Post by redhorseracinguk on Mar 14, 2010 11:24:02 GMT
Coloured Skies
It was wet and windy outside, as she glanced out of the farmhouse kitchen window, although the Aga was blazing out heat in the kitchen, Jenny shivered and pulled the collar up on her ancient wax jacket. Under the table Pudding her Labrador puppy whined.
“What a day to be going to see a horse! Still he might be the one I’m looking for!”
Jenny had set her heart on a coloured horse, at 5”2 she was only small herself so she wasn’t looking at something huge. But right from being a pony less child, she had the horse pictured in her head.
She drew picture after picture of little coloured horses all over anything she could, often this got her in to trouble especially when it was her school books. Jenny smiled recalling the memory- it had been her life long dream to buy and bring on a coloured youngster. This really could be her chance.
It was quite late on Thursday night had seen the advert in Horse and Hound for a skewbald 3 year old Irish Draught x colt and although there was no picture, he came in well under budget a £1000, so she had rung the number any way. An older man answered. “Hi there, I’m ringing about the colt you have for sale?” “Which one?” the old man replied somewhat impatiently. Wrong footed for a second, Jenny stammered “Oh sorry, the skewbald 3 yr old”…
“Righto, he’s still available, but you’d better be quick to come and see him, as without a deposit I won’t hold ‘im for you” Jenny arranged to go and see him the next day in the afternoon. “Who should I ask for when I arrive?” “My name is Mr. Patterson”…
Matt, her husband glanced up and smiled at Jenny from where he was sitting at the large pine dining room table. Jenny smiled back, little butterflies flipping round her stomach “Yes, it is a bit miserable out there, I can’t say I’m looking forward to calving for old Mr. Johnson tonight either…
Matt was a large animal vet and ran a practice from their modest small holding in the Derbyshire Dales, he had worked hard to form relationships with the neighbouring farms and built up his practice from scratch, Jenny had been with him every step of the way, and now after five years of hard work they had finally broken even. They practice was doing so well that they could now afford to take on another vet.
Matt had always told her to follow her dreams and supported her 100%, that’s why she fell for him at University. He was always supportive and always reliable. And now here she was doing just that…
She kissed him affectionately on the cheek “Right on that note, I’d better be going, I said that I would be there for 3.00pm sharp and Mr. Patterson doesn’t sound as though he likes latecomers. Hopefully, I will come back with a nice horse. “Good luck, but don’t just bring him home for the sake of it, he has to be what you want”…
Jenny called Pudding to heel and clambered into her battered Land Rover bowing her head against the rain; the horse trailer already attached, “just incase…” she thought gleefully to herself, but not daring to hope too much. Jenny had been to see many horses over the past few months; they were either not as described or over priced for what they were. But this one she had a feeling would be worth it.
Pudding hopped up beside her and lay down. Jenny had butterflies of excitement as the engine roared into life. “This could be it Pud!!” The dog looked at her through soft brown eyes with a quizzical expression on her face… ruffling Pudding’s soft fur; Jenny smiled again at the thought.
They were rumbling along the A50 when the thunder and lightening started, rain was beating down and Pudding was whimpering from the passenger foot well. Jenny was peering hard through the windscreen, the rain drumming rhythmically on the glass.
“Come on now, girlie it will be alright” Jenny hated driving in the rain normally, but today not even the storm could dampen her spirits. The GPS unit was chattering away in the background. It seemed like they had driven forever when they finally turned onto the little single track road down to Briar Farm.
The farm itself was a collection of near derelict red brick buildings with sagging slate rooftops; a large georgian farm house loomed from behind the collection of barns, impressive and giant like in stature. Jenny could smell the honeysuckle that was clambering over the little green wooden front door; she looked around for signs of life. The rain had stopped and the sun was starting to peep through the clouds. She was about to go off exploring when suddenly, she jumped out of her skin as she was tapped on the shoulder… Pudding barked ferociously in the car “Oh gosh! you startled me!”
Mr. Patterson was a typical old farming type. He was a small wiry man, with twinkly blue eyes and jet black hair with a sprinkling of grey but he the look of an old horseman about him with his flat cap and thick Derbyshire accent; he smiled warmly with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “You must be Jenny?” “Er, yes that’s me” she said looking slightly embarrassed. He shook her hand paying no attention to her reddening cheeks; composing herself slightly, she smiled wryly at the old man.
“I’m pleased you could make it and please call me Bob”. Bob wasted no time and turned to walk towards the barns. Jenny left Pudding safely in the car and obediently followed Bob across the damp cobbled farm yard and in to one of the barns, as the barn door swung open, she stepped in to the sweet smelling but dimly lit gloom.
“They’re in ‘ere”… Jenny breathed in the rapturous smell of horse and clean straw. She peered through the gloom. All around her, she could see mares and foals, all of gypsy vanner breeding, with their neat little ears, shining eyes,thick-set patchy bodies and hairy legs.
The foals huddled in close to their dams as Bob and Jenny came near; warily eyeing them as they approached; skitting this way and that.
At the other end of the barn, there he stood, a beautiful tri coloured colt, a deep rich bay and white with jet black through his mane and tail, he pranced delicately on his little humbug striped feet.
He wasn’t like the rest, he about stood 14.3 hands from what Jenny could see and his head was fine, with long ears and a lop sided blaze and he had hardly any feather. He eyed them as cautiously as the rest. “Is he halter broken?” Jenny asked “Aye, he is that- but just a little nervous, ‘es been a runnin’ out with the weaned foals y’see?” “Are these foals his?” "Nope – he ain’t been used for coverin’ nowt I’ve just bought ‘im in off the field to sell on just now".
With that Bob took some oats out of his pocket and approached the colt, which was now rolling his eyes disdainfully and snorting gently. He stood up, tense and Bob talked soothingly to him, the colt momentarily dropped his head to lip the oats delicately off Bob’s palm. Jenny watched awe-struck. He was the one…
Bob slipped the halter over the colt's head in one deft movement. Unperturbed the colt stood obediently still. “I’ll take ‘im out into the yard so you can ‘ave a proper look at ‘im. She didn’t let on but,Jenny had already made up her mind.
She watched the colt spring out into the sunshine, his hooves tip-tapping on the cobbled yard. He shied at a crow flapping out of the undergrowth, arching his proud neck. His mane was long and knotted, but he was beautiful. Bob trotted the colt up and down, he moved with a long even stride that ate the ground up. Jenny was ecstatic, he was better than she’d ever hoped for. She stood there critically examining his conformation, straight limbed and strong. Even his markings were perfect, not too much white and very even.
Jenny was overjoyed at the prospect of taking the gorgeous colt home to show Matt, he would be as pleased as her, hopefully.
As she approached Jenny spoke to the colt soothingly in low tones just as Bob had; the colt stood away from her at the end of the rope, alert, coiled and ready should anything startle him again.
She looked him over gently feeling his legs and having a look in his mouth, the colt stood sensibly enough whilst she felt him all over. At last she was satisfied; “I’ll take him” Bob looked pleased and shook on it. “Aye, you’ve got yerself a good one there!”
Jenny asked Bob if he had traveled before, "Aye, he's been kept in a field 5 miles away, an' I boxed him o'er 'ere just last week"
Bob loaded the colt into the trailer; he went on gingerly but with no fuss. Once in he stood rigid in the box, ears pricked listening for the other horses. He let out a whinny, from the barn a couple of the mares called back. “You come t’ouse with me, 'eel be alreet on there for a little while"
Bob led Jenny into the rustic farmhouse kitchen where his wife Ida was waiting with a mug of steaming tea for them both. Two Jack Russell’s yapped excitedly at Jenny’s heels as she entered the kitchen. Ida motioned to the dogs to settle down and offered Jenny a seat. Ida had the same twinkly blue eyes as her husband and her dark hair was also streaked with grey, she smiled warmly at Jenny.
“You’ve come to buy our colt then?” said Ida matter of factly...
All around the walls hung pictures of coloured horses and what looked like Bob and Ida as a young couple with various horses, hunting and showing..
In one particular photo there was a young Ida poised; long dark hair in a neat bun- classically elegant in her side saddle outfit on a workmanlike coloured horse and Bob in what looked like the same flat cap as he was wearing now driving a magnificent coloured stallion with endless mane and feather.
Rosettes festooned the walls of the farmhouse and there was a trophy on every surface, Jenny studied each carefully.
“Grand days they were" Ida said wistfully "O’course we’re getting’ on a bit now so they’ll all ‘ave to go eventually, but when they do the money will come in useful no doubt” Ida smiled unconvincingly and Jenny could tell how much they loved the horses.
Jenny could understand that better than anyone....
“You have some beautiful horses Ida, the colt is no exception, just the one I’ve been looking for.”
“Aye, he’s a grand one no mistake!” “You’ll go far with him” she said, smiling kindly.
Jenny listened intently as Ida told her tales of all the horses that they had loved and known over the years, Ida was the daughter of Romany gypsies and Bob was farmer’s son they had been together for over forty years. Their children had long since grown up and flown the nest. “None of them interested in the horses or the farm, only the land it sits on” Ida said bitterly.
Jenny told Ida about Matt & the farm whilst Bob was rootling through the draws of the huge Welsh dresser in search of the colts’ papers. “Aha ‘ere they are” Bob placed them down on the table and with gnarled hands Ida counted out the money that Jenny had handed to her. Jenny read through the impressive bloodlines on the colts’ papers and felt warm inside…
“In all my excitement, I forgot to ask you- has he got a name?”
