Destiny and Stardust (13 page)

“Do you think Destiny is their sire?” Issie asked her aunt.

“I'd say so.” Hester smiled. “Avignon's grandfoals. I'm quite sure of it.”

As the riders watched, the pretty grey mare trotted up to the rails and poked her head over to greet Destiny. The stallion ran straight up to her and as their noses touched he gave a squeal, rearing up and racing impatiently up and down his side of the fence-line with the mare running alongside him on the other side.

“He wants to be with them. You can't keep a family apart,” Hester said as they watched the stallion snorting his way along the fence-line.

“That's it!” Avery said.

“What? What's it?” Issie looked at her instructor

“That's our answer,” Avery said.

“Umm… what was our question again?” Issie was confused.

“I think I've come up with a way to capture the rest of the wild ponies and bring them back to Blackthorn Manor.” He turned to Issie now. “Issie, quick as you can – put Blaze away, and then ask Stella to do us a favour and groom her and bed her down for you. You won't have time for that now. I need you to meet me in the round pen. And bring your saddle and bridle and helmet. There's a girl – off you go!”

Issie stood rooted to the spot. “I don't understand, Tom. Why do I need my gear if I'm putting Blaze away for the night. Who am I going to be riding?”

Avery turned to her. “Isadora, I'm sorry, I'm not explaining myself clearly but time is of the essence so you'll have to trust me. I've come up with a way for us to lead the wild ponies home. And you and Destiny are the key.”

Issie was still confused. “I'm sorry, Tom, I still don't understand…” she began.

“You saw how the mares reacted when they saw Destiny,” Avery said. “Those ponies are a family. And we have the head of the family right here. They will follow him anywhere… you can lead them anywhere…”

“You mean, you want me to ride Destiny?” Issie was shocked.

Avery nodded. “He trusts you. I don't think any other rider would stand a chance, but with you riding him, maybe we can be ready in time. We still have the rest of the afternoon. The cull isn't until tomorrow…”

“You mean you want me to break Destiny in? In just one day?”

“Well, not so much a day as an afternoon,” Avery said, looking at his watch. “Anyway, if it could be done and it was our only chance, wouldn't you say that we had to give it a go? Issie? What do you say?”

Issie looked across at her Aunt. “Aunty Hess?”

Hester nodded. “Tom is right, Issie. Destiny is our link to the wild herd. He trusts you. Plus you'll be light on his back; Destiny has never had a rider before.” Hester paused. “It has to be your choice. Your mother would kill me if she thought I was behind something like this. She'll probably kill me anyway. But I've watched you ride and I think you can do it. The question is, do you think you can do it?”

Issie looked at the big, black stallion. He was still pacing the fence-line and whinnying across the paddocks at his mares. The rest of his herd were still out there somewhere and tomorrow they would be killed in the cull.

“I'll ask Stella to put Blaze away for me,” Issie said. “I'll get my gear and be right back!” And then she was off and running to the stables. Avery was right. There was no time to lose. Destiny was waiting for her.

Issie's tummy churned with nerves as she walked into the round pen. She put her saddle and bridle down on the sawdust and looked around her. The last time she had been here, Aidan had tried to teach her how to trick-jump with Blaze and she had lost her nerve. If she wasn't brave enough to leap from Blaze's back on to Paris that day, there was no way she would ever be brave enough to ride Destiny. Maybe she should just give up right now – tell Avery that she couldn't do it. He would understand…

“Feeling nervous?” Avery's voice startled her.

“Uh-huh,” Issie said.

“I need you to get rid of your doubts right now, Isadora,” Avery said. “It's very important that you are confident, that you believe you can do this. A horse will always sense your fear. And there is no room for mistakes in this arena. It's vital that you feel strong and in control when Destiny comes in here.”

“But, Tom, I'm not sure I can do this. He's a wild stallion and we don't have enough time…”

“Isadora, we have plenty of time. And you,” he smiled at her, “you have more than enough courage.”

“Now,” Avery continued, “I'm going to explain the ropes to you before Aidan brings Destiny in.”

“But, Tom,” Issie interrupted him, “you'll be in there with me… won't you?”

Avery shook his head. “I can't come into the ring with you – this is something you need to do alone, Issie. You must make a bond with this horse.”

“That's crazy!” Issie said. “I don't know how to break in a wild horse.”

“You've been in my natural horsemanship classes before, haven't you? Well consider this your final lesson,” Avery said. He pointed to the tiered seats that ran around the edge of the round pen. “I'll be watching you and calling instructions to you. Just do exactly as I tell you.” Avery looked at her. “Now, can you do this?”

