Koolio, the Problem Pony, page 7
“Me neither,” Kelly whispered in awe as she gazed around the room.
“It certainly makes me miss my riding days,” Sarah said wistfully. “Judging just isn’t the same. But I’m quite enjoying helping you three with your ponies!”
“But after seeing all this, there’s no way we can compete at the Royal Show,” Vicki said. “I’d fooled myself into thinking it was possible, but never in a million years could we ever afford this type of gear.”
“But that’s the beauty of it,” Sarah said, as she began pulling gear off the racks. “You don’t need to. You can borrow all of mine.”
“You can’t be serious!” Vicki shook her head. “It must be worth thousands.”
“Unfortunately, most of it will be too big for Dandy or Magic, but Koolio will fit everything.” Sarah sized up the three girls. “Some of my riding clothes might even fit you, too, Vicki, although I think they would swamp Kelly and Amanda.”
Kelly’s eyes boggled as Sarah threw open the wardrobe and started shuffling through a collection of outfits. There were black, navy, grey and brown riding jackets, and riding shirts and ties in every colour of the rainbow.
“What’s this for?” Kelly asked, pointing to a woollen waistcoat with a silk handkerchief tucked into a pocket.
“It’s that type of detail that’s required in the turnout classes,” Sarah said as she plucked a coin from the pocket of another jacket. “Some of the judges will even check to make sure you have a gold coin.”
“That’s so silly!” Amanda rolled her eyes. “A coin won’t make the horses look or go any better.”
“Most of it is tradition from hundreds of years ago,” Sarah explained as she handed Vicki a brown tweed jacket, a cream stock and matching waistcoat, hand-stitched mustard jodhpurs, beige leather gloves and a velvet helmet to try on.
While Vicki headed to the bathroom to get changed, Kelly watched Sarah sorting through even more gear.
“I’m pretty sure this will fit Dandy,” she said, holding up an elaborate gold, brown and orange show browband encrusted with hundreds of crystals. “My chestnut mare Fire and Ice used to wear it.”
“It’s beautiful,” Kelly gasped, as it sparkled in the afternoon light.
Pulling an orange tie from the wardrobe, Sarah held it out to Kelly for closer inspection. “This is the tie that belongs with it.”
“How do I look?” Vicki asked, as she rejoined them. Kelly raised her eyebrows, hardly able to recognise her sister beneath all the smart clothing.
“You don’t look real,” Amanda blurted out.
“What do you mean?” Vicki frowned, shuffling her feet self-consciously.
“You look like one of the riders in the magazines,” Amanda said, her face breaking into a wide smile. “I never thought people could look like that in real life.”
“The outfit is perfect,” Sarah said, approvingly. “I’ll put it aside for you to wear at the show. You just need cufflinks and leather boots.”
“Thank you so much,” Vicki said shyly. “For the first time in my life I feel like I’ll actually have all the proper gear. I just have one question — why does this outfit have a stock instead of a tie?”
“Because Koolio’s a saddle hunter, and Dandy’s a show pony.”
Three blank faces stared back at Sarah.
“What’s a saddle hunter?” Kelly asked.
“I keep forgetting you’ve never competed on the open classes at a national show before,” Sarah said. “The local shows have everyone in the same ring, but at the big shows they’re split into two types. Saddle hunters are bigger-boned horses, and their saddlery is plainer. They’re the type of horses you’d traditionally find on a hunt field. By comparison, show ponies are prettier and far more refined — they’re the ones that are decked out in brighter colours and flashier browbands.”
“So what’s Magic?” Amanda asked as she tried to place her chunky Welsh pony.
“A saddle hunter for sure,” Sarah said. “But it doesn’t matter so much for you and Kelly, because all the show ponies and saddle hunters compete together for the rider and hunter classes.”
“There’s so many rules.” Kelly’s mind was struggling to keep track of everything Sarah had told them.
Glancing at her watch, Vicki gasped. “It’s almost six. I’d better get changed so we can get home and feed the horses before dinner.”
