Heartland Special Edition: A Holiday Memory
The next morning Amy woke up early and decided to see to Sundance first thing so that another day wouldn't slip by without riding him. There were only a few days until the show, and she was determined not to let her mom down, or allow Ashley Grant to get the better of her after her cruel remarks in the mall café. The door to Lou's room was shut when Amy walked past it, so she figured her sister was sleeping in. She hoped they'd have time to walk around the yard later.
“Morning, sweetheart!” Marion called as she led Jupiter past Sundance's stall.
“Morning,” Amy replied, warily reaching out to undo the straps on Sundance's stable blanket. To her relief, the gelding stood still. “Good boy,” she said, folding back the rug and patting Sundance's neck. His golden ears flattened, and Amy braced herself for a sudden snap or kick, but Sundance kept his teeth and hooves to himself, and she was able to saddle and bridle him fairly easily.
“Are you going to be riding in the schooling ring?” Marion came back and leaned on the stall door. “I want to join up with Casper, but I don't mind waiting.”
“You should go ahead. I thought I might take Sundance out for a trail ride before I use the arena,” Amy told her.
“Ok, just don't tire him out too much before your jumping session,” her mom warned.
Amy suppressed a sarcastic laugh. Tire out Sundance? That would be the day!
She looped Sundance's rein over his head and clicked to him as she led the gelding out of his stall, down the aisle, and out onto the yard.
“Do you want me to hold him while you get on?” Hearing Sundance's clattering hooves, Ty appeared from one of the loose boxes.
“Thanks, but he seems to be on his best behavior today,” Amy said, swinging her leg over the saddle. Sundance shifted his weight and snorted. “I think he's looking forward to going out as much as I am.”
“Have a good time,” Ty called as Sundance turned away.
“We will!” Amy's spirits soared as she shortened her reins. It was so great that Sundance was cooperating at last. Maybe her hopes of having him going well by the time of the show weren't so far off the mark after all.
As soon as Sundance's hooves hit the sandy trail that led up Teak's Hill, the wooded slope that rose steeply behind Heartland, he broke into a canter. “Not yet,” Amy told him, bringing him back to a trot. She felt Sundance tense underneath her, his stride turning choppy. Oh, please don't start, she thought, using her seat and hands to keep him collected. Sundance flattened his ears and snatched at the reins, giving Amy's arms a painful wrench. As her balance faltered, Sundance took advantage and burst into another canter. Amy fought to get him back under control, but he just extended his stride. He veered to the side of the track, and she had to duck to avoid the low-hanging branches. She tried to sit back in order to collect Sundance. She leaned back in the saddle and felt the pony's pace even out, but then he bolted to the side of the trail again. This time, when she ducked to avoid the pine trees she wasn't fast enough, and a branch grazed her cheek with a fiery string.
Sundance's canter became a gallop, and he sent stones bouncing away from underneath his hooves. His stride became so reckless that Amy was terrified he would stumble and fall. She braced one of the reins over his neck while giving and taking with the other, just as her mother had taught her. The gelding finally began to check his pace until Amy had enough control to circle him. Her stomach twisted in knots, she brought him to a shaky halt.
Sundance dropped his head. His flanks were covered with sweat, heaving in and out with raspy breaths. “OK, that's it. We're going home,” Amy said out loud, shortening her reins. She felt winded and jolted as they headed back down the path. Sundance was quieter now that he had spent his spare energy, but Amy had had enough. She slipped off him as soon as they were back on the yard, feeling her legs wobble. “Walk on,” she said curtly, leading him back to his stall and unbuckling his saddle and bridle. She picked up a wisp to rub Sundance down, and with no warning, he swung his head around and nipped her side.
“OW!” Amy exclaimed, wincing. She glared at the gelding as he laid his ears back.
“Is everything OK?” said Ty. His footsteps hurried up the aisle and he looked over the door.
“He just bit me.” To her horror, Amy felt tears filling her eyes, and she blinked them back furiously.
“Why don't you let me rub him down?” Ty offered.
“Thanks.” Amy's throat was stinging as she left the stable, thrusting the wisp into Ty's hands. At least he had been tactful enough not to mention how soon she had come back from her ride. In a way, his sympathetic offer to help made her feel even worse. Ty shouldn't have to cool down Sundance or tack him up, but he was always willing to help, and Amy didn't exactly enjoy spending a lot of time with the crankiest pony in the world. Amy felt like she was failing everyone – especially Sundance. And yet, she was sure that it was the pony's own fault.
