Jackamo, the Supreme Champion, page 2
“Sorry, what did you say?” She shook her head and struggled to focus on his words.
“I was just saying that Koolio has set a near impossible standard for you to replace. It’ll be hard to find another pony like him.”
All of a sudden it was too much. “I can’t think about that right now,” Vicki mumbled, rushing outside. Slamming the door behind her, she sprinted up the driveway to visit Pepe and Casper. She hoped being with her other two ponies would cheer her up.
As much as Vicki couldn’t bear the thought of replacing Koolio, the thought of having no show pony for the season was equally depressing. Pepe (whom they had rescued and rehabilitated the summer before) and Casper were both great jumpers, but neither had the looks, conformation or movement for the flat classes at the A&P shows, and she knew she would struggle watching from the sidelines if her sisters competed without her.
That night she picked up the Horse Trader magazine again and flipped through the pages, circling any ponies that she liked the look of.
“What do you think of these three?” Vicki asked, showing her parents the potential ponies. One was a ten-year-old pony that was already a champion, for $4000. Another was an unbroken three-year-old chestnut, for $1500, and the third was a pretty but inexperienced bay pony for $3000.
“That covers all the bases,” Mum said when she saw the variety of ponies Vicki had selected. “I guess you’ll need to decide if you want a pony you can win on straight away, or if you’d rather take your time and train one up like you have in the past.”
“The first show is only a few weeks away, so an experienced pony would be nice.” Vicki frowned as she looked again at the advertisement for the champion pony. “But at that price it seems too good to be true.”
“Why don’t you call up and get more information about each of them, and then decide from there,” Dad suggested as he sipped his coffee. “The three-year-old looks really beautiful, but at that age you won’t be able to do much with him. It’ll be a couple of years before he’s old enough to compete in jumping competitions.”
Later that evening, after she’d called about all three ponies, Vicki was left despondent. The multi-champion didn’t sound suitable at all, since it refused at any jumps higher than 70 centimetres — even though she wanted a pony for the flat classes, she also wanted it to be versatile enough to jump as well. The bay had crooked legs, which would count against it in the show ring, and she’d decided the third pony really was too young.
“The chestnut could still be worth looking at,” Mum pointed out. “He’s only fifteen hundred dollars, so you could potentially buy two cheaper ponies with the insurance money, and that way it won’t matter if he needs a year or two to grow up.”
“I guess,” Vicki shrugged. “The owners only live an hour away, so at least it’s local.”
“How about ringing them back and asking when we can view him?” Mum encouraged her. “It might be worth seeing if Sarah wants to come with us too. She’ll be able to tell you whether he has the makings of a champion or not.”
“Good idea,” Vicki smiled, a tiny sliver of excitement starting to rise. “Sarah will be the perfect person to go pony shopping with.”
The girls had become friends with Sarah, who was a champion show-rider and judge, when Koolio had first joined their family, and Vicki had learnt so much from her. The handsome grey had been a real handful when he’d first arrived, but with Sarah’s support they’d trained him into one of the most successful show ponies in the country. Transforming Koolio, with all his quirks, into a winning show pony was among Vicki’s proudest accomplishments, and she was sure that she could do it again.
Taking Sarah along to view the chestnut pony, whose name was Brandy, turned out to be extremely helpful. Vicki was relieved to have someone with such expertise there to look over the pony and offer suggestions.
“He’s really lovely,” Sarah said, as she ran her hands over the chestnut’s coat. “He still has a lot of growing to do, though, so he might not stay a pony.”
Vicki’s mum stood next to Brandy’s shoulder to measure him. Her shoulder was exactly 148 centimetres high — the maximum ponies can measure — and already Brandy was nearing that height, with another three years of growing still to do before he was fully mature.
“That wouldn’t be good,” Vicki frowned. She still had four years left to compete ponies, and didn’t want to have to compete in the hack ring against adults before she had to.
“It’s not necessarily a bad thing. By the time he’s six years old and ready to do a full season jumping, you’ll be almost seventeen and ready for your first horse anyway.”
