“Good, Jess,” Nick said.
The sun was beating down on Alex’s back as he watched Nick nod to Kate, and waited for his own turn.
As Kate positioned Feather at the brush, Alex gazed into the distance. The sound of cantering hooves filled the air. It wouldn’t be long now, but riding a course was quite different to jumping a log out on a hack. Out of the corner of his eye, Alex could see Izzy watching him, and again he was conscious that he wanted to do well.
As Kate pulled Feather up to a halt, Nick waved and called Alex’s name.
Alex gave Puzzle a little nudge.
“Easy, easy does it,” he muttered under his breath. Alex shut all of the other riders out of his mind as he popped Puzzle over the jump and rode her squarely at the staircase. He collected the pony in the take-off, easing his hands up her neck for the jump and she cleared it with ease. Everything seemed to come naturally once Alex had found a rhythm and Puzzle cantered around the course like an old hand. Alex started to relax as he fed the reins up her neck in the take-off for the triple bars. This was going well...
So well that Alex must have relaxed his concentration a little. Maybe it was because he didn’t tell her what he wanted her to do, but Puzzle hesitated in the approach to the triple bars. It looked like she was going to refuse, but at the last minute, she leaned back on her hocks and flung herself forward. But it was too late. She rapped the top of the triple and a bar came down. Alex gritted his teeth, cross with himself for that momentary lapse as he nudged Puzzle forward for the parallel. This time he was back in control and they cleared the fence with inches to spare, touching down effortlessly. Alex turned Puzzle for the treble and, as they cleared the jump, they drew to a halt beside the group.
“Not bad,” Nick called.
“That was good, Alex.” Kate’s eyes gleamed.
“I never imagined she’d be so capable,” Izzy agreed.
“If only we hadn’t knocked that triple bar,” Alex muttered under his breath. He was annoyed with himself.
“You can’t expect everything to go perfectly,” Nick called over. “You haven’t exactly been riding much lately, have you?”
“Well no.” Alex knew it had been his fault, but he didn’t like it being pointed out in front of everyone. He hated not doing things well.
He hardly watched the rest of the horses complete the course, he was so cross at himself. As the riders made their way back to the yard, all they could talk about was how surprised they were at how well Puzzle had jumped. Alex didn’t say anything as he led Puzzle to her stable and started to untack her.
“You didn’t ride too badly out there.” Nick’s smiling face called over the door to him. “You should think about entering the Benbridge Show, you know.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Alex was still feeling grumpy. “I think Rosie’s got her heart set on riding Hector now that Pepper’s injured.”
“I’m not saying you should ride Hector,” Nick laughed. “Ride Puzzle.”
“Puzzle?” Alex looked amazed. “I don’t know, Nick. She’s a steady jumper but I’m not sure she could win.”
“Win? I’m not saying she could win,” Nick frowned.
“Then what’s the point of entering?” Alex muttered under his breath, looking embarrassed at his mistake.
“Oh Alex,” Nick laughed. “You don’t enter competitions just to win. She’s a solid, sturdy little pony. I’m sure she won’t disgrace herself, and it’ll be good training for her.”
“I guess so.” Alex frowned.
“It’s up to you,” Nick laughed.
Alex nodded. Maybe he should enter Puzzle. Nick was right – it would be good training for her. If he could get her used to competing, it would only make her more saleable. And who knows, maybe she could win? Nick was wrong about competitions, Alex thought to himself. You had to enter them to win – otherwise what was the point of doing them?
10
THE BENBRIDGE SHOW
It didn’t take Alex long to make a decision about the Benbridge Show. Once he’d talked to Kate and she’d agreed it was in Puzzle’s interest to compete, Alex had decided he’d definitely enter. And for the next week and a half he and Puzzle worked hard – not missing a single jumping practice. It was countdown. The summer days passed quickly and soon there were only three more days before the show...then two...and then Alex was sitting in his bedroom the night before the show.
“All right, Alex?” Kate asked, pushing open the door.
“Yeah, I guess,” he said.
