Sundancer (15 page)

11
THE ROCKHILL SHOW

Sometimes I feel restricted when a person is on my back. I don't want to be dominated.

Bird knew it wasn't going to be a good day.

Don't touch me.
The chestnut horse cast a sidelong look at Bird.

Give me a break, Sunny.

Why should I?

He trotted as far as he needed to go to get away from the girl's thoughts.

Bird knew from past experience that Sunny's mood would eventually pass, but not right away. And certainly not in time for his classes at the Rockhill Show. Today was a write-off.

She felt totally let down. All the preparations. Here she was in her new show breeches and white shirt. Last night she'd pulled his mane into a feathered fringe and bathed him. She'd cleaned and oiled his tack. She'd washed his saddle pad. She'd hosed down the truck and trailer.

YESTERDAY, SUNDANCER HAD BEEN looking forward to going to the show and winning the championship. Today, it would not be wise to get on his back.

Bird heard Abby's bike on the gravel driveway.

Hello, friend.

Hello, friend.
She didn't see him, but Bird knew Cody was near. One day she hoped to pat him, but Cody would decide when that would happen.

Abby walked up to Bird with a smile. “Are you ready for the show?” She wore cream riding pants, a white show shirt with a monogrammed rat-catcher and shiny black show boots. She radiated good energy.

Bird's face clouded. She shook her head no.

“Nerves?” asked Abby.

Again Bird shook her head. She pointed to Sunny, then made the thumbs-down sign.

“Something's wrong with Sundancer?”

Bird nodded. Maybe Abby would understand.

“Let me get Hannah,” said Abby. “She'll know what to do.”

Bird sighed as Abby strode off to the house. Abby didn't get it.

A few minutes passed, then the two women joined Bird at the fence, where she stood watching Sundancer. He stayed out of her range, munching grass and giving her quick, angry glances.

“Bird,” said Hannah. “Abby tells me that there's something wrong.”

Bird gave her the thumbs-down. “What is it? Is he sound?”

Bird nodded. No lameness.

“Did he eat his breakfast? Drink some water?”

Again Bird nodded. She pointed to her head and made an angry face.

“You're mad about something?”

Bird shook her head no, and then pointed to Sundancer.

“You're mad at Sundancer?”

Bird gave up. Hannah could be so understanding sometimes, but she would not listen to her now. Bird sensed her determination. She was set on taking Sunny to the show. Hannah had no idea what they were getting into.

“Do you feel all right, Bird?” asked Hannah.

Bird nodded wearily.

Abby and Hannah looked at each other. Abby spoke. “Bird, I'm riding him first, remember, like we talked about. You don't even have to get on him today unless you feel like it.”

Bird looked at the older girl. You may not be on him, either, at least not for long.

Cody whined.
Do something else today, girl, not with the horse.

I know, Cody. But they don't understand.

You must explain.

I'm trying.

“There's something in the air, for sure,” said Abby. “Cody feels it, and so does Bird.”

Hannah shook her head. “If we don't go today, what will be the excuse next time? And the time after that? Look, Abby, lets load him up and head off to the show. You ride him today. Bird can come if she likes. If he's horrible, we can always turn back.”

Abby smiled. “I'm in. What about you, Bird?”

Bird didn't want to go, but she dared not send Sundancer without her. She shrugged.

ONE EXASPERATING HOUR LATER, in the cab of the truck, Hannah, Bird, and Abby caught their breath. Their faces were red with exertion. Finally, Sundancer was in the trailer and they were on the road. Sunny kicked and pulled, causing the trailer to lurch, which stressed the shocks and brakes of the truck.

The chestnut had avoided being caught until the pail of sweet oats with molasses mixed with apples and carrots came out. He reluctantly gave in to temptation and they slipped on the halter.

Loading him onto the trailer was a whole other ordeal. Sunny was not going to make this easy. What worked in the end, after trying bribery and persuasion and lunge lines, was a red lead line twirling behind him like a propellor. He jumped in to avoid this strange thing, and they closed him up.