“If he was already six I’d buy him in a heartbeat,” Vicki said as she eyed the pony critically. “He looks lovely and he has the sweetest temperament, but I need a pony I can compete now.”
“If we have enough money left over after you buy an older pony, I think he’d be a good addition to our family,” Mum said. “We can always call back in a few months and see if he’s still available.”
Turning to his owner, Vicki smiled apologetically. “I really like him, but I think he’s a little younger than I need right now. I hope you find him the best home, though.”
Brandy’s owner smiled in reply. “Thanks for coming up anyway, and do let me know if you change your mind. I think you’d be a great home for him.”
Back at the car, Vicki sighed. “Horse shopping really isn’t that fun when the only pony in the world I want is Koolio.”
Chapter 4
Hello, Jackamo
“I’VE BEEN ASKING AROUND, and I have a friend selling a beautiful grey pony,” Sarah told Vicki cautiously a couple of days later. “I know how difficult it is for you to look at new ponies so soon after saying goodbye to Koolio, but his name is Jackamo, and although he hasn’t competed yet, he’s showing lots of potential.”
Vicki sighed and kicked a tuft of dirt. “Do you honestly think I’ll ever find a pony as special as Koolio?”
Sarah’s eyebrows drew together in thought. “Yes, I do think it’s possible, but only if you’re open to it. Maybe you just need more time?”
“We’ve already missed the first A&P show of the season,” Vicki said with a twinge of guilt. Since she didn’t have a pony to compete in the show classes, Kelly and Amanda had opted to stay at home and not compete either. The truth was, none of them had felt like riding at shows that Koolio should have been at, but even so Vicki felt terrible that her sisters were being affected too.
“I don’t think he’d want you missing out. If anything, he’d want you to honour him by pursuing your love of horses, rather than hiding at home,” Sarah said quietly.
Vicki nodded, knowing that what her friend said was true. Koolio would have hated her not going to shows because she was still grieving for him.
“So, this grey pony,” Vicki said hesitantly. “Tell me more about him.”
Three days later Vicki found herself outside a huge stable complex in Auckland, following the rest of her family and Sarah as they went in search of Jackamo’s owner. During the entire three-hour drive, Vicki had second-guessed her decision to view another pony — especially one that was of a similar height and colour to Koolio, and whose name reminded her of her old pony.
“We should have just brought the car, not the horse truck,” Vicki muttered as they spied Ron, Jackamo’s owner. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“With Sarah coming we wouldn’t have all fitted in the car anyway,” Mum reminded her. “And there’s no pressure to get a new pony. You’ll know when it feels right.”
As they made their introductions, Vicki glanced around the property, looking for the grey pony. They hadn’t seen any photos, but Jackamo, who was six years old and 143 centimetres, came highly recommended by Sarah’s friend, who was also a show judge. Although he’d only been schooled at Ron’s home, Jackamo’s training was coming along so well that they were confident he’d clean up in the competition arena in no time.
“Are you ready to meet Jackamo?” Ron asked, motioning everyone to follow him.
Vicki hesitated for a brief moment before offering a smile. As they entered the stable and made their way down the aisle between the looseboxes, Vicki and her sisters patted each of the horses they passed. All of them were striking in appearance and looked as if they were born to be champions.
Ahead, Vicki caught a glimpse of a beautiful grey pony and her stride faltered as he swung his head to look at them. Although he was a grey gelding like Koolio, Vicki was relieved to see that this was where the similarities ended. Jackamo was pretty, with delicate features, whereas Koolio had been heavier-boned and handsome. Jackamo also had a splashy brown marking that covered some of his head and neck.
“I’m guessing this is Jackamo?” Vicki said as the pony nickered softly, desperate for attention.
“It sure is,” Ron smiled. “And it looks like he’s taken quite a liking to you already. Would you like to bring him out and groom him, while I get his saddle and bridle from the tack room?”