Chapter 17
Tricks of the Trade
THE NEXT FEW WEEKS were spent with Sarah building up to the competition. Not only was she teaching them how to ride intricate workouts, but she was also teaching them methods to catch the judges’ eyes and stand out from the other riders. Even though they had a lot to learn in a very short time, the girls made sure to keep a good balance by riding out on the farm, too, so their ponies wouldn’t become bored from too much schooling.
They also kept competing at the local shows. As Koolio gained experience in the ring, he quickly outshone his rivals and at several shows he was unbeaten, winning every class he and Vicki entered.
“He’s come a long way from the problem pony I had to deal with those first couple of months,” Kelly remarked, as she watched Koolio being awarded his first Supreme Champion on the Flat, just two weeks before the Royal Show.
“So have Dandy, Magic and Casper,” Mum said proudly, putting her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “I’m so impressed by how much you girls have learnt.”
“I can’t believe all three of us won our rider classes today. That’s the first time that’s ever happened!”
“There were only two riders in your class,” Mum laughed. “I’m not sure that counts.”
“Of course it does,” Kelly argued. “I could have come second!”
With less than two weeks to go, Sarah arrived at the house with her arms laden with supplies.
Kelly glanced at the contents of the bags and looked at Sarah sceptically. “What do we need all of this dye for?”
“Koolio’s tail needs to be dyed black to match his mane, and Dandy needs to be a richer chestnut,” Sarah said, as she began mixing colours.
“Are most of the show ponies dyed?” Vicki asked. She looked as if she was also unable to comprehend why their ponies weren’t good enough in their natural state.
“It’s the fakest discipline of them all,” Sarah grinned, not seeming to mind the question. “Not only are many dyed, but people even paint on extra white socks to make their horses look like they have symmetrical markings. They use false manes and tails, too.”
“It seems like a lot of effort to win a ribbon,” said Kelly.
“Half the fun is seeing how much you can transform a horse to maximise its beauty.”
“It kind of seems like cheating,” Vicki said.
“Not at all. It’s no different to other kinds of show business,” Sarah reasoned. “People use makeup, fake nails, hair extensions and clothes to enhance their own beauty, too. You don’t honestly think the models in the magazines wake up looking like that, do you?”
“Of course not,” Kelly said, understanding dawning. “They spend ages doing their hair and makeup.”
“It’s the same with show ponies,” Sarah explained. “I can guarantee none of those top ponies in the magazines look like that in the paddock either. A lot of effort behind the scenes has gone into their presentation.”
“Our ponies never look that much different at shows,” Kelly said.
“They will by the time I finish with them.” Sarah winked. “I bet you’ll barely recognise them.”
They watched as Sarah coated all of Dandy’s white markings with Vaseline so the dye wouldn’t stain them. Then she carefully bandaged his legs in plastic wrap and began sponging the purple mixture onto his coat.
“He looks ridiculous,” Kelly frowned once the dyeing was finished. His entire body was so dark he looked almost black.
“Most of that will wash out — he’ll only end up one shade darker,” Sarah reassured her. “Let’s dye Koolio’s tail while Dandy’s dye sets.”
The girls then watched with interest as Sarah filled a bucket with black dye, then applied it to the horse’s tail, careful to stop Koolio flicking spatters over his white rump. The top of Koolio’s tail was already black like his mane, knees and hocks, which contrasted with his white coat, so by the time they were finished there was no way anyone would ever guess it wasn’t his real colour.
The finishing touches were added on the day of the show. Once again, the sisters watched in amazement as Sarah set to work turning out their ponies. Her nimble fingers flew as she plaited and sewed plaits into their manes, making each pony’s plaits slightly different.
“Why have you made Magic’s plaits so small?” Amanda asked, inspecting the tiny rosettes that lined her pony’s crest.
“To give her the illusion of a longer neck,” Sarah said. “And Dandy’s are set slightly higher, to make his neck appear thicker.”
“I didn’t even know that was possible,” Vicki said, overwhelmed by all the tips and tricks Sarah was sharing with them. Apart from brushing their ponies, she hadn’t let them lift a finger to help.
