The Thirteenth Horse by Amanda Wills

Author:Amanda Wills [Wills, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: YA, E
Publisher: Amanda Wills
Published: 2017-06-20T04:00:00+00:00

13

BLIND SPOT

A fter a week practising the routine on their brooms, Norah felt they were ready to run through some of the moves on the horses. Even though Kristy’s lessons with Emma had been going well, and her serpentines and figures of eight were actually beginning to resemble the movements they were supposed to be and not the random scribbles of a hyperactive toddler, she still felt unaccountably nervous.

She was at the stables early, having decided that if she was going to make a show of herself, it might as well be on a beautifully turned-out horse.

Cassius heard the gate click open and tilted his head to watch her. It was a trait of his that melted her heart, making her feel fierce, sad and proud all at the same time. She called him softly and he ambled over and gave her a friendly nudge.

Kristy spent the next hour grooming the Percheron until this thick winter coat shone. She oiled his hooves and sponged his face. She even gave his saddle and bridle a quick polish before she tacked him up and followed William and Copper into the school.

The chestnut gelding had a long, loping gait and matched the big Percheron stride for stride. At the top end of the school William followed his sister and Kristy peeled off behind Sofia and Jazz. Jazz was hopelessly over-excited and Kristy checked Cassius, trying to keep him as far as possible from her skittering hooves.

Sofia turned around. ‘It’s OK, she doesn’t kick.’

Kristy nodded but still kept a healthy distance. If Jazz did lash out on Cassius’s blind side who knew how much damage she would cause. They paired up at the bottom of the school, Norah with Sofia, William with Kristy.

‘Serpentine!’ Norah barked, leading them through a passable serpentine before they filed in behind each other again. Norah eased Silver into a walk at M and the others followed suit, changing rein and picking up a trot.

Kristy was beginning to enjoy herself. Despite the fact that Cassius was far less fit than the ponies, he was maintaining a good working trot without getting too puffed out. Jazz seemed to have finally settled and they completed their two ten metre circles without incident.

‘Looking good, team!’ Norah cried. ‘Let’s thread the needle!’

Norah crossed the centre line first, then Sofia, closely followed by William. Aware they were lagging behind, Kristy sat deep in the saddle and urged Cassius on. He sprang forwards into a beautiful extended trot and crossed the centre line whiskers from Copper’s tail. Kristy felt as if she was floating on air.

‘Not bad at all!’ called Norah. ‘Pair up at A and then ride down to C for the salute.’

Kristy was so busy congratulating herself on a half-decent performance that she didn’t realise she had covered far more ground than Copper. When she turned up the centre line the chestnut gelding was still a few strides behind.

‘Hey, wait up! William shouted crossly.

Cassius plunged forward as if he had been stung by a bee, pulling the reins straight through Kristy’s fingers.

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