Jackamo, the Supreme Champion, page 6
Once the new term started, it was a struggle to juggle both school and training their ponies. Often Vicki didn’t make it inside before dark, but the long hours were worth it. Every day there was a noticeable improvement, especially with Jackamo. Not only were his flatwork and jumping getting better and better, but he was also gaining condition and finally starting to look like the champion Vicki was convinced he could be one day. In fact, he was becoming so versatile she had even decided to enter him in a show-jumping competition that was coming up.
“Which one are you taking to Pony Club tonight?” Kelly asked as they were driven home from school on Wednesday afternoon. Pony Club was finally starting back up again after breaking over the holidays.
“Jackamo, for sure,” Vicki grinned. “He needs to practise over the brush and wire jumps again.”
“Well, it’s an easy decision for Kelly and me, since we only have one pony,” Amanda laughed. “Dandy and Kiwi it is!”
Two hours later they were dressed in their yellow-and-black Pony Club uniforms and mounted on their ponies, waiting to be assigned to their instructors.
“I’m excited to introduce a new instructor,” the Pony Club president announced. “Carol will be taking the Blue ride today.”
Vicki rode Jackamo over to where the new instructor waited, along with the four other riders in her group. Her sisters, who were both in the Yellow ride, joined one of the other instructors.
“Is there anything specific anyone would like to work on today?” Carol asked after they made their introductions.
“Would it be possible to work over the brush and wire jumps?” Vicki asked. “My pony really needs to practise before the next A&P show.”
“Is anyone else competing there?” Carol asked, glancing at the group of riders. Four of the five riders in the group raised their hands.
“Perfect. Let’s start with some flatwork, then we’ll work through any issues you’ve been having over the jumps.”
As they warmed up, Vicki listened intently to the advice Carol shared with them. Their new instructor had lots of insightful ideas on how to get Jackamo lengthening his trot stride, and by the time they’d finished their flatwork Jackamo was feeling soft and supple.
“Let’s warm up over the small brush jumps to begin with,” Carol said, pointing out the 70 centimetre option that the less-experienced groups normally trained over. Soon all five of them were cantering over the jumps confidently, although Jackamo was still clearing them by miles.
“He really is an overachiever, isn’t he?” Carol laughed. “Have you thought about show jumping him?”
“We’re going to try the Pony Club Show Jumping event next month,” Vicki said, as she reached down to pat her pony’s neck.
“He’s a bit of a natural,” Carol said. “But jumping that high over the fences certainly isn’t going to help you win the hunter classes.”
“No matter how many times I jump the brush, he just doesn’t understand that he can brush through it,” Vicki groaned. “I think he’s worried the brush is solid.”
“Let’s make it less solid, then,” Carol said, as she set about destroying one of the bigger brush jumps. After removing half the tea tree sticking out the top, she spread out the remaining branches so there was a big gap in the middle.
“OK everyone, come again,” she called.
Picking up a canter, Vicki and Jackamo followed the other riders over the brush. She was left speechless when Jackamo cleared the brush jump smoothly, without jumping too high over it like he had been doing previously.
“This might actually work,” Vicki said in disbelief, after Carol had added one more branch of tea tree back into the jump and Jackamo again jumped it perfectly.
Soon the brush jump was almost back to full thickness and Jackamo was consistently brushing his hooves through the branches.
“That seems to have fixed the problem,” Carol beamed. “Let’s all move on to the wire jump.”
Rather than starting off with the wire jump at 1 metre, like they’d had to jump at the A&P show, Carol began with a smaller wire jump, allowing their ponies to gain confidence, before trying the same height they’d be expected to face at competitions. By the end of the session Jackamo no longer jumped awkwardly over it like he had at the show before Christmas.
“He looks like he’s been doing it all his life,” Carol said as the lesson came to an end. “In fact, all your ponies did. Thanks for being so awesome to teach — I thoroughly enjoyed my first time instructing here.”
