Crown Prince (11 page)

Now she was close enough to make out his halter plate. Sarah read the name in large block letters: CROWN PRINCE. Below it in smaller print his sire and dam were listed: Emperor's Gold – Northern Princess. Yes! This definitely was the horse with the reputation of an untrainable rogue.

“You beautiful Prince,” she murmured. As Sarah stroked his neck and continued to speak in hushed tones, she felt the horse become more relaxed. His head dropped down to her and gradually his eyes softened, as he clearly enjoyed her touch and gentle voice. He offered no resistance as she gently pulled his head closer and rested her cheek on his muzzle. It was so soft. With his head lowered, she caressed his forehead, tracing the white star, and gently tugged on his ears. She felt as if she had known this horse forever.

Sarah had no idea how long she had been in the stall with Crown Prince when she became aware of a presence outside. “Sarah, what are you doing! We've been looking all over for you.” It was her father's voice. She turned to see him looking in at her, along with Jack, Sam, and Rudy Dominic. Worry and concern were written all over their faces.

“I'm fine, Dad. Don't worry. This is Crown Prince. And he's the horse I want.”

Her father's jaw tightened as his eyes met Jack's before he turned back to Sarah and the dark bay horse standing beside her. Crown Prince surveyed them all curiously, the picture of refinement and nobility. Mr. Wagner observed the horse's beautifully shaped head, which tapered from small ears to large intelligent eyes down to a refined muzzle. His white star contrasted sharply with his deep mahogany coat. Sarah's father shook his head, acknowledging the horse's beauty, but anxious for his daughter's safety.

Rudy Dominic pointed to the horse. “Isn't he just like I said?”

Jack was too absorbed to answer. He opened the stall door and joined Sarah to get a closer look. He had seen some impressive horseflesh in his life, but this one ranked up there with the best of them. His eyes traveled from the powerful hindquarters to the pleasing topline and nicely sloping shoulder.

“Have you got a shank right there, Rudy?” Jack asked. “I want to get a better look at this fellow outside the stall.”

Rudy nodded to Sam, who left, returning in a few minutes with a lead shank and let himself into the horse's stall. “Come on, big horse. Let's show off for these folks.” As he started to attach the lead to Crown Prince's halter, the horse playfully grabbed the brass shank with his teeth. “Oh, no you don't,” Sam said, as he pulled it away. He ran the chain through the halter's side ring, over the horse's nose, and attached it to the other side. Turning to Sarah, he said, “If he decided to put his head to the sky, as a short guy I'd be in trouble. But he knows me. He's not a bad horse around the barn. It's only when you sit on him he gets rank. I'll bring him out so you can have a look-see at a real horse.”

Jack opened the stall door, and Sam led the horse to the open area between the barns. The backstretch was quieter now, since most grooms had finished caring for their horses and were having a late breakfast in the track kitchen. Crown Prince walked with a stately dignity and halted when asked, his coat gleaming in the sun's rays.

Jack moved around him, thinking out loud. “Strong hindquarters, nice length of back, pronounced withers, good bone, and a lovely long neck.” He moved to stand directly in front of the horse before speaking to Rudy.

“His conformation is quite correct. No toeing in or out, good width of chest, nice head. They don't come any better than this. But I'd like to see him move.”

Rudy motioned to Sam. “Walk away and then jog him back, Sam. But be careful. He hasn't been to the track to gallop in awhile, so keep a tight hold on him.”

Rudy turned to Sarah and her father. “I'm always surprised at how well behaved he is except when there's a rider up. Then he becomes a lunatic.”

Jack positioned himself to get a good view before Sam led the horse away from him. Coming back, Prince trotted agreeably beside Sam and stopped when they reached Jack. “He's a good mover too, well balanced,” said Jack, “and his ground manners can't be faulted.”

Sarah's father was standing back but listening carefully. “He
is
a beautiful animal. It's too bad his reputation takes him out of the running for being a horse for Sarah,” he said firmly.

