Back in the Saddle

Chapter five

Chapter Five

Bright and early Saturday morning I arrive at Wesley’s Dads dentist office. After filling out my application I started my first job at work. Wesley gave me a tour of the office and told me what I should do each day.

I’m in charge of managing the office so I have to keep in line the children in the recreation room and stock the adult side with magazines.

Also at the end of the day I’m assigned with washing all the used dentist cloths.

“Watch out for Alberto” Wesley said to me at 7:30am right before the office would open

“Who’s Alberto?” I ask, mystified as Wesley smiles a conniving type of smile.

“Oh he’s a harmless 4 year old or so you would think. He’s one of the Dentist’s child he hangs out here while his Mom is working.”

“Poor kid it must be boring.”

“Oh he makes a habit of not keeping anyone bored.”

“Great.”

　

***

Hours later I leave the dentist office, my first day hadn’t been that bad. Once the dentist opened Wesley went back with his dad (who was trying to unsuccessfully convince Wesley to be a dentist) and I had comfortably managed the waiting rooms.

Alberto, the child that Wesley had warned of, had been a hand full but I managed to calm him down by engaging with him with a video game on the Nintendo Game Cube: Mario Kart.

It had been a busy day so before leaving I had a lot to wash but my work wasn’t that hard or bad at all.

Once I got back at Eraser, I noticed that no one was at the house. So I decided to walk out to the barn, The outdoor arena was busy with a lesson. Another one of our trainers (Ms. Fredrick who I had meant earlier) was holding a small children’s lesson. Children from as young as 5 to as old as 8 were all walking their pony’s in a circle around the arena. The smallest children were riding fat little Shetland ponies, while the older kids were riding pretty welsh pony’s. The children’s parents were crowding around the ring supporting their children as they circled around Ms. Fredrick.

I remember when that was me and Meagan. Mother had always loved horses (a trait passed down from her father) and she supported our riding from a young age. My first pony Riley was a little chestnut Shetland mare. However I had quickly progressed and upgraded to my 1st real horse, Chance a bay Quarter horse.

“Remember Stella, to keep your hands very steady. Buttercup has a very sensitive mouth when you yank and pull on it.” I heard Ms. Fredrick instruct.

Stella’s little cheeks turned a bright red and I could see the strain on her face to keep her bouncing hands steady.

I walked pass the out door arena and entered the barn, only the day-stalled horses were in. These horses were the one that had owners who paid even extra to keep there horses stalled during the day and put out at night. This was to keep the horses coats color and keep it from being bleached by the high afternoon sun. I walked pass the stalls and then pass the cleaning racks until I reached the door leading to the indoor arena.

When I entered I saw Meagan on her stallion Isaac. She rode him beautifully, his legs perfectly extended at the canter and his muscles rippling beneath his chestnut coat. His red tail streamed behind him as he and Meagan rounded the corner to the next jump a 3'2ft height oxer. Isaac gathered his legs snuggly beneath him and stretched over the width of the jump. Once they landed they perfectly rounded to the next a 3'6ft brick wall. Not at all intimidated the pair flew over the fence -- with enough room to spare. The last jump combination they had to complete was a tripe jump vertical. The first jump was 3ft and they’d have to do an “in and out” to the next 3'2ft vertical then for the last jump of the combination was a 3'7ft vertical with one stride from the last jump.

I stared at the monstrous obstacle, doubting that the two would be able to complete it cleanly. But as Meagan rounded the corner she slowed Isaac to an even canter and they perfectly cleared the first vertical then gave a hop to the next and surprisingly, with stamina still left, Isaac leapt off the ground for the 3rd jump. They had completed the set perfectly.

“Good boy!” Meagan praised Isaac.

I was stunned from their performance, Meagan and Isaac were better than I had ever thought. They had completed jumps that I had only dreamed of jumping. At 20 years old Meagan was a prodigy.

No wonder Meagan had refused to go to a high tier college and instead go to the local Kentucky one. She had talent and could apparently--even though equestrian sporting is a low paying sport-- support her self as long as she kept that performance up every time she rode.

“Amazing! You guys are awesome!” I praised as I walked up to the two.

“Cami, you were watching?” she asked, shocked

“Yes! I’m so impressed, you and Isaac grew so much from the last time I saw you ride.”

“Thank you Cami I’m hoping to start preparing for the Rolex and then hopefully the Olympics.” She said modestly

“Well with a performance like that I can easily see you accomplishing your dreams soon.”

***

I told Meagan about my first day at the Dentists as she cared for Isaac in the cleaning rack. The stallion was standing idly calm in the crossties as Meagan brushed his gleaming coat and picked out him feet. However, the Hanoverian trotted down the trail as Meagan and I led him to the far Back pasture. He whinnied loudly when he saw his friends grazing in the huge 31 acre pasture. When Meagan undid his halter the big chestnut cantered towards his friends but not without including a few bucks in his run. Once he settled next to the herd a grey Thoroughbred mare bit his neck.

“I guess the pecking order isn’t figured out quite yet.” I said as I noticed the disturbance Isaac’s presence brought to the herd.

“Yah, I’ve been finding a few bite marks on him lately, they should calm down soon though.”

We walked back to the old farm house and upon entering I noticed the stillness and quietness in the home. Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Grandma were back, Mom told me they had just been to the local grocery store.

“Where is everyone?” Meagan asked

Mom, Meagan and I were all in the kitchen but Grandma, Grandpa and Dad were no where to be found.

“Grandpa just got a phone call so he took it outside, Grandma and your father went out to hear the news.”

“What news?” I asked

“Grandpa was expecting a call from Ms. McKerry today, she told us she would call Saturday with her answer.” Mom explained

“Does Grandpa really need this boarder?” Meagan asked with contempt in her voice, she clearly did not want to bump into Ms. McKerry around the stable.

“Unfortunately, yes. Greenwich has been taking all of the new boarders even taking some of our own. There prestige in the show ring is worth noticing. If Grandpa does not get replacements for those lost boarders Eraser could be in a financial crisis.” Mom said sadly

“Surely Grandpa would never give up Eraser!” Meagan exclaimed

“He’s trying very hard not to have too.”

Just then Grandpa, Grandma and Dad came in from outside. When they entered through the kitchen Dad and Grandma were talking about building an extra ring by the back pasture but Grandpa was silent and had an emotionless expression on his face.

“Was it her?” Mom asked

“Yes.” Grandpa replied curtly

“So what did she have to say?” Meagan asked impatiently

“Long story short Greenwich is yet again another one up on us.”