“Oh aye, he is called Coloured Skies and he is by King of Diamonds out of our favourite vanner mare Colourspin.”
Once she had drank her tea and Bob had made out a receipt; Jenny shook hands with them both. "We'll look forward to seeing our colt out and about then next year then eh?" "With a bit of luck Ida, if he is you'll both be the first to know I promise"
Bob saw her to the car and smiled at her. "You look after our Sky then?" "I will Bob, you have no worries about that, I can assure you"... Sky stamped impatiently, the trailer rocked gently..
Bob looked a little sad to see the colt depart. As Jenny was leaving, he slipped £20 back into her hand; “A little bit back for luck”… Jenny smiled graciously. “Don’t worry he’ll be fine with me”. She watched them wave her off in the door mirror, feeling a little sad about what Ida had said about selling off all their horses.
Sky traveled perfectly and the journey home was pretty uneventful, Pudding was fast asleep and it was dark by the time they arrived back at Abel’s Farm. Sky whinnied impatiently and stamped as they bumped and bounced up the long drive to the farm. Jenny had phoned Matt when she was ten minutes away from home and luckily he was there. He came out of the house looking disheveled and helped Jenny drop the ramp to the trailer.
The colt was on high alert, ears pricked and muscles tensed, Sky flounced down the ramp as though on springs and snorted in to the early evening air. Steam rose from his flanks and he trumpeted a challenging whinny across the valley. An answer came in the form of a deep whinny from Warrior.
Warrior was Matt's chestnut Irish Draught gelding. Placid and dependable like Matt, he couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
“He’s a bit excitable isn’t he?” Matt still looked slightly alarmed.
“Oh Matt, he’s perfect and he’ll be fine once he’s settled”. Matt looked unconvinced, but shrugged and followed Jenny to the stable block where Warrior nickered a deep welcome.
Sky nickered back and walked obediently but springily into his freshly arranged loose box, still a little wired. He hungrily snatched at the freshly prepared hay net. Jenny marveled at him, he was actually here! She almost pinched herself....
They stood there looking over the door and when he was cool, Jenny fed both the horses some feed.
Matt stood and regarded him over the stable door, delicate little crunching sounds emanating from both stables "He is a lovely looking strong colt- and moving hasn't affected his appetite at all" Matt laughed. Jenny gave him one last look. "Bless him, I think we'll leave them to it, the journey home has tired him out".... Speaking of food, I’m starving. Suddenly the day caught up with her and she wearily trudged back up to the house.
In a hot bath, Jenny reflected on the day and felt lucky that Sky was here. She fell into bed, happily exhausted…
The next morning, Jenny got up early to check on Sky and Warrior.
As she switched the lights on in the barn, Warrior and Sky blinked simultaneously trying to adjust their eyes to the light. “Morning, boys!” Warrior whickered a welcome closely followed by Sky. She set about her chores, gave the horses more hay and went in for breakfast herself…
When she got back into the house, Matt was sleepily scrambling eggs and grilling bacon “I thought that you might be hungry so I made breakfast, I’ll look Sky over after”… she was grateful for the delicious breakfast… "How is he this morning, no mishaps in night?" "He's fine, maybe a little subdued but he'll soon settle in."..
Matt had looked the colt over later on that morning and had given him a clean bill of health. “He is as strong as an Ox, Jen”
Perfect, Just the words she wanted to hear. “He’ll be lovely to show, he has such striking markings and who knows maybe there could be some little baby skies later on?” Matt grinned. “Are you getting broody?” Jenny teased. "Well, it would be a shame to geld him unless absolutely necessary. We do have a nice set up here and we are doing well with the practice, it is worth thinking about"…
Jenny set about gently handling Sky… she did little bits at a time, making sure that Sky was totally happy with the progress. Warrior turned out to be a fantastic nanny horse and taught Sky about respect and personal space.
In the first weeks and when he seemed happy enough with her company a she set about grooming the mud off him. Sky was in to everything, she soon discovered, he meticulously explored the grooming brushes with his teeth and tipping up the grooming box. Jenny was laughing out loud at his antics, whilst Warrior looked on with a surprised expression on his face. Matt had been busy with the practice leaving Jenny with lots of time with Sky.
He called home one lunch time to find Jenny in the stable block giggling hysterically. Sky had emptied the brushes all over the floor again, and stood with the dandy brush in his mouth swinging his head up and down in delight…
Matt smiled at the sight that greeted him, Sky noticing that he had extra attention suddenly acted up all the more, rolling his eyes is mock fear at the grooming box monster. “He’s really coming on now Jen!” “I know I can’t believe how little he used to seem, it’s like he’s growing an inch a day” she said laughing.
She turned Sky and Warrior out together in the front paddock. Sky was well mannered and waited patiently for her take his headcollar off before bucking and leaping off into gallop round and round the paddock. Dancing around Warrior, Sky nipped playfully at the air around the big chestnut’s flanks. Warrior snaked his head as a warning ears flat back. This was the daily ritual, Sky teasing the big gelding, but he never responded with malice and only reprimanded Sky gently.
The months passed and Jenny decided that it was time to back Sky, all the ground work was in place. It was the height of summer now and the colt was turning four, Jenny had secret aspirations of competing at Horse of The Year Show, but really didn’t mind as long as she managed to get through the backing process successfully. She had started horses before but she wanted to get it right...
She started the new phase of his training gently and without fuss; she wanted Sky to understand that she had no intention of hurting him. To prepare the colt, she had ridden Warrior and led him round the paddock at the side. At first, Sky took to this new training with vigour, exploring the new tack with his lips. Jenny let him, talking to him all of the time.
“Come on, that’s right Sky, you have a good old look” She rubbed his forehead gently. “We’ll just see what you think of it close up” But as Jenny picked the bridle up off the fence the colt regarded the tack with new found suspicion- he hid behind Jenny and blowing and snorting in to her hair with a look of mock horror on his face.
Warrior who was grazing in the next door paddock looked up and whinnied at Sky. In a flash Sky tugged the halter rope out of Jenny’s hands and flounced off at a floating trot around the paddock, just out of reach. This wasn’t going to quite as easy as she had originally thought…
“Come on silly boy!” Jenny laughed at his little display. “You are daft.” Jenny turned her back and flopped down in the grass… Sky, curious stopped his display and stood stock still in the opposite corner of the paddock, rolling his eyes… Still Jenny ignored him…. His curiosity got the better of him and he slowly and cautiously walked over to her. Jenny giggled to herself quietly as Sky blew gently into her hair with a quizzical expression on his face. “What’s all this fuss about then?” Slowly she took the lead rope between her fingers, but didn’t get up until Sky had regained his composure.
Steadily she rubbed his forehead and he let out a big sigh. “That’s better little one, let’s try the bridle again” … Sky was calmer this time and she unbuckled the bit and slipped the bridle over Sky’s ears, he stood tense and unmoving but was well behaved. “This is more like it” Sky was still unconvinced but he never moved or tried to run away. Stroking him gently all over Jenny felt Sky relax and the she took the bridle monster off…
Later that day she was in the kitchen preparing dinner, when Matt and Pudding came in.
“How was Sky today?” “Brilliant, but I think that I need some help with him, I need someone to help me get him used to being handled with tack on, and he ran away from the bridle today ”she laughed
“Why don’t you give Jo Mason a call from Hartshorne village?”
Jo was the local horse trainer and she was renowned for her special talents with nervous horses, she had a large yard about ten miles away. “I’m not a bit keen on sending him there on his own” He only knows me and not really anyone else…”
“He’ll be fine and you can visit him and be involved in backing him” Matt exclaimed. “It will also give you a chance to get out at meet people, you’re always stuck here when I’m working. Think of it as a social outing for you both too.” he said smiling.
Over dinner Matt and Jenny discussed each of their days, Matt laughed heartily at Jenny’s recounted story of the “Bridle Monster”… “See, all the more reason to get some professional help now. “I know, but I’ve waited so long for him that I wanted to do it myself.” “I know, but it’s better to have help and do it right rather than correct mistakes later.” Resignedly, Jenny agreed. “I’ll phone her in the morning.”
The next morning, Jenny rang Jo. She arranged to come up to the farm and see Jenny to discuss what to do with Sky. “I really need some guidance, but I have done all of the ground work and he has company. But he is extremely nervous of anything new. “Righto, I’ll come an’ ‘ave a look at ‘im at 11.00”
They finalized the details of Jo’s visit and rang off. After she got off the telephone, Jenny felt strangely happy.
Slightly nervous, Jenny groomed Sky until he gleamed and turned him back out to relax with Warrior.
Everything was clean and swept and with 20 minutes to go Jenny went up to the house for a coffee.
She was reading the paper as Matt burst in- “JENNY, JENNY!!!! There’s been an accident!!!
Gripped with panic, Jenny ran past Matt and out in to the drive way. The scene that met her made her stomach flip over… A cattle lorry had gone through the post and rail fencing with such force that it had hit Warrior square on; he was lying side on groaning covered with blood.
She screamed “Oh no, it can’t be” Matt was already running down the drive way to the horse.
