Authors: Bill Williams
Pat Rosser introduced his daughter, Fiona and her friend, Caroline and then excused himself after explaining that he needed to go and help Kevin prepare Miranda for the show.
Falcon was tied to the side of the horsebox and he gave a snort, a shake of the head and swished his tail when Leanne approached him.
‘See, he knows me, Mum. He always does that,’ said a clearly excited, Leanne.
‘Did you see that, Jamie?’ Debbie asked trying to give Leanne a confidence boost.
Jamie was thinking that the swishing tail was more to do with combating the flies that were buzzing around the horse, but he agreed that the horse really had greeted his sister.
Fiona Rosser was home from university and had been due to take part in the senior event, but her horse had suffered an injury during practice earlier in the week and she had been forced to withdraw. She had her father’s friendly disposition and reassured Debbie that Leanne would be fine.
‘I remember my first competition which was at this very show. I didn’t sleep the night before, but once I got into the ring the nerves calmed and I won. My victory was mainly down to Sasha who was lovely, although she couldn’t jump as well as Falcon can even though she was a bigger pony.’
Fiona’s words seemed to help Leanne, but it was soon time to head for the show ring to watch Kevin and Miranda and Leanne gave Falcon’s neck a final pat before the family hurried away to watch Kevin and Miranda.
There didn’t seem to be much interest in the pig competition and they were able to find a spot near the front of the show ring.
‘I can’t see how they can decide who the winner is,’ Jamie queried after the first three pigs had been paraded and led to the spot where the judges were waiting.
‘That’s because you don’t know your pigs, young man,’ commented the elderly gentlemen in tweeds who was stood near them.
Jamie just smiled because he was pleased to say that he knew nothing about pigs. The gentleman was about to enlighten him. ‘That last entry, Admiral, is way above any other in the show and will already have been earmarked as the winner by the judges. Just you wait and see.’
Jamie was about to declare his support for Miranda when it was announced that she was to be the next on parade.
‘Where’s Dad,’ Jamie asked his mum when he saw the man in a tweed suit and hat leading out the pig.
Debbie pointed and said, ‘That’s him with the pig. He told me that he wears special clothes for the shows.’
‘Wow, he sure looks a cool dude and Miranda is ……’ Jamie when he got a proper look at the enormous pig that his dad was leading out. It seems that all pigs weren’t the same after all, because Miranda was in a league of her own when it came to ugliness and size.
‘Hmm, I think Admiral might have some competition after all,’ declared the expert who was stood near Jamie.
Judging by the worried look on the old boy’s face Jamie wondered if he’d placed a bet on Admiral.
The pig that followed Miranda was the last in the competition and the three judges started their assessment. The lady judge reminded Jamie of Miss Tansley one of his old teachers back in Liverpool who was known as Miss Battleaxe and she was showing particular interest in Admiral, almost admiring him in some strange way. It was a sort of gooey eyed look that Isobel sometimes gave him. She finally nodded to the other judges that she had made up her mind and they went into a huddle.
The prizes were going to be announced in reverse order, but first there was a consolation prize for the youngest pig, which went to Izzy.
‘Izzy’s my favourite,’ said an excited Leanne and then quickly added, ‘after Miranda.’
Third prize went to Rasher whose name made Jamie snigger and his mum gave him a sideways kick.
There was a muttered, ‘I don’t believe it,’ from the elderly gentlemen when it was announced that Admiral was in second place. The announcer shuffled some papers and then declared. ‘And the winner is,’ and then paused before he continued, ‘Miranda from Rosser Farm.’
The elderly gentleman gave a disapproving look as Jamie raised both arms aloft and chanted, ‘Champion, champion.’
The lady judge, Agnes Haversham, looked as disappointed as her neighbour, Colonel Hugo Bembridge, who had just hurried away.
‘Now Leanne, it’s up to you to make it a Tranter double,’ Jamie said, forgetting his sister’s fragile state.
Debbie shook her head in despair, but decided not to scold Jamie in public, opting to reassure Leanne.
‘Take no notice, Leanne. You just enjoy yourself and don’t be disappointed if you don’t get a prize because there’ll be lots of other competitions.’
‘So don’t you think I can win, Mum?’ Leanne asked as her eyes filled with tears.
