I led Charm into the arena and pulled the door shut behind me. I tied Charm to the rail so I could help Jacob set up our equipment. Without looking at Jacob, I walked over to him and unzipped the camera.
“This is a great spot,” Jacob said. He flashed me a smile and his green eyes stayed on my face. “I’m glad we’re doing this together.”
Wait. He’d ignored me and sulked for the past five minutes. Now he was happy to be my partner?
I gave him a shaky smile. “Me too.” I think.
Jacob started setting up the tripod and he attached a longer lens to his camera. “So, you ride Eastern, right?”
I giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Jacob turned to me and crossed his arms. An easy grin slipped over his face.
“Well, it’s English or Western,” I explained. “I ride English.”
“No Eastern?”
“No Eastern.”
We laughed. This was what it was supposed to be like. He was funny and sweet, and it was nice to be having fun again.
“I’m going to get Charm and bring him over,” I said.
“Just call me Spielberg for the rest of the shoot,” Jacob instructed.
I nodded and went to get Charm. Maybe Jacob had gotten up too early and had been grouchy earlier. He was acting like the old Jacob now. The one who might actually go with me to the Sweetheart Soirée. …
I led Charm in front of the camera and took a breath. If we were going to prove horses were smart, we couldn’t reshoot if Charm didn’t do the trick. That would be a total mockumentary.
“We can’t rehearse the dialogue either, right?” I asked Jacob.
“Right,” he said. “Just speak naturally.”
“Okay.” I ran my fingers through my hair and then untangled a knot in Charm’s chestnut mane.
“Quiet on the set!” Jacob announced. He looked over the camera at me. “Horse Sense, take one. Ready and … action!”
I looked into the camera and started talking. “Ever wonder how smart animals really are?” I asked. “If you have, then this documentary is for you. I’m Sasha, and my partner Jacob and I are going to test our theory that horses are more intelligent than people think.” My eyes connected with Jacob’s and he nodded for me to keep going.
I resumed my I-should-get-an-Oscar-for-this voice. “I’m going to ask my horse, Charm, to count. I’ve taught Charm how to count up to five and I want to prove that he can do it.”
I turned my head to Charm and led him in a circle. Jacob followed our movement with the camera.
“Ready, boy?” I asked Charm. He nodded and kept one eye on me and one on the camera.
“Charm,” I said in a clear voice. “Three.”
Charm lowered his head and pawed the ground. I counted aloud. “One.” Charm struck again. “Two.” Then again. “Three! Good job!” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a chunk of carrot. Charm greedily snatched the carrot off my hand and munched while I talked.
“So, Charm has just counted to three. But to really prove my point, our director, Jacob, is also going to ask Charm to count.”
Jacob’s eyes met mine and I waved him over.
“Um, how do I ask him?” Jacob asked. He stood away from Charm and twisted his hands.
“Say his name and then tell him a number between one and five,” I said.
Jacob cleared his throat and flashed a smile at the camera. “Charm,” he said. “One.”
Charm lifted his foreleg high in the air and tossed his mane for the camera. He brought his hoof down once and then looked at me expectantly. I dug into my pocket for another treat. “Good boy,” I said.
Jacob let out a breath and turned to the camera. “I hope we’ve demonstrated that horses are smarter than people often give them credit for being. Thanks for watching and look for another film from S and S soon.”
He hurried to turn off the camera.
“S and S?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
He smiled at me in a way that made me lean on Charm for support. “Silver and Schwartz.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say. I tied Charm to the rail again. Together, Jacob and I watched the footage he had shot before we dismantled the equipment. It looked like an A-film to me.
Things were going so well … but one thing was still nagging me. That picture. If I … I had to ask him about Heather.
“Jacob?”
He put down the camera bag. “Yeah?”
“I saw you with my teammate Heather the other day and …” I trailed off. The words wouldn’t come out. Mom had always taught me to be confident and independent—now I sounded insecure and silly.
Jacob turned to face me and behind us, Charm snorted. Or snored. Not sure.
