Sundancer

by Shelley Peterson

Because that was our deal. One of us should win, and now it can’t be me. Go out there, Sunny. Make us all proud.

  Sunny stretched his neck to the ground and bowed at Bird’s feet. “What’s he doing? He’s gonna roll!” shouted Leon. “Get up, you stupid horse!”

  If you say so. Sunny threw up his head and jumped up with his front legs. Leon was thrown back. He almost tumbled, but caught himself in time.

  Bird covered her mouth to hide her smile.

  Have some fun, Sunny. I’ll be watching.

  I’ll do it for you. Not for Fancy Pants.

  Bird couldn’t go up to the stands; she was too agitated. She stood at the rails where she could see and hear everything. Abby stayed with her for moral support, while Hannah went back up to sit with the others.

  The announcer’s voice rang out. “Attention. Attention. Thank you for your patience, ladies and gentlemen. We now have three finalists, not four. Number 297, Alberta Simms, riding Hurricane, has withdrawn from the competition due to injury. Hurricane is expected to make a full and speedy recovery. The show will now commence. The Switcheroo will take place immediately, starting with Harold Smart, number 310, riding Paramour, Jen Jefferies’ mount. Once again, thank you for your patience.”

  Harold Smart looked immaculate but nervous. He breathed in and out twice, then gathered Paramour’s reins.

  “He takes hold turning right and runs away,” whispered Leon. “Watch out for that.”

  Harold looked even more nervous. “Really? Thanks for the tip.” He trotted Paramour into the ring flexing his head to the right. Leon chuckled.

  Bird stared at him in disbelief. She could not believe that a person would mislead his competition so blatantly at such a vulnerable moment.

  Paramour, a tall leggy gelding with a bright bay coat, cantered through the starting gate and headed toward the white fence. He cleared it beautifully and landed lightly. They had to make a hard right to the multicoloured in-and-out. Harold heeded Leon’s words and held back his horse, so they came into the first of the two jumps too slowly. Paramour cleared the first jump, but couldn’t get enough propulsion and stopped at the second. Harold circled and took the in-and-out again, this time with vigor. By the set of his jaw, Bird knew that Harold had figured out Leon’s game. Too late.

  They soared over the brown oxer with the pots of geraniums. The optical illusion caused no problem for this seasoned jumper, but Harold didn’t get him in straight to the red brick wall. The top layer of wooden boxes slid off and crashed to the ground. Paramour’s ears flattened and he kicked out. He didn’t like knocking down jumps. His hind feet rapped the white planks, and then, because he’d picked up too much speed, he had no room to jump from the base of the bicycle tires. He stopped again.

  Harold Smart and Paramour were whistled out.

  Bird thought they’d done remarkably well, considering that this was the first time they’d partnered each other. Not to mention the bad advice that Leon had given him going in.

  “Number 372, Jen Jefferies, riding Southern Comfort. Southern

  Comfort was ridden earlier this class by Harold Smart.”

  Jen had been smart. She’d stayed far away from Leon who was flirting outrageously with her, so she rode in with no preconceptions. Southern Comfort, a big rangy chestnut with a blaze and snip, trotted in loosely and proudly. His flaxen mane and tail gave him a friendly look, like an overgrown Welsh pony.

  By the time this duo was sailing through the line of four jumps down the diagonal, it was clear that this was the winning round. They got along comfortably, as if they’d been partnered before.

  They headed toward the water jump. One foot splashed slightly on take-off. The crowd groaned. Southern Comfort completed the triple combination with ease, and they trotted out of the ring. Four faults. All because of a little water. Bird felt badly for them.

  You said to scare him a little?

  Bird turned to Sunny. If you must.

  I must. Watch me.

  “The last of our finalists is coming in now. Number 276, Leon Parish, riding Sundancer. Alberta Simms rode him in the qualifying round.”

  Sunny burst through the entrance and galloped through the starting gate. Leon held on for dear life, and try as he might, couldn’t control the angry animal. Sunny hurled himself over the white vertical, and to add some zest, kicked the plastic owl right off the standard. Laughter filled the stands, encouraging Sundancer in his antics.