“What’s up? Puzzle’s going nicely. You’re not having doubts about entering her, are you?” Kate looked concerned.
“No.” Alex kicked off his shoes and lay sprawled on the window seat, staring out onto the garden. “It’s Mum and Dad. I told them I was riding one of the Sandy Lane ponies at the show. Maybe I ought to tell them what I’ve done. I was going to tell them once I’d made the money. I don’t know...I’ll think about it after the show.”
“We’d better go down for supper,” Kate said. “Mum’ll be thinking something’s up otherwise.”
“OK.” Alex put his thoughts to the back of his mind, and climbing off the window seat, made his way down the stairs.
The next morning, Alex opened one eye and squinted at the sunlight streaming in through the crack of his curtains. At first he couldn’t think what day it was, then he remembered. The Benbridge Show! He checked his watch and leapt out of bed. Dashing to the bathroom, he jumped in and out of the shower and scrambled into his clothes, all in five minutes flat. By the time he got to the kitchen, Kate was already eating breakfast, looking neat and tidy in a pair of cream jodhpurs and a navy-blue hacking jacket.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” he said breathlessly.
“I’m not your alarm clock.” Kate shrugged as he gobbled down a piece of toast. Quickly, Alex picked up his riding hat and threw on the show jacket that Nick had lent him. It was a bit on the large side, but it would have to do.
“Come on then, Kate,” he said.
“All right,” Kate said indignantly. Mrs. Hardy only just had time to call out ‘Good luck’ as Kate and Alex disappeared out of the door.
It was cool outside – the blistering heat of the last couple of days had passed. Kate and Alex cycled along, talking about the day ahead of them. As they cycled down the driveway to the stables and into the yard, everyone was already rushing around – oiling hooves, searching for grooming kit, plaiting manes and putting studs in hooves. Alex felt a rush of adrenaline flood through him. Without even stopping to talk to anyone, Alex made his way to Puzzle’s stable.
“So how are you this morning?” he asked, sliding back the door. “I hope you’re feeling on good form.”
Meticulously, he ran a body brush over Puzzle’s coat and picked out her feet. He combed and plaited her mane and tail and oiled her hooves. He worked hard, until finally he was able to stand back and admire his handiwork. Puzzle was still a little on the thin side, but at least her coat was spotlessly clean. Alex was pleased. He looked at his watch. Eight thirty. If he hurried, he’d be able to join the first group of riders hacking over to the show.
“Bye Kate. I’ll see you there,” he called over his shoulder to his sister as he joined the pack.
“Bye,” Kate answered him.
Four horses set off down the lane, following on one after the other. Alex wasn’t paying much attention to what everyone else was saying as they cut across country, making their way through the fallow fields that adjoined Mr. Wells’ pig farm. Alex sat, feeling quietly confident. He had a good feeling about today. Rosie was chattering away non-stop, Izzy was looking worried and Tom – well Tom was just quiet.
Soon they broke into an easy canter till they reached a gate to the road. Tom held it open for them to pass through. It wasn’t far now. There was another group of riders following along after them with Kate and Jess, and Nick was coming along later with the group of younger riders who were entered for the gymkhana events. Whe
n everyone got there, they were to meet under the big oak by the jumping ring.
As Alex rode down the road and turned into the showground, he felt the adrenaline pump through him. He had forgotten what it was like at a show. Entries were being announced over a loudspeaker. Officials were running around. There was a small stand for the judges. It even smelled important. Alex felt excited at the thought of the competition ahead of him.
“How many people do you think will enter the Open Jumping, Tom?” Alex asked.
“Maybe 50,” Tom said with a shrug.
“50!” Alex hadn’t thought it would be as many as that.
“Let’s tie up these ponies and take a look,” Tom said. Whistling to himself, Alex tied Puzzle to a fence under the shade of the oak tree and followed Tom to the secretary’s tent. There, they picked up their numbers. Tom was number 30, and Alex number 42. They tied the numbers onto their backs and then they wandered over to check the jumping order. There were 62 entries in all – even more than Tom had thought.