Sarah, who up to now hadn't taken her eyes off the horse, swung to face her father. “Dad—I don't believe he can be as bad as Rudy says! He deserves a chance to be a different horse when he gets away from the racetrack and comes to Brookmeade Farm. Maybe he wasn't meant to be a racehorse, but I think he will be a wonderful horse for me. I just know it!”

Mr. Wagner was quick to respond. “Sarah, this is a large and powerful animal. Above all else, I won't let you be in harm's way. From what I've heard today, this horse is dangerous. We mustn't be so taken with his splendid appearance that we lose sight of the big picture. I can't have you getting hurt by a horse.”

Sarah could see her father was totally serious. He was thinking only of potential disaster. She had to change his mind.

“We can start working with him on a longe line, Dad, until he knows what's expected of him. I can turn him out in the big pasture where he can run off some energy. He'll come to trust me. I promise I won't even think about riding him until Jack gives the okay. You can see he's well behaved. He's a special horse, Dad, and he should have another chance.”

“But what about the handsome chestnut horse you like so much?” her father asked, motioning toward the other end of the shed row. “Don't you think Code of Honor will be the perfect horse for you? And don't you want a horse you can ride? Who knows how long it will be before you can get on this horse, if ever.”

Sarah looked at her father, her dark eyes pleading. “Dad, I know you want what's best for me. But this is supposed to be
my
decision. Please don't stand in the way. You've got to trust me. I want to take Crown Prince back to Brookmeade Farm more than I've ever wanted anything in my entire life. I
know
he's the right horse for me. He's the one I've been waiting for.”

Jack, who had been quietly studying Crown Prince, turned to them. “‘Tis for sure we have a grand animal here. Who knows the heights he and Sarah might reach if we can turn him around. Sometimes Thoroughbreds are completely different when they get away from the racetrack.” Jack walked over and placed a hand on Crown Prince's shoulder. He stroked the horse, deep in thought.

After a few moments he turned back to Sarah's father. “I tell you what, Martin. Perhaps we can give this horse a trial run. If we could arrange to take him for a month, I'll pledge to be deeply involved in his handling, and I mean every part of his care and schooling, to make sure Sarah is safe. I won't allow her to get on him until I've tested those waters myself. I'll know in thirty days if he will be a suitable mount for her. If by then we've made no headway and I decide he's not the right horse, we'll notify Hank Bolton and return him to you, Rudy,” Jack added, looking at the trainer. “If this trial scenario is acceptable to you and Hank Bolton, let's give it a shot.” He paused and looked intently at Sarah's father. “Martin, I'm willing to make this commitment to ensure your daughter's safety.”

Sarah stood quietly, her gaze never leaving her father. He was solemn, as he stood deep in thought. She knew he was worried, that above all else, he didn't want her hurt. Mr. Wagner looked hard at Jack for a few moments before speaking. “Without your encouragement, I would never even consider letting Sarah take a horse with the shady past this one has. But if you can assure me you'll stay on top of things and manage everything that's done with him, I'll go along with your proposal. But remember, this is a trial. At some point in the next month I will look to you, Jack, for an answer. If Sarah is at risk at any time, the horse must go.”

Sarah threw her arms around her father. “Dad, you're the greatest! I'll always remember this, that you gave Crown Prince a chance.”

“And let's not forget he will have to pass a vet exam,” her father said. “Depending on how it goes, the horse may be coming back here sooner rather than later. I want that to be clear.”

Jack wore a pleased expression, happy at the prospect of bringing such an exceptional horse back to the farm. Crown Prince might be difficult, but now the horse would be dealing with someone who had retrained many bad actors. And for such a striking animal, it certainly was worth a try. Jack was more than ready to give it his best go.

Jack looked at his watch. “It's getting late, and we should be back on the road soon. So let's do what has to be done.”

Rudy beckoned to Mr. Wagner. “I need you and Sarah to come back to my office while I make the changes to your paperwork. I'll need your signature for Sarah, since she's a minor. The trainer started down the shed row, but stopped after going