Haki the Shetland Pony

by Kathleen Fidler

  “He’s a sweet-tempered, mannerly wee beast,” Mr Cromarty declared. “He’ll behave himself well at the Show. We’d better have shoes put on him, though. A pony that’s not shod slips more easily. I’ll get old Alexander to fit him out.”

  Alexander had once been a blacksmith. Now he ran a small garage in Scalloway, but he still did some smith-work for the farmers. He fitted out Haki with four lightweight shoes. Haki soon got used to them when Adam took him walking and riding along the roads. Haki was ready now for the Show in Lerwick.

  “If I walk him seven miles to Lerwick on the day of the Show he’ll arrive dusty and tired. I wonder what we could do about it?” Adam consulted Ian.

  “Listen! I’ve got an uncle in Lerwick,” Ian said. “He’s got a farm just at the edge of the town. Maybe he’d let us put Haki in a stable there if we went to Lerwick the night before the Show. We could sleep in the loft above. That would take care of all of us if you don’t mind a night on the hay.”

  “Suits me!” Adam said promptly. “That would let me be near Haki all night in case he felt lonely in a strange place.”

  Ian brought word from his Uncle Peter that he’d be quite pleased to put up the boys and Haki in his stable and he had sleeping bags he could lend them.

  Adam sent for entry forms from the Show Committee and he and Magnus filled them out. The Show was to be on the Saturday of the week that Ian and Adam finished school for good.

  “I see there’s to be a pony sale after the Show,” Magnus remarked. “What about taking Haki to it?”

  Adam felt as if he had had a blow to his heart. “Why should I? I don’t want to sell Haki,” he said rebelliously.

  “Now, look here, Adam! Sooner or later you’ll have to part with Haki. I can’t pasture any more ponies on the hillside. I’m needing the grass there for the sheep. Besides, we could be doing with the money from selling the pony.”

  “But you gave Haki to me for my own pony! I want to keep him.”

  “It’s for you the money is needed. You’ve got to find a job, lad, and you’ll need to be fitted out with clothes and maybe fares to Aberdeen. You’ll need money to pay for lodgings too, till you draw your first pay. I can’t provide it, Adam. I wish I could, but there’s not enough in the bank.”

  “Couldn’t I get a job at the fishing or the fish-freezing factory in Scalloway?” Adam asked desperately.

  “I’ve enquired of both of them and the answer is ‘No jobs just now.’ It’s no use, Adam. You’d better look round Lerwick and see if there’s any opportunity there while you’re up for the Show. And you must try to sell Haki afterwards for as good a price as you can get. Seeing he’s your pony I’ll not come to the sales. I’ll leave the selling to you. Then you can choose his new master for yourself, if you get more than one bid for him. But mind, now, Adam, you’re to promise me to sell him if you can.”

  “I promise,” Adam said unhappily. He knew his father was right. The farm could not support another man or another pony. All the joy seemed to have gone out of preparing Haki for the Lerwick Show.

  “A fair price would be thirty-five to forty pounds, seeing Haki’s from pedigreed stock,” Magnus instructed. “It all depends how he does at the Show. But don’t refuse any reasonable offer if the colt seems likely to get a good master.”

  Adam nodded, his heart too full for speech.

  On the Friday before the Show, Ian and Adam set out on foot for Lerwick, seven miles away.

  “See you come back with a prize, Adam!” his mother called.

  “Hold Haki a minute!” Adam said, thrusting the reins into Ian’s hands. He rushed back and gave his mother a bear-like hug.

  “Goodbye, Mother!” he said.

  “Now, what took Adam to do that?” Mrs Cromarty asked Magnus. “He’s no’ a lad to wear his heart on his sleeve. You’d think he was going away for good.”

  To Adam and Ian a walk of seven miles was nothing. They might have ridden Haki in turn but Adam was very anxious that Haki should not sweat too much. All the weight Haki carried was Adam’s bagpipes!

  They got a great welcome from Peter Sinclair. He was a big powerful man, fair-haired and blue-eyed, like the Vikings he claimed as ancestors. He shook Adam warmly by the hand and looked Haki over.