“We enjoyed it too,” Vicki thanked her. “I hope you can teach us again next week.”
“That’s the plan,” Carol smiled. “Since you’re all training for the A&P show we’ll practise our flatwork again, then try some show jumping. If you bring your double bridles next week, we’ll see how your ponies work with two bits in their mouths.”
“Jackamo’s still a novice,” Vicki frowned. “He’s only been ridden in a snaffle bit up until now.”
“I’m sure a pony as beautiful as Jackamo, going as well as he does, will win his way out of the novice classes in no time,” Carol assured her. “Since open ponies are expected to wear double bridles, it’ll be a good experience for him to learn how to work with one.”
As Vicki rode back to the truck she felt exuberant. Having an instructor with so much confidence in Jackamo’s ability was exciting, and she couldn’t wait for Wednesday to come around again so she could have another lesson with Carol.
Chapter 14
Supreme Champion
TWO WEEKS LATER, VICKI WAITED at the ring for her first class at the Kaitaia A&P Show. She was feeling more confident than ever. Jackamo had come a long way in the three months since they’d bought him, especially after their recent lessons at Pony Club.
“Can we please have the riders in the ring for Novice Pony — No Wins,” the ring steward called. Nudging her heels against Jackamo’s sides, Vicki rode smartly into the ring and took her position on the circle.
Remembering all the advice she’d been getting from both Sarah and Carol, Vicki tuned out the other competitors so she could focus solely on her pony. With every stride, Vicki was amazed by how far Jackamo had come. As they walked, trotted and cantered in a circle around the judge, he felt completely different from the inexperienced pony who’d competed at his first show a couple of months earlier.
“Can I please have the dapple grey into the winner’s circle?” the judge called, and Vicki proudly slowed to a walk before lining Jackamo up for his very first red ribbon.
“Congratulations,” the judge said as she passed Vicki an envelope with her prize money in it. “He’s exceptionally well-schooled for such an inexperienced pony.”
“Thanks,” Vicki said, glancing down at Jackamo with a grin. “This is just his second show.”
The judge looked impressed. “Good luck in the rest of your classes,” she said as she moved on to congratulate the second placegetter.
Over the next half an hour Vicki was called into the winner’s circle twice more, winning all her novice classes.
“The judge loves him,” Vicki gushed to her family as she returned to the truck for a bite to eat before the open classes began. “Carol was right — he’ll win his way out of the novice classes in no time.”
“Are you going to use a double bridle in the open class?” Mum asked as she untied the latest red ribbon from Jackamo’s neck.
Vicki frowned uncertainly. “He did work well in it at Pony Club, so I think he’ll be OK.”
“Sounds like you’ve made your decision,” Mum said, reaching into the tack locker and grabbing the double bridle for Jackamo. Vicki gazed at it for a couple of seconds, still wavering.
“We’ve already qualified for Champion,” Vicki shrugged as she quickly dismounted to swap the bridles over. She had about two minutes before she was due back in the ring for Open Pony, and she knew there was no time to lose. “I’ll try it in the open classes, and if he doesn’t place well I’ll change back to a snaffle for the judging of Champion.”
With no time to warm up and allow Jackamo to get used to being ridden with two bits again, Vicki trotted back to the ring, arriving just in time to follow the other ponies out onto the circle. Considering he’d only been ridden in a double bridle once before, at the previous week’s Pony Club, Vicki was wondering if she’d just made a huge mistake changing bridles.
“I’ve got a plan,” Vicki whispered when Jackamo chomped on both bits, uncertain about how they felt in his mouth. Softening the rein attached to the second bit, Vicki rode mostly off the snaffle. From the judge’s point of view, it would look like Jackamo was working in a double bridle, but really he was only working off one bit like he was used to.
Immediately Jackamo settled, trotting and cantering around the ring as smoothly as he had done in his novice classes. The only difference was that this time, they were competing against the most experienced and beautiful of all the ponies at the show.
