Crown Prince Challenged (12 page)

After Sarah finished cleaning Prince's stall, she checked her watch. There was still time to sneak out to watch some of the Young Riders class. She put Prince away and hurried down the aisle. The indoor arena was vacant, so she looked out on the hunt course. No one was riding there, either. They had to be in the meadow, which had a few cross-country obstacles.

When Sarah stepped out of the barn, she could see Tim cantering Rhodes toward the vertical-to-bank obstacle. The bank, a substantial earthen mound rising several feet above the field, was reinforced with railroad timbers and had a vertical telephone pole jump two strides in front of it. Jack stood near the bank while the other riders and their horses stood under some shade trees on the edge of the meadow.

“Keep that rhythm,” Sarah heard Jack call to Tim. “Eyes up and wait for your horse. Don't get ahead of him.” Rhodes got into the jump perfectly, which set him up nicely to do the bank in two strides. Rhodes easily leaped to the top of the bank, and after one stride, jumped off on the other side. Tim was grinning as they cantered away, knowing he'd ridden it well. He gave Rhodes a hearty smack on his neck. “Good job, Tim,” Jack called after him. “After such a good effort, it's time to stop.”

From the corner of her eye, Sarah noticed Derek coming out of the barn leading Bismarck, tacked up and ready to ride. Derek walked over to stand beside her, and together they watched the riders in the meadow. “Tim rides well,” he said, “and he's got a nice horse.”

“He sure does,” Sarah said. “I need to get on Prince pretty soon, so I won't be able to watch much longer. I hope Kayla will ride next.” She was disappointed when Jack signaled to Rita.

“Who's that?” Derek asked, nodding toward Rita and her black horse.

“That's Rita Snyder and Chancellor. He's an imported Dutch Warmblood. She does hunters and equitation shows with him, but she also wants to try eventing.”

They watched as Rita asked Chancellor for canter and then made a large circle in the meadow before coming straight toward the obstacle. Unlike show jumping fences, where the rails sat in cups attached to the jump standards and fell down if a horse rapped them with his feet, the telephone pole jump was built solidly and designed not to give. A mistake could be costly.

Rita rode the combination perfectly, keeping Chancellor at a steady pace in his approach while using enough leg so he knew they were committed to the fence. He jumped the vertical in good form, his body basculing with his knees tucked up high, followed by an easy lift onto the bank and a jump off it a stride later. It was the usual excellent performance by Rita and her expensive, well-trained horse.

“They're good. Chancellor's a great mover.” Derek said. “Maybe you can introduce me some time.” Sarah was surprised at the stab of jealousy she felt. It hadn't occurred to her that Derek might show some interest in Rita. But they went to the same school, and maybe Derek found her attractive. Sarah should have expected it.

“Sure,” Sarah said, looking down at her watch. She really couldn't stay a minute longer. The last thing she wanted was to show up at Prince's first group lesson with an overly energetic horse. “But right now I've gotta go!” She hurried back to Prince's stall.

Her first stop was the tack room, where she pulled on her tall black boots. Her paddock boots would do for trail rides and regular schooling sessions, but for lessons, Sarah always wore her tall boots. She put on her riding helmet and grabbed a jumping bat before picking up her tack. From the beginning, Jack had insisted she ride Prince with a crop, even though she didn't feel she needed it. Prince was so willing to do as she asked, and the thought of hitting him was repulsive to her. But she carried it because Jack said she should. She dreaded the time she would ever have to use it.

After saddling and bridling her horse, Sarah led him toward the indoor. Coming closer to the arena gate, she saw two horses already being ridden there. Kelly and Nicole were trotting around the track.
I think we'll warm-up outside,
she thought.

Sarah turned Prince around in the aisle and started back just as two riding students Sarah didn't know approached her. They were leading the schoolies, Gray Fox and McDuff, to the indoor, and would probably be riding in the four o'clock class, too. Sarah asked Prince to walk close to the wall so the horses could pass easily, and she displayed a friendly smile as the girls came closer. She was puzzled when the first one just looked straight ahead as she steered Gray Fox as far from Prince as she could as they passed. When the second girl got nearer, she suddenly pulled McDuff sharply away from Prince. “Don't let him kick me!” she cried. Sarah just shook her head.
I guess I know who's been brainwashing them!