“Heather? We have a class together,” he said. He gave me a smile and a look like I was insane for thinking he liked her.
“Oh, ’cause I was just wondering,” I rambled. “I didn’t know if you liked her or something.”
Jacob shook his head. He opened his mouth and then his phone dinged. I turned back to the camera so he could check his text.
“I’ve got to run,” he said. “Sorry.” He snapped the phone shut and shoved it in his pocket.
“Is something wrong?”
He shook his head as he put the camera bag over his shoulder. “Oh, no, everything’s fine. I’ll text you when I get the editing done.”
“Okay,” I called after him. “Bye.” But he was already out the door.
“He should try out for the track team,” I grumbled to myself.
I ambled over to Charm and untied his lead line. “What was that about, boy?” I whispered to him. I tried not to think about it as I put Charm away, but all I could see was the picture of Jacob and Heather together.
DRESSAGE LESSON + BIO QUIZ = DISASTER
“PAIGE, I PROMISE I’LL HELP YOU PRACTICE for your audition video tonight,” I whispered into my phone. If Mr. Conner saw me in the aisle on the phone, he’d probably throw my cell into the muck pile!
“Okay,” Paige said. “Thanks, Sasha.”
After hanging up, I put my phone into my coat pocket and unclipped Charm from the crossties. I’d promised to help Paige, but I also had lots of homework in my other classes. I’d been concentrating so hard on biology that I’d let homework in my other classes pile up.
“Ready?” Callie asked as she led Jack beside me. She looked polished in her black and red tartan coat and leather gloves.
It was my first Monday morning practice with Heather and Callie. As we walked into the arena, I crossed my fingers and hoped we would work on jumping today. If it was dressage, Callie and Heather would so kick my butt.
Callie and I led our horses down the aisle and passed the hallway by Mr. Conner’s office. I slowed Charm when I heard Julia’s voice. Callie stopped Jack beside Charm.
“Well then,” Julia said. “Why are you friends with Sasha all of a sudden?”
Callie and I looked at each other.
“Jules, stop it,” Heather snapped. “We’re not friends. Mr. Conner paired us up. We have to do lessons together.”
“But you let her ride Aristocrat,” Julia said.
“I don’t have time for this,” Heather said. “I have to get to my lesson. Go hang out with your boyfriend or something.” Boots tapped down the aisle.
I tugged Charm forward and Callie pulled on Jack’s reins. We hurried into the arena.
“Julia’s jealous just because Heather and I are forced to ride together?” I asked Callie.
“Obviously,” Callie said. “I still can’t believe that you rode Aristocrat.”
Um, hello. Callie didn’t have to act so surprised that I could handle another horse.
Heather led Aristocrat into the arena and Mr. Conner stepped in behind her.
“Hello, girls,” Mr. Conner said. He smiled as we mounted our horses and lined them up in front of him.
“Hi,” we said back.
“Today, we’re going to focus on
dressage,” Mr. Conner announced.
Of course. My favorite.
Callie and Heather high-fived while I put on a fake smile.
Mr. Conner continued. “Dressage is a French term for ‘training.’ That’s exactly what we’ll be doing today. During a dressage test, the judges will score mainly based on obedience, suppleness, and accuracy. The lower level dressage course is made up of the letters A-K-E-H-C-M-B-F. Think of it as ‘All King Edward’s Horses Can Make Big Fences.’ You’ll either have your test memorized, as preferred, or you’ll have someone stand off to the side and call out your test. When you move up to higher levels, you won’t be allowed to have an assistant to call for you.”
Callie and Heather didn’t have anyone read their tests for them.
“The judges will score each move on a scale from one to ten,” Mr. Conner added. “If you complete a difficult move, you’ll get more points. A score of seven or eight is respectable.” Heather nodded and adjusted her black helmet. She and Callie were our team’s best dressage riders.
“If we’re not showing in dressage, should we still memorize the course and learn some of the moves?” I asked.
“No,” Mr. Conner said. “That’s not necessary, but I do want to use this lesson as a supplement to show all of you that obedience in your horses is important. Even if you don’t compete in dressage, the lessons will help you in other riding areas.”
