Dreaming of Tomorrow. Susan Kohler

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СКАЧАТЬ head to head. Sometimes there are separate events for men and women but usually there are just age groups. The third difference is more subtle: we cheer each other on. We’ll cheer a good ride. We’ll all run out to help if a rider falls. We loan each other equipment if something breaks. We even offer advice to help a new rider. Then we go all out to win. The sportsmanship you learn at these shows, if you have a brain, is excellent.”

      “If you have a brain?” Emily prompted.

      “There’s always one hot shot who just can’t grasp the concept of sportsmanship, but for the most part the riders all support each other,” David explained.

      The announcer called for the 13 to 17 riders to get ready, giving the numbers of the next three to go: “All right heads up! Number 25 in the arena; number 28 on deck; 42 get ready and then we move to the 13 to 17 group, with number 53 going first.”

      “This event, if you didn’t hear the announcer, is called Pole bending. The horses weave through the poles which are spaced twenty feet apart, and are timed. Watch that rider there.” He pointed to the girl waiting to go into the arena. “She’s the state champion for her age group in this event. Notice how she barely skims through the poles, without wasting any motion or losing her horse’s forward momentum. She and her horse are so in tune with each other that you can hardly see her give him any signals.”

      Emily watched and saw that the girl and her horse did indeed move as a perfect team through the poles, which were about six feet tall and just over an inch in diameter, painted white, with round flat bases to hold them up, not too much bigger around than the poles themselves. She let the girl out and the next rider in.

      “Now watch him, he’s new to the sport, not as talented, but with potential. See the differences in his ride?” David watched with a critical eye. “I think he should slow down just a bit until he gets the horse more schooled.”

      Emily watched and realized that she could see exactly what David meant. The boy’s ride was choppy and rough; he had to really work hard to get the horse around the course, and there was no flow, no rhythm to the ride. She told David that.

      “Exactly!” David was proud of her insight.

      “Watch this girl.” He pointed out a slightly older rider. She had a very rough ride, knocked over two poles, and got a bad time. “She used to be really good.”

      “She didn’t seem very good to me,” Emily puzzled.

      “She wasn’t good today,” David said in a disapproving tone. “That’s what can happen when a teenage girl discovers boys and forgets to practice her horse.”

      “Why are so many of the horses male?” Emily asked.

      For an answer he pointed out a horse over by a red trailer. Every few minutes the horse would squeal and kick out at nothing in particular.

      “See that mare? She’s in heat once a month.”

      “Even I don’t that bitchy every month,” Emily quipped.

      “Thank God.” David grinned as he reached out with one arm and gently squeezed her shoulder.

      “Doesn’t having a mare in heat arouse the male horses?” Emily asked.

      “Most of these old boys are geldings,” David grinned, “which means they don’t have all their, umm, original equipment.”

      His running commentary made the show much more interesting for Emily. He was a lively conversationalist, with a subtle sense of humor. Emily forgot her usual awkwardness around men, or more specifically a handsome man, and began to really enjoy herself.

      The gorgeous woman rode up with David’s horse.

      “Will you be okay until I get back?” he asked before mounting the huge black horse.

      “Sure, I’ll be fine.” Emily smiled at him. “Good luck.”

      David mounted and rode his horse over to the warm up arena. Emily watched him between opening and closing the gate. He looked great on a horse, natural and relaxed, but heck, Emily thought, he’d look great anywhere. The teenagers finished and the senior riders started through the course. David was second, right after the gorgeous woman. Someone came over to talk with Emily and she didn’t catch the woman’s name. She did notice the woman’s ride however, it was one of the fastest of the day. Great! She looks terrific and she can ride like a demon!

      David was next. His horse entered the arena looking lazy. Target was a giant, muscular horse, almost coal black. He trudged in, looking like he couldn’t run if he tried. David sat relaxed and held the reins loosely in one hand. Target plodded calmly over to the starting point and stood still. David picked up the reins with both hands and made a clicking sound, and Target exploded into a burst of blinding speed. He wove through the poles as easy as it could be done, then after crossing the finish line he stopped, settled down and plodded slowly out of the arena. The announcer called out his time, and it was the best so far. The time held up after all the riders had run the poles, so David had won the senior event. This time he went in to accept the small sliver plate. He gave the plate to Emily as he left the arena.

      “Here’s a memento for helping us out today.” He dismounted. “Let’s go get something to drink before they begin the next event.”

      “I can’t take this, you won it,” Emily protested.

      “I have plenty of ‘em, Target here is pretty good.” He patted the horse with affection. “In fact, I usually don’t take the awards home anymore, enough is enough.”

      Emily was touched by the gesture. “Then I’d love to take it, thanks.”

      “You’re welcome.” He smiled, taking Emily’s hand. “Come on, it only takes about five minutes for them to set up the next event.”

      They walked a short distance to a very nice looking motor home with a horse trailer hitched to it. There were several folding chairs next to the trailer.

      “Have a seat. What can I get you? I have Coke and beer, and of course iced tea and even water.”

      “I’d love a Coke.” Emily smiled at him.

      “Diet or regular?” David asked.

      “Regular, please,” Emily replied ruefully, “I hate the diet stuff.”

      “Me, too.” David grinned.

      David walked into the motor home and brought out the Cokes. It seemed like the minute he handed the cold can to Emily, the announcer called for the next event to begin.

      “Ain’t that the way?” David stood up. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Three

      They walked back over to the arena. The next event started without any surprises, but about halfway through the twelve and under age group a horse stepped on Emily’s foot. David was right there as Emily gasped with the pain of having a thousand pound animal in steel shoes land on her.

      “Just elbow him in the ribs and tell him to move his big as . . . ah body,” he advised.

      Before СКАЧАТЬ