Tears filling her eyes, Jenny searched desperately for Sky, he was injured but standing in the top most corner of the field. The driver was unconscious and Matt could hear the cows screeching from inside the container. Jenny ran over to Warrior first, sinking to her knees sobbing; she cradled the big gelding’s head in her arms, he was breathing rapidly, lacerations covered his body and his foreleg was badly broken. Matt had checked the trapped driver for signs of life and had called an ambulance. “Hello, hello, can you hear me?” The driver groaned. “He’s alive!” The driver of the lorry was white, and barely breathing. Matt, threw a blanket over him to keep him warm.
Whispering soothing words to Warrior, Matt knelt down beside Jenny’s frail looking frame, his face ashen. “I’ll see to him, you get Sky. Matt knew that the gelding was too badly injured to survive. He had protected Sky and took the full force of the hit.
In the melee, Jo arrived and seeing the state everything was in left her car in the driveway and came sprinting over. “What on earth has ‘appened?” “Go to Jenny!!” She stood with Jenny and Sky as Matt euthanized Warrior; Jenny wailed, Sky screamed both totally in shock. Jo held her tightly, soothing her as best she could. “Come on now, there there, nothing could be done for ‘im.
When emergency services arrived; Jo took a very lame Sky into the stable whilst Matt dealt with the Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Police. A neighboring farmer had come over to pick up the surviving cattle and remove Warrior’s now still body. ”.The fire brigade set about freeing the trapped man. The police questioned Matt about the events leading up to the accident and took a statement, he told the all he knew. “Right Sir, as soon as we have more information, we’ll be in touch”.
Totally numb, all three people walked slowly back to the stable block. The wreckage still in the feild.
Jenny was broken inside “I can’t believe this has happened” her voice cracking. Matt held her whilst she cried. Jo, who was still there, came over.
“My beautiful horses, one dead and the other injured” After the wreckage was cleared, and the lorry was taken away Matt checked Sky over. “I’ll give him a mild sedative and some pain killing injections and he must be kept warm to help with the shock” They blanketed the still shaky horse; he stood legs splayed with his head hung low.
Wearily, she stood up… “I’ll leave you to rest little one”… trudging back up to the house, her head spinning with sadness and shock.
She drank her tea and the three all sat in silence mulling over the day’s events, still unbelieving of what had occurred. “I’ll be off then, but I’ll be back over in the morning to see how you all are” Jenny and Matt went to bed themselves, tired but unable to take everything in.
Jenny fell into a fitful sleep, her dreams permeated with visions of Warrior, Sky and the accident.
Before she knew it, sunlight was streaming through the curtains, motes of dust dancing in its golden rays. She got out of bed on autopilot, dressed and washed but in her heart feeling that things wouldn’t be the same again. She took the stairs two at a time, Pudding was lolloping behind her. “Matt, Matt?” She looked around for him downstairs and there was no sign. “Come on Pud, he must be with Sky. Opening the heavy wooden front door, she stepped out into the glorious morning.
The dog raced down to the stables to find Matt, Jenny following a few steps behind. As she walked into the stable block, a very tired looking Matt was dressing Sky’s wounds again.
“Morning love, I thought that I would leave you a bit longer to try to rest, we’ve all been through the mill over the last 24 hours”
“Thank you, but I couldn’t stay in bed- I had to check the Sky was alright”… “His wounds are just superficial and he’ll be back on his feet in no time” Matt was trying to console Jenny with something positive. “I just can’t believe that Warrior is gone”
Matt crumpled, tiredness and grief catching up on him all at once- “Oh Matt, I’m so sorry- here I am wrapped up in my own grief and I never even thought about how you could be feeling about it all” She slipped her arms around him embracing him tightly. After a while, he calmed down..
“We have to think positively, Jen- we can’t let this end your dreams for Sky”
Outside a car was rumbling up the shale driveway, Jenny looked out to see who it was. Jo had come back as promised. Composing herself, she greeted Jo warmly.
“Ello, ow’s the patient then?” Jo said as cheerfully as she could “Oh he’s a little bit traumatized- but it looks as though he’s going to be alright” explained Matt.
“That’s very good news then, eh?” Jo went in to Sky and rubbed his forehead affectionately, Sky blew gently on her hand.” “I was thinking, and if I am being too forward- then please say so- but this boy is going to need some company” “Oh, yes- I hadn’t even considered….” fat hot tears rolled down Jenny’s face as she considered the full impact of what had happened… Matt rubbed her back gently.. “I don’t mean to upset you, Jenny” “I know mate, but everything is just so raw”
“Look, I’ll be off now, but both have a think about it and call me”…
"Okay, thank you again for everything you've done to help; we'll be in touch soon"..
Over the next few weeks Jenny and Matt busied themselves with getting Sky better and keeping on top of the practice - on the Sunday morning of the fourth week after the accident, Sky was looking over the stable door and whinnying for attention. Jenny’s heart swelled with love and relief when she saw him, Matt was in the stable with him removing some of his dressings for the last time...
"That's it now Jen- no more treatments, just turn him out" On the Monday morning, Jenny nervously slipped Sky's halter on, "Now, sunshine you are on your own- so no mad tearing about" Her heart was in her mouth walking to the field- she put him in the paddock behind the house to give him a fresh start incase he remembered that terrible day.
She needn't have worried, he tip-tapped alongside her spooking at imaginary monsters. "Right Sky, lets do it" She led him calmly through the gate and turned him to face her. "You haven't forgotten your manners then". In a split second she had released him. Sky leapt into the air and squealed, all his pent up energy released. Jenny couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling happy for the first time in weeks. Even though she missed Warrior desperately it made her feel so much better seeing Sky well again...
Matt came walking down to see the spectacle- "It warms my heart to see the little fella well again"... "I know what you mean, perhaps we should consider Jo's offer of some company for him?".....
Jo left Sky grazing peacefully glad that she could see him from the kitchen window. He didn't bat an eyelid about Jenny leaving him and he seemed to be in fine form- but Jenny knew that Matt was right, he needed company.
Pudding flopped down by the aga and made herself comfortable, Jenny made herself a cup of tea and rummaged through the desk draw to find Jo's telephone number. "Found it!" tentatively she dialled the number. "Hello Hatherdene Stables" "Oh hello, It's Jenny here, can I speak to Jo please?" "Sure thing" said the Irish man on the other end of the phone....
"Ello, there Jo, it's good to hear from you again- to what do I owe the pleasure? "Well, Matt and I have talked about it and we would like to take you up on your offer of company for Sky" "Oh Jen, of course it's the least I can do" I've got just the horse in mind, are you all right to come over tomorrow afternoon about twoish?" "Fine by me, see you then" "As she hung up the phone, Jenny felt the same pang of excitement that she had when she was going to buy Sky..
The rest of that day was taken up with preparing a stable for the new horse, she had disinfected and cleaned out Warriors box a couple of weeks ago, she hadn't been able to before this... A she laid the bed, Matt came in to see what she was up to. "What's all this then?" "Well, I phoned Jo like you said and she said that she has a horse that might be suitable for company for Sky" "Well, that's good news, I miss Warrior as much as you do Jen, but we have to move on for Sky's sake..."
Jo's huge horsebox rumbled up the driveway to the farm. Sky picked his head up from where he was grazing in the paddock and whinnied loudly. A resounding whinny replied to his call- Sky pranced around the paddock, no sign of the trauma he had endured on his face. Despite herself Jenny smiled...
Pudding ran out in to the yard barking frantically at the arriving lorry only ceasing when the engine stopped. "Ello Jenny, All arrived present and correct" remarked Jo. "I just know that this mare is the one for you!" As the ramp came down with a thud, inside Jenny and Matt could just see two shell like tobiano ears and two eyes like big dark saucers peering over the partion, she looked a little over 16 hands.
The mare whinnied a greeting and shuffled her feet impatiently. "Right then, lets get her off this lorry then, shall we?" Matt walked the mare off the lorry himself, when she came out into the sunshine, Jenny gasped with delight. Behind her was the most beautiful coloured foal... He was about 13.2hh and piebald. Jo grinned michievously- I thought you'd like our Dove here?
Dove extended her delicate head to Matt's hand and sniffed him all over, the foal nestled his muzzle under her belly to take a long drink, splaying his legs as he did so and making them all smile.
"What on earth? Is this buy one, get one free??" said Jenny laughing out loud. Jo winked at Jen conspiritorially.... "I think it should be your that Matt that answers to that over a cuppa!" Jenny was awestruck- Had Matt arranged all of this without her knowing?? A million questions went through her head at once. Reeling with joy, she followed Matt and Jo to the stable block where Matt put the Dove and the foal in the stable for a rest.
Matt lead the lovely Dove in to the box closely followed by the foal. "What is the foal called?" "He's called Hartshorne Sandpiper and he is by Crossdrum Spurs, half Riding Horse half Irish Sports horse" Jenny though her heart would stop with the excitement. Sky was whinnying from the paddock, Dove picked up her delicate head a whinnied deeply in answer to his calling.
"I suggest we leave 'em to settle in and 'ave that cuppa- don't you?"
Back in the house, Jenny was delirious with excitement- she wanted to know everything about how Matt and Jo had kept Dove such a secret from her.
"When did you both plan this?" Jenny was laughing... "Jo got Dove in to break in from a contact in Ireland and two days after she arrived I was called out to her as she looked like she was colicking, it turns out that Piper was on his way and it was not colic at all" "It was tricky to keep her a secret until now, I can tell you!" We've both wanted to tell you so many times over the last few weeks" Matt and Jo were both smiling at the memory.