After haltering Jackamo and tying him up, Vicki set about brushing him. Soon Ron returned with Jackamo’s gear and, while Sarah and her parents peppered Ron with questions about Jackamo, Vicki quietly went about saddling him up. Although young and inexperienced, he was impeccably behaved, and she enjoyed working with him.
“Are you happy to ride him straight away, or would you like one of my riders to show you through his paces?” Ron asked, after they’d led Jackamo out to the arena.
“I’m happy to ride him now,” Vicki said, as she adjusted the length of the stirrups to suit her. Gathering the reins, she sprang lightly into the saddle.
Unlike many of the ponies Vicki had ridden over the years, Jackamo didn’t fidget or move off as soon as she mounted. It was quite a novelty to ride such a well-schooled pony — normally her family could only afford ponies that had never been ridden, or ones that misbehaved, and it was only after she’d spent months training them that they became easy and fun to ride.
As Vicki piloted Jackamo around the arena she was impressed by how well trained he was. She’d been worried that buying a pony that had never competed would mean it could be months or even years before she would reach the same level of success she’d had with Koolio. But Jackamo seemed like he was ready to go straight out and compete. Suddenly the thought of starting over with a new pony didn’t seem so daunting.
After walking, trotting and cantering him, Vicki rode Jackamo over to the gate. “Does he know how to jump?”
Ron laughed. “One of the boys who rides for me has popped him over a jump or two, but he’s really green. With his looks I assumed someone would only be competing him in the flat classes at A&P shows, so I figured he didn’t need to learn to jump.”
“Well, if he’s coming home with me he’ll need to jump.” Vicki bit her lip to keep from grinning. “I want a pony that can win a champion in the show ring one weekend, then go out show jumping the next.”
“A pony like that sounds as rare as a unicorn,” Ron chuckled. “I’m not sure they exist.”
“Trust me, they do,” Vicki said quietly, her shoulders slumping. “I used to have one.”
Ron gave her a sympathetic look. “Well, let’s hope Jackamo is another one-in-a-million for you. Would you like to try him over a jump?”
Shaking away her sad thoughts, Vicki nodded. After Ron had set up a small crossbar, Vicki trotted Jackamo around and approached the jump. Unlike Koolio, who’d been spooky when he was first learning to jump, Jackamo trotted in steadily and sailed over it. He might be green, but he was certainly willing and eager to please.
“Could I try something a bit higher?” Vicki asked.
For the next fifteen minutes, Vicki gradually built up Jackamo’s confidence until he was cantering into a 70 centimetre upright and clearing it. Although he wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, and there were plenty of awkward jumps, there were also flashes of brilliance. For the first time since Koolio’s accident, Vicki felt a stirring of hope.
As she dismounted, Vicki couldn’t help a smile from spreading over her face. While it was heartbreaking that she’d lost Koolio, she couldn’t deny what an incredible opportunity it would be to own a pony as promising as Jackamo.
“I think he’s the one,” Vicki whispered to her mum while Ron led Jackamo back to his stable. “There’s just something about him.”
“Are you sure?” Mum asked her quietly. “There are lots of other ponies we can view — ones with far more experience than Jackamo.”
“I can train Jackamo into a winner,” Vicki said with confidence. “He has all the potential in the world. My only question is whether we want to spend that much on such an inexperienced pony.”
At $4000, Jackamo was four times as expensive as any other pony they’d ever purchased. It seemed like a lot of money to spend, even though it would come from Koolio’s insurance. If they bought this pony, that would be it.
Dad’s furrowed his brows. “I’ll talk to Ron and see if he’s negotiable on the price.”
Half an hour later, as they drove home with an empty truck, Vicki couldn’t help but feel that they’d made the wrong decision. Ron had stuck to his price and the Wilsons had decided to head home and think about it.
“What if Ron sells Jackamo to someone else in the meantime,” Vicki fretted, “and we don’t find another pony as nice as him?”
“He was exceptional,” Sarah said. “It’ll be hard to find a pony as nice as that for less than four thousand dollars.”
“We could turn the truck around,” Dad offered.
