She rolled her eyes. If she heard one more person singing Zach’s praises, she’d throw up. She returned Sunset to her stall and hurried off to tack up her own horse, desperate to put some distance between herself and the boy wonder.

She led Starlight outside and mounted up. The others were chatting together in a small knot. Unfortunately she had to pass by them on her way to the practice ring.

“Hi, Carole. Going for a ride?” Stevie asked.

Before she could answer, Lisa spoke up. “You should have seen how fast Zach picked up on his turns.”

“It wasn’t as hard as I thought after all,” Zach said, grinning happily. “Are there any other games we can play on horseback?”

“Oh sure,” Stevie assured him. “Lots.”

“I think I’ll try a round of jumps,” Carole told them. “Keep up the good work, Zach,” she added, not wanting
them to think she was jealous.
I’m not jealous, of course. Not jealous at all. I’m simply concerned that all this praise will go to Zach’s head.

Carole entered the ring and forced herself to focus. After jogging Starlight around the arena a few times to warm him up, she felt he was ready and set her sights on the first jump. She could tell from his pricked ears that he, too, was eager and paying attention.

With a little pressure from her legs, Carole sent Starlight into a controlled canter. They arrived at the fence in perfect position for the jump. Up and over they soared in absolute unison. With every fence they cleared, Carole felt better and better. At the end of the round they hadn’t so much as brushed a pole, let alone knocked one down.

Gleefully she trotted Starlight over to her friends.

“What did you think, guys, not bad, huh?”

“Oh, sorry, Carole,” Lisa said. “I was watching Zach. Did it go well?”

Carole was miffed. “I thought so, didn’t you, Stevie?”

Stevie shrugged apologetically. “Sorry, I was watching Zach, too.”

Carole could hardly believe it. She had just ridden a perfect round of jumps, her timing and style flawless. If this had been a horse show she would have won first
place for sure, and absolutely no one had paid her the slightest bit of attention. She felt herself burning inside, and she started to ride away.

“Hey, you want to meet at TD’s later?” Stevie called. Tastee Delight was the local ice cream parlor and one of their favorite places for having Saddle Club meetings. Carole opened her mouth to accept when Lisa jumped in.

“Good idea, Stevie. We could take Zach. He looks like he could use a break.”

That’s it!
Carole thought.
If Zach is going, there is no way I am!
“Can’t make it, guys,” she told them. “I’ve got work.” She headed quickly into the stable.

Actually she didn’t have anything planned for the rest of the day at all, but
whatever
she did or
wherever
she went, she did not want to hear another word about Zachary Simpson!

T
HE EVENING BEFORE
the schooling show, The Saddle Club met at Pine Hollow to make sure everything was in order.

“I’m glad the other clubs are coming here instead of us going to them,” Lisa said.

“It does make it a lot easier,” Carole agreed. “When we travel to a show it seems like we have to bring practically every piece of equipment in the stable.”

Stevie smiled happily. “This time if we forget something, all we have to do is run back in here and get it. Or if something breaks, we’ve got plenty of replacements right on hand.”

“Which reminds me, I need to take one last look at
my tack to make sure none of the straps are worn,” Carole said.

“Me too,” Lisa agreed.

While Carole and Lisa made a quick but thorough inspection of their equipment, Stevie gave Barq’s saddle a once-over, too, since she knew Zach would be riding him in the show. She was surprised by what she found. “Take a look at this,” she said, motioning her friends over.

While the leather was in good condition, due to all the years of loving care that Max and his riders devoted to its upkeep, there were obvious flecks of dirt that recent riding had deposited on it.

“It seems Zach forgot to clean his saddle after his last ride,” Carole observed.

Lisa held up another piece of equipment. “Not to mention his bridle.”

Stevie was amazed. “How could he possibly forget to clean his tack the night before a show?”

“Maybe he’s a little scattered,” Lisa suggested. “He does have a lot to remember.”

Stevie frowned. “Taking care of your equipment is simple, basic horsemanship.”

Carole’s lips were pressed in a disapproving line. “I know that and you know that, but apparently Zachary Simpson doesn’t know that.”

Stevie examined a strap with white crusty sweat marks. “He’s definitely going to lose points when the judges spot this.”

Lisa nodded. “And they
will
spot it.”

“Guaranteed, since one of the judges is Max,” Carole agreed.

“Okay.” Stevie sighed. “We’d better get to work.”

Carole put her hands on her hips. “Are we going to do what I think we’re going to do?”

Stevie was already reaching for the saddle soap. “Yep.”

“I’ll get some water,” Lisa volunteered.

Carole got the buffing cloths and metal polish from a shelf. “You know, he really should be doing this himself.”

Stevie settled herself comfortably and set to work. “I think we should cut him some slack. He is new.”

Lisa returned with a bucket of water and placed it where all three of them could reach it easily. “He’s really nice. I don’t mind helping him out.”

Carole started cleaning the snaffle bit. “It’s not the helping him out part that bothers me. How is he going to learn if he doesn’t bother to study?”

Lisa frowned as she worked on Barq’s throatlatch. “He seems enthusiastic about riding, and he’s definitely got natural talent.”

“Talent without discipline,” Carole noted.

From out of nowhere Max’s mother, whom everyone called Mrs. Reg, appeared in the doorway. “Working the late shift, girls? I would have thought the three of you would have had your tack ready for the show by now.”

“Oh, it’s not ours, Mrs. Reg,” Lisa told her. “We’re helping out a friend.”