“Come on, Alex,” Tom said. “Let’s grab a hot dog.”
“Sure thing,” Alex grinned. They handed over their money and tucked in. Then they walked past the tents, selling everything from hacking jackets to saddle soap and sweatshirts.
“Beautiful!” Tom pointed to an elegant jet-black horse in the Working Hunter Class.
“Yeah, but come on,” Alex said. “We ought to be heading back to the tree – the others will be here by now.”
“You’re right,” Tom said as they hurried back across the showground.
“Where’ve you been?” Kate’s voice was the first to greet him as they reached the tree.
“Just looking around,” Alex answered nonchalantly.
“Right, are we ready?” Nick tried to attract everyone’s attention. “I want you all to make sure that you limber up your mounts properly before going into your class – the collecting ring is over there.” He pointed to the right of him. “Remember that you’re here representing Sandy Lane, so I don’t want to see anyone fooling around, all right?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“Good, well, Sarah will be here any minute. She’s coming in the Land Rover and bringing brushes and stuff for restitching any plaits that are coming loose. Now is there anything else I need to say?” He looked puzzled, as if he had forgotten something, and stood scratching his head. “Oh yes, of course...good luck.”
It was the same joke he made at all the shows, but at least it put the riders at their ease.
“Thanks Nick,” a medley of voices answered him and soon everyone had disbanded to go their separate ways. Alex didn’t know what to do with himself. There was half an hour until the Open Jumping and now he was here, he was so excited, he just wanted to get going. Maybe he’d take a walk. Aimlessly, he wandered past the show classes...past the gymkhana events...until he found he was walking round and round in circles. He ought to go and check on Puzzle. Suddenly he felt really charged up with excitement.
“Are you coming to walk the course?” Rosie and Jess called over to him as he crossed the grass.
“In a moment,” Alex answered. He patted Puzzle and made his way over to the ring. Rosie and Jess, and Izzy and Kate, were already there ahead of him. Tom was there too. He looked serious as he stopped by each of the jumps, but then he was under pressure as he’d won this class for the last three years running.
“All right Tom?” Alex walked over and clapped him on the back.
“I don’t know, there are some tight corners this year,” Tom moaned.
“Oh, we’ll be all right.” Alex’s eyes narrowed as he took the jumps in. And then the loudspeaker was asking them to clear the course. The competition was about to begin.
“Good luck, Alex.” Tom said.
“You too, Tom. Good luck Izzy and Kate,” he called across the grass.
“Thanks...wait for us.” Izzy and Kate joined Alex to make their way back to the group. Alex untied Puzzle and took her off to the collecting ring. Rosie and Jess were already there, jumping back and forth over a couple of low jumps. They waved as Alex made his way over and the loudspeaker announced that the Open Jumping was starting.
Gently, Alex cantered a circle as the collecting ring emptied and riders made their way over to the ringside.
Alex slowed Puzzle to a walk. It wouldn’t be long before Rosie took her turn at the course. Then there was a little wait till Jess and Izzy. Tom was next, Alex was after that, and Kate was the last competitor due in the ring. Slowly, Alex slid down from Puzzle’s back and tied her up. He walked towards the ring, the gasps from the crowd indicating that the jumping was in full flow.
“Number 12, Cecily Griggs, four faults...” The loudspeaker was calling out.
A rider was cantering out of the ring, just as Alex found a place by the ringside.
“Rosie Edwards on Hector, riding for Sandy Lane Stables,” boomed out over the loudspeaker.
Alex watched with interest. The bell sounded and Rosie cantered a neat circle before riding Hector to the first. They jumped cleanly over the brush and cantered towards the gate. Rosie leaned forward in the saddle and Hector rose to the challenge, landing neatly to ride up alongside the rails for the staircase. Cantering wide, they approached the sharks’ teeth. Hector didn’t hesitate, and now it was the triple bars. Alex counted their strides in the approach to the take-off...one, two, three...clear. Now the parallel bars. Over that and, as they cantered around the corner, the sound of pounding hooves filled the air. The crowd was quiet. Just three more jumps for a clear round. One...two...three...and they were sailing out of the ring. It had been a clear, steady round. Alex raised his eyebrows. Not bad, but he intended to go faster than that.