Mum looked over her shoulder to where Vicki and her sisters sat. “It’s up to you, Vicki — what do you think?”
“Let’s go back for him,” Vicki decided. She was sure it was the right call. “I think Jackamo’s going to love being a part of our family.”
Chapter 5
Ready to Compete
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FLEW BY as Vicki and her sisters prepared for their first A&P show of the season. Although she loved having a new pony to ride, Vicki often found it bittersweet — Jackamo was amazing, but Vicki still wished she hadn’t had to lose Koolio for him to enter her life.
Although Jackamo’s flatwork was at a high enough level for the show ring, there was still plenty to be done before they competed. Not only did Vicki need to get used to riding him, but he also needed to improve his jumping, and he needed to get used to being ridden out and about with other horses. Fortunately Pony Club was in full swing and Vicki was able to take him to rallies to give him the experience he needed.
“Does he ever put a foot wrong?” Amanda asked one day after Jackamo had jumped cleanly around a course at Pony Club.
“For a young pony, he’s pretty perfect.” Vicki grinned as she reached down to stroke Jackamo’s neck. Even though he was still learning, he rarely misbehaved or refused at jumps. They’d just attempted a circuit of brush and wire jumps, in preparation for the hunter classes the following weekend, and although Jackamo had been a little unsure, he’d bravely tackled the big fences.
While Vicki cooled her pony off, she kept a close eye on her little sister as she jumped around the course. Next weekend would be Amanda’s first time competing her little 12-hand lease pony Kiwi in the hunter classes, and the jumps at their local A&P show were particularly imposing. Luckily, Kiwi had years of experience, and after the pair had jumped so well in a cross-country competition at the beginning of the season, Vicki was sure her sister would be fine.
“Do you think Kiwi’s ready for it?” Kelly asked once they were back at the truck and unsaddling their ponies. Unlike most shows, where the height of the jumps was decided by the rider’s age, this time it was dependent on the pony’s size. Kiwi would be competing in the 138 centimetre and under ring, where the jumps would be set at about 90 centimetres.
“I hope so,” Amanda frowned. “It will be the highest I’ve ever competed.”
“Me too,” Kelly admitted with a heavy sigh. “I’m really nervous.”
“If you’re really worried, I can jump Dandy in Versatile Pony on Friday — that way he’ll have been over all the jumps before your hunter classes,” Vicki offered. The class was one of the most prestigious at the event and only the very best ponies competed. To win, the horses not only had to be breathtakingly beautiful, but they had to be true all-rounders. Each pony had to compete in-hand, where they were led rather than ridden, and also on the flat and over jumps.
Kelly gasped. “Would you really? That would be amazing!”
“I’d love to,” Vicki smile flickered. “I was going to compete Koolio in it. I’m sure he could have won.”
“Maybe Dandy will win for you,” Amanda said hopefully, trying to cheer her sister up. “You guys used to win everything together.”
“All the top show ponies are coming up from Auckland to compete,” Vicki said doubtfully. She loved her old pony, but she wasn’t sure Dandy was in quite the same league as those ponies.
“If you do compete him, can I do the in-hand part?” Kelly said, excited now. “Then you can do the ridden parts.”
“Good idea,” Vicki mused. “If you lead Dandy in the in-hand class, I’ll be able to compete two ponies. Maybe I’ll enter Jackamo, too — the jumps are much smaller for Versatile Pony, and it might give him the confidence to jump the bigger classes on Sunday.”
“I thought you’d decided the jumps were too big for Jackamo and Pepe,” Mum said, overhearing the last part of their conversation.
“If Jackamo jumps clear over the smaller jumps on Friday, I might enter him at the last minute,” Vicki said. “If not, I’ll wait for the next show. I’ll compete Casper either way, though.”
Although a local event, the Whangarei A&P Show was the most competitive show in Northland, and many of the top ponies from around the country would be entered. Not wanting to look out of place, Vicki and her sisters put their hearts and souls into preparing their ponies every afternoon after school, as well as sorting out what they’d wear.