Derek had left on his hack, but the cross-country school for the Young Riders was still going on when Sarah led Crown Prince out of the barn toward the outdoor ring. The class had finished with the jump-to-bank obstacle and was now practicing over stacked straw bales. Prince spotted the activity in the meadow and halted abruptly when he saw Quarry circling the field at a brisk canter. Prince's ears were pricked forward and his eyes fixed on Quarry as the gray horse sailed over the jump.

“Think you'd like to try that some day?” Sarah asked, stroking his neck before she mounted from the block. Prince didn't move when Sarah nudged him forward, his attention still riveted on the horses in the meadow. “Come on,” she said, using her legs firmly, and Prince finally walked forward while rubber-necking to watch Quarry.
Maybe the time will come when I'll be glad I have the crop,
she thought.
A little tap might help when he's distracted like this.

When they entered the sand ring, Prince's attention was still focused on the horses in the field, but she put him into a brisk trot. Schooling figures required him to pay attention to what she was asking, so she rode countless circles, changes of direction, and walk-trot transitions. She felt Prince gradually relax and listen more attentively to her. When he seemed less distracted by the horses in the field, she sat the trot and asked for a right lead canter. Jack had explained that every horse had a stronger side and a lead he preferred—and Prince's was his right. Prince made a smooth transition and cantered a large circle of half the ring with good rhythm and cadence. Sarah had just brought him back to trot when she saw Jack and the Young Riders walking from the meadow toward the barn.
Time to scoot over to the indoor,
she thought.

The main entrance to the indoor arena was open, so Sarah could ride her horse inside without having to dismount to open the gate. The four other horses and their riders were warming up, mainly trotting on the track going large. The oversized arena provided ample space for all of them to work independently without getting in each other's way. Sarah scanned the group of adults sitting on the bleachers, noticing some people she'd never seen before.

Sarah had no sooner begun walking Prince on the track when Jack appeared through the side entrance. As in all his classes, he began by welcoming the riders and introducing her, the new addition. The lesson got no further before two women strode across the arena toward the instructor. One of the women had super-short brunette hair and large dangling earrings. Sarah thought she was Mrs. Hoffman, Kelly's mother, and although she couldn't be sure, it occurred to her the overweight second woman might be Nicole Jordan's mother. Immediately Sarah stiffened, fearing the worst.

When the two women got close to Jack, Mrs. Hoffman spoke loud enough for all of the riders and onlookers to hear. “What is
that
girl doing in this class?” she demanded, turning to point at Sarah. “I thought I made it perfectly clear that I didn't want that dangerous animal in a class with Kelly and Midnight Jet. I have too much invested in my daughter's horse to take a chance of him being kicked again, and I want Kelly to feel safe riding here.”

It was the first time Sarah ever remembered seeing Jack at a momentary loss for words. He appeared totally unprepared for Mrs. Hoffman's rude interruption and accusations, but he recovered quickly and responded in a pleasant, professional manner.

“I'm happy that Jet came out of the incident you described without a mark. I've yet to see him act sore or take a bad step. In fact, 'tis questionable that Crown Prince really kicked him. There's a difference between kicking out and actually kicking another horse.”

Mrs. Hoffman inhaled a deep breath, rising to her full height. “It sounds like you don't believe what I told you. You're basically accusing me of lying, and I'm highly insulted!”

By now, all the riders in the class had halted their horses, and Sarah saw many eyes from the bleachers staring at her. If only she and Prince could gallop from this place, leaving all the ridiculous conflict behind! To hear her horse falsely accused of kicking Midnight Jet made her angry, and it was especially frustrating to know that it was all based on Kelly's lies. It was Kelly's word against hers. Perhaps other people couldn't be sure what to believe, but Jack had examined Midnight Jet, so at least
he
knew the truth. She glanced over at Kelly and saw the girl was sneering, thoroughly enjoying her mother's performance.