“The tail’s equally important,” Sarah said, as she grabbed a chestnut and a black false tail from the truck and deftly plaited them into the base of Dandy and Koolio’s docks. “The right length and thickness can make a horse’s conformation look more balanced.”
“What else has to be done?” Kelly asked, intrigued.
“Their features need to be darkened and their hooves blackened.”
Kelly watched in shock as Sarah lifted each hoof and placed it on a square of carpet so she could paint it black. While she waited for each hoof to dry, she rubbed black oil into the ponies’ knees and hocks, before rubbing makeup into their inner ears, onto their muzzles and around their eyes and cheekbones.
By the time Sarah was finished, there was no doubt the ponies looked exquisite, although Kelly felt a little saddened that she could barely recognise them. Dandy looked especially different, now a deep red chestnut rather than his usual copper tones.
“The only thing left is to oil and buff them until their coats gleam.” Sarah stood back to admire Koolio, Dandy and Magic. “But we’ll wait until they’re tacked up, so the oil doesn’t cause the saddle to slip.”
Chapter 18
Saddle Hunter Champion
TWENTY MINUTES LATER, as Vicki sat on Koolio while Sarah polished the soles of her boots, Kelly couldn’t contain a yawn. They’d been up since four that morning and it had taken every single minute of the past five hours to get their three ponies ready.
“Don’t pat him — you’ll get makeup all over you!” Sarah cried out, catching Amanda’s hand just as it was stretching up to rub Koolio’s head.
“I keep forgetting,” Amanda groaned. “I’ll be covered in black smudges by the end of the day!”
“Make sure you don’t let your ponies rub their heads on you either,” Sarah warned, as they followed Vicki to the ring. “I’ve ruined a lot of clothes that way over the years — the stains never wash out.”
Amanda giggled. “What if the judge tries to pick up Koolio’s legs and his hands come away black?”
“Luckily, the judges aren’t allowed to touch the horses,” Sarah laughed.
“Who’s the grey?” Kelly overheard a glamorous woman asking from the sidelines as Koolio trotted out of the ring with a red ribbon tied around his graceful neck.
“I’ve never seen him before,” her friend uttered. She took a sip from a glass of champagne and the bracelets on her arm tinkled.
“Neither have I,” a third said sourly. “I can’t believe our daughters just got beaten by a pony no one’s ever heard of.”
Moving hastily away from the rival mothers, Kelly walked over to congratulate her beaming sister.
“You’ve only done one class and already you’ve qualified for Champion,” Mum said, reaching up to hug her daughter. “Koolio outclassed every pony in that ring.”
“He’s sure proved he belongs out there with the best of them.” Vicki’s eyes twinkled as she turned Koolio back towards the gate. “I’m in the next class, too, so I better hurry.”
For the next hour, Kelly watched with bated breath as her sister entered the ring time and time again. Without fail she left with either a red or a blue ribbon around Koolio’s neck.
“I’ve almost won enough prize money to refill your piggy bank,” Vicki said, as she handed over yet another ribbon and envelope.
“It wouldn’t have mattered if you hadn’t,” Kelly reassured her sister.
“They’re judging Champion in five minutes,” Sarah said, as she walked over a few minutes later with a bucket filled with brushes, makeup, oil and boot polish to freshen up both horse and rider. “Only two ponies have qualified.”
“I’ve beaten her once, and she’s beaten me once,” Vicki said, as Sarah ran a rag over her riding boots, brushed out Koolio’s tail and wiped his bit clean. “We’re pretty evenly matched.”
“It’s anyone’s game,” Sarah nodded. She sprayed a final mist of oil on Koolio’s gleaming hindquarters. “Ride him like you stole him.”
Kelly burst into a fit of laughter. “She kind of did! Steal him, I mean.”
Dad gave Kelly’s hand a squeeze as Vicki entered the ring to contest the saddle hunter championship. “Do you regret trading him now?”