Bird wondered if it was beginning to sink in yet that Sundancer would be uncooperative today.

“Is he always so stubborn?” Abby asked Hannah as they drove along.

“We've never loaded him before, so I don't know. I can't believe we didn't practise before. I didn't know it was a problem for him. I know now.”

“There's always something,” responded Abby. “But in the field he was stubborn, too. He wouldn't get caught. Yesterday he stood while I groomed him, without even a halter. What's going on with him?”

Bird rolled her eyes. Were they finally getting it?

“Next time, we'll put him in a stall for the night before a show.” Bird sighed quietly. They understand how to make their lives easier, she thought. They just don't understand about Sunny.

They arrived at the show, and found a place to park at the end of the row of trailers. Most of the competitors had been there for some time, and were already set up with buckets and hay nets.

Bird jumped out and opened the main door to the trailer.

Sunny glared.
What are you looking at?

Are you going to be like this for the whole day?

If I feel like it.

Terrific. I hope you're having fun, because nobody else is.

Bird clipped the lead shank on Sunny's halter. Abby put down the ramp and unattached the rear guard.

Everybody will be watching you, Sunny. You can be a big star.

I know. If I feel like it. But I don't.

Bird backed him down the ramp. He spun and sniffed the air, ears alert and tail high. His clean coat glistened and sparkled in the sunshine. Hannah brought out the tack and the three of them quickly saddled him while he was distracted with the new sights.

People stopped and stared at Sundancer. Even though he was irritatingly grumpy, Bird had to admit that he was the most handsome horse there. With his height, conformation, fitness, and attitude, he was a real head turner. His perfect head and long, strong neck added elegance to the package. Horse people knew at a glance that he was well bred. A contender.

All this was not lost on Sundancer. He preened in front of his admirers.

I am the king.

The king of horses, or the king of asses?

Smarty.

Bird sighed. Maybe he would show off and be fabulous today, maybe he would show off and be horrible.

Abby fastened her hard hat and pulled on her gloves. “Give me a leg up, Hannah? No time like the present to show him around the grounds.”

Hannah cupped her hands and helped Abby up into the saddle.

“Can you get the schedule, Hannah?” asked Abby. “We'll go in every class we can.”

“Good plan, Abby. He'll start to get the idea.”

Or you'll get the idea, thought Bird. Whatever comes first.

Behave yourself, Sunny.

Get lost.

Bird watched Abby and Sunny prance down between the rows of trailers. Forty or fifty trucks and trailers had already arrived and horses were everywhere, being lunged, hand-walked, or ridden. Some people were stressed and nervous, some were relaxed and confident. Some horses were spooking at shadows, some were grazing at the end of their lead. The air was abuzz with equine and human energy.

“This'll be fun, Bird, you wait and see,” said Hannah cheerfully.

“Come with me and we'll get Sundancer registered.”

Bird was reluctant to lose sight of Sunny. She feared the worst, but could do nothing about it. Hannah and Abby were in control now. Or at least they thought they were.

Hannah and Bird walked to the registration tent, looking at everything along the way. They passed the concession stand where breakfast sandwiches, doughnuts, orange juice and coffee were being served. They passed the tack tent, where people were looking at reins, bits, stirrups, and martingales. Clothes were sold there, too, in case you forgot your gloves or hat, or needed a new jacket or stock tie. Or even a saddle.

There were six rings, Bird noticed. Two warm-up rings, two hunter rings, and two jumper rings. The hunter rings had sedate jumps set up in orderly fashion to induce the horse to keep a steady pace. Traditionally, the horse would jump a line of jumps along one side, turn back into the diagonal line, come through the line along the other side, then angle across the ring to jump another diagonal line. Or any variation of that, set out by the course designer.

The arrangement of jumps in the jumper rings were multicoloured and higgledy-piggledy by contrast, with numbers on each jump to reassure the rider that they were going the right way. The horse would be asked to jump any course the designer dictated, depending on the desired difficulty.