"When I called her last owner, he was most puzzled as he was told that she didn't take when she went to stud, but he hadn't wanted her back when I told him as he no longer wanted a youngster- so he told me to sell her on. I got her for a song and then asked Matt if you would like to take 'er and little Piper on"
"Jo, that is just amazing, I can't believe our luck. Thank you, sincerely, I can't tell you how happy you've made me"...
Over the next few weeks Sky went off to be started by Jo, and Jenny and Matt busied themselves with the practice and handling Dove and the foal. Jenny thrived on the daily contact as much as the horses did and truly enjoyed seeing Dove and Piper's confidence grow. By the six week of them being will Jenny, they were ready to go to Derby county show.....
The morning of the show dawned cloudless, sunny and a bit chilly, Pudding was snuffling about in the hedgerows scenting rabbits, no doubt. Smiling to herself with excitement of what the day would bring she made her way to the stables. "C'mon Pud, these horses won't bath themselves!" she laughed. The dog had her head down an rabbit hole, making piggy snuffly noises. Jenny smiled at the silly dog.
She had butterflies whizzing around her stomach. It was six o'clock and she had set about plaiting Dove's mane and washing her silky tail and grooming both horses until they shone. The quiet dawn and the fuggy warmth of the horses immersing her senses. Sandpiper was growing more each day and was so handsome, Dove elegant and proud of her son. Jenny's heart swelled with pride when she looked at them both.
She prepared them for traveling and went back to the kitchen for a quick cuppa before Jo came with the box. Matt was busy polishing his boots and pressing Jen's show shirt when she got in to the house. Susan, the practice secretary was sitting at the kitchen table busily sorting out the paperwork that they needed. "Morning" they chorused. "Good Morning" " Are they ready to go?" "Susan has made sure that George can cover my visits for the next two days so we have a bit of a holiday"
"Oh thanks, Susan- you're brilliant! It will be lovely to know that we can spend time enjoying the show and not worrying about the practice"
"It's no bother, George and I will be quite happy to keep things ticking along whilst you are both away. Just have some fun and we'll look forward to seeing your trophies when you get back"
"I'm not counting my chickens, just yet!!" Laughed Jenny.
"Och, no- I'm sure you'll do great!" smiled Susan.
"Ready?" asked Matt. "All fired up and ready to go" Jenny's stomach lurched at the thought. She was so excited, she thought that she might pass out. Just then she heard Jo's lorry come rumbling up the drive....
A shrill whinny came from inside the lorry, confused Jenny looked at Matt. Not another surprise?
"What have you done this time?" Jenny said looking puzzled
Jo brought the lorry to a halt, turned the engine off....
"Make sure you take you riding gear too!" said Jo smiling.... Jenny's eyes were wide with excitement as Jo dropped the ramp. Peering over the partition was an immaculately turned out Sky! "Omygoodness, I can't believe it!, you told me he was no where near ready to shown, what class are we doing??" "Well, I did trick you a bit Jen, I've been secretly getting Sky ready for you to do a ridden show"
"He's been out to a few low key shows and here we are - ready for the county show" I have been over at Jo's a couple of times this week to ride him between visits- you're going to love it"
"Now then, get this mare and foal on the lorry- time's getting on" Jenny loaded the horses in a dreamlike state, rubbing Sky's neck tenderly - he was snuffling her her coat affectionately.
Once they were loaded, they were on their way. All the way to the show Jenny kept smiling to her self, he stomach flipping over every time she thought about showing Sky. She'd been so disappointed last week when Jo had said that he wasn't ready....
They arrived in plenty of time for to watch the first class. Matt was waiting for them and was ready with much needed refreshments. As they unloaded the horses and put them in the temporary stables Jenny had a serious attack of the collywobbles....
Sky looked every inch the professional, inside Jenny's nerve was failing her. "I can't do it!" ...
Jenny had been silently quivering all the way to the show. They ladies said little to each other, Jo concentrating hard on the day ahead. "I wish I had your focus Jo!" said Jen "You'll be fine, stop fretting" Jo said not unkindly. They pulled on to the field at the County Show ground.
Everywhere was buzzing with people, cattle, sheep, ponies gleaming like polished glass in the July sunshine and literally hundreds of people. A man in a fluorescent vest motioned to them to park the lorry in the competitor carpark.
"Right we are" Jo killed the engine of the big lorry and jumped out of the cab. Jenny lurched inwardly. Just then Matt drew up next to lorry in the landrover, in the passenger seat was an old man and there was an old lady in the back. Puzzled, Jenny squinted in the sunshine to see who it was. Upon closer inspection she realised who it was! It was Bob and Ida... Sky's breeders....
They all came over to the lorry, Jenny flushed pink. "Ello there, young lady - your husband telephoned us and asked us to attend the big debut!" surpised Jenny said "It's so lovely to see you, I hope we don't disgrace ourselves"
Ida looked on kindly "You won't dear, we always knew Sky was a special lad, we're so pleased that he is doing so well for you".
"It's all down to Jo's hard work really, and the ability of my husband to keep secrets" she smiled and playfully nudged Matt.
Just then, Jo came back from the Secretary's booth with the numbers. "Right, Jen you and Sky are in the next class, it's 9.00 am now and you are in at 9.30!- we'd best get our skates on"
Matt, Bob and Ida left them to get on with warming Sky up and went off to get ringside seats.
Jo unloaded Sky who was calmly taking in the atmosphere like he had done it all of his life... The same couldn't be said for Jen, she was feeling sick with nerves. Her whole life seemed to converge to this point. She still couldn't believe that it was actually happening.
Jen touched Sky's silken coat and leant into his solid neck. "C'mon Jen, time to get ready....
Jenny hopped into the living area in the lorry and did a quick change. They both looked the part. Jo took a picture of them together. Jen's nerves evaporated as she was legged up onto Sky.
She was so proud of him, he seemed to sense her pride and arched his beautiful neck proudly as they walked into the warm up arena. Sky was alert but sensible and responded to Jenny, never putting a foot wrong.
Before long it was time to go into their class, Jenny was thoroughly absorbed with Sky, no nerves could make her waver now she was enraptured. The ring was large and springy and Sky was floating. The class had about twenty different coloured horses, some ridden by professionals, some by amatures like Jenny, but in her eyes she was just glad to be here on her horse.
The judges critically eyeing all of the horses as they went past walking out, all immaculately turned out, fit and gleaming. As she came down the long side of the ring she flashed the spectators such a grin.
They were all asked to walk trot and canter, Sky did everything she asked, Jenny felt like she was dreaming and felt like squealing with delight. She didn't care if they weren't placed, she was enjoying every minute. The judges called all of the competitors to line up, Sky was called in with the others. The judges came round and viewed all of the horses close up.
The horse next to Sky was rolling it's eyes and stamping it's hindfeet. As the judge approached it suddenly barged into Sky sending him reeling sideways. The judge came over to make sure that Sky was ok and ordered the competitor on the ill tempered cob out of the ring.
Jenny was a bit shaken and Sky unsettled, fretting at the bit he fidgeted in the line up.
But as they soon got called to do their individual show, Sky focussed again with no problems. Walk trot, canter and a figure of eight.
Jenny's nerves went when she was called forward and she concentrated hard. Sky went beautifully and she was beaming as she halted in front of the judge. Sky stood like a professional in the line up, no sign of his nerves returning after his little ordeal.
Once they were finished judging the idividual shows, the sent the horses out into the ring to make their descision. Jenny's stomach was doing somersaults! She was so proud of Sky and she kept smiling at the thought of just being at the county show.
The judges were looking at the horses and marking them one by one. To her absolute delight and suprise the judge called Sky in FIRST! Visibly laughing with joy as they handed the certificate and slipped the beautiful ribboned sash round Sky's neck Jen felt tears of joy sliding down her cheeks. She thank the judge and posed for a photo by the professional photographer.
The judge asked all of the placed horses to do a lap of honour. Jenny really let Sky go and he bucked with delight to the sound of clapping and cheering from the spectators.
She laughed at him and as she left the ring she saw Matt, Jo, Ida and Bob there waiting for her. "WELL DONE!" they all chorused.
"Thank you so so much, I am so happy I could literally burst." Sky snorted and rubbed his head up her affectionately and Jen hugged Jo and Matt. "Jo, you have done such a great thing for me, I don't know how I will ever repay you; and Matt thank you for all of your support" Bob and Ida looked on smiling "Thank you very much Matt, for inviting us, it was so great to see one of our horses winning again!" Jenny turned to them "No, thank you - without you selling him to me, I don't think I would have realised my dream".....
Matt looked on furtively "Well, we have some more happy news - if you can take it" ....
Bob and Ida smiled "We've been discussin a few things and Matt has put an offer in our farm and we've accepted it!"
Jenny really did look fit to burst and Jo laughed "He's good at surprises, is your husband!"
We'll explain all that later, I think you've had enough excitement so far today.....
Bob and Ida went off with Matt in the Landrover as they had to be home and Jenny loaded Sky in a daze. Jo was showing Dove and Sandpiper with her groom in the mare and foal class and she was just going off to watch. She shut up the lorry and made her way through the buzzing crowd to the ring side....
