Read Online Gold Medal Rider by Bonnie Bryant - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bonnie Bryant
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married to Nigel keeps me involved in competition, too.
“Beatrice’s accident sounds more serious in the short run, and less serious in the long run, than mine. When I was hurt it wasn’t very long before I could leave the hospital, but the doctors told me not to ride again. It sounds like Beatrice will be able to recover fully, but it might take her a long time. But Beatrice and I are very different in what our goals are and in what makes us happy. Anything I can do with horses makes me happy.”
This made perfect sense to The Saddle Club. None of them could imagine Beatrice struggling to regain her riding skills. She had never struggled for anything.
“Beatrice’s father told Drew that she had sent us one message,” Dorothy said thoughtfully. “She asked us to please take good care of Southwood. It’s the last thing she said before they took her into surgery.”
The Saddle Club was silent for a moment. Carole reflected that that was the first nonbratty thing she had ever heard of Beatrice saying. “Maybe she loves Southwood after all,” Carole said.
“Maybe she does,” Dorothy agreed. “I wouldn’t have said so before. I thought she only saw him as a means to an end.”
Dorothy wiped her hand across her face, then stood. “We still need to get this horse ready for Nigel,” she said, patting Campfire on the neck. “I have a favor to ask you girls. I’ll tell Nigel about Beatrice as soon as I can, but I’drather Kate didn’t know right away. She’s got enough to think about today with her cross-country round. Can you keep a secret? Just for now. We’ll tell her soon.”
The Saddle Club agreed. They wanted Kate to be able to focus on her ride.
W HEN K ATE AND Nigel returned from the course, The Saddle Club realized that Kate was already completely focused on her ride. She hardly seemed to see her friends.
“Here, Kate,” Lisa called. “We’ve got Southwood all tacked up for you. Look how handsome he is!”
Kate took Southwood’s reins without even glancing at Lisa. “Great,” she said briskly. “Nigel! Where can I ride him?”
Nigel was fussing over Campfire, checking his tack and making small adjustments. “I’m going to the warm-up dressage arena,” he said. “I want good smooth footing for a real warm-up, but you don’t need that yet and the arena’s going to be crowded. Why don’t you head for the field next to the show-jumping ring? Just ride him for a little while, gently, and get to know him. No fancy moves, not yet.
“When they start the advanced-level dressage, go up to the ring and watch the first few tests. Then I’ll come back and help you with his real warm-up.”
Kate nodded. “Okay.” She checked her girth, mounted Southwood, and rode off without a backward glance.
“Hold Campfire for a moment, won’t you, Carole?” Nigel said. “Dorothy! Where’s my top hat?” Nigel rummaged through a trunk.
“Where did you put it?” Dorothy asked calmly. She found the hat and set it on Nigel’s head. He took it off, frowned quizzically at Dorothy, and disappeared into Campfire’s stall with an armful of clothes.
“Hey, boy,” Carole murmured to Campfire. The horse, though alert, did not seem troubled by the uproar. Carole was not troubled, either, but she did feel a little lost. The news about Beatrice had upset her, and neither Kate nor Nigel seemed like their usual selves.
“Heigh-ho,” Nigel said, coming out of the stall. He had used it as a dressing room and was now transformed. Carole laughed. She had seen Nigel dressed in formal dressage gear once before, at an event in England, but it still surprised her to see him looking so dapper. Nigel’s black coat was long and elegant, with tails. He wore a white stock tie and white breeches, and his black boots were polished to perfection. Best of all was the genuine top hat on his head.
“You look like you’re going to the opera,” Lisa said admiringly.
“I hope I don’t ride like I’m going to the
“Beatrice’s accident sounds more serious in the short run, and less serious in the long run, than mine. When I was hurt it wasn’t very long before I could leave the hospital, but the doctors told me not to ride again. It sounds like Beatrice will be able to recover fully, but it might take her a long time. But Beatrice and I are very different in what our goals are and in what makes us happy. Anything I can do with horses makes me happy.”
This made perfect sense to The Saddle Club. None of them could imagine Beatrice struggling to regain her riding skills. She had never struggled for anything.
“Beatrice’s father told Drew that she had sent us one message,” Dorothy said thoughtfully. “She asked us to please take good care of Southwood. It’s the last thing she said before they took her into surgery.”
The Saddle Club was silent for a moment. Carole reflected that that was the first nonbratty thing she had ever heard of Beatrice saying. “Maybe she loves Southwood after all,” Carole said.
“Maybe she does,” Dorothy agreed. “I wouldn’t have said so before. I thought she only saw him as a means to an end.”
Dorothy wiped her hand across her face, then stood. “We still need to get this horse ready for Nigel,” she said, patting Campfire on the neck. “I have a favor to ask you girls. I’ll tell Nigel about Beatrice as soon as I can, but I’drather Kate didn’t know right away. She’s got enough to think about today with her cross-country round. Can you keep a secret? Just for now. We’ll tell her soon.”
The Saddle Club agreed. They wanted Kate to be able to focus on her ride.
W HEN K ATE AND Nigel returned from the course, The Saddle Club realized that Kate was already completely focused on her ride. She hardly seemed to see her friends.
“Here, Kate,” Lisa called. “We’ve got Southwood all tacked up for you. Look how handsome he is!”
Kate took Southwood’s reins without even glancing at Lisa. “Great,” she said briskly. “Nigel! Where can I ride him?”
Nigel was fussing over Campfire, checking his tack and making small adjustments. “I’m going to the warm-up dressage arena,” he said. “I want good smooth footing for a real warm-up, but you don’t need that yet and the arena’s going to be crowded. Why don’t you head for the field next to the show-jumping ring? Just ride him for a little while, gently, and get to know him. No fancy moves, not yet.
“When they start the advanced-level dressage, go up to the ring and watch the first few tests. Then I’ll come back and help you with his real warm-up.”
Kate nodded. “Okay.” She checked her girth, mounted Southwood, and rode off without a backward glance.
“Hold Campfire for a moment, won’t you, Carole?” Nigel said. “Dorothy! Where’s my top hat?” Nigel rummaged through a trunk.
“Where did you put it?” Dorothy asked calmly. She found the hat and set it on Nigel’s head. He took it off, frowned quizzically at Dorothy, and disappeared into Campfire’s stall with an armful of clothes.
“Hey, boy,” Carole murmured to Campfire. The horse, though alert, did not seem troubled by the uproar. Carole was not troubled, either, but she did feel a little lost. The news about Beatrice had upset her, and neither Kate nor Nigel seemed like their usual selves.
“Heigh-ho,” Nigel said, coming out of the stall. He had used it as a dressing room and was now transformed. Carole laughed. She had seen Nigel dressed in formal dressage gear once before, at an event in England, but it still surprised her to see him looking so dapper. Nigel’s black coat was long and elegant, with tails. He wore a white stock tie and white breeches, and his black boots were polished to perfection. Best of all was the genuine top hat on his head.
“You look like you’re going to the opera,” Lisa said admiringly.
“I hope I don’t ride like I’m going to the
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