Ponies, coaches, mothers, horses, kids, bicycles, and golf carts were everywhere. Bird fought a feeling of sensory overload. She wondered how Sunny was doing.

Hannah and Bird entered the registration tent. It was a small place, crowded with people registering their horses and chatting. An overweight woman sat behind a long desk. She was in her early thirties with a pierced tongue and purple hair, and was trying to organize and talk on her cellphone at the same time.

“I heard it, too. Believe it! Abby Malone is here!” the woman said as she shuffled papers. She didn't look up at Hannah and Bird, she merely shoved a registration form in front of them. “No, I'm trying to find out. Marge has no idea ... She's not registered yet … I know! I didn't know she was showing again, either! Nobody's seen her since The Grand Invitational when she kicked butt! … When I find out, I'll call you back … I don't know the horse, but I hear he's a stunner. Patty said he looks like a young Dancer and Karen says the same … Yeah, as soon as I know … Bye.”

When the woman noticed that Hannah and Bird were still there, she said, somewhat impatiently, “Just fill out the forms and bring them back. There's a line behind you.”

“I have a question concerning —” began Hannah.

“You can see I'm busy. Fill out the forms. Everything you need to know is in them. Come back and pick up your show number and pay.” She motioned to the lady standing next in line. “Next?”

Hannah laughed and said to Bird, “If she only knew whose forms we're filling! We could have given her some good gossip, couldn't we?”

Bird smiled. True, she thought, but why ruin all her fun?

Hannah studied the forms. “Here we are. The fees are listed separately for hunter classes and for jumper classes. That's what I was going to ask, so I suppose she was right, I would've wasted her time. Shall we sign up for both?”

Bird shrugged. If Sunny behaved himself, he could go all day. If he didn't, they'd be leaving very soon.

“You're a big help,” Hannah said to Bird as she completed the forms. “Why not go for broke. We'll enter every class we can.”

They went back to the table and put the forms in front of the purple-haired lady. She glanced at them, then did a double take.

“You're k-kidding,” the woman stuttered. Her demeanor immediately became charming and attentive.

“About what?” asked Hannah.

“Your rider is Abby Malone? Why didn't you say so?”

“You were too busy to talk, as I recall. Here's the payment. May

I have her numbers please?”

“Is she coming in? I mean, could you bring her in here to say hello? I've always been such a big fan and she hasn't shown for ages …”

“She's a little busy right now, but I'll ask.”

“Oh, would you? I'm sorry if I was a little short with you, we've been run off our feet this morning …”

“No problem. I don't want to keep you,” Hannah said as she turned to leave the tent.

“I'm not so busy now. Bring her in anytime! Bye, now.”

Hannah and Bird walked out. Hannah said, “Isn't it funny? We sure became more important in a hurry.”

Bird froze.

Hannah walked on, still talking, unaware that Bird had stopped in her tracks.

Help me. Bird girl. Help me.

It was Sunny. Where was he?
I hear you, Sunny. I'm coming.

Help!
He was somewhere behind the tent. Bird ran, following his urgent messages.

She looked everywhere. Colour, movement, noise, confusion. Her eyes scanned the crowds as she ran.
I'm on my way, Sunny.

There, in the walkway beside the jumper ring, people were scrambling to get away. Up reared Sundancer, pawing the air. Abby held on to his neck tightly. Bird ran as fast as she could, dodging fleeing people and golf carts. The horse walked on his hind legs, then dropped and reared again. Whinnying loudly, he spun and stumbled. His knees hit the ground. Abby was thrown hard, and lay quiet.

Bird jostled through the crowd. She arrived at the sweating, wild-eyed horse just as he was about to rear again.

Sundancer! I'm here.

The horse's eye rolled around and looked at her.
Girl. Where have you been?

I'm here now.

I was afraid.

I know. What happened?

The jumps. Pain! Nails in poles. Electric wire.

What are you talking about? They're just jumps.

No! I remember!

That was before, Sunny. These jumps won't hurt you. I'm here, now. Everything is all right.

The big horse exhaled with a huge snort. He shook his entire body, then dropped his head onto Bird's shoulder and gave a shudder.

Good boy. You'll be all right now.

She patted his neck and rubbed his ears. Sunny let out his breath.

Bird looked down. Abby hadn't moved. A large crowd of people had gathered. Cody stood over her. He guarded her fiercely, teeth bared, growling deeply. Nobody could get near her.

Hannah stood helplessly. “Well done, Bird! Now can you see to Cody? We've got to help Abby.”

Bird knelt and looked at Cody.
Friend?

The coyote looked away. He had to decide if he could trust her. He was frightened and wanted to be anywhere but there, but he could not leave his Abby.

I will help her, Cody. Is she alive?

She has breath but no movement.

Are any bones broken?

I know not.

She needs human help, Cody.

Promise to help her. Nobody can hurt her. Promise me this.

I promise, Cody. Kill me in my den if I break my word.

The coyote understood this solemn pledge, and trusted that the girl would honour it. He looked at her meaningfully, then slunk away and disappeared from sight.

“Thank you, Bird,” called Hannah, and knelt beside Abby and holding her hand.

“Abby?” Hannah murmured. “Abby, can you hear me?”

The young woman moaned. “Oh, my head.”

“Abby, the ambulance is here. Can you tell me what day it is?”

“Friday, Hannah. And my name is Abby Malone, and Bird is standing beside us with Sundancer, who seems remarkably calm.”

“Good, good,” said Hannah.

“Don't worry, I'm fine. I had a little tumble, that's all.”

“You were knocked out, Abby.”

“No I wasn't. I was resting. I'm fine. Don't let them take me to the hospital.”

“Let the medics look at you, Abby, and let them decide.”

“Hannah, I'll be there all day, then they'll send me home and tell me to wake up every three to four hours.”

Hannah chuckled. “You've been through this before.”

“More than once. It's a hazard, with these horses.”

Two young ambulance attendants arrived with a stretcher. After reassuring themselves that Abby's neck and back were in good order, they checked her from head to foot for broken bones and found none.

“Please let me go home,” pleaded Abby. “My parents are there, and Hannah will check in on me.”

Hannah agreed that she would.

Abby stood up slowly, showing the medics that she was in good shape. The crowd cheered.

The men decided that she would be fine, and after warning her of dizzy spells and such, they took their stretcher back to the ambulance.

Kids lined up asking Abby for her autograph, and adults wanted her advice on problem horses.

Hannah took her by the elbow and steered her away. “I think Abby needs to sit down for a while, folks. I hope you understand.”

Bird walked back to the trailer with Sundancer, following behind Hannah and Abby. She was deep in thought. Bird felt very badly that Abby had been hurt. She should have said something about Sunny's bad mood out loud. But would they have listened? Could they have understood that Sunny's moods ran deeper than just whims?

Bird girl, I didn't mean to hurt the coyote lady.

I know that, Sunny. Don't worry.

I feel bad. Memories came back. I was very afraid. I couldn't think. I wanted to run away, get out of there.

I know, Sunny. I know. One day, you'll understand what is past, and what is worth fearing now.

I hope so. I don't like feeling fear.

You're safe now. We're going home.

Bird was angry. She knew that some trainers used illegal methods to train horses to clear the rails over jumps. The theory was that if the horse got his leg ripped by a nail or felt the zing of an electric shock, the next time he'd jump high enough to clear the fence. Sensitive horses like Sunny, however, could be ruined by it. Those idiots should know better, Bird thought. She'd love to see them caught and disqualified.

They arrived at the trailer to find the purple-haired lady waiting. “Thank goodness you're okay!” she said to Abby. “Your licence plate was on the forms, so I found your truck. I wanted to give you your money back. It's not fair to pay the full amount and not even get in the ring!”

