Maybe it's Time (a Horse Story)

Chapter 5 - That Little Cut

The next day was very exciting, as it was the competition. Buzzy was groomed and plaited, as were everyone else's horses. We were watching the riders when a voice came over the loudspeaker.

"Will number 13, Stephanie Bellinghiem, riding Gold Winter Mist, please enter the ring. Number 13, Stephanie Bellinghiem, please enter the ring."

"Go Stephanie! Go Willow! Go girls!" Isabel and I shouted. Rhiannon was glaring at Tui. Actually, it was a surprise not to see her glaring at Tui nowadays.

Stephanie's round was okay, but Willow didn't pick up the right canter lead and rushed at the bit sometimes. But Steph still rode out smiling.

Isabel's round was not much better than Stephanie's, quite mediocre.

Then it was Rhiannon. With only a couple of points keeping her ahead of everyone else, she rode out with a storm on her face.

I rode next. It was awesome, flying gracefully over the 90cm jumps. Buzzy was wonderful as usual, and I gave him a kiss and a carrot as I dismounted. I couldn't see Rhiannon, but as I looked at the scores I realised I was ahead of her by three points. I would have to tread carefully.

Maddy's round was superb, and she was ahead by five points. She trotted over to Tui, dismounted, and threw her arms around Copper.

"You're so good! Thanks so much Copper. You blew them all out of the water, baby! Yas!! And thanks to you too, Tui. I couldn't have done it without all your teaching." Maddy squealed happily.

"Wohoo Mads! Damn! You're meant to be my student but there are a few things I could learn from you!" Tui said back.

Legacy was already tacked up. Tui checked the girth, and, satisfied, walked off to the clubroom to grab a Sprite. While she was away, I saw Rhiannon stroll out of the clubroom, holding a small pocket knife. I saw her walk up to Legacy and take the pocket knife out. She reached under Legacy's belly. I stepped forward and was about to yell at her when she slice into the girth. She made a cut in it and walked off, satisfied.

I wanted to say something to Tui when she came sprinting out of the clubroom. Her name had already been called, and she leapt onto Legacy's back and cantered swiftly to the gate.

"Tui, wait!" I shouted, but I knew she wouldn't hear me. I watched in silent agony as she began her round, and as Legacy took off in front of the first fence, Tui pitched to the side, her saddle already slipping off Legacy's back. She landed with anger and surprise on her face, clutching Legacy's neck with white knuckles. As Legacy bounded over to the next jump, the broken girth swung and the mare tensed; realising her pony was about to shy, Tui perched up Legacy's back and slipped the saddle off the pony's back.

Maddy ran over to me, her face creased into a frown. "Monica? Who did this? I saw Tui check her girth, and she only got it a couple weeks ago. It can't have just snapped."

I felt torn. Should I tell her, and do what was right? Or would I stay silent, and protect Rhiannon, like I had done so many times, but she had never done for me?

"Rhiannon. Rhiannon did it." 

A/N: Oooh the story heats up! Next chapter, Tui tells Monica something...