A Horse Is Worth More Than Riches

Chapter Five - Future and Success

"And a clear round from Sunshine and Amelie! No faults and no falls! A round of applause for Amelie and Sunshine . . . "

The commentator's swift ramble blared from the speakers situated around the showground. A cheer rose as the second rider left the ring. 

I was at Mercutio's first ever show, a out-of-town jumping competition. This was just a casual, get-to-know-the-scene kind of entry, with no pressure whatsoever. All the same, I was nervous for his first debut into the show business. Mercutio, however, was absolutely calm. He took in his surroundings like a king surveying his kingdom; relaxed and in control. Clancy walked over, carrying a number printed on a plastic square.

"Here's your number, Halle. I'll groom Mercutio while you sew it on. You have half an hour until you're called into the ring." he instructed.

"Okay, Boss," I replied, climbing into the horse float to get changed. I was glad I had Clancy at horse shows. He was always calm and relaxed when I was a nervous wreck.

I fumbled with my number and finally managed to sew it onto my barn jacket. As it was a just a casual competition, there was no need for proper jumping-show attire.  My number was 09. That meant I was to be the ninth rider in my category (class). Nine was a good number as that meant you had a chance to observe other riders and learn from their mistakes and triumphs. 

I pulled my hair back into a low bun and slipped on my helmet. As I walked out to Mercutio, I was surprised at how good he looked. His mane was carefully braided into a series of evenly-spaced buns, the required hair-do for professional hunter jumper horses. Mercutio wasn't professional, but the style was neat and kept his mane out of his eyes and my reins.

"Nice, isn't it?" Clancy commented. " He suits that look. Here, I'll wrap his legs and you throw the saddle on, okay?"

"Rightio," I replied, scooping up Mercutio's dark chocolate hunter saddle. His crisp white saddle pad was already resting on his withers, ready to go. I swung the saddle over his back and tightened the girth, with only a small protest from Mercutio. 

"All done," Clancy declared, standing up from his crouch next to Mercutio's front legs. He had just finished wrapping the horse's lower legs in elastic wraps, which would protect them from any bumps or scratches from the jumps. 

We slipped on his bridle and I mounted, adjusting my stirrups. It was time for a quick ten-minute warm-up, then into the ring.

I tapped Mercutio with my heels and we walked, Clancy alongside, to the sandy warm-up corral. A large dark grey horse was already in there, trotting in neat circles and clearing the practise jump.

"Okay, Halle. Take him for a trot, move into a canter and try the jump," Clancy instructed. I moved Mercutio into a swift trot, then sped up into a canter. The rocking beat soothed my nerves and as we neared the jump, I felt calm and in control. Mercutio tucked his forelegs up under his chest and pushed off, soaring over the practise jump with inches to spare. 

"Well done, buddy," I praised Mercutio. "He was great, Clance, wasn't he?"

"Looks like a winner to me," Clancy grinned. He strode over to stroke Mercutio's round muzzle.

"Number 09? Ninth rider into the ring please!" the commentator's voice blared from the speakers, calling me into the ring.

"Good luck," Clancy called, slapping Mercutio's round rump as he turned towards the ring.

"Thanks!" I replied, before returning my focus to the jumps; twelve colourful rails, set out in a course around the ring. I rode through the gate to the starting line, where an official raised a starter gun.

"POP!!!!!" the fake gunshot signalled the start. Mercutio leapt forward, straight at the first jump, a small yellow and black cross-rail. He pushed off neatly and cleared it well. We landed and I stared straight at the next jump. It was harder; a double spread. Mercutio knew to jump longer this time and sprang to clear it. He succeeded, but suddenly I found myself right before the third jump; another cross-rail. I felt flustered and hurried to correct his stride. The horse stumbled slightly, but somehow made it safely to the other side, still fault-free. The next five jumps were a blur, and suddenly I found myself about to clear the last jump. Mercutio took his last stride, then gathered his hind legs into take-off position. He pushed off, propelling himself over the single rail jump. We had cleared it! Mercutio passed the finish line and slowed to a breathless walk, his sides heaving from the run. I could hear the commentator's static voice blasting from the speakers.

"And our second clear round of the day! Halle and Mercutio are well set to win. Give them a round of applause!" he shouted.

I trotted out of the ring and found Clancy. He had a big smile on his face and reached out to grab Mercutio's bridle.

"He went beautifully! Especially for his first show! It looks like our big fella's gonna have a great reputation on the show circuit. A clear round on his first try!" Clancy was ecstatic. He loved the show business, especially the exciting atmosphere.

"He was wonderful," I agreed, patting the horse's neck. "I wonder how Electronite's going?"

We had decided to leave Electronite at a friend's farm for the weekend. Due to her flighty nature, it was a bit iffy to leave her by herself for two days. Our friends, Sam and Ellie Cahill, owned another horse, too, a stallion named Henry. 

"I rang Sam a while ago. He said Lecky's doing just fine, and Ellie has been riding her daily, keeping her fit,"

"Oh, good. I can't wait to see her again on Monday. But first, we need to find out how Mercutio went in his first class," I replied, dismounting Mercutio.

I threw my reins over his head and led him back to the horse float, chatting to Clancy along the way.

We untacked Mercutio, and groomed him ready for the awards presentation at the end of the class. I unclipped his lead rope and he dozed beside me as we waited for the all-call.

"All participants to the arena. All participants to the arena, now." the commentator announced. I led Mercutio to stand in line with the other riders, while Clancy stood with the crowd.

A short, greying woman stood in front of us and introduced herself as Claire Donaldson, Head Judge.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank all the riders here today for entering the Maryborough Annual Jumping Show and giving it their best shot. But out of all thirty of you, there can only be five places awarded." She began.

"In fifth place, we have Michelle Don Leyden riding Puzzle. Fourth is Jack Wentworth and his horse Give Me A Chance, and coming in third is Molly-Anne Sellars, on Cherry. Finally, we have our runner-up and winner. Second place goes to Amelie on Sunshine! A round of applause, please!" Claire announced.

My stomach squirmed, but I stood tall next to Mercutio. Was it us?

"And lastly, in first place, we have . . . . Halle McPherson on Mercutio!" I couldn't believe it! We'd won! And  his first ever class, too!!! I was ecstatic.

 Mercutio and I stepped forward to accept our blue and white ribbon garland. The Assistant Judge hung it around Mercutio's dark chocolate-brown neck. She smiled and congratulated us on our victory. I found Clancy's grinning face in the crowd and we shared a proud smile. Mercutio was our little star.