  The multicoloured in-and-out was designed for two strides between jumps, but Sunny raced so fast that he did it in one. He screamed toward the brown oxer and tore over it, bucking as he landed. Leon Parish was now saying his prayers aloud.

  The optical illusion was an obstacle that appeared straight from several angles, hence its name. Sunny took it from the extreme right so that he could shave off two strides into the line of four. Leon wasn’t expecting that, so his balance was off. Sunny made a valiant effort to readjust his weight, and the two landed together.

  The “brick” wall, land, two strides instead of three to the white planks. Land, four strides instead of five to the bicycle jump. Land, then three strides instead of four to the cows. Sunny was galloping full out. Leon’s face was bright red. He was so rigid with fear that Bird thought he looked like a scarecrow tied to the saddle.

  Sunny began to slow as he neared the water jump. Bird sighed with relief. She was glad that he remembered the tricky pacing. Now Sunny slowed to a crawl. He appeared to be cantering in slow motion with tiny strides. Then he suddenly hurled himself over the water. From where Bird was watching, it appeared as if he’d gone eight feet in the air, and landed an entire stride away from the lip of water. Leon most certainly had not expected this and he barely stayed on. He lost the reins and his stirrups. He groped fruitlessly for the reins as his feet searched in vain for the stirrups. They took off at the first of the triple. Sunny ignored the wailing Leon, the flapping reins, and the pounding stirrup irons as he jumped lightly and surely over the three last jumps and galloped through the timers.

  The crowd was on its feet. Sunny danced along joyfully. He hop skip jumped to the center of the ring. He did a short dressage demonstration, with grand jettes and airs above the ground. Majestically, he pulled himself up on his hind legs, then took a deep bow. First to the east, then to the west.

  Now that he’d found his stirrups and gathered the reins, Leon began to relax. Bird knew by the smile beginning to creep across his face that he realized that he’d won. Thirty thousand dollars plus the prestige. Leon took off his riding cap and waved it in the air. He stood up in his stirrups and bowed to the crowd.

  Bird whistled under her breath. Big mistake. Sunny’s ears went flat. With Leon in a vulnerable position, Sunny reared and shot out of the ring. Leon grabbed at Sunny’s neck and managed to keep it together until they were past the exit. Safely out of the ring, therefore not eliminated by the rider touching the ground, Sunny dumped Leon face first on the hard ground.

  Sunny trotted right over to Bird. He was so overcharged with adrenaline that Bird could hardly make out his thoughts.

  Victorious! Completely victorious! Job done! Fancy Pants gone!

  Calm down, Sunny.

  Time perfect, no rails down! Tell me! How fabulous am I!

  Bird laughed and patted his neck. The gelding pushed her chest with his nose and rubbed his face on her jacket. Bird scratched his ears happily.

  You are totally fabulous.

  I won! I won! Come for a victory lap!

  No, Leon won, not me.

  I won! Are you kidding? He’s never getting on this horse again!

  Sunny wouldn’t take no for an answer. He twisted her in his snaking neck and pushed her toward his side.

  Okay, Sunny. It’s in bad taste, but who cares? It’s your day!

  Bird stuck her riding cap on her head and climbed up into the saddle. The two of them trotted into the ring. The audience was standing up to leave but sat when they realized that the show was not yet over. Sunny col
lected himself and arched his powerful neck. He cantered gracefully around the ring twice to a standing ovation and exited at a humble walk. Gone was the wild, crazy horse that had careered around the course at breakneck speed just a moment before. “Please stay in your seats as we make the presentation to the winner of the Grand Classic Event. Let’s call in Leon Parish on Sundancer to receive his first-place ribbon, the Classic trophy, and a cheque for thirty thousand dollars! Mr. Leon Parish, please enter the ring on Sundancer!”

  Bird hopped down from the saddle and handed the reins to Leon as he stumbled past.

  Leon shook his head. He spoke with difficulty through his split lip. “Are you inthane? Do you think I’m inthane?” His face was covered in blood and dirt. His left eye was swelling up.

  He certainly looks insane, thought Bird.

  “I’m never, never — read my lipth — never getting up on that horse again.”

  What did I tell you, Bird girl? Right again!

  With that, Leon turned and hobbled into the ring to receive his award.