It was wet and windy outside, as she glanced out of the farmhouse kitchen window, although the Aga was blazing out heat in the kitchen, Jenny shivered and pulled the collar up on her ancient wax jacket. Under the table Pudding her Labrador puppy whined.
“What a day to be going to see a horse! Still he might be the one I’m looking for!”
Jenny had set her heart on a coloured horse, at 5”2 she was only small herself so she wasn’t looking at something huge. But right from being a pony less child, she had the horse pictured in her head.
She drew picture after picture of little coloured horses all over anything she could, often this got her in to trouble especially when it was her school books. Jenny smiled recalling the memory- it had been her life long dream to buy and bring on a coloured youngster. This really could be her chance.
It was quite late on Thursday night had seen the advert in Horse and Hound for a skewbald 3 year old Irish Draught x colt and although there was no picture, he came in well under budget a £1000, so she had rung the number any way. An older man answered. “Hi there, I’m ringing about the colt you have for sale?” “Which one?” the old man replied somewhat impatiently. Wrong footed for a second, Jenny stammered “Oh sorry, the skewbald 3 yr old”…
“Righto, he’s still available, but you’d better be quick to come and see him, as without a deposit I won’t hold ‘im for you” Jenny arranged to go and see him the next day in the afternoon. “Who should I ask for when I arrive?” “My name is Mr. Patterson”…
Matt, her husband glanced up and smiled at Jenny from where he was sitting at the large pine dining room table. Jenny smiled back, little butterflies flipping round her stomach “Yes, it is a bit miserable out there, I can’t say I’m looking forward to calving for old Mr. Johnson tonight either…
Matt was a large animal vet and ran a practice from their modest small holding in the Derbyshire Dales, he had worked hard to form relationships with the neighbouring farms and built up his practice from scratch, Jenny had been with him every step of the way, and now after five years of hard work they had finally broken even. They practice was doing so well that they could now afford to take on another vet.
Matt had always told her to follow her dreams and supported her 100%, that’s why she fell for him at University. He was always supportive and always reliable. And now here she was doing just that…
She kissed him affectionately on the cheek “Right on that note, I’d better be going, I said that I would be there for 3.00pm sharp and Mr. Patterson doesn’t sound as though he likes latecomers. Hopefully, I will come back with a nice horse. “Good luck, but don’t just bring him home for the sake of it, he has to be what you want”…
Jenny called Pudding to heel and clambered into her battered Land Rover bowing her head against the rain; the horse trailer already attached, “just incase…” she thought gleefully to herself, but not daring to hope too much. Jenny had been to see many horses over the past few months; they were either not as described or over priced for what they were. But this one she had a feeling would be worth it.
Pudding hopped up beside her and lay down. Jenny had butterflies of excitement as the engine roared into life. “This could be it Pud!!” The dog looked at her through soft brown eyes with a quizzical expression on her face… ruffling Pudding’s soft fur; Jenny smiled again at the thought.
They were rumbling along the A50 when the thunder and lightening started, rain was beating down and Pudding was whimpering from the passenger foot well. Jenny was peering hard through the windscreen, the rain drumming rhythmically on the glass.
“Come on now, girlie it will be alright” Jenny hated driving in the rain normally, but today not even the storm could dampen her spirits. The GPS unit was chattering away in the background. It seemed like they had driven forever when they finally turned onto the little single track road down to Briar Farm.
The farm itself was a collection of near derelict red brick buildings with sagging slate rooftops; a large georgian farm house loomed from behind the collection of barns, impressive and giant like in stature. Jenny could smell the honeysuckle that was clambering over the little green wooden front door; she looked around for signs of life. The rain had stopped and the sun was starting to peep through the clouds. She was about to go off exploring when suddenly, she jumped out of her skin as she was tapped on the shoulder… Pudding barked ferociously in the car “Oh gosh! you startled me!”
Mr. Patterson was a typical old farming type. He was a small wiry man, with twinkly blue eyes and jet black hair with a sprinkling of grey but he the look of an old horseman about him with his flat cap and thick Derbyshire accent; he smiled warmly with a hint of mischief in his eyes. “You must be Jenny?” “Er, yes that’s me” she said looking slightly embarrassed. He shook her hand paying no attention to her reddening cheeks; composing herself slightly, she smiled wryly at the old man.
“I’m pleased you could make it and please call me Bob”. Bob wasted no time and turned to walk towards the barns. Jenny left Pudding safely in the car and obediently followed Bob across the damp cobbled farm yard and in to one of the barns, as the barn door swung open, she stepped in to the sweet smelling but dimly lit gloom.
“They’re in ‘ere”… Jenny breathed in the rapturous smell of horse and clean straw. She peered through the gloom. All around her, she could see mares and foals, all of gypsy vanner breeding, with their neat little ears, shining eyes,thick-set patchy bodies and hairy legs.
The foals huddled in close to their dams as Bob and Jenny came near; warily eyeing them as they approached; skitting this way and that.
At the other end of the barn, there he stood, a beautiful tri coloured colt, a deep rich bay and white with jet black through his mane and tail, he pranced delicately on his little humbug striped feet.
He wasn’t like the rest, he about stood 14.3 hands from what Jenny could see and his head was fine, with long ears and a lop sided blaze and he had hardly any feather. He eyed them as cautiously as the rest. “Is he halter broken?” Jenny asked “Aye, he is that- but just a little nervous, ‘es been a runnin’ out with the weaned foals y’see?” “Are these foals his?” "Nope – he ain’t been used for coverin’ nowt I’ve just bought ‘im in off the field to sell on just now".
With that Bob took some oats out of his pocket and approached the colt, which was now rolling his eyes disdainfully and snorting gently. He stood up, tense and Bob talked soothingly to him, the colt momentarily dropped his head to lip the oats delicately off Bob’s palm. Jenny watched awe-struck. He was the one…
Bob slipped the halter over the colt's head in one deft movement. Unperturbed the colt stood obediently still. “I’ll take ‘im out into the yard so you can ‘ave a proper look at ‘im. She didn’t let on but,Jenny had already made up her mind.
She watched the colt spring out into the sunshine, his hooves tip-tapping on the cobbled yard. He shied at a crow flapping out of the undergrowth, arching his proud neck. His mane was long and knotted, but he was beautiful. Bob trotted the colt up and down, he moved with a long even stride that ate the ground up. Jenny was ecstatic, he was better than she’d ever hoped for. She stood there critically examining his conformation, straight limbed and strong. Even his markings were perfect, not too much white and very even.
Jenny was overjoyed at the prospect of taking the gorgeous colt home to show Matt, he would be as pleased as her, hopefully.
As she approached Jenny spoke to the colt soothingly in low tones just as Bob had; the colt stood away from her at the end of the rope, alert, coiled and ready should anything startle him again.
She looked him over gently feeling his legs and having a look in his mouth, the colt stood sensibly enough whilst she felt him all over. At last she was satisfied; “I’ll take him” Bob looked pleased and shook on it. “Aye, you’ve got yerself a good one there!”
Jenny asked Bob if he had traveled before, "Aye, he's been kept in a field 5 miles away, an' I boxed him o'er 'ere just last week"
Bob loaded the colt into the trailer; he went on gingerly but with no fuss. Once in he stood rigid in the box, ears pricked listening for the other horses. He let out a whinny, from the barn a couple of the mares called back. “You come t’ouse with me, 'eel be alreet on there for a little while"
Bob led Jenny into the rustic farmhouse kitchen where his wife Ida was waiting with a mug of steaming tea for them both. Two Jack Russell’s yapped excitedly at Jenny’s heels as she entered the kitchen. Ida motioned to the dogs to settle down and offered Jenny a seat. Ida had the same twinkly blue eyes as her husband and her dark hair was also streaked with grey, she smiled warmly at Jenny.
“You’ve come to buy our colt then?” said Ida matter of factly...
All around the walls hung pictures of coloured horses and what looked like Bob and Ida as a young couple with various horses, hunting and showing..
In one particular photo there was a young Ida poised; long dark hair in a neat bun- classically elegant in her side saddle outfit on a workmanlike coloured horse and Bob in what looked like the same flat cap as he was wearing now driving a magnificent coloured stallion with endless mane and feather.
Rosettes festooned the walls of the farmhouse and there was a trophy on every surface, Jenny studied each carefully.
“Grand days they were" Ida said wistfully "O’course we’re getting’ on a bit now so they’ll all ‘ave to go eventually, but when they do the money will come in useful no doubt” Ida smiled unconvincingly and Jenny could tell how much they loved the horses.
Jenny could understand that better than anyone....
“You have some beautiful horses Ida, the colt is no exception, just the one I’ve been looking for.”
“Aye, he’s a grand one no mistake!” “You’ll go far with him” she said, smiling kindly.
Jenny listened intently as Ida told her tales of all the horses that they had loved and known over the years, Ida was the daughter of Romany gypsies and Bob was farmer’s son they had been together for over forty years. Their children had long since grown up and flown the nest. “None of them interested in the horses or the farm, only the land it sits on” Ida said bitterly.
Jenny told Ida about Matt & the farm whilst Bob was rootling through the draws of the huge Welsh dresser in search of the colts’ papers. “Aha ‘ere they are” Bob placed them down on the table and with gnarled hands Ida counted out the money that Jenny had handed to her. Jenny read through the impressive bloodlines on the colts’ papers and felt warm inside…
“In all my excitement, I forgot to ask you- has he got a name?”
