A Horse for the Summer by Michelle Bates

Author:Michelle Bates [Michelle, Bates]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409554974
Publisher: Usborne Publishing

9

THE LOCAL SHOW

Tom was at a loose end in the days following the warning. It was so unfair. Chancey had been going so well for him in secret. It must have been the noise of the car that had startled him. What bad luck for it to happen in front of Nick. And now, how could Tom ever prove that Chancey wasn’t the crazed animal everyone thought he was, if he wasn’t even allowed to ride him? In the end, it was Alex who came up with the solution...the perfect solution.

They were sitting in the dark in the tack room. It was late in the day and dusk had just started to set in. Nick was out with a class and the others had all gone home, leaving only Tom and Alex to clean the tack. Tom was polishing Chancey’s saddle so hard that he could almost see his reflection in it.

“Look I’m sorry Alex,” said Tom. “I know I should have told you what I was up to. It’s just that I felt bad enough having to go behind Nick’s back. I didn’t want you to have to do it as well.”

“I could have helped you though,” said Alex in a hurt voice. “We could have done things together. I could have covered for you until you were one hundred percent ready to show Chancey to Nick.”

“That’s the trouble,” said Tom gloomily. “I thought we were one hundred percent ready. I’ve been training him for weeks now and he’s been getting better and better. It’s the first spot of trouble I’ve had...typical that it had to be then of all times.” Tom sighed. “What can I do?”

“There’s only one thing to do Tom,” said Alex. “You’ve got to prove to Nick that all your training was worth it, that he is the horse you know he is.”

“How am I going to be able to do that now?” asked Tom.

“Well.” Alex took a deep breath. “Ride him at the local show.”

“That’s impossible,” Tom spluttered. “I’ve been forbidden to go near him. You heard what Nick said – I’d be out of Sandy Lane.”

“Yes, but if Chancey matters that much, and you know you’re right...you’re down to ride Napoleon at the moment aren’t you?”

“Yes,” said Tom.

“So why not switch mounts and ride Chancey instead? By the time Nick realizes what’s happened, it’ll be too late for him to stop you. And when you’ve won, you’ll have proved your point and he won’t be angry any more.”

“What if he is still angry?” said Tom. “And suppose Chancey and I can’t do it? What if he plays up again? It’s risking everything.”

“It’s all you can do though. It’s a gamble I know. But it’s a gamble you have to take. I’ll help you,” Alex continued encouragingly. “I’m not riding in the open jumping which will give me the perfect opportunity to go and switch Napoleon’s name for Chancey’s at the show secretary’s tent.”

“Would you do that for me?” asked Tom.

“Yes, but we must keep it a secret.

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