  “So this is the grand pony Ian mentioned?” Peter Sinclair had once been a breeder of ponies. “Aye, he’s a good colt right enough. You’ve got him well groomed and in good condition. I’ll show you where you can stable him. You can both have a shake-down in the straw store by the stable. Your aunt’s got your supper ready, so come into the house,” Uncle Peter said.

  “I–I’d like to feed and water Haki first, if you don’t mind,” Adam stammered. “He’ll be ready for his supper too.”

  “Right, get through with the feeding and by then the wife will have the ham and eggs ready.”

  Mrs Sinclair gave them a warm welcome and piled their plates high. After supper the boys stayed talking in the farm kitchen for a while. Ian sounded his uncle about the possibilities of employment for Adam in Lerwick.

  “Well, you might get temporary employment during the holiday season when the shops need extra hands, but I’m afraid when the autumn comes you’d be out of a job again, Adam. I’d take you on here for the summer, but in winter I’d have to lay you off again.”

  “You don’t know anyone who wants a lad and a pony, do you?” Adam asked desperately.

  Mr Sinclair shook his head. “Try round at the Employment Exchange office tomorrow on your way to the Show. You might be lucky.”

  Next morning they rose to a bright sunny day.

  “I’ll give you a hand with the grooming, Adam,” Ian said.

  Together they went at the little pony with brush and curry-comb. Haki stood still, enjoying it. His coat shone like shot silk. Adam brushed and combed tail and mane till they rippled like waterfalls. Ian polished the harness and saddle till they reflected the sun’s rays.

  “Haki’s just wonderful, Adam. I’m sure he’ll take a prize. You ought to get a good price for him at the sale afterwards.”

  Adam dropped the brush. “That’s what I’m afraid of – that he will sell. Maybe if he didn’t look so beautiful no one would buy him. Then I’d be able to take him back home again.”

  “That wouldn’t solve your problem,” Ian told him. “You’ve still got to get a job for yourself and that would part you from Haki anyway.”

  “Too true!” Adam said gloomily.

  The boys felt very proud as they led Haki through the narrow flagged main street of Lerwick, like a wide pavement on which traffic and pedestrians good-naturedly mingled.

  “You hold Haki, Ian,” Adam said, giving him the bridle, when they reached the Employment Exchange.

  When Adam came out again he looked troubled.

  “Your Uncle Peter was right, Ian. Only jobs for the summer season here and that’s half over. If I want a job I can stay in, I’ll have to cross the sea.” There was a hint of excitement in Adam’s voice all the same. He would not have been a true Shetland lad if the prospect of “crossing the sea” had not appealed to his spirit of adventure.

  They climbed the narrow twisting streets to the field where the Show was to be held. Already people were pouring in through the gates. Besides the classes for animals there were exhibits of agricultural implements, animal foods and a wonderful display of Shetland knitting, from many-coloured scarves and Norse-patterned sweaters to fleecy white shawls. There was a sheep-shearing competition which went on for the greater part of the day.

  Adam and Ian made their way to the part of the ground reserved for the animals. The animals were kept in separate pens near the Ring. There were classes for ponies, for cattle, for sheep and sheep-dogs. Among the ponies there were classes for stallions, mares, colts and fillies. Adam had entered Haki in the Colts’ Class. The showing of the ponies would not take place till midday.

  One of the stewards allotted a pen to Haki.

  “I’m going to stay here,” Adam told Ian.
Haki’s well-behaved enough but he’s not been used to many other animals. It’s his first showing and I don’t want him to get excited. You go and have a look at the rest of the Show.”

  Ian was back before long with news of the folk he had met round the Show.

  “There are one or two good ponies from Unst,” he said. Unst was the northernmost island and famous for its pony breeding. “All the same, I didn’t see any better colts than Haki. I saw my uncle and he says there are buyers here from England.”

  Adam did not know whether to be pleased or dismayed by this news. He had half-hoped there might be no buyers. They munched the bread and cheese Mrs Sinclair had put up for them. Adam saw that Haki had a drink of water. The time came to lead him to the show ring. Adam handed Ian his bagpipes.

  “Look after those for me, please, Ian.”