Debbie sighed, ‘Of course I do. I’m just saying that you shouldn’t be disappointed and upset if you don’t. That’s all I’m saying. Anyway, here comes your dad with a lovely trophy.’
Kevin was beaming as though it was a cup final that had just been won and accepted the hug from Debbie and the backslap from Jamie.
‘Our Leanne doesn’t look very happy. Aren’t you pleased, Princess?’
‘Yes, but mum doesn’t think I can win like you just did.’
‘I’m sure she didn’t mean that you couldn’t win. She probably doesn’t want you to be disappointed if Falcon has an off day. Anyway, it doesn’t matter if you don’t win as long as you enjoy it.’
Jamie had to admire his dad for the spiel he’d just come out with. It was brilliant for someone who thought that winning was everything. Perhaps his dad was in the wrong job, because he could be an ace used car salesman.
Pat Rosser came over and shook Kevin’s hand and then suggested it was time for Leanne to prepare for the competition.
* * *
There was a large crowd gathered for the horse riding competition, but Fiona and her friend had kept the Tranter family a place near the front.
Jamie was surprised how low the fences were on the novice’s course. ‘Crikey, even Ohmslaw could jump over those.’
When the five horses and riders came out ready to walk around the course Debbie gripped Kevin’s hand. He smiled at his wife’s anxiety, but moments later when Leanne passed near them there was a lump in his throat. He wanted to shout out, ‘Come on, Leanne,’ but held himself in check, not wishing to embarrass her. There was no doubting that she was anxious, not like the cocky, Alison, who had led the parade out, showing no trace of nerves. Alison gave the impression that it was her parade and was milking the applause from the spectators as if the clapping was just for her.
Luckily Leanne was first to jump and Jamie wasn’t exaggerating when he had given a muffled, ‘Easy’ after his sister had completed a clear round. But not all the contestants fared as well as Leanne and one of them went out after the horse and refused to jump the first fence. Just two rounds later only Alison and Leanne were left to compete in a jump-off to decide the winner. When Jamie saw the increased height of the fences he decided that it was a fix.
‘Alison’s horse is much bigger than our Leanne’s. It practically stepped over the jumps in the other rounds and he’ll find these bigger fences easier than Falcon.’
Fiona Rosser explained to Jamie that although Alison’s pony was bigger than Falcon it was within the strict regulation height for the novice events.
Kevin was having the same thoughts as his son, but kept quiet.
‘It doesn’t matter about the fences being changed,’ Debbie said, ‘Leanne’s going to get at least second prize and that’s good enough for me.’
‘Well said, Debs.’ Kevin added in support.
Jamie gave his dad a look that had, ‘Who are you trying to kid?’ written all over it and then said, ‘Here comes, Miss Snooty.’
Alison’s face was the picture of determination as she guided her pony over the three fences and then prepared to drive it towards the final and hardest of the fences. Perhaps it was the ease at which her horse had jumped so far that made her smile and relax too soon which was the reason the trailing leg of her horse dislodged the bar. The groans in the crowd didn’t help Alison’s demeanour and after she had dismounted she raced away, leaving the horse with her daddy. Her gesturing had made it clear that she blamed the horse for what had happened.
Kevin and Debbie were proud parents as they watched Leanne guide Falcon to the starting area of the novice’s course
‘Come on, Leanne,’ Kevin said under his breath when he heard the bell signal the start of Leanne’s final round.
The Tranter family urged Falcon over the first fence that was taken with ease, but then groaned inwardly when Falcon’s leg rattled the bar of the second fence.
Falcon jumped the third fence cleanly and this time Kevin shouted out, ‘That’s my girl,’
Fiona and her friend smiled as they and others near them in the crowd looked in Kevin’s direction and saw his jubilation.
If Leanne had heard her Dad call out then it hadn’t distracted her as she steadied Falcon for the final jump, remembering what Mr Rosser had told her just before she had ridden out which was, ‘It’s not over, until it’s over.’
Falcon was what Pat Rosser called an economical jumper, meaning that he usually only jumped as high as he had to, but not today and he sailed well above the final fence to win first prize for Leanne and Falcon.
Kevin pulled Debbie and Jamie into a hug in a family celebration that was to be short lived.
‘What’s she doing?’ Fiona Rosser asked. It was more a question to herself rather than those around her when she saw Falcon heading towards the adult course.