Maybe dressage would be good for Charm and me.
“Let’s get started,” Mr. Conner said. “Callie, why don’t you perform a couple of moves from your last test and then Heather can ride.”
Heather and I backed our horses out of the lettered markers Mr. Conner had set up. Callie urged Black Jack forward at a working trot into the center of the square, or point X. She halted Jack and saluted Mr. Conner. Then Jack continued at a working trot to point M. She made a tight turn and Jack’s whole body flowed into the circle. I’d never seen his body move like that. Callie invisibly signaled Jack to do a free walk to marker H. It almost looked like moves on my Rolex Kentucky DVDs. Jack made another circle and then trotted to the center. Callie halted Jack smoothly and saluted again.
Heather and I clapped and Callie rode Jack out of the arena, barely able to suppress the smile on her face.
“Now, let’s talk about Callie’s moves and why that was a fantastic test,” Mr. Conner said.
“She did her move the second she hit each marker,” Heather offered. “She didn’t hesitate at all.”
I couldn’t figure her out. One lesson she knocked Callie and the next she complimented her.
“It looked fluid,” I added. “I didn’t even see her tell Jack what to do.”
Mr. Conner nodded. “Exactly. And that’s the point. Did you notice how flexible and relaxed he looked? He almost anticipates her commands. Note that during their free walk, Black Jack just didn’t amble along. Callie kept pressure on him with both legs and he worked, even at a relaxed pace, from letter to letter. Let’s try something different with Heather, if she’s willing.”
Heather nodded. She loved any chance to show off.
“I want Sasha and Callie to call out commands and Heather and Aristocrat will perform them,” Mr. Conner said. “It’s not traditional because Heather hasn’t memorized the moves, but I’m sure she’s up for it. Callie, you call first.”
Heather halted at X, saluted Mr. Conner, and looked to Callie for her first move.
Callie hesitated for a second then called out, “Working trot to H and then circle.” Heather followed Callie’s command and Mr. Conner nodded to me.
“Free walk to G and then canter to B,” I said. Aristocrat’s chestnut legs gleamed as he stretched into a walk to the G marker. The second Heather and Aristocrat reached G, he broke into a collected canter. Heather sat motionless on his back. Aristocrat’s stride was almost mesmerizing and Heather looked melded to his back. The girl was good.
“Come back to X at a working trot,” Callie called. Heather turned the second Callie gave the command and trotted to the center. Aristocrat stopped and Heather gave her final salute.
“Wow,” I breathed to Callie. “That was amazing.”
“It was,” Callie said, nodding. Our team was going to be awesome at regionals!
“Now, Callie and Heather, you can act as my assistants and help me take Sasha through a couple of beginning exercises. You two may start giving directions.” Mr. Conner stepped back to watch us.
I swallowed.
“Want to try the free walk first?” Callie asked.
“Sure.” Charm eyed Jack and the two bumped muzzles.
“Okay, you’re going to sit deep and push him forward, just a little bit, with your hands and seat. Give him more rein and encourage him to stretch his neck.”
It sounded easy, but nothing about dressage was simple. “Can I watch you first?”
“Sure.” Callie circled Jack away from Charm and me. She straightened and signaled Jack to walk forward. He lifted his head and started. “I’m giving him tiny cues by squeezing my legs or moving my fingers on the reins. See?”
Jack stepped quickly, but looked as if he placed each hoof down with precision. I nodded.
“All right, Charm,” I said. “Let’s try it.”
I tried to ignore Heather and Mr. Conner, who watched me closely.
I took a breath and sat deep in the saddle, tightening my legs around Charm’s sides. He ambled forward and didn’t pay much attention. I tried to focus on him, but I kept thinking about the bio quiz I had to take after our lesson. I could not get another F.
“Tighten up the reins a bit and urge him forward while almost holding him back at the same time,” Callie offered. She watched through narrowed eyes as she studied Charm’s movements.