  The colts were judged first. Adam had drawn fourth place in the order of showing. He stood at the entrance to the ring, gripping Haki firmly by his bridle. He watched how his competitors fared.

  The first pony, a piebald, was shy and nervous. He was led into the ring by his owner. He kicked up his hind legs and refused to follow at a sedate pace. He almost pushed his master round with his nose and there was a gust of laughter from the spectators.

  “He wasn’t very well behaved in the ring,” Ian commented.

  “No. We’ll have to do better than that, Haki,” Adam told his pony. Haki nuzzled his arm as if he understood.

  In the excitement of the competition, Adam forgot that soon he might be selling Haki. He was keen now that his animal should do well.

  The second pony was more docile and stepped neatly behind his master as he was led round the ring. He was a grey pony in good condition and well groomed.

  “He’s a good pony,” Adam said. “I doubt if Haki can beat him.”

  “He’s too long in the head,” Ian said critically. “Haki’s a better animal.”

  The third pony came into the ring. He was a coal-black Shetland with a mane and tail which shone like jet.

  “That’s a magnificent colt. My father says the judges and the buyers favour black shelties.” Adam gave a regretful sigh.

  “Wait and see how he gets on,” Ian said.

  The black pony paced round the ring like a proud Arab steed. Next he trotted beautifully, lifting up his little hooves with precision.

  “The prize is as good as his,” Adam said mournfully.

  “He’s not finished showing yet,” Ian reminded Adam.

  At a sign from the judges the exhibitor brought his pony to a standstill. The judge approached to examine his legs and feet. The pony gave him a look out of his eye-corner and backed up abruptly. The judge followed him up and put out a hand. The pony shied and lashed out with his legs. It was plain he would not tolerate a stranger handling him.

  “That’s done it!” Ian whispered exultingly. “Haki is far better behaved than that. He’ll stand still all right.”

  “My turn now!” Adam said, quaking inwardly. He did his best to control his nervousness lest he should communicate it to Haki.

  “You’ll be all right. Go in and win!” Ian cheered him on.

  Adam moved quietly into the ring, Haki following him on a slack rein. They paused for a moment to gain poise before Adam began the walk round. Haki tossed his mane and looked about him with composure. He held his head well, almost proudly. Though he had not made the dashing entrance of the black colt, he walked easily, neatly and with confidence.

  Haki trotted obediently around the ring with Adam on his back, his head held straight. Adam concentrated all his attention on Haki and Haki quietly obeyed all his commands. A little murmur of admiration and approval ran round the spectators at Adam’s perfect, gentle control. One stout, well-dressed man looked specially interested. He was making entries in a notebook.

  The judge made a signal to Adam, who slipped off Haki’s back. “Stand still, Haki!” he said.

  The little pony immediately stood square, his four feet very correctly placed. He froze into position, like a statue of a pony. The judge approached and put out a hand to Haki’s right foreleg to grip the fetlock. To his surprise, Haki lifted his hoof and put the fetlock neatly in the judge’s grasp. It was almost as if Haki was shaking hands!

  The judge examined Haki’s hoof and leg. Haki remained perfectly poised and did not attempt to withdraw his leg. The judge put it down and moved to the next foreleg. Once again Haki lifted it and placed it in friendly fashion in the judge’s hand. A murmur of applause came from the crowd.

  The judge made an even more thorough examination of the colt. He opened his mouth and looked at his teeth. He looked at Haki’s mane and felt at his withers. Haki submitted to the examination with unconcern.

  “The judge is giving Haki a right going-over,” Ian whispered to Uncle Peter, who had joined him at the ringside.

  “That’s a good sign,” his uncle replied. “He wouldn’t go to so much trouble if the colt was outclassed and not in the running. He’s certainly behaving well.”

  The stout stranger was underlining Adam’s entry in the programme of the show.

  At last the judge’s examination was over. He signed to Adam that he and the colt could leave the ring. At that precise moment a pipe band at the other side of the field struck up ‘Scotland the Brave’.

  Haki pricked up his ears. He gave Adam a puzzled look. Adam was not playing his bagpipes. All the same, that was Adam’s tune to which he had learned to march. As Adam led him out his feet fell into a marching rhythm. Haki followed him, stamping his little hooves in time to the march. The crowd broke into a roar of applause.