“Can I have the grey please?” the judge called out. Unable to believe it could be them, Vicki looked around to see if there were any other grey ponies.
“The dapple grey?” the judge clarified, this time pointing. A smile split Vicki’s face as she guided Jackamo into the centre of the ring.
Soon six riders were called into the centre, and the judge talked them through an individual workout they would be required to do before the final places would be determined.
Vicki was the last rider to go, and while she waited she watched the other riders nervously. Following such a line-up of top ponies was intimidating, especially since Jackamo had only won his very first class a couple of hours before and she knew many of these ponies had been winning Champions for years.
“We’ve got this,” Vicki reassured her pony as they picked up a trot. With the flair of a far more experienced horse, Jackamo glided through the workout. When they came to a halt, Vicki saluted the judge and patted her pony’s neck proudly. Without a doubt, he had performed as well as Koolio used to on his best days.
“Can I have the dapple grey in first place,” the judge said after a few moments’ deliberation.
Vicki’s jaw dropped as she rode forward to receive their ribbon. Having won all the novice classes and the open class meant Jackamo was in serious contention for Champion.
The next half-hour passed as if in a dream, as Jackamo was awarded Champion Pony in the Intermediate Ring, for riders aged 13 to 17 years. As the bold purple sash was tied around Jackamo’s neck and she was handed the trophy, Vicki experienced a moment of déjà vu. Glancing at the winning names from previous years, which were engraved on the back of the trophy, Vicki’s heart skipped a beat. She’d forgotten this was the show where Koolio had once won his first Champion.
“Don’t unsaddle,” the judge reminded Vicki before they headed out on their lap of honour. “You’ll be needed for the judging of Supreme Champion Pony during the lunch break.”
Several hours later, once the judging of Supreme Champion had taken place and all the hunter classes were complete, Vicki stood at the truck tying all the ribbons she’d won around her pony’s neck.
“His neck’s not long enough,” she said, looking at the mass of coloured silk.
“You probably won more on him today than you’ve ever won at a show before,” Mum said proudly, tugging the ribbons further up Jackamo’s neck to make more room.
Vicki smiled as she squeezed another red ribbon around the crest of her pony’s neck. In total they’d won seven ribbons and three sashes, having not only won Champion and Supreme Champion on the Flat, but also Reserve Champion Hunter.
“You might just have to tie the extra ribbons on your arms,” Mum laughed, admitting defeat. “At least Casper’s got enough room on his neck.”
Smiling, Vicki glanced over at her Arabian, who proudly sported a sash and several red and blue ribbons. Although Casper hadn’t been undefeated like he had been at their last show, Vicki was thrilled that the only pony that had beaten him had been Jackamo. The younger grey had given him a good run for his money, but Casper had come out on top, winning Champion Hunter.
“That’ll have to do,” Mum said, once she’d finished tying the ribbons on Dandy and Kiwi as well. “You’d better not be late, since you’re leading the Grand Parade.”
Gathering her reins in one hand, and Casper’s lead rope in the other, Vicki rode over to the main oval where all the competitors were gathering. Taking her place at the front of the line, she thought back over how far Jackamo had come. She’d been sure he had the potential to become a Champion one day, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. Today had been better than she could have ever dreamed, and she only wished Koolio could have been there to share it with her too.
Chapter 15
Jumping to New Heights
“THEY’RE GOING TO MEET US at the Pony Club show-jumping event on Sunday to try Pepe,” Vicki said in a daze, after hanging up the phone. The magazine containing his advertisement had come out only a few days earlier, but already they’d had several phone calls. “The girl does showing, show jumping and eventing. It sounds like it would be a really fun home for him to go to.”
“Hopefully he does well,” Amanda said as she helped her mum fold the laundry. “No pressure!”
Vicki shrugged. She was used to people watching her compete and was sure that Pepe would do well. “He’s only jumping 80 centimetres so he’ll fly around that height. It’s Jackamo and Casper that will be the real challenge — they’re competing at 1 metre.”