The overweight woman now stepped closer to take her turn addressing Jack. “I totally agree. I'm afraid that if Nicole rides in a class with that ill-mannered horse, it will be dangerous for Jubilee. You know how long it has taken for her to recover and become sound again. We can't take any chances Jubilee or Nicole might get kicked.”

“Ladies,” Jack said, his face grim and drawn, “my responsibility at Brookmeade Farm is to provide a quality equestrian program for
all
our riders. That includes excellent instruction in a safe, supportive environment. I would never place a horse I consider dangerous in a class where it might harm another horse or student. 'Tis my judgment that in this large indoor arena, Crown Prince does not put Jubilee and Midnight Jet or your daughters at risk.”

Mrs. Hoffman's face was red and her fists were clenched. Not only had Jack ignored her directive, but now he was defending Sarah's horse, and this obviously intensified her anger. Her voice was even louder than before when she said, “Do you know how much money the Jordans and I spend at this farm every month?”

Jack looked at Sarah, who was feeling increasingly embarrassed. For a moment he appeared to consider how to respond to the situation. Then he turned from the two women and walked over to Crown Prince. Looking up at Sarah, he spoke in a hushed tone. “I'm sorry for all this, Sarah,” he said. “What would you think of going back into your previous class, the Young Riders? You'd not have to deal with such hostile behavior.”

To Sarah, Jack's words brought a giant swell of relief, as if she'd been plucked from the grip of a tidal wave. She could go back into her old class with Kayla where she wouldn't have to deal with Kelly and Nicole! Somehow Prince would catch up with the more advanced horses. Her delighted smile told Jack everything he needed to know.

“Why don't you walk Prince out of the arena and take him for a short hack,” Jack said. “We'll talk more about this later.” As Sarah headed for the out-gate, Jack walked back to Mrs. Hoffman and Mrs. Jordan. “We have a solution to what you insist is a problem,” he said in a restrained, soothing voice. “Sarah is willing to ride Crown Prince in my Young Riders class, so you and your daughters won't be in the same arena with Crown Prince, and therefore under no threat.” Then, more gruffly: “Now let's get on with this lesson. Too much time has been wasted!”

Just before Sarah reached the out gate, she glanced back at Kelly. The smirk on the girl's face had been replaced with smoldering fury.
I guess she's not happy that Prince and I will be moving back into the Young Riders class
she thought, a little gleefully.
Serves those jerks right!

Once outside, Sarah guided Crown Prince toward the old orchard trailhead, which brought her close to Kayla's horse trailer. Fanny had been loaded and was pulling hay from the net while Mrs. Romano put the tack away. Kayla walked toward Sarah, taking big bites out of an apple. She looked puzzled. “What's up?” she asked. “Why are you finishing so soon? Something wrong?”

“I'll say,” Sarah answered, shaking her head. “Kelly's mother made a big stink in front of everyone, complaining to Jack that Prince shouldn't be in that class because he's a kicker and dangerous. Mrs. Jordan protested, too. Then Jack asked me if I'd like to ride in your class again, and of course I said yes. So Prince and I will be with you next week. Is that awesome or what!”

“Slow down,” Kayla said, frowning. She paused, chewing more on her apple. “Because of Kelly's lie about Prince kicking Midnight Jet, your horse gets knocked out of the class? That doesn't sound fair. Doesn't Jack know what really happened?”

“He does, Kayla, but I don't care. I'm totally thrilled! I'll be riding with you guys again. It doesn't matter if I was thrown under the bus.”

Rita walked over to join them. “How come your class was so short?” she asked Sarah. “Is your horse off?”

“Sarah's going to start riding with our class again,” Kayla said. “Jack says Prince is a better fit with us than the four o'clock class.”

Rita didn't appear happy when she looked up at Sarah. “You mean your green Thoroughbred that came off the track three months ago is moving up to our advanced Young Riders class this soon? Isn't that quite a leap? How can he possibly keep up with the stuff we're doing?”

Sarah closed her eyes and shook her head. Just when things were looking up, now she had to deal with Rita again. Kayla came to her rescue. “Look, Rita, after the training Crown Prince has gotten the last few months, he's at least on the level of Lady Tate and Gray Fox. Sarah used to do just fine in our class on those school horses. Don't make a big deal out of this.”