  “You’d think there was a smirk on that pony’s face!” Uncle Peter declared.

  Ian rushed to meet Adam.

  “Did we do all right?” Adam asked him anxiously.

  “Man, you and Haki were just grand! He never put a foot wrong,” Ian declared.

  There were several other entries to be judged. The boys waited till the pony show was over. The judges conferred together, comparing their papers. Though they did not really take long, it seemed an age to Adam and Ian. At last the chief judge came forward.

  “The prize for the best colt under three years, not previously shown at any show, is awarded to Adam Cromarty of Scalloway for his colt Haki,” the judge announced. “This is a fine colt in excellent condition, smart, responsive and exceedingly well behaved. I should like to offer my congratulations to this lad for the admirable job he has made of training his colt.”

  Adam could hardly believe his ears.

  “Will Adam Cromarty and his colt Haki please come into the ring to receive his award?”

  Adam stood for a moment stupefied at his good fortune. Ian gave him a nudge. “Go on, lad! Don’t stand there staring! Go and collect your prize!”

  Adam came to with a jerk. “Here! Give me those bagpipes!” In a moment he had the drones sounding. The reins were already looped round Haki’s neck. “Come on, Haki!”

  They stepped boldly into the ring. Adam did not even touch Haki’s rein, much less lead him. He trusted the little pony to follow him without question. To the triumphant sounds of ‘Scotland the Brave’ Haki marched round the ring to the judge’s dais. When they were opposite the chief judge, Adam let the skirl of the pipes die away.

  “Stand still, Haki!” he commanded.

  Haki stood like a monument, not even turning his head. The judge came forward and attached a blue-and-white rosette to his harness. He turned to Adam, shook hands with him, then presented him with a small silver cup.

  “This is yours for a year,” he said. “It will be inscribed with your name and Haki’s at a jeweller’s. Inside the cup is your prize.”

  Adam and Haki left the ring with the applause ringing in their ears. Ian ran to meet them.

  “Here! You take the cup,” Adam said to him. “I want to get Haki out of this mob. Take care of it. My prize is in the envelope.”

  Adam and Ian retreated to the far corner of the field.
As soon as they reached it Adam fished three lumps of sugar out of his pocket and gave them to Haki. “You’ve earned these, lad,” he said, stroking Haki between the ears.

  “Here! Catch hold of your prize! Don’t you want to look at it?” Ian laughed.

  Adam tore open the envelope. Inside was a five pound note!

  “Jings!” he exclaimed. “I just don’t believe it!”

  6. What Came of the Show

  Shortly afterwards Uncle Peter crossed the field to join them. With him was the stout stranger who had watched the judging of the Shetland ponies and had made entries in his notebook.

  “Well done, Adam! You and Haki put up a wonderful show,” Uncle Peter said. “This is Mr George Wiggins from England.” There was shaking of hands all round. “Mr Wiggins is interested in buying Shetland ponies. He has bought them from me in the past.”

  Adam’s heart gave a thud. So this was it? Had the moment come to sell Haki?

  “I’m rather interested in that pony of yours, young man,” Mr Wiggins was saying. “Mr Sinclair tells me you are thinking of selling him.”

  Adam could only nod dumbly.

  “Mr Sinclair says the pony belongs to you. Do you mind if I look him over?” Mr Wiggins handled the colt with experienced hands. Haki stood quite still.

  “Aye, he’s a good sound animal and docile too. Well, my lad, what price are you wanting for him?”

  “Well, I–I—,” Adam stammered. He wanted to say, “I don’t wish to sell him,” but he thought of his father and the words would not come. All he could get out was, “I don’t know.”

  “I’ve got a reputation for making a fair deal and I’ve no intention of doing you down. I’m offering you fifty pounds.”

  Adam almost gasped. Fifty pounds! Why that was far more than the price his father had suggested. Still he did not speak.

  “Well, Mr Sinclair, do you consider that a fair offer?” Wiggins asked the farmer.

  Mr Sinclair did not rush to reply. He wanted to get as good a price as possible for Adam. “Seeing the animal’s a prize-winner, you might make it guineas,” he ventured.