Issie took a deep breath. “OK, I mean yes, Tom, absolutely. I'm ready – let's do it.”

As Avery explained how the training session would work, Issie sat listening intently. She was trying very hard to concentrate on absolutely everything that Avery was telling her, but there was so much to learn.

“Don't worry,” Avery said as he left her alone in the arena. “I promise you, in less than an hour we're going to have you up on Destiny's back and riding him.”

Avery left the round pen and Aidan came in leading Destiny. The black stallion was clearly spooked by his new surroundings. As Aidan led him past Issie the big, black horse shied at his own shadow, rearing up and jerking the lead rope almost out of Aidan's hand. “Easy boy,” Aidan said. Issie could see the horse's nostrils quivering and there was sweat on his flanks.

He's afraid too
, Issie realised, and at that moment her nerves completely vanished. If Destiny was scared, then it was up to her to be brave enough for both of them.

“You can let Destiny loose now,” Avery called down to Aidan. Aidan nodded. He unclipped the lead rope from the halter. It took a moment for Destiny to realise that he was now free, and then he shook his head defiantly and cantered off to stand on the far side of the round pen, as far away as he could get from Issie and Aidan.

Aidan walked over to Issie and handed her the lead rope. “Are you going to be OK in here by yourself?” he asked her.

“Uh-huh,” she said. “I think so.”

Aidan smiled. “I'm right outside that door if you need me.” And with that, he headed back across the sawdust floor and out of the arena – shutting the door behind him, leaving Issie alone with the stallion.

“Right. We need to move fast here, Issie,” Avery said. “Let's get started.”

Issie nodded. Then she turned to face the stallion, her shoulders square to him, her gaze directly meeting his eyes. For a moment the horse looked back at her, holding her stare and challenging her.

“Use the rope now, Issie,” Avery commanded from above.

Issie looked down at the long lead rope in her hand. She swung it around like a lasso and then let it fly. The rope flicked out and landed uselessly on the sawdust in front of her. Issie felt herself getting flustered – Aidan and Avery were watching from the seats above and she had no idea what she was doing.

“Don't worry about it. Try again,” Avery said. “It will take you a few throws to get used to the weight of the rope.”

Issie pulled the rope back, looping it loose in her hand and then threw it again. This time the rope flew out perfectly, tapping Destiny lightly across the rump. Destiny snorted with surprise and began to trot around the perimeter of the round pen. The rope fell away behind the stallion and Issie pulled it towards her, looping it back in her hands.

“That's it. Excellent. And again,” Avery called to her.

Issie flicked the rope again and this time the stallion broke into a canter.

“Very good!” Avery said. “Those taps with the rope will keep him moving. Don't let him stop. We're going to keep him running for a while and pretty soon he'll get tired of going around this pen and he'll want to stop running. He's going to want to come to you instead, which means he's becoming submissive and acknowledging you as the ‘alpha' horse, the boss of the herd. All you need to do now is keep him moving and look for the signs that I told you about.”

Issie nodded at Avery's words but she didn't dare to take her eyes off the black horse and look up at her instructor. Avery had told her that she must never look away from Destiny, not even for a moment.

Destiny was cantering gracefully, his head held high, his nostrils flared. Issie found it impossible to believe that this proud, powerful, wild stallion would ever allow her to become the boss. Hadn't he always been the boss of his herd? She flicked the long rope at Destiny again to keep the horse cantering, waiting and watching like Avery had told her to, looking for a sign.

“There!” Avery called over the edge of the arena. “Do you see that, Issie?”

“Ummm, what?” Issie called up.

“He's listening to you. His ears are swivelling towards you, his head is turning towards you. He's paying attention now,” Avery said excitedly. “In a moment he's going to make more signals – he'll lick his lips and lower his head. This is his way of saying, ‘I accept that you are in charge – please let me stop running now'.”

As Avery said this the black horse began to do exactly that. He lowered his head and licked his lips.

“You've got him!” Avery said. “OK, Issie, now look down at the ground and don't make eye contact. Look straight down at the ground. Do it now.”

Issie did as Avery instructed. Almost immediately Destiny stopped running. Issie stayed perfectly still. The stallion took a step towards her and then another. He stretched out his nose to sniff at her. He took another step. He was so close to Issie that he was almost touching her.

“Don't make eye contact – just put your hand out, give him a pat,” Avery said. The stallion didn't flinch as she reached out and stroked his face and neck. He even stood patient and relaxed as Issie stroked along his shoulders and rump. He seemed to be enjoying her touch.