“Will you have time to let someone try Pepe?” Mum asked, worried. “You’ve got three horses to compete, so that’s nine classes! It’ll be a juggling act as it is, getting them into the ring on time without missing any classes.”
“They’re happy to watch Pepe compete, then I said they can ride him at the end of the day once the show’s finished,” Vicki replied as she gathered up her clothes and headed towards the room she shared with her sisters.
“Hopefully he’s exactly what they’re looking for,” Kelly said. “He deserves a great home after everything he went through before we got him.”
Three days later, Vicki was at the truck saddling Jackamo for his first class of the day when the family arrived to look at Pepe.
“Hi, I’m Vicki,” she said, holding out her hand before pointing out the handsome bay beside her, “and this is Pepe.”
“He’s beautiful,” the older daughter said as she reached out to stroke his glossy muzzle. “My name’s Tina. I’ve been really looking forward to meeting him!”
“Who’s this pony you’re saddling up?” Tina’s mum asked, turning to rub Jackamo’s forehead.
“This is Jackamo, and he’s about to compete in his first ever show-jumping class.”
“He looks very relaxed,” the younger daughter said.
“Oh, it’s not his first show,” Vicki said as she tightened Jackamo’s girth. “But he hasn’t show-jumped before.”
“Well, we don’t want to keep you waiting,” the mother smiled. “Do you mind if we come over and watch your round?”
“Not at all,” Vicki said as she swung into the saddle. “If you follow me I’ll introduce you to my parents, too. They’re over at the ring walking the course with my sisters.”
As Vicki led the way to the ring, a smile spread over her face. She had a good feeling about the girl who had come to view Pepe and really hoped the family liked him.
After Vicki had made the introductions, she blocked out every distraction so she could give Jackamo her full attention. Even though he’d jumped higher in the hunter classes at both A&P shows he’d competed at, show jumping was a totally different ball-game.
“It’s not at all like the hunter classes,” Vicki whispered to Jackamo as they trotted into the ring for the first class, which was a Table C Speed Class. “This time it’s judged on speed, rather than style.”
After showing Jackamo the scariest walls, Vicki picked up a rhythmical canter.
“I hope you’re ready for this,” Vicki said as she increased Jackamo’s pace. The first jump was fast approaching, and she adjusted her line so she could approach it with the least amount of ground covered. Rising to the challenge, Jackamo ducked and dived around the course, willingly taking jumps at sharp angles, before sailing over the last fence and galloping to the finish flags.
“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the new time to beat,” the announcer called. “Vicki Wilson and Jackamo take the lead, three seconds ahead of their closest competitor.”
Grinning, Vicki rode from the ring, ecstatic with how Jackamo had performed. Over the past few months he’d become everything she’d ever dreamed he could be, and just as versatile and successful as Koolio had been.
“Congratulations!” Kelly said as Vicki rode out of the ring and joined her family. “Jackamo looked like he was loving it.”
“He was so good,” Vicki agreed. “But if you thought that was fast, wait until Casper goes. He should be able to cut even more off that time. But first I have to ride Pepe in the 80 centimetre class. We’re due in the ring in about thirty minutes.”
Riding back to the truck, Vicki chatted again with Pepe’s potential new owners, telling them all sorts of tales about the adventures he’d had since joining their family.
Tina smiled broadly. “I can’t wait to see him jump.”
The next fifteen minutes were spent warming Pepe up to compete. At first Vicki kept glancing over to check if Tina’s family liked what they were seeing, but she soon realised it actually didn’t matter what they thought of Pepe. All she could do was ride him to the best of her ability and hope they liked him.
Finally, it was time to enter the arena. With a whole course of jumps laid out before them, Pepe was in his element, and he boldly cantered into the first fence. Just like Jackamo, he jumped clear, and as they passed through the finish flags Vicki leant forward and rubbed his neck. Pepe had felt lightning-fast even compared to Jackamo’s impressive speed, and she was confident he’d be in the placings.