“No way,” Kelly said, as she settled in the grass to watch Koolio face off against a beautiful black mare. “None of us would be here if I’d kept him. He certainly wouldn’t be looking or performing like that if I was still riding him, that’s for sure!”
“You wouldn’t have won Reserve Champion at the A&P Show, either,” Mum added, watching as Vicki guided Koolio through a picture-perfect workout — his gallop was flawless.
“I still can’t believe the plaits lost you the Champion,” Amanda said cheekily.
“In my mind it still counts as winning,” Kelly said. She didn’t care about the colour of the ribbon she had hanging on her wall.
As Vicki halted Koolio before the judge and bent her head in a salute, Sarah jumped up and down in excitement. “That’s done it!” she said. “It’s the best she’s ever ridden.”
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” Dad cautioned, but his words were quickly drowned out as everyone jumped to their feet, cheering and hollering as the judge motioned Vicki forward. Kelly’s face beamed with pride as the judge placed a wreath of purple and orange flowers around Koolio’s neck, followed by a purple sash.
As music played out across the showgrounds Vicki circled the ring at a gallop, closely followed by the black mare, who carried a lilac ribbon and a scowling rider.
“She doesn’t look very happy,” Amanda said as they watched the other rider pass by. “I’d be grinning from ear to ear if I’d just won Reserve Champion!”
“They imported that mare from Australia a few months ago for twenty-five thousand dollars,” Sarah said. “I’m pretty sure she’s been undefeated until now.”
“She’d be even more upset if she knew she’d been beaten by a pony that only cost a thousand dollars, then,” Dad said. It was hard to believe Vicki had taken top honours against such an expensive pony.
“He’d be worth ten times that now for sure,” Sarah chuckled, as Mum pulled out her camera and snapped a photo of the victorious pair. “People will be talking about him all season.”
Taking Koolio’s reins, Kelly held him while her sister leapt to the ground and was wrapped up in a series of hugs. She felt so proud of Vicki and everything she had accomplished.
“From the moment I saw him, I had no doubt he’d be a champion one day,” Kelly grinned as they led Koolio back to the truck, so they could all get ready for their rider classes. “I have to admit, though, I did imagine it would be me riding him.”
“When I outgrow him, he’ll be all yours again,” Vicki said, holding out her hand to make a pinky promise. “And in the meantime, you’ve got Dandy. Now get out there and show them what you can do.”
Koolio
Koolio was a 146-cm grey gelding, who was six years old when he joined our family in 2001. He was the most talented and successful ponies we owned in our early years of competition and it’s only with hindsight that we have been able to appreciate how remarkable he was.
His versatility wowed the judges and he would come home from every show with plenty of ribbons.
Not only did he excel in the saddle hunter and hunter classes, but he also successfully competed in eventing, games, dressage competitions and Pony Club.
The adventures of Koolio will continue in the next two books in this series — Pepe, the Beach Stallion and Jackamo, the Supreme Champion.
Characters
Vicki has always shown talent for riding, training and competing with horses. She has won national titles and championships in Showing, Show Hunter and Show Jumping, and has represented New Zealand internationally. Dandy was the first pony she trained, when she was nine years old, and then twenty years later she won the World Championships for Colt Starting. When she’s not riding, she loves to learn as much about horses as she can, from farriers, vets, physios and dentists.
Kelly has always been creative. She loves horses, photography and writing. Although she competed to Grand Prix level when she was sixteen, she now only show jumps for fun, and also enjoys taming wild horses. Her favourite rides are out on the farm, swimming in the river, or cantering down the beach. When she’s not on a horse, she is very daring, and loves going on extreme adventures.
Amanda is the family comedian and can always make people laugh! As a child, she was always pulling pranks and getting up to mischief. Amanda began show jumping at a young age, and competed in her first Grand Prix when she was twelve. In 2010, she won the Pony of the Year, the most prestigious Pony Grand Prix in the Southern Hemisphere, and since then she has had lots of wins up to World Cup level. When she’s not outside training her horses or teaching other riders, Amanda loves doing something creative — she has already filmed two documentaries, and is writing her first book.