  All at once, Bird was aware of being watched. She looked around, trying to locate the eyes she felt on her. Cody’s furtive face peeked around a nearby fencepost.

  Go fast, Bird girl.

  Trouble, Cody?

  The horse who calls himself Silver. He wants to talk to you. Bird quickly handed Sunny’s reins to a surprised Abby.

  Stay here, Sunny. This must be important.

  She raced off to find Silver. When she got to the Owens stalls, the one marked “Hurricane’ was empty. Bird thought fast. The wash stalls. She checked. No, not there.

  Bird had no idea what Silver could want, but it must be serious for him to send Cody. She dashed up and down the busy stall area, then caught sight of the rows of horse trailers. Maybe they were taking him home.

  Bird saw Cody peeking from under a trailer.

  Over there, Bird girl. In the second row. He popped back out of sight.

  She ran. Around the second row, she saw the ramp of the Owens Enterprises trailer. Three grooms plus Elvin Wainright were trying unsuccessfully to load the big silver stallion. He was putting up a fuss — rearing, kicking, resisting everyone — and sidling this way and that to avoid the ramp.

  I’m here, Silver. Cody found me.

  What took you so long? I can’t keep this up.

  I ran as fast as I could.

  The horse stopped fighting. The groom who was leading him panted with exertion. “Good boy, Hurricane. Now, just walk on quietly and we’ll take you home.”

  I’ll tell you fast. The big pin. Does it sparkle?

  I’m not sure. Maybe. I didn’t get a good look at it.

  Leon wears one with a sparkle in the middle.

  He does?

  And he’s not wearing it now. That’s all I wanted to say.

  With that, the big horse walked straight on the trailer and stood quietly as the exhausted grooms secured his lead shank and lifted the ramp.

  Elvin turned to Bird, a suspicious look on his face. “I don’t know what just happened here. As soon as you turned up, Hurricane settled down and walked on the trailer. What did you do?”

  Bird looked at him. She smiled and raised her eyebrows.

  “Keep your secrets. There’s something witchy about you.”

  With a small chuckle, Bird turned to go. She wanted to get Sundancer home, and she needed to find a way to tell someone what Silver had told her. She was not going to let Leon get away with hurting him.

  “Not so fast,” Elvin said sternly. “We’re not finished talking.” Bird stopped and faced him.

  “You don’t fool me. I’d like to know why you stabbed Hurricane with the pin, and I’d like to know what you did to Sundancer to make him crazy when Leon rode him in the Switcheroo.”

  At that exact moment, Buzz, the little brown-and-white terrier, hopped out of the truck window and lifted his leg on the trailer tire.

  Bird looked at Buzz, then she looked at Elvin. She smiled. So you think I’m a witch, do you? She pointed to her chest, indicating herself, then to her head, meaning knowledge. Then she pointed to Elvin, then his dog. She mimed little legs running and horses spooking. Then she winked.

  “You are a little witch!” exclaimed Elvin, “but you can’t prove anything.” He yelled out orders to his grooms. “Bert. Get these horses home, then come back for the rest. Bill and Gord, pack everything up and wrap their legs for shipping.”

  Now he glared at Bird. “I warn you. We will get what we want. If not today, then tomorrow.”

  Bird had had enough of this nasty man. Shivers coursed through her body as she took off running back to the ring to find Abby and Sunny. There, she was surprised by her entire cheering section. Hannah, Julia, Eva, Stuart, the Piersons and Kimberly. Alec stood to one side, looking nervous. Everyone spoke at once.

  Kimberly gushed, “You were great, Bird! Too bad about Hurricane.”

  “You would’ve won the whole thing,” agreed Stuart. “No question.”

  Laura gave her a hug. “What a treat to see you ride. Such a big horse for such a dear, dear little girl!”

  Julia grabbed Bird’s waist and wouldn’t let go. “I’m so so so proud of you, Bird!”

  “Me, too.” Pete laughed and mussed her hair. “You showed real character.”

  Bird looked at Pete. She put her hand on her heart and bowed her head. She wanted to thank him for calling a foul on her behalf. “You’re welcome, Bird,” said Pete. “They didn’t listen to me, but not for lack of trying. That dog was a menace.”