“Oh aye, he is called Coloured Skies and he is by King of Diamonds out of our favourite vanner mare Colourspin.”
Once she had drank her tea and Bob had made out a receipt; Jenny shook hands with them both. "We'll look forward to seeing our colt out and about then next year then eh?" "With a bit of luck Ida, if he is you'll both be the first to know I promise"
Bob saw her to the car and smiled at her. "You look after our Sky then?" "I will Bob, you have no worries about that, I can assure you"... Sky stamped impatiently, the trailer rocked gently..
Bob looked a little sad to see the colt depart. As Jenny was leaving, he slipped £20 back into her hand; “A little bit back for luck”… Jenny smiled graciously. “Don’t worry he’ll be fine with me”. She watched them wave her off in the door mirror, feeling a little sad about what Ida had said about selling off all their horses.
Sky traveled perfectly and the journey home was pretty uneventful, Pudding was fast asleep and it was dark by the time they arrived back at Abel’s Farm. Sky whinnied impatiently and stamped as they bumped and bounced up the long drive to the farm. Jenny had phoned Matt when she was ten minutes away from home and luckily he was there. He came out of the house looking disheveled and helped Jenny drop the ramp to the trailer.
The colt was on high alert, ears pricked and muscles tensed, Sky flounced down the ramp as though on springs and snorted in to the early evening air. Steam rose from his flanks and he trumpeted a challenging whinny across the valley. An answer came in the form of a deep whinny from Warrior.
Warrior was Matt's chestnut Irish Draught gelding. Placid and dependable like Matt, he couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
“He’s a bit excitable isn’t he?” Matt still looked slightly alarmed.
“Oh Matt, he’s perfect and he’ll be fine once he’s settled”. Matt looked unconvinced, but shrugged and followed Jenny to the stable block where Warrior nickered a deep welcome.
Sky nickered back and walked obediently but springily into his freshly arranged loose box, still a little wired. He hungrily snatched at the freshly prepared hay net. Jenny marveled at him, he was actually here! She almost pinched herself....
They stood there looking over the door and when he was cool, Jenny fed both the horses some feed.
Matt stood and regarded him over the stable door, delicate little crunching sounds emanating from both stables "He is a lovely looking strong colt- and moving hasn't affected his appetite at all" Matt laughed. Jenny gave him one last look. "Bless him, I think we'll leave them to it, the journey home has tired him out".... Speaking of food, I’m starving. Suddenly the day caught up with her and she wearily trudged back up to the house.
In a hot bath, Jenny reflected on the day and felt lucky that Sky was here. She fell into bed, happily exhausted…
The next morning, Jenny got up early to check on Sky and Warrior.
As she switched the lights on in the barn, Warrior and Sky blinked simultaneously trying to adjust their eyes to the light. “Morning, boys!” Warrior whickered a welcome closely followed by Sky. She set about her chores, gave the horses more hay and went in for breakfast herself…
When she got back into the house, Matt was sleepily scrambling eggs and grilling bacon “I thought that you might be hungry so I made breakfast, I’ll look Sky over after”… she was grateful for the delicious breakfast… "How is he this morning, no mishaps in night?" "He's fine, maybe a little subdued but he'll soon settle in."..
Matt had looked the colt over later on that morning and had given him a clean bill of health. “He is as strong as an Ox, Jen”
Perfect, Just the words she wanted to hear. “He’ll be lovely to show, he has such striking markings and who knows maybe there could be some little baby skies later on?” Matt grinned. “Are you getting broody?” Jenny teased. "Well, it would be a shame to geld him unless absolutely necessary. We do have a nice set up here and we are doing well with the practice, it is worth thinking about"…
Jenny set about gently handling Sky… she did little bits at a time, making sure that Sky was totally happy with the progress. Warrior turned out to be a fantastic nanny horse and taught Sky about respect and personal space.
In the first weeks and when he seemed happy enough with her company a she set about grooming the mud off him. Sky was in to everything, she soon discovered, he meticulously explored the grooming brushes with his teeth and tipping up the grooming box. Jenny was laughing out loud at his antics, whilst Warrior looked on with a surprised expression on his face. Matt had been busy with the practice leaving Jenny with lots of time with Sky.
He called home one lunch time to find Jenny in the stable block giggling hysterically. Sky had emptied the brushes all over the floor again, and stood with the dandy brush in his mouth swinging his head up and down in delight…
Matt smiled at the sight that greeted him, Sky noticing that he had extra attention suddenly acted up all the more, rolling his eyes is mock fear at the grooming box monster. “He’s really coming on now Jen!” “I know I can’t believe how little he used to seem, it’s like he’s growing an inch a day” she said laughing.
She turned Sky and Warrior out together in the front paddock. Sky was well mannered and waited patiently for her take his headcollar off before bucking and leaping off into gallop round and round the paddock. Dancing around Warrior, Sky nipped playfully at the air around the big chestnut’s flanks. Warrior snaked his head as a warning ears flat back. This was the daily ritual, Sky teasing the big gelding, but he never responded with malice and only reprimanded Sky gently.
The months passed and Jenny decided that it was time to back Sky, all the ground work was in place. It was the height of summer now and the colt was turning four, Jenny had secret aspirations of competing at Horse of The Year Show, but really didn’t mind as long as she managed to get through the backing process successfully. She had started horses before but she wanted to get it right...
She started the new phase of his training gently and without fuss; she wanted Sky to understand that she had no intention of hurting him. To prepare the colt, she had ridden Warrior and led him round the paddock at the side. At first, Sky took to this new training with vigour, exploring the new tack with his lips. Jenny let him, talking to him all of the time.
“Come on, that’s right Sky, you have a good old look” She rubbed his forehead gently. “We’ll just see what you think of it close up” But as Jenny picked the bridle up off the fence the colt regarded the tack with new found suspicion- he hid behind Jenny and blowing and snorting in to her hair with a look of mock horror on his face.
Warrior who was grazing in the next door paddock looked up and whinnied at Sky. In a flash Sky tugged the halter rope out of Jenny’s hands and flounced off at a floating trot around the paddock, just out of reach. This wasn’t going to quite as easy as she had originally thought…
“Come on silly boy!” Jenny laughed at his little display. “You are daft.” Jenny turned her back and flopped down in the grass… Sky, curious stopped his display and stood stock still in the opposite corner of the paddock, rolling his eyes… Still Jenny ignored him…. His curiosity got the better of him and he slowly and cautiously walked over to her. Jenny giggled to herself quietly as Sky blew gently into her hair with a quizzical expression on his face. “What’s all this fuss about then?” Slowly she took the lead rope between her fingers, but didn’t get up until Sky had regained his composure.
Steadily she rubbed his forehead and he let out a big sigh. “That’s better little one, let’s try the bridle again” … Sky was calmer this time and she unbuckled the bit and slipped the bridle over Sky’s ears, he stood tense and unmoving but was well behaved. “This is more like it” Sky was still unconvinced but he never moved or tried to run away. Stroking him gently all over Jenny felt Sky relax and the she took the bridle monster off…
Later that day she was in the kitchen preparing dinner, when Matt and Pudding came in.
“How was Sky today?” “Brilliant, but I think that I need some help with him, I need someone to help me get him used to being handled with tack on, and he ran away from the bridle today ”she laughed
“Why don’t you give Jo Mason a call from Hartshorne village?”
Jo was the local horse trainer and she was renowned for her special talents with nervous horses, she had a large yard about ten miles away. “I’m not a bit keen on sending him there on his own” He only knows me and not really anyone else…”
“He’ll be fine and you can visit him and be involved in backing him” Matt exclaimed. “It will also give you a chance to get out at meet people, you’re always stuck here when I’m working. Think of it as a social outing for you both too.” he said smiling.
Over dinner Matt and Jenny discussed each of their days, Matt laughed heartily at Jenny’s recounted story of the “Bridle Monster”… “See, all the more reason to get some professional help now. “I know, but I’ve waited so long for him that I wanted to do it myself.” “I know, but it’s better to have help and do it right rather than correct mistakes later.” Resignedly, Jenny agreed. “I’ll phone her in the morning.”
The next morning, Jenny rang Jo. She arranged to come up to the farm and see Jenny to discuss what to do with Sky. “I really need some guidance, but I have done all of the ground work and he has company. But he is extremely nervous of anything new. “Righto, I’ll come an’ ‘ave a look at ‘im at 11.00”
They finalized the details of Jo’s visit and rang off. After she got off the telephone, Jenny felt strangely happy.
Slightly nervous, Jenny groomed Sky until he gleamed and turned him back out to relax with Warrior.
Everything was clean and swept and with 20 minutes to go Jenny went up to the house for a coffee.
She was reading the paper as Matt burst in- “JENNY, JENNY!!!! There’s been an accident!!!
Gripped with panic, Jenny ran past Matt and out in to the drive way. The scene that met her made her stomach flip over… A cattle lorry had gone through the post and rail fencing with such force that it had hit Warrior square on; he was lying side on groaning covered with blood.
She screamed “Oh no, it can’t be” Matt was already running down the drive way to the horse.