Kevin released Debbie and Jamie from his hug and watched in horror as the pony headed for the first of the giant fences.
‘Nice one, sis,’ Jamie said when Falcon cleared the fence, unaware of the seriousness of what was unfolding before their eyes. Fiona ducked under the ropes and ran towards Falcon and his inexperienced rider. She had seen enough to realise that Leanne wasn’t controlling the horse. The problem was she was trying to hold him back and that was likely to have worse consequences than giving him a free hand.
Fiona turned to see that Kevin had followed her into the arena and was just a couple of yards away.
‘Go back, Kevin,’ she urged him. ‘Something must have spooked Falcon and you might make matters worse. Leave him to me.’
Kevin stopped in his tracks. He would stay out of the way, but intended to be on hand in case he could help, because he was close enough to see that Leanne was absolutely terrified and she was crying. The next jump that Falcon took was the second highest on the course and an anguished gasp came from the crowd as Leanne was nearly dislodged from the saddle.
‘She’ll get them both killed,’ someone from behind Debbie shouted as Fiona positioned herself in front of the largest fence and faced the flaring nostrils of Falcon who was poised, as if waiting for Leanne to urge him forward.
‘Get off the horse,’ someone in the crowd shouted.
‘Get off the horse,’ was the cry repeated by others. The advice was shouted in desperation from around the arena, but the traumatised Leanne was oblivious to the calls as she sat rigid in the saddle. It seemed an age before Falcon gave a snort and reared up, causing Leanne to lose her grip on the reins. There were cries and gasps from some in the crowd as it looked as though she was going to fall off, but she managed to grab hold of the horse’s neck as she screamed.
Leanne was nearly thrown off once again as Falcon raced towards Fiona and the fence. Some of those in the crowd closed their eyes, others turned away as they anticipated that a tragedy was about to unfold. Debbie shrieked and broke free from Jamie’s attempts to prevent her from going into the arena and ran towards Kevin who had moved closer to the fence ready to be in position and catch Leanne if she fell from the horse. Kevin realised that he had made his move too late as he hurried to reach the fence. Within the next few seconds Falcon would either mow down the brave Fiona or jump the fence if she had the good sense to move away. Kevin froze, as if mesmerised, as the horse pulled up at the point where it was about to commence its leap. The arena became silent for a brief moment before the cheers and shouts of relief filled the air. They watched in disbelief as the horse became calm as Fiona stroked his nose.
Kevin sprinted the final yards and lifted the shaking Leanne down from the horse and hugged her as he repeated over and over, ‘You’re safe, Princess.’
Debbie was sobbing uncontrollably when she arrived and pulled Leanne away from Kevin and wrapped her arms around her traumatised daughter.
Kevin looked at Fiona and shook his head before he said, ‘Fiona Rosser, you’re one very cool and brave young woman.’
Pat Rosser had watched the whole thing unfold from a distance and he was breathless by the time he reached his daughter and between the gasps he asked her if she was all right. He wanted to tell her how silly she had been, but how could he when she might just have saved Leanne’s life.
‘It’s not your fault,’ Kevin said after Pat Rosser had said how sorry he was for the third time.
‘I can’t imagine what came over the horse. I really can’t. Can you Fiona?’
‘It’s a mystery. He must have been spooked, but at least he came out of it in time.’
There was a short delay after the drama ended before Leanne stood on the rostrum and had the winner’s rosette pinned to her jacket and was presented with a small cup. The crowd gave Leanne the biggest cheer of the day and Kevin and Debbie joined in with misty eyes.
As the group left the arena to yet more cheering, Pat Rosser was still mystified by Falcon’s odd behaviour that had placed Leanne in so much danger, but he warned Kevin that if Leanne didn’t ride Falcon now, then it was doubtful if she would ever ride a horse again. Kevin believed that it was good advice and he trusted Pat Rosser, but Debbie wasn’t so sure and she took some convincing before she finally agreed to let Fiona try to persuade Leanne to have a short ride on Falcon.
Kevin and Debbie watched anxiously as Fiona, with Leanne at her side, led Falcon to a quiet spot on the field.
‘She’s not going to ride him, Kevin and who can blame her. To be honest I’m still not sure that I want her to try.’