Showtym Viking, page 2
“I know that’s a lot more than we usually pay for our ponies,” Vicki said, mirroring her thoughts, “but I still think it’s fair. His colouring makes him even more saleable, and as well as being very talented he has an incredible nature.”
Amanda reached down to pat Oscar, who had come to a halt in front of the stable. Kicking her feet out of the stirrups, she slid from his back.
“I do like him, but seven thousand dollars is a huge risk. That’s almost everything I have in the bank.”
Vicki nodded. “It is a risk, but this pony is a freak opportunity, Amanda. Most Grand Prix ponies are forty to eighty thousand dollars which is way outside of our budget, but this — this is something we can afford.”
Amanda pondered this for a long moment. “You really think he’s that good?”
“Yes, I do,” Vicki said, rubbing Oscar between the eyes. “I have a feeling he’s the pony that could make all your dreams come true.”
CHAPTER THREE
A Tough Decision
For the next few days, Amanda rode Oscar in the arena and around the farm. She marvelled at the way he jumped around small courses and cantered on a loose rein up the hills, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Although she was growing to really like him, she still wasn’t sure if buying him was a sensible idea, especially since she would have to spend her own money to do so. It had been that way since she was twelve, when she’d started buying her own ponies and paying all of their costs, as their parents struggled to financially support their daughters’ riding dreams.
Having grown up with very little, the three sisters had learnt to make do on inexperienced horses and problem ponies that other people had given up on, or wild ponies from the mountains that they’d tamed. Even the cost of competing was so far outside their parents’ budget that there had been a time when the sisters could only afford to compete at the next show if they won enough to pay back their entry fees.
While the family’s finances had improved in recent times, those early years of hardship had taught Amanda the value of money and she was very hesitant about spending it. Most of what she had saved had come from selling two of her very special ponies the season before: Image and Teddy, whom she’d taught to jump and then competed to a high level in Show Hunter, Hunter and Showjumping classes.
She’d put that money aside in case she decided to go to university, and since she was still on the fence about what she was doing with her life, she didn’t want to spend the money and jeopardise her future career options.
A few days later, as Amanda jumped Oscar on the arena for the third time, Vicki increased the height of the fences to 90 centimetres.
“His back end is exceptional,” Amanda said after they flew around a short course, so effortlessly that the jumps could have just been poles on the ground. “And did you see how I missed my striding into that final oxer and he launched over it without any hesitation?”
Leaning down, she wrapped her arms around the pinto’s neck. “Even if I don’t buy you, you are going to make someone the most awesome horse.”
In quiet contemplation, Amanda walked Oscar back to the stables. With every ride, she found more things to like about the pony. But still she wasn’t sure what to do. It wasn’t just his inexperience or the price that was causing her hesitation, but also the huge workload of trying to balance horses and schoolwork. That’s why she’d made the hard decision to sell two of her four ponies at the Horse of the Year show the season before, even though Image had been jumping to 1.15 metres in her first season, and Teddy had just stepped up to Grand Prix. Amanda felt that having so many ponies would sabotage her chances of passing her last year of school, and with two less on the team she’d found she had much more time for her studies.
Later that evening, after Amanda finished feeding Max and Frodo, she found herself back at the stables. With Moe sitting faithfully at her heels, she leant across the rails and watched Oscar calmly munch his evening hay. The sky was growing dark, and a distant rumble of thunder could be heard across the valley as a storm approached. Despite all the mud, and the ponies being so hairy, she loved winter. It gave her lots of one-on-one time with her ponies and it also meant that she could sleep a lot — which was possibly one of her favourite things to do.
“I’ve been thinking long and hard, Oscar,” she said. The pony cocked an ear towards her. “I really like you, but I need to keep my focus on the ponies I already have, and my schoolwork. But I’ll make sure Vicki finds you an amazing home.”
The pony lifted his head and turned in her direction, his eyes soft and kind.
“It’s for the best,” Amanda said, attempting a smile. “There’s a good chance I’m going to give up competing next season, so I need to focus on my schoolwork and get a good enough education to live in the real world … not that I know what I want to do yet.”
The pony kept watching her, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly before exhaling loudly.
“See, I knew you’d understand,” she said, reaching out to rub his neck. “It really is for the best,” she said quietly. Yet as he continued to eat, it was impossible to ignore the fact that there was something about the pony that she couldn’t quite get over.
By now, a light drizzle had begun to fall, the raindrops beating against the old tin roof with a growing intensity. Amanda paused beneath the overhang of the building for a few seconds, then, ducking her head to shield herself from the rain, she sprinted back in the direction of the house with Moe following closely behind.
Kicking off her boots, she strode into the kitchen, her face flushed from the cold and exertion of running.
“I’ve made my decision,” she said to her mum, Heather, who was cooking dinner.
“About Oscar?”
Amanda nodded. “Yup. I think he’s gorgeous — well, cute, anyway. Gorgeous is a big word for a gangly horse with a mohawk and a rat’s tail! But I’ve decided I don’t think it’s sensible to buy another pony in my last year of school. I really want to get good grades and I don’t think I’ll have enough time to do another pony justice.”