Tears filling her eyes, Jenny searched desperately for Sky, he was injured but standing in the top most corner of the field. The driver was unconscious and Matt could hear the cows screeching from inside the container. Jenny ran over to Warrior first, sinking to her knees sobbing; she cradled the big gelding’s head in her arms, he was breathing rapidly, lacerations covered his body and his foreleg was badly broken. Matt had checked the trapped driver for signs of life and had called an ambulance. “Hello, hello, can you hear me?” The driver groaned. “He’s alive!” The driver of the lorry was white, and barely breathing. Matt, threw a blanket over him to keep him warm.
Whispering soothing words to Warrior, Matt knelt down beside Jenny’s frail looking frame, his face ashen. “I’ll see to him, you get Sky. Matt knew that the gelding was too badly injured to survive. He had protected Sky and took the full force of the hit.
In the melee, Jo arrived and seeing the state everything was in left her car in the driveway and came sprinting over. “What on earth has ‘appened?” “Go to Jenny!!” She stood with Jenny and Sky as Matt euthanized Warrior; Jenny wailed, Sky screamed both totally in shock. Jo held her tightly, soothing her as best she could. “Come on now, there there, nothing could be done for ‘im.
When emergency services arrived; Jo took a very lame Sky into the stable whilst Matt dealt with the Fire Brigade, Ambulance and Police. A neighboring farmer had come over to pick up the surviving cattle and remove Warrior’s now still body. ”.The fire brigade set about freeing the trapped man. The police questioned Matt about the events leading up to the accident and took a statement, he told the all he knew. “Right Sir, as soon as we have more information, we’ll be in touch”.
Totally numb, all three people walked slowly back to the stable block. The wreckage still in the feild.
Jenny was broken inside “I can’t believe this has happened” her voice cracking. Matt held her whilst she cried. Jo, who was still there, came over.
“My beautiful horses, one dead and the other injured” After the wreckage was cleared, and the lorry was taken away Matt checked Sky over. “I’ll give him a mild sedative and some pain killing injections and he must be kept warm to help with the shock” They blanketed the still shaky horse; he stood legs splayed with his head hung low.
Wearily, she stood up… “I’ll leave you to rest little one”… trudging back up to the house, her head spinning with sadness and shock.
She drank her tea and the three all sat in silence mulling over the day’s events, still unbelieving of what had occurred. “I’ll be off then, but I’ll be back over in the morning to see how you all are” Jenny and Matt went to bed themselves, tired but unable to take everything in.
Jenny fell into a fitful sleep, her dreams permeated with visions of Warrior, Sky and the accident.
Before she knew it, sunlight was streaming through the curtains, motes of dust dancing in its golden rays. She got out of bed on autopilot, dressed and washed but in her heart feeling that things wouldn’t be the same again. She took the stairs two at a time, Pudding was lolloping behind her. “Matt, Matt?” She looked around for him downstairs and there was no sign. “Come on Pud, he must be with Sky. Opening the heavy wooden front door, she stepped out into the glorious morning.
The dog raced down to the stables to find Matt, Jenny following a few steps behind. As she walked into the stable block, a very tired looking Matt was dressing Sky’s wounds again.
“Morning love, I thought that I would leave you a bit longer to try to rest, we’ve all been through the mill over the last 24 hours”
“Thank you, but I couldn’t stay in bed- I had to check the Sky was alright”… “His wounds are just superficial and he’ll be back on his feet in no time” Matt was trying to console Jenny with something positive. “I just can’t believe that Warrior is gone”
Matt crumpled, tiredness and grief catching up on him all at once- “Oh Matt, I’m so sorry- here I am wrapped up in my own grief and I never even thought about how you could be feeling about it all” She slipped her arms around him embracing him tightly. After a while, he calmed down..
“We have to think positively, Jen- we can’t let this end your dreams for Sky”
Outside a car was rumbling up the shale driveway, Jenny looked out to see who it was. Jo had come back as promised. Composing herself, she greeted Jo warmly.
“Ello, ow’s the patient then?” Jo said as cheerfully as she could “Oh he’s a little bit traumatized- but it looks as though he’s going to be alright” explained Matt.
“That’s very good news then, eh?” Jo went in to Sky and rubbed his forehead affectionately, Sky blew gently on her hand.” “I was thinking, and if I am being too forward- then please say so- but this boy is going to need some company” “Oh, yes- I hadn’t even considered….” fat hot tears rolled down Jenny’s face as she considered the full impact of what had happened… Matt rubbed her back gently.. “I don’t mean to upset you, Jenny” “I know mate, but everything is just so raw”
“Look, I’ll be off now, but both have a think about it and call me”…
"Okay, thank you again for everything you've done to help; we'll be in touch soon"..
Over the next few weeks Jenny and Matt busied themselves with getting Sky better and keeping on top of the practice - on the Sunday morning of the fourth week after the accident, Sky was looking over the stable door and whinnying for attention. Jenny’s heart swelled with love and relief when she saw him, Matt was in the stable with him removing some of his dressings for the last time...
"That's it now Jen- no more treatments, just turn him out" On the Monday morning, Jenny nervously slipped Sky's halter on, "Now, sunshine you are on your own- so no mad tearing about" Her heart was in her mouth walking to the field- she put him in the paddock behind the house to give him a fresh start incase he remembered that terrible day.
She needn't have worried, he tip-tapped alongside her spooking at imaginary monsters. "Right Sky, lets do it" She led him calmly through the gate and turned him to face her. "You haven't forgotten your manners then". In a split second she had released him. Sky leapt into the air and squealed, all his pent up energy released. Jenny couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling happy for the first time in weeks. Even though she missed Warrior desperately it made her feel so much better seeing Sky well again...
Matt came walking down to see the spectacle- "It warms my heart to see the little fella well again"... "I know what you mean, perhaps we should consider Jo's offer of some company for him?".....
Jo left Sky grazing peacefully glad that she could see him from the kitchen window. He didn't bat an eyelid about Jenny leaving him and he seemed to be in fine form- but Jenny knew that Matt was right, he needed company.
Pudding flopped down by the aga and made herself comfortable, Jenny made herself a cup of tea and rummaged through the desk draw to find Jo's telephone number. "Found it!" tentatively she dialled the number. "Hello Hatherdene Stables" "Oh hello, It's Jenny here, can I speak to Jo please?" "Sure thing" said the Irish man on the other end of the phone....
"Ello, there Jo, it's good to hear from you again- to what do I owe the pleasure? "Well, Matt and I have talked about it and we would like to take you up on your offer of company for Sky" "Oh Jen, of course it's the least I can do" I've got just the horse in mind, are you all right to come over tomorrow afternoon about twoish?" "Fine by me, see you then" "As she hung up the phone, Jenny felt the same pang of excitement that she had when she was going to buy Sky..
The rest of that day was taken up with preparing a stable for the new horse, she had disinfected and cleaned out Warriors box a couple of weeks ago, she hadn't been able to before this... A she laid the bed, Matt came in to see what she was up to. "What's all this then?" "Well, I phoned Jo like you said and she said that she has a horse that might be suitable for company for Sky" "Well, that's good news, I miss Warrior as much as you do Jen, but we have to move on for Sky's sake..."
Jo's huge horsebox rumbled up the driveway to the farm. Sky picked his head up from where he was grazing in the paddock and whinnied loudly. A resounding whinny replied to his call- Sky pranced around the paddock, no sign of the trauma he had endured on his face. Despite herself Jenny smiled...
Pudding ran out in to the yard barking frantically at the arriving lorry only ceasing when the engine stopped. "Ello Jenny, All arrived present and correct" remarked Jo. "I just know that this mare is the one for you!" As the ramp came down with a thud, inside Jenny and Matt could just see two shell like tobiano ears and two eyes like big dark saucers peering over the partion, she looked a little over 16 hands.
The mare whinnied a greeting and shuffled her feet impatiently. "Right then, lets get her off this lorry then, shall we?" Matt walked the mare off the lorry himself, when she came out into the sunshine, Jenny gasped with delight. Behind her was the most beautiful coloured foal... He was about 13.2hh and piebald. Jo grinned michievously- I thought you'd like our Dove here?
Dove extended her delicate head to Matt's hand and sniffed him all over, the foal nestled his muzzle under her belly to take a long drink, splaying his legs as he did so and making them all smile.
"What on earth? Is this buy one, get one free??" said Jenny laughing out loud. Jo winked at Jen conspiritorially.... "I think it should be your that Matt that answers to that over a cuppa!" Jenny was awestruck- Had Matt arranged all of this without her knowing?? A million questions went through her head at once. Reeling with joy, she followed Matt and Jo to the stable block where Matt put the Dove and the foal in the stable for a rest.
Matt lead the lovely Dove in to the box closely followed by the foal. "What is the foal called?" "He's called Hartshorne Sandpiper and he is by Crossdrum Spurs, half Riding Horse half Irish Sports horse" Jenny though her heart would stop with the excitement. Sky was whinnying from the paddock, Dove picked up her delicate head a whinnied deeply in answer to his calling.
"I suggest we leave 'em to settle in and 'ave that cuppa- don't you?"
Back in the house, Jenny was delirious with excitement- she wanted to know everything about how Matt and Jo had kept Dove such a secret from her.
"When did you both plan this?" Jenny was laughing... "Jo got Dove in to break in from a contact in Ireland and two days after she arrived I was called out to her as she looked like she was colicking, it turns out that Piper was on his way and it was not colic at all" "It was tricky to keep her a secret until now, I can tell you!" We've both wanted to tell you so many times over the last few weeks" Matt and Jo were both smiling at the memory.