“Number 15, Rosie Edwards, jumping clear with no time faults,” rang out over the loudspeaker.
The next rider was already thundering around the course as Alex made his way back to Puzzle.
“All right.” He untied Puzzle’s reins. “It’s our turn soon. Let’s show them.”
Already the showjumping was up to the mid-twenties and the loudspeaker was announcing that there were four riders through to the jump-off. As Alex and Puzzle cantered over to the ring, Alex was greeted by a despondent looking Izzy coming out of the ring.
“Four faults,” she muttered. “We overshot the parallel.”
“Bad luck, Izzy.” Alex tried to console her. “How did Jess do?”
“Disastrous.” Izzy pulled a face. “Skylark was having one of her off-days. She knocked four jumps down.”
“Oh dear...” Alex knew that wouldn’t put Jess in a good mood. So there was only Rosie through to the jump-off so far.
Alex jumped down off Puzzle and tied her up to some wooden rails. Then he made his way over to the ring to find a place to watch. Ponies of all shapes and sizes thundered around the course before finally Tom and Chancey were announced. Alex watched his friend circle Chancey, waiting for the bell.
Chancey was hotting up, pawing at the ground. The crowd silenced and Tom rode Chancey for the first. They flew over the brush with feet to spare, and turned to the gate. They were going like the clappers, and this wasn’t even being timed. Alex could tell they were going too fast, but it didn’t look as though Tom had much say in the matter. The crowd was silent. Every snort that Chancey made echoed around the ring.
Now they were over the staircase. Chancey danced dangerously close to the sharks’ teeth. Alex held his breath. Tom took it squarely, leaning forward in the saddle, but it was too late. As they sprang over the jump, Chancey clipped the back of it and the top bar came tumbling down.
“Ooh,” the crowd groaned.
Tom drove Chancey at the centre of the triple bars and they cleared the jump and rode towards the parallel. They cleared that with ease and went on to the treble. One...two..three...jump...and they were cantering out of the ring. But it was no good. Chancey wasn’t going to be through to the jump-off. Alex knew that Tom would be very disappointed.
“He f
ought me all the way.” Tom looked as though he was putting a brave face on it as Alex came to greet him. “I’d better get him calmed down.” And with that, Tom rode Chancey towards the trees.
Alex went to collect Puzzle, suddenly feeling nervous. With Tom out of the running, they had a real chance of winning. He hadn’t felt this nervous about anything in ages – not even the county cricket trials had made him feel this way. Alex untied Puzzle’s reins and cantered her across the grass to the collecting ring to practise a couple more jumps.
“Not long to go,” he told her.
Alex cantered Puzzle over to the jumping ring to wait. It was their turn at last.
“Keep calm...keep calm.” Alex leaned down to pat Puzzle’s neck as the bell rang out and they cantered to the first jump. Deftly, Alex eased Puzzle over the brush and cantered her towards the gate. Puzzle sprang over the fence as if it were alight and Alex turned her for the staircase the minute they touched down. Clear of that, and Alex swung her wide for the sharks’ teeth. He sat tight to the saddle, all of his concentration rooted on the fences in front of him. Alex was so light with his hands as they rode towards the middle of the next jump that Puzzle could hardly have known he was there.
Carefully, Alex faced her at the triple bar and again they glided over the jump with ease, swooping round in a large circle to take the parallel. Now it was only the treble. One...two...three...Touch down!
There was a loud cheer from the crowd as Alex and Puzzle cantered out of the ring. They had jumped clear! He clapped his hand to Puzzle’s shoulder as they drew to a halt.
“Alex Hardy on Puzzle, jumping clear with no time faults...”
“Well done...well done, Alex,” the Sandy Lane team called out as he trotted out of the ring.
Alex grinned. “We’re through to the jump-off.”
11
JUMP-OFF
The Perfect Pony Page 6