“Are you sure? When I watched you ride him yesterday you looked incredible on him,” Mum said.
Amanda nodded again. “I’m sure. Besides, I thought you’d be supporting my decision to put my education first.” Pulling off her wet hoodie, she dropped it by the door before heading into the lounge, slumping down on the couch and turning her attention to the show her dad, John, was watching on TV.
“Amanda!” Mum’s voice rang out from the kitchen. “Go hang up your wet clothes.”
“Yup, in a second, Mum,” Amanda replied, her mind a million miles away.
An hour later, after Amanda had finished dinner and was going back for seconds, Vicki came in, sopping wet. Unlike Amanda, her sister had an almost inhuman work ethic, heading outside at 6.30 every morning, and not coming in until well after dark.
“Long day?” Dad asked.
Vicki nodded. “Cherry’s muscles were feeling a bit tight after her ride, so I gave her a massage, and another schooling horse turned up. Speaking of schoolers, Amanda,” she said, turning to her sister, who was digging into her roast potatoes, “have you made a decision on Oscar?”
Amanda nodded her head. “I’ve decided against buying him,” she replied, in as steady a voice as she could muster. “I need to focus on my schoolwork this year. I just think it’s the right decision for me right now.”
She squirmed as Vicki considered this for a long moment.
“No problem,” her sister replied, a little too brightly. “I’ve had Tara Newby contact me, looking for a potential Grand Prix pony. Her trainer says he’s just what they’re looking for.”
Amanda almost choked on her food. “Tara wants to buy him?”
Vicki nodded. “Yes, and to be honest I think she’d suit him better anyway.”
Amanda sat still, a lump of food stuck in her throat. “Well, that’s good, I guess,” she managed to choke out. But it didn’t feel good. Although Tara was a close friend, Amanda didn’t think she could bear seeing her competing on Oscar — not after riding him and seeing how amazing he was.
Later, as she lay curled up in bed, Amanda felt deflated. She had thought she was making the right decision, but something inside her was telling her that passing on Oscar was going to be one of her biggest regrets. As she listened to the wind and rain beating against the windows, her unease continued to grow.
Finally, she tossed aside her blankets and leapt out of bed. Pulling on a waterproof jacket hanging by the back door, she raced outside to the stables.
Oscar was standing at the gate, his soft eyes meeting hers as she flicked on the stable lights. For a few seconds, he blinked in a daze from the sudden brightness, before stretching his neck out towards her, his muzzle fitting perfectly into her open hands.
“OK, so hear me out,” she said to the young pony. “If I buy you, there’s no expectations. If you want to jump Grand Prix, that’s cool, but if you just want to jump one metre, I’m fine with that too. I need to know you are going to behave, though. I don’t want you turning into a tyrant once I have you fit and strong.” She paused to catch her breath. “And I also need you to know that Max is my number one pony. He’s had a rough past and although he’s a little funny-looking and not very friendly, he is actually a very cool guy. But I could maybe squeeze you in at second equal with Frodo, if that works for you?”
The pony snorted, making Amanda laugh. “Well, I could push Frodo back to number three, but you’d have to tell him — he’s really sensitive about that sort of stuff.”
Oscar nudged her firmly, making her laugh again. “All right then, welcome to the team.”
Gently stroking the pony above his eyes, Amanda felt her heart swelling with excitement at the thought of adding the young pinto to her team. After spending a few more minutes with him, Amanda switched off the stable lights and sprinted back to the house.
She had barely caught her breath and was still clad in the slightly oversized waterproof jacket when she barged into Vicki’s room. Her sister was sitting up in bed, her nose buried in a book.
“Did someone die?” Vicki murmured drily, not looking up.
Amanda paused. “No, why?”
“It’s just unlike you to run anywhere.”
“Ha ha,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “I just wanted to let you know that I changed my mind. About Oscar.”
Vicki looked up from her book. “What do you mean?”
“I want to buy him.”
A quizzical look crossed her sister’s face. “Well, if I’d realised you were going to change your mind, I wouldn’t have agreed to Tara’s offer.”
Amanda’s heart lurched. “What?”
“They liked him so much off the videos I sent through, they were happy to buy him sight unseen. They’ve already paid for him.”
Amanda fought to hide the wobble in her voice. “But I really like him. I was just trying to be sensible. I do really want him.”
Vicki paused. “The last time we talked about Oscar, you were pretty adamant that you weren’t interested.”
Unable to fight the tears welling in her eyes, Amanda backed out of the room and was just about to shut the door behind her when she heard Vicki say, “By the way, I knew you would change your mind. So when Tara’s parents rang to put an offer on him, I rang Oscar’s owner and said we’d buy him. You need to pay this week, and I’m keeping ten per cent of him, since I’m waiving my schooling fees.”
Amanda peeked her head around the door and stared at her sister in disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly,” Vicki said. “I’ve put one solid day of schooling into him, and I’ve agreed to forgo my commission, too.”
“No, about me getting to buy him?”
“Absolutely,” Vicki replied. “He’s going to be amazing, Amanda. Both of you are going to be.”
