Sundancer. Shelley Peterson
punished.
You won’t get punished here unless you deserve it.
That’s what they all say.
That’s because they don’t know better. Here, we understand horses.
I’ll be the judge of that.
“Kimberly, you know how to behave around horses,” Hannah scolded in hushed tones. “Look what happened. You scared him.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t expect this! I woke up and didn’t know where anybody was, and I looked all over the place and I finally came here. I thought you said he was unrideable.”
“Today’s the first day. We’ll know more about him as we work him.”
“Can I get on?” Kimberly asked.
“No, Kimberly. We’re going to take it slow.”
“But Bird’s riding him.”
“Bird was bucked off this morning. She’s now back up.”
“Phoenix looks awesome.”
“He’s got a new name. Bird named him Sundancer.”
“Right. She can’t talk.”
“She said, ‘Sundancer’ when she got on. Sundancer is his name.”
“When I buy him, I’ll name him Phoenix.”
Moments later, Jo, Melanie, and Peter arrived. Soon, everyone was talking at once.
“Who’s that horse?” asked Peter. “What’s his name?”
“Is that Bird riding him?” wondered Melanie.
“Can’t be!” exclaimed Jo. “That’s the new horse. My mother told me to stay away from him. She says he’s mean.”
Hannah turned to face them. “Yes, yes, and yes. Yes, it’s the new horse, and his name is Sundancer. Yes, Bird is riding him. And yes, I’ve heard stories about him, too. That’s why we worked him into the ground before Bird hopped on. Literally.”
“He’s good looking,” said Peter. “I like his colour, except for the sweat. Which is all over him.”
“And check out his shape,” added Melanie. “He’s got excellent conformation.”
Hannah nodded her agreement. “But beauty is as beauty does. Never forget that.”
“And I am definitely going to ask my father to buy him for me,” said Kimberly. “Or my mother’s new boyfriend. He’s old and rich. We’d kick some butt. The judges for sure would notice him.”
“What’ll you do with Pastor?” asked Jo. “He’s a cool horse.”
“Do you want to buy him? As of yesterday when he bucked me off and made a fool of me, he’s for sale.”
“I’ll never sell Gem,” answered Jo loyally.
“Whatever, but Pastor runs rings around her.”
Hannah sensed a quarrel about to start. “Kids, all of you. Get your tack cleaned and your horses groomed. Kimberly and I brought them home and bedded them down after the show. We didn’t fuss with them. They still have their manes and tails braided.”
Kimberly whined, “Can I please ride Phoenix?”
“No, and his name is Sundancer.”
“I’ll always call him Phoenix. You said it was a good name.”
“It is a good name, for all the reasons that you said. But you have to admit it’s rather special that Bird named him.”
“Just because she never talks?”
Hannah smiled at the girl’s persistence. “Exactly.”
Kimberly grimaced and went off to catch up with the others.
By now Hannah’s stomach was rumbling with hunger. “Bird, let’s call it a day and get some breakfast.”
Bird nodded. She pulled the reins to stop Sundancer so she could dismount. He reared up so suddenly and so unexpectedly that Bird slipped in the saddle.
I’m not a plow horse, you know!
She threw both arms around his neck and managed to stay on. What’s your problem?
Don’t pull at my mouth. I’ve got blisters from the last bozo who rode me. Just relax your legs and sit back.
You didn’t need to rear up.
I made my point, didn’t I?
Hannah rushed to take the reins. “Well done, Bird. Now sit tight while we get him quiet again.”
Sundancer threw his head and sidled. This is boring, woman. I’ve had enough. He pushed against Hannah, testing her authority again.
“We’ve got to end on a good note. We can’t let him win, Bird, or all our work today is worthless,” warned Hannah.
Bird sat quietly while Hannah led him. I meant what I said about Hannah, Sundancer. Give her a break.
I’ll think about it. Begrudgingly, Sundancer walked nicely again. Hannah brought the gelding to a halt. “That’s enough. We’ll quit while we’re ahead. Take your feet out of the stirrups and slide down.”
Bird did as she was told, and safely alit on the arena floor.
Peter came running at full tilt, waving his arms. He yelled loudly, “Hannah! There’s a coyote outside the barn!”
Sundancer panicked. His eyes glazed and showed white all around. Hannah braced herself and held on to the reins as he pulled and reared.
Easy, Sundancer. Easy, boy.
No answer. He’d shut down again.
“Sorry, Hannah,” panted Peter. “I didn’t mean to scare the horse. But there really is a coyote. Right outside!”
“Calm down, Peter. Speak softly.” Sundancer reared and walked on his hind legs. He’d begun to sweat heavily again.
Behave yourself!
Bird got no response. Interesting, she thought. He’s truly so frightened that he can’t think.
“But what about the coyote?” asked Peter shrilly. He jumped up and down with anxiety.
“Peter, please. Calm yourself. Don’t worry about the coyote.”
“Can I help?” asked a young woman in jeans and half-chaps. She had come in through the side entrance.
“You sure can. I’ll hold this rascal. Can you get his saddle off?” The girl efficiently unfastened the girth and removed the saddle while Sundancer twisted and jumped around. “Done. What about his bridle?”
“I’ll take it off once I get him to the field.”
“I’ll help.”
Bird followed silently as they led Sundancer through the barn and back to his pasture. The young woman opened the gate, and Hannah led the prancing horse into the field. After turning him to face the gate for safety’s sake, she quickly and carefully slipped the bridle over his ears and dropped the bit from his mouth. Sundancer reared up, twisted, and threw himself into a gigantic buck. Hannah closed the gate behind her and let out her breath.
“What a devil,” she muttered.
“No kidding,” agreed the younger woman. “I heard he was here. I came over to see him. He’s everything I was told, and more.”
Hannah turned to look at her visitor. “You’re