That sounded like a good way to give Charm mixed signals, but I didn’t argue. I did what Callie said. Charm got on the bit and loosened his legs and neck while walking strongly forward. “Ooh!” I said. “Is that it?”
“That looks okay,” Callie said. “But you need more leg.”
I turned Charm in a circle. Callie was right, but she was embarrassing me in front of Heather!
I let Charm move forward again and applied more pressure with my legs. “Better?”
Callie hesitated. “Yeah, better.”
Callie backed off as Heather rode closer. My fingers tightened on the reins as I looked at Heather.
“Let’s try something else,” Heather said. She looked at Mr. Conner for backup and he nodded. “How about a working trot?”
“Okay,” I said.
“For the working trot,” Heather said. “You want to get Charm’s attention and make sure he’s collected. He needs to have an even stride and should be listening to you for the slightest cue.”
Heather urged Aristocrat forward. I watched as his trot became precise and he collected himself under Heather’s hands. Every move was near perfect. Heather sat up straight in her navy blue fleece pullover and her bare fingers held the reins firmly. Aristocrat had one ear forward and another back—listening and paying attention to Heather. Heather trotted him to the arena wall and then headed back to me.
“That was nice,” Mr. Conner said. “Let’s see Sasha and Charm try it.”
“Okay,” I whispered to Charm. “We can do it.” Charm walked forward and he eased into a trot. The reins were taut in my fingers. I half closed my eyes for a second and signaled Charm to follow Black Jack’s example and do a working trot. I tried not to look at Heather, but as she watched me, images of her and Jacob talking and laughing popped into my head.
Charm, mouthing the bit, ignored my command to stretch out his legs. “C’mon,” I whispered. “You can do this.” I had to focus. Otherwise, I was messing things up for both of us.
Charm let out a small huff, arched his neck and started to strike the ground sharper with his hooves. “Good boy.” His back rounded and he brought his hindquarters underneath him. We did a working trot that almost, but not quite, resembled Aristocrat’s, th
en circled and went back to Mr. Conner.
I shook my head. Charm had performed well, but he could tell my mind wasn’t on the lesson. I’d made him look bad in front of Aristocrat and Jack.
“Good effort, Sasha,” Mr. Conner said. He patted Charm’s shoulder and looked up at me. “Charm seems to respond well to these movements.”
“He does,” I agreed, loosening the reins and letting Charm relax. “This might help me with control during show jumping.”
Mr. Conner smiled. “Exactly. And with more focus, I’m sure you’ll do even better.”
I cringed.
“You girls are free to go. I’ll see you at the next lesson,” Mr. Conner said.
We nodded and dismounted.
“Good job,” Callie said.
But I wondered if she meant it.
“Not really. I didn’t focus enough. We could have done better.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“My bio quiz,” I lied. And then, “Jacob and Heather,” I muttered.
Callie pressed her lips together and didn’t say a word.
We handed Charm and Jack to Mike and Doug.
“Bye!” I called to Callie as I dashed back to Winchester to shower and change for bio. I’d worry about Callie later. I had to rock this quiz or bad grade + no show = angry teammates. When I got to my room, my text alert chimed.
I think U said U have a bio quiz 2day. Good luck! —Eric
I smiled and tossed the phone on my bed.
Ms. Peterson passed out the biology quizzes. I crossed my fingers on my left hand and wrote my name on the paper with my right. Two rows ahead of me, Julia and Alison scribbled on their papers.
I bent my head and looked at the first question. What is the purpose of the aorta? Four choices. A–D. My pencil hovered above answer C—circulates blood to the body. I darkened the bubble and moved on to the next question. The classroom wall clock’s tick echoed in my head. The smell of formaldehyde from another class’s experiment burned my nose.
“You have one minute left,” Ms. Peterson said. I glanced at the clock, sure she’d made a mistake. But no.
One minute, one minute, I repeated to myself as I finished checking my work. I furiously erased my answer on problem five and changed it to A instead of B. The quiz didn’t seem insanely hard, but I hadn’t thought I’d failed the last one, either.
The Canterwood Crest Stable of Books Page 22