Amanda squealed and bolted down the hallway. “Mum, Dad!” she shouted, swinging open the door of the lounge. Her parents, who were settled on the couch watching a movie, looked up in surprise.
“I’m buying Oscar,” she said, grinning. “Vicki told the owner today. Which means that my education is going to take a substantial step back.”
Her dad reached for the remote to pause the movie. “Good on you,” he said warmly. “I like the sound of that plan.”
But Mum narrowed her eyes. “No, your education will not be taking a step back,” she said tersely. “You’ll just have less time to sleep and laze the days away.”
But Amanda had already sprinted into the kitchen to crack open a bottle of ginger beer from the back of the pantry. It was a family tradition to toast any time they won something notable or reached a special milestone. Since Amanda didn’t win much, she figured this was as good a chance as any to celebrate.
A few minutes later, her mum joined her in the kitchen, pouring herself a drink as well. “I knew you’d come around.”
“How could you possibly know that?” Amanda asked as they clinked glasses.
“Only because you change your mind a hundred times a day.”
Amanda laughed. “That is true. Ahh, I’m so excited!” She clapped her hands. “Now, about his name …”
“His name?” Mum said. “What’s wrong with Oscar?”
“Well, all my recent ponies have had a name from The Lord of the Rings. First there was Gondor, Arwen and Smeagol, and now Frodo. Even though Oscar is a cute name, I think Strider would be a good paddock name, after the character Aragorn. And Viking would be a nice show name for him, to match Gladiator and Warrior,” Amanda said, referring to Max and Teddy’s war-themed show names. “Showtym Viking, that is.”
Mum laughed. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this, for a pony you only decided to buy a few minutes ago.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Not One, But Two
Amanda had owned Strider for less than a week when she stumbled upon another stunning pinto pony for sale on Trade Me. Sitting tucked up in a blanket one evening, while heavy rain buffeted the windowpanes outside, she found herself scrolling through the latest horses and ponies for sale.
Halfway down the first page, Amanda spotted a picture of a patchy strawberry roan pony jumping over a log, his knees tucked tight to his chest and an eager expression on his handsome face. She fell in love immediately.
Scanning the short amount of text, she learnt he was 14.1 hands high and six years old. Although the ad mentioned he’d only just started jumping, it was obvious from the photo that he showed a lot of natural potential. Beyond that, though, there was very little information on him.
Still, even if he didn’t turn out to be a good jumper, with his looks and colouring Amanda reckoned she’d be able to train him up and sell him for a tidy profit, to help cover the extra costs she’d have now that she’d added Strider to her team.
She bit her lip. She’d told her mum and sister that she wanted to concentrate on school, but buying Strider had really reignited her love of training young ponies, and the longer she looked at the ad, the more her excitement grew. And, as luck would have it, she had exactly the right amount left over in her bank account to buy him.
Throwing her blanket aside, she quickly headed to the office to grab the phone, trying not to attract attention to herself. Luckily, her mum barely glanced at her as she typed away at her computer.
Back in her room, Amanda quickly dialled the Waikato number on the advert.
“Hello,” a man’s deep voice answered.
Amanda shifted uneasily. “Hi,” she said, pausing for a second before gathering up a little more courage. “I’m ringing about the pony you have listed on Trade Me. The strawberry roan gelding.”
“Yup, what do you want to know?”
“Umm … what’s he done? What’s his history?”
The man hesitated for a moment. “Well, he’s just learnt to jump. The photo on his advert was his first and only time over a log. He hasn’t jumped any coloured poles … well, not that I know of, anyway.”
To Amanda, it was a huge red flag that the owner didn’t know much about the pony. “How long have you had him for?”
“I got him three weeks ago … umm …” The man paused again. “Look, I’m the dog-tucker driver and I picked him up to take to the meat works …”
Amanda’s eyes widened.
“But obviously I couldn’t,” he rushed on. “He’s much too nice a pony for that. He bucked a young girl off and the father decided he was dangerous, so I got the call. But he’s as sweet as anything and hasn’t misbehaved at all. I think he just needs a capable rider and he’ll be good to go.”
Amanda couldn’t believe her ears. Imagine sending a pony to the slaughterhouse just because it bucked your kid off, once! After a long pause, she said, “That’s OK. I’m used to naughty ponies.”
She couldn’t help feeling nervous, though. While she could handle a pony if they bucked in excitement, she was absolutely terrified of horses that exploded out from underneath her like rodeo broncos. If the pony was really bad, she could always give it to Vicki to work for a while. Maybe if she did some extra chores for her in exchange?
She groaned inwardly. If it came to that, she knew Vicki would work her to the bone, rain, hail and shine.
“Does he have straight legs?” she asked, after a long moment. “And has he had any known injuries?”
The man replied with a yes, and then a no.
As her questions began to dwindle, the man piped up on the other end of the phone. “I do need to let you know I’ve had a lot of interest, so if you want him, you’ll have to let me know tonight.”
Amanda sank down onto the edge of her bed, both nerves and excitement filling her. She knew her family was driving down to the Waikato to pick up a horse for Vicki in two days’ time, which would have been a perfect time to try him, but if she waited until then it sounded like she’d miss out.
