For Sale or Swap - Alyssa Brugman [55]
'Erin!' admonished Mrs Crook.
'What?' she protested. Shelby could see in her face that Erin was genuinely mystified.
'What's up next?' asked Hayley.
'Ridden ponies and Galloways,' replied Mrs Crook. 'We'd better go back and get those saddles on, girls. You can ride Ditto today, Hales. He needs the points.'
'Why don't you get Shelby to ride Echo?' suggested Erin.
Mrs Crook and Hayley looked at each other and back at Shelby.
Shelby blushed. 'No, it's OK. It doesn't matter.'
'Could you?' asked Hayley.
'I . . . I don't know. I've never ridden him before.'
'Would you mind having a go?' asked Mrs Crook. 'It seems a shame to bring him all this way.'
Shelby felt a rush of excitement through her belly. 'I could try.'
'Well, Shel, we've got a better chance of him winning with you on him than if he's tied up to the float all day. Now, let's get this gear on you.'
Shelby stood still while Mrs Crook dressed her in the blue jacket and tied back her hair. Hayley's spare helmet was a bit loose, and flopped down over Shelby's eyebrows, but she would have to make do.
'Your boots are a mess,' said Mrs Crook. 'Don't you ever polish them?'
'I do!' said Shelby.
'You do, my eye,' grumbled Mrs Crook. She looked at her watch. 'Shelby, this is Wanada Park Echo. Now on you hop.' She gave Shelby a boost. 'You've got about two minutes to get to know each other.'
Shelby looked down at the tangle of double reins. 'I've never used these before,' she said. Hayley showed her how to hold them properly.
With her legs, she pushed Echo forward and he lurched away to the side underneath her. Shelby felt a prickle of sweat across her lip.
'He's got a bit of go in him, so be gentle,' advised Hayley.
Shelby's heart was hammering in her chest as she followed the other girls towards the ring. Mrs Crook walked beside her, holding Echo's rein steady. The stirrup was slippery and slid out from under Shelby's boot. She thrust her foot in it, and accidentally kicked Echo in the belly. He danced away to the side and Shelby felt her seat slipping on the smooth saddle. 'Steady,' she said, jerking the reins.
Mrs Crook and Hayley exchanged a glance.
'Maybe you should ride him in the practice arena first?' Hayley suggested.
Mrs Crook shook her head. 'There's no time.'
They were at the fence now. Hayley and Erin turned their horses away towards the Galloway ring. Shelby pushed Echo in the direction of the other ponies. Mrs Crook waited at the gate, frowning and rubbing her hands together.
'It's just you and me now, matey,' Shelby said.
The first part wasn't so hard. There were about twenty ponies in the ring and it was just a matter of following what they were doing. Her stirrup slipped again, but it was the one on the outside and she managed to slide her foot back into it before they changed to the other side. The canter was a bit hairy. Echo surged forward around the outside, much faster than the other horses, but Shelby leaned back in the saddle and eventually he slowed down and she relaxed into it. After a few laps she was called into the ring behind two other ponies. They stood and waited for the judge to make another selection before the rest of the ponies were dismissed.
Shelby watched the first two complete their workout. The first one struck off on the wrong leg in the canter. The second one wouldn't rein back, and tossed its head.
Then it was Shelby's turn. She tried to concentrate on what the judge was saying, but her mind was all in a whirl. She could feel her heartbeat in the side of her neck. Echo was champing at his bit and stamping his feet.
'Got it?' the judge asked. Shelby didn't, but she nodded anyway.
She started off in a trot. That was easy enough. She quickly looked down to check she was rising on the right beat.