"When I called her last owner, he was most puzzled as he was told that she didn't take when she went to stud, but he hadn't wanted her back when I told him as he no longer wanted a youngster- so he told me to sell her on. I got her for a song and then asked Matt if you would like to take 'er and little Piper on"
"Jo, that is just amazing, I can't believe our luck. Thank you, sincerely, I can't tell you how happy you've made me"...
Over the next few weeks Sky went off to be started by Jo, and Jenny and Matt busied themselves with the practice and handling Dove and the foal. Jenny thrived on the daily contact as much as the horses did and truly enjoyed seeing Dove and Piper's confidence grow. By the six week of them being will Jenny, they were ready to go to Derby county show.....
The morning of the show dawned cloudless, sunny and a bit chilly, Pudding was snuffling about in the hedgerows scenting rabbits, no doubt. Smiling to herself with excitement of what the day would bring she made her way to the stables. "C'mon Pud, these horses won't bath themselves!" she laughed. The dog had her head down an rabbit hole, making piggy snuffly noises. Jenny smiled at the silly dog.
She had butterflies whizzing around her stomach. It was six o'clock and she had set about plaiting Dove's mane and washing her silky tail and grooming both horses until they shone. The quiet dawn and the fuggy warmth of the horses immersing her senses. Sandpiper was growing more each day and was so handsome, Dove elegant and proud of her son. Jenny's heart swelled with pride when she looked at them both.
She prepared them for traveling and went back to the kitchen for a quick cuppa before Jo came with the box. Matt was busy polishing his boots and pressing Jen's show shirt when she got in to the house. Susan, the practice secretary was sitting at the kitchen table busily sorting out the paperwork that they needed. "Morning" they chorused. "Good Morning" " Are they ready to go?" "Susan has made sure that George can cover my visits for the next two days so we have a bit of a holiday"
"Oh thanks, Susan- you're brilliant! It will be lovely to know that we can spend time enjoying the show and not worrying about the practice"
"It's no bother, George and I will be quite happy to keep things ticking along whilst you are both away. Just have some fun and we'll look forward to seeing your trophies when you get back"
"I'm not counting my chickens, just yet!!" Laughed Jenny.
"Och, no- I'm sure you'll do great!" smiled Susan.
"Ready?" asked Matt. "All fired up and ready to go" Jenny's stomach lurched at the thought. She was so excited, she thought that she might pass out. Just then she heard Jo's lorry come rumbling up the drive....
A shrill whinny came from inside the lorry, confused Jenny looked at Matt. Not another surprise?
"What have you done this time?" Jenny said looking puzzled
Jo brought the lorry to a halt, turned the engine off....
"Make sure you take you riding gear too!" said Jo smiling.... Jenny's eyes were wide with excitement as Jo dropped the ramp. Peering over the partition was an immaculately turned out Sky! "Omygoodness, I can't believe it!, you told me he was no where near ready to shown, what class are we doing??" "Well, I did trick you a bit Jen, I've been secretly getting Sky ready for you to do a ridden show"
"He's been out to a few low key shows and here we are - ready for the county show" I have been over at Jo's a couple of times this week to ride him between visits- you're going to love it"
"Now then, get this mare and foal on the lorry- time's getting on" Jenny loaded the horses in a dreamlike state, rubbing Sky's neck tenderly - he was snuffling her her coat affectionately.
Once they were loaded, they were on their way. All the way to the show Jenny kept smiling to her self, he stomach flipping over every time she thought about showing Sky. She'd been so disappointed last week when Jo had said that he wasn't ready....
They arrived in plenty of time for to watch the first class. Matt was waiting for them and was ready with much needed refreshments. As they unloaded the horses and put them in the temporary stables Jenny had a serious attack of the collywobbles....
Sky looked every inch the professional, inside Jenny's nerve was failing her. "I can't do it!" ...
Jenny had been silently quivering all the way to the show. They ladies said little to each other, Jo concentrating hard on the day ahead. "I wish I had your focus Jo!" said Jen "You'll be fine, stop fretting" Jo said not unkindly. They pulled on to the field at the County Show ground.
Everywhere was buzzing with people, cattle, sheep, ponies gleaming like polished glass in the July sunshine and literally hundreds of people. A man in a fluorescent vest motioned to them to park the lorry in the competitor carpark.
"Right we are" Jo killed the engine of the big lorry and jumped out of the cab. Jenny lurched inwardly. Just then Matt drew up next to lorry in the landrover, in the passenger seat was an old man and there was an old lady in the back. Puzzled, Jenny squinted in the sunshine to see who it was. Upon closer inspection she realised who it was! It was Bob and Ida... Sky's breeders....
They all came over to the lorry, Jenny flushed pink. "Ello there, young lady - your husband telephoned us and asked us to attend the big debut!" surpised Jenny said "It's so lovely to see you, I hope we don't disgrace ourselves"
Ida looked on kindly "You won't dear, we always knew Sky was a special lad, we're so pleased that he is doing so well for you".
"It's all down to Jo's hard work really, and the ability of my husband to keep secrets" she smiled and playfully nudged Matt.
Just then, Jo came back from the Secretary's booth with the numbers. "Right, Jen you and Sky are in the next class, it's 9.00 am now and you are in at 9.30!- we'd best get our skates on"
Matt, Bob and Ida left them to get on with warming Sky up and went off to get ringside seats.
Jo unloaded Sky who was calmly taking in the atmosphere like he had done it all of his life... The same couldn't be said for Jen, she was feeling sick with nerves. Her whole life seemed to converge to this point. She still couldn't believe that it was actually happening.
Jen touched Sky's silken coat and leant into his solid neck. "C'mon Jen, time to get ready....
Jenny hopped into the living area in the lorry and did a quick change. They both looked the part. Jo took a picture of them together. Jen's nerves evaporated as she was legged up onto Sky.
She was so proud of him, he seemed to sense her pride and arched his beautiful neck proudly as they walked into the warm up arena. Sky was alert but sensible and responded to Jenny, never putting a foot wrong.
Before long it was time to go into their class, Jenny was thoroughly absorbed with Sky, no nerves could make her waver now she was enraptured. The ring was large and springy and Sky was floating. The class had about twenty different coloured horses, some ridden by professionals, some by amatures like Jenny, but in her eyes she was just glad to be here on her horse.
The judges critically eyeing all of the horses as they went past walking out, all immaculately turned out, fit and gleaming. As she came down the long side of the ring she flashed the spectators such a grin.
They were all asked to walk trot and canter, Sky did everything she asked, Jenny felt like she was dreaming and felt like squealing with delight. She didn't care if they weren't placed, she was enjoying every minute. The judges called all of the competitors to line up, Sky was called in with the others. The judges came round and viewed all of the horses close up.
The horse next to Sky was rolling it's eyes and stamping it's hindfeet. As the judge approached it suddenly barged into Sky sending him reeling sideways. The judge came over to make sure that Sky was ok and ordered the competitor on the ill tempered cob out of the ring.
Jenny was a bit shaken and Sky unsettled, fretting at the bit he fidgeted in the line up.
But as they soon got called to do their individual show, Sky focussed again with no problems. Walk trot, canter and a figure of eight.
Jenny's nerves went when she was called forward and she concentrated hard. Sky went beautifully and she was beaming as she halted in front of the judge. Sky stood like a professional in the line up, no sign of his nerves returning after his little ordeal.
Once they were finished judging the idividual shows, the sent the horses out into the ring to make their descision. Jenny's stomach was doing somersaults! She was so proud of Sky and she kept smiling at the thought of just being at the county show.
The judges were looking at the horses and marking them one by one. To her absolute delight and suprise the judge called Sky in FIRST! Visibly laughing with joy as they handed the certificate and slipped the beautiful ribboned sash round Sky's neck Jen felt tears of joy sliding down her cheeks. She thank the judge and posed for a photo by the professional photographer.
The judge asked all of the placed horses to do a lap of honour. Jenny really let Sky go and he bucked with delight to the sound of clapping and cheering from the spectators.
She laughed at him and as she left the ring she saw Matt, Jo, Ida and Bob there waiting for her. "WELL DONE!" they all chorused.
"Thank you so so much, I am so happy I could literally burst." Sky snorted and rubbed his head up her affectionately and Jen hugged Jo and Matt. "Jo, you have done such a great thing for me, I don't know how I will ever repay you; and Matt thank you for all of your support" Bob and Ida looked on smiling "Thank you very much Matt, for inviting us, it was so great to see one of our horses winning again!" Jenny turned to them "No, thank you - without you selling him to me, I don't think I would have realised my dream".....
Matt looked on furtively "Well, we have some more happy news - if you can take it" ....
Bob and Ida smiled "We've been discussin a few things and Matt has put an offer in our farm and we've accepted it!"
Jenny really did look fit to burst and Jo laughed "He's good at surprises, is your husband!"
We'll explain all that later, I think you've had enough excitement so far today.....
Bob and Ida went off with Matt in the Landrover as they had to be home and Jenny loaded Sky in a daze. Jo was showing Dove and Sandpiper with her groom in the mare and foal class and she was just going off to watch. She shut up the lorry and made her way through the buzzing crowd to the ring side....