“That's right, touch him along his back – that's where horses like to groom each other – he's letting you in now, you're the alpha.” Avery's voice was calm and firm as he spoke to her. “Now turn away from him, Issie. Turn your back on him and walk away now,” Avery told her.

Issie felt herself stiffen at this. Did she really have to turn her back on this wild horse? What if Destiny attacked her?

“It's OK,” Avery said softly. “You can do it. He won't hurt you.”

Issie kept her eyes down on the ground and turned her back on Destiny. She began to walk away, and as she walked she could hear the horse right there behind her.

“Don't look back,” Avery said firmly.

“Tom! What's going on? Is he following me?” she hissed.

Avery laughed. “That's right. You're the alpha now. Go ahead and take him for a walk. He'll follow you.”

Issie giggled and began to walk around the arena with Destiny following along right behind her like a puppy dog on a leash – except there was no leash. The horse was right there next to her, his nose nudging against her sleeve.

“This is cool!” Issie smiled up at Avery as she walked a whole circle around the arena with Destiny following at her side.

“OK, alpha girl. You can put the saddle and bridle on him now,” Avery said. “It looks like you've got yourself a new partner.”

Issie couldn't believe how easy it had been to win Destiny over. But the thrill of becoming the “alpha” quickly faded when she strapped the saddle on and Destiny began to buck uncontrollably.

“It's fine, let him buck,” Avery reassured her. “He's never worn a saddle before. Just let him get it out of his system and he'll come back to you.”

Avery was right. Destiny quickly calmed down and let Issie put on a bridle too.

“OK, Aidan, you can come back in now,” Avery called. Aidan stepped into the arena. “Give Issie a leg up,” Avery instructed.

“What?” Issie couldn't believe it. “But I've only just put the saddle on! It's been less than an hour! You can't break a horse in this fast!”

“Isadora. Do you trust me?” Avery said.

“Uh-huh,” Issie replied.

“Then get on. He's ready. You'll be fine. Remember, you're the alpha.”

“I'm the alpha, I'm the alpha,” Issie chanted over and over under her breath as she put her knee in Aidan's cupped hand and sprang lightly into the saddle. Issie looked down. She had never been this high up on a horse before. Destiny was much bigger than either Blaze or Mystic. He was nearly sixteen hands. It felt like a million miles up in the air. Issie slipped her feet into the stirrups and grasped the reins in her hands. Beneath her she felt Destiny tremble, his muscles tensed as if he were ready to bolt.

“Do you want me to keep holding him?” Aidan asked. He had both hands firmly on Destiny's reins.

Issie shook her head. “No, Aidan. Let him go. It's the only way.” She took a deep breath, braced her feet against the stirrups and held on.

As Destiny took a step and felt the weight of the rider on his back he gave a little half-buck. Issie hung on, her hands gripping tightly now to the front of the saddle. Destiny snorted, lowered his head and bucked again. It was a big buck this time and she felt herself lifting up and crashing back down into the saddle, but she didn't fall off.

“He's OK. He's just getting used to you,” Avery said calmly. “Put your legs on him and ask him to move forward.”

Issie took a deep breath and did as Avery asked. Nothing. Destiny held his ground against her, refusing to move. Frustrated, Issie gave the big, black horse a swift kick. “Get-up!” she demanded, growling under her breath nervously.

As Issie's heels dug into his sides Destiny gave a snort of defiance and reared straight up in the air and Issie, who hadn't been expecting it, flung herself at his neck, grasping desperately at his mane to hang on.

“Stop it!” she growled as the stallion thrashed the air with his hooves. By the time Destiny plunged back down again, Issie was white and shaking like a leaf.

“Are you OK?” Avery called to her.

“I think so,” Issie said. “He was fine one minute and then I kicked him and he just went up without any warning at all.”

“This is your first time on a stallion, isn't it, Issie?” Avery asked.

Issie nodded.

“In the past you've ridden geldings and mares,” Avery continued. “A gelding, of course, is a castrated horse, which means he's pretty docile by nature. You can get as bossy as you like with a gelding. They're easygoing and they don't mind if you push them around and tell them what to do. Mares can be temperamental, but if you ask a mare like Blaze nicely enough then she'll do pretty much anything, yes?”

Issie nodded at this.

“Stallions are different,” Avery said. “They're used to being in charge. They're strong-willed and they don't take orders.” Avery looked serious. “You need to treat them with the utmost respect. If you try and force a stallion against his will like you did just then he'll turn against you, Issie. You must convince a stallion that he wants to work for you. Never, ever fight him – you won't win that way.”