The elderly lady nodded. “Very commendable. Not everyone enjoys that kind of work.”

“But they still need to do it,” Carole mumbled.

“Did I ever tell you girls about Sprinkles?”

Stevie shared an
uh-oh
look with her friends. Mrs. Reg was known for her love of telling rambling stories. Her tales usually had hidden meaning, although most of the time the girls couldn’t figure out what it was until long after the telling. They had learned that the best thing to do was to simply listen politely.

Mrs. Reg leaned against the door frame, her eyes taking on a faraway look. “Sprinkles was a darling little pony. He was black with little white dots on his muzzle and rump. It made him look like he had been sprinkled
with powdered sugar. That’s how he got his name, of course.”

Stevie nodded. “He sounds cute.”

Mrs. Reg continued as though Stevie hadn’t spoken. “Sprinkles was an unusual creature, though. He had the smoothest walk of any horse I’ve ever known. It was almost more of a glide than a walk. He was lovely to watch and a real joy to ride. That made him terrifically useful for beginners to learn on; since there was no jarring, they had no fear of falling off.”

“A horse with that smooth of a gait would be very valuable for teaching,” Carole observed. “That’s an interesting story.”

Mrs. Reg looked reproachfully at Carole. “I’m not done yet, dear.”

Stevie struggled not to giggle. She had no idea where this story was going, but at least it was passing the time while they worked.

“As I said, his walk was a natural gift, a real talent, and we loved him for it. However, his trot was like sitting on a pogo stick. You know, one of those bouncy things that can shake the fillings out of your teeth?”

The girls nodded.

“His canter was worse. The poor little thing always
gave his best, but there was simply nothing to be done about it.”

Max’s mother fell quiet for a moment, seemingly lost in her thoughts.

“So I guess you sold him then, huh?” Stevie prompted.

Mrs. Reg looked surprised. “Oh no, dear, not at all.” She turned to leave. “Now don’t hang around here too late, girls. Tomorrow is a big day.” With that, she disappeared down the hallway.

The three girls tried to suppress their laughter until they were sure the older woman was out of earshot, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

“What did that have to do with us?” asked Lisa, snickering softly.

Stevie wiped a tear of choked laughter from her eye. “Where does she get this stuff?”

“And what does it mean?” Carole chuckled.

“Beats me,” Stevie admitted. “But Pine Hollow wouldn’t be the same without her.”

Lisa and Carole agreed.

The girls chatted quietly while they completed their task. By the time they were finished, Barq’s saddle and bridle practically gleamed in the dim light of the tack room.

Stevie stretched her cramped back. “I’m going to check on Belle before I head home.”

Lisa and Carole accompanied her.

“Any news on her progress?” Lisa asked as they walked to the mare’s stall.

“Judy was here yesterday. She says Belle’s healing and is well on the way to being completely sound.” Stevie had been overjoyed to hear the news. Even though Judy had assured her that Belle’s injury wasn’t that serious, somewhere in the back of her mind there had been a nagging doubt.

Belle came forward in her stall like a good hostess to greet her visitors. Stevie automatically reached out to stroke her.

“When will you be able to ride her?” Carole asked.

“She’ll be ready in another week or so. Which works out fine, because that’s when the doctor says I’m allowed to get on her again.”

“Excellent!” Lisa said. “We should plan something special for that day.”

“Absolutely,” Carole agreed. “Trail ride? Picnic?”

Stevie grinned. “How about both? Then TD’s and a Saddle Club sleepover! We’ll make it a real celebration.”

The girls laughed in happy anticipation.

On the way out of the stable, they swung by Sunset’s
stall to take a quick look. As usual, the mare was pacing restlessly. Carole called to her and offered her a friendly hand to sniff, but the horse would have none of it.

“Do you think she’s okay?” Stevie asked.

Carole shrugged. “I guess so, but her behavior bothers me. I thought she would have settled down by now. She should be feeling more at home after the last couple of weeks, but she seems just as restless as when she arrived.”

“Do you think her restlessness means she’s getting ready to foal?” Lisa asked.

“Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t,” Carole answered, moving into the stall.

“Gee, could you vague that up a little?” Stevie cracked.

Carole smiled over her shoulder. “What I mean is that the signs vary from animal to animal. When their time gets near, some horses become restless while others refuse to move at all unless forced to.” She brought the mare to a halt.

Stevie watched, intrigued, as Carole examined Sunset more thoroughly. “Are there any absolute signs she’s about to go into labor?”

“As a rule, yes,” Carole told her. “I’m checking for them now.”

Stevie and Lisa fell silent, not wanting to distract their friend. After a few moments Carole seemed satisfied.

“I’m sure she’s not ready yet,” Carole announced, joining them outside the stall.

Sunset resumed her restless pacing.

“So what
are
the signs?” Lisa asked. Even though all three girls had participated in births before, Carole was the only one who knew all the details about what to look for—and what to expect.

“Walk me to the bus stop and I’ll fill you in,” Carole offered.

“Are we about to have an ‘ick’ moment?” Stevie asked.

Carole grinned. “Remember The Saddle Club credo. If you’re going to love horses, you have to love
everything
about them.”

“Yep, we’re going to have an ‘ick’ moment.”

Lisa grimaced. “Come on, Stevie, maybe if we walk fast enough she won’t have time to get to the really gross parts.”

With that the three girls headed for home at a brisk pace. As far as Stevie was concerned, it wasn’t fast enough.