“Thank you,” said Abby. “That's very kind.”

“I'm a big fan. Could I get an autograph? I watched you at the Grand Invitational on Dancer. You were amazing! A kid against the world, and you won! Is this horse related to Dancer? He looks so much like him.”

“Do you have a pen?”

“Yes! Write: To my good friend Jewel, from the one and only Abby Malone.”

Abby took the offered pen and paper, and wrote, “To my new friend Jewel from Abby Malone. All the best.” She handed it back with a smile. “Thanks for the refund, Jewel. I guess I won't be riding today after all.”

Jewel handed back Hannah's cheque. “The management has asked that your horse, Sundancer, stay away from our events until he is deemed no longer a danger. I know you understand. It's for the safety of all.”

Hannah spoke up. “You're blacklisting Sundancer?”

“Temporarily. He really scared people today. We had a lot of complaints.”

“But you know how it works, Jewel,” reasoned Hannah. “If he's blacklisted here, he'll be blacklisted everywhere, and then it's impossible to erase his bad reputation.”

Abby was upset. “It's his first show, Jewel. He just got spooked back there. He got over it. Look at him now.”

They turned to observe Sunny. He looked meek and gentle, but that was not what surprised them most.

Bird had donned her helmet and gloves, and climbed up on the big, humbled, chestnut gelding.

I must redeem my reputation, Bird girl.

I want to help, Sunny, but I'm new at this.

If you can stay on, I'll do the rest.

Abby looked at Bird and pointedly asked, “Will you ride in the classes, Bird?”

Bird nodded with a confidence that she didn't feel.

Abby turned to the purple-haired lady and asked, “Jewel, can we give it a try? If he takes one wrong step, we'll take him home. He should have a second chance before he's blacklisted.”

Jewel looked at her. “If it was anybody but Abby Malone asking, I'd say no. But let me try.” She took her cellphone from her pocket and dialed.

“Joe? It's Jewel. I'm over at Abby Malone's trailer with her and the horse. He's completely cool. Abby wants another chance before we put him on the list … No, of course she won't be riding, she can barely walk … there's some girl named Bird up on him now … My recommendation? Give it a shot … Great. Thanks, Joe.”

Jewel gave Abby the thumbs-up. “There's a hunter class on now. Three-foot jumps. Come with me.”

Hannah returned the cheque to Jewel. Abby handed her riding jacket up to Bird, who quickly put it on and buttoned it. Hannah reached up and tied the cardboard number over the jacket. Then she squeezed Bird's hand and wished her good luck.

Bird felt her stomach suddenly go queasy. She took a deep breath. She stroked Sunny's neck.

Okay, Sunny?

I'm okay, Bird girl. Are you?

Yeah, so far. Just so you know, the jumps are clean.

It doesn't matter. I won't touch them anyway.

But if you do, nothing will happen. No pain. Nothing will hurt you. If you touch them, they'll just roll off onto the ground.

If you say so.

I say so, Sunny. Cross my heart and hope to die.

Okay.

Finally, Sundancer's mind was clear of stress. Her job was to get him around the course at a steady pace. The class would be judged on form and rhythm. They had to look good.

Jewel led the way to the hunter ring, then spoke to a man with a clipboard. She held up four fingers.

“We're four away,” said Hannah. “Are you ready, Bird?”

Bird nodded. She noticed two girls in riding attire peeking at her and giggling. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious. Abby's jacket was too big for her, and she wasn't wearing this year's cool clothes. It didn't help that she wasn't part of the show crowd. When they peeked again, she smiled at them. One was ashamed to be caught, and the other gave her a superior look. Bird decided to let it go. She had more important things on which to concentrate.

Abby said, “Bird, you're a brave girl. No one else in this park would've got up on Sunny after what they saw him do.”

Bird smiled at Abby.
And that would be the correct instinct.

They watched as a boy on a dark bay horse was completing the course. Bird thought it had looked perfect.