  Eva had been standing with Stuart, watching. She walked up to Bird and said crouched in front of her, looking directly into her eyes. “All my life I wanted to ride horses because I knew it would make my father proud of me. But I was too afraid of getting hurt. You are so brave, Bird. You are the girl I wanted to be. I love you, honey.”

  Eva and Bird embraced. Bird felt Eva’s love — pure and strong and unquestioning. Her mother said she loved her, and for the first time in her life, Bird believed it.

  18

  DOUBLECROSS

  No one’s going to hurt me real bad.

  It was time to go home. The Grand Classic Event was over, and the cars and vans were lined up at the exit. It had been a long, hot day and a peaceful fatigue had settled on everyone.

  The Piersons waved their goodbyes. Eva and Stuart headed off with Julia and Kimberly. Paul had yet another emergency and raced off with Alec to deal with it. Abby and Hannah packed up the tack and prepared the trailer, while Bird spent some time alone with Sunny. She lovingly brushed the sweat from his coat while they waited for the lineup at the gate to ease.

  Sunny, you won the day. Congratulations.

  I didn’t hurt Fancy Pants. At least not badly.

  I’m glad about that.

  I really wanted to.

  Sunny, I have so many questions on my mind.

  About what?

  About what Leon said — that you were dead meat. What did he mean? And Silver told me that the pin that stabbed him probably belongs to Leon.

  You have to tell someone. Tell Hannah.

  I’ll try.

  Bird girl, you must learn to talk to humans.

  I said I’d try! Bird put her brush back in the grooming kit and found the hoof pick. She thoughtfully picked the dirt and gravel out of his hooves.

  Tell someone.

  Bird decided not to tell Sunny what else was bothering her. He’d probably think it was silly. Alec had just walked away, without saying anything. She’d had such high hopes, too. Alec and she seemed to have been developing something. Some connection. And her performance today should’ve impressed him. She’d really hoped it would. But he wasn’t interested. She’d have to accept it. Bird felt like an idiot. Again.

  Bird led Sunny onto the trailer and clipped him in. The three exhausted females and their sleepy horse pulled out of the park just as the sun was beginning to sink in the late summer sky.

  Not one of them was prepare
d for what they found when they got back to Saddle Creek.

  Balloons and colourful crepe streamers hung from tree branches and fence posts up the lane. A long yellow banner was strung across the driveway, with “Welcome home, Sundancer, champion of the Grand Classic Event!” painted in huge, still dripping, letters.

  Bird smiled as she saw her sister duck into the bushes.

  After unloading him, Bird quickly tucked Sundancer in his stall with feed and water, eager to join her family inside. He took a long drink, then sighed with contentment.

  Have fun at my party, Bird girl.

  Do you want to come?

  No. I’m beat. But it’s nice that they’re celebrating.

  Everyone is very, very proud of you, Sunny.

  I’m glad. I’m really glad.

  Bird rubbed Sundancer’s forehead between his eyes and smiled. I’m especially proud that you left Leon alive.

  That was probably a mistake.

  Bird chuckled.

  After cleaning and putting away the tack and trailer, Abby, Hannah, and Bird wearily entered the house. The festively decorated lane gave them the expectation of a surprise party, with everyone jumping out from behind chairs.

  Nothing. Not a sound. The lights were off.

  “Now I’m disappointed,” said Hannah.

  “Me, too,” agreed Abby.

  Bird heard something. She grinned. She walked over to the kitchen door and flung it open. Everybody was there: Pete and Laura Pierson, Eva and Stuart, Julia and Kimberly. And Paul and Alec.

  “Surprise!” they all shouted, then began to cheer.

  “I thought you had an emergency to attend,” Hannah said quietly to Paul, amid the chaos.

  “I made that up. We came here as fast as we could to get ready for the surprise.” Paul looked at Hannah. “Are you mad that I lied?”

  Hannah smiled. “Are you kidding? It was for a good cause.”

  There was potato salad, leafy green salad, hot French bread, and steaming chicken legs on the kitchen table. On the side table rested a huge decorated cake for dessert, with “Hooray for Bird and Sunny” written carefully in green icing.

  “Who made the cake?” asked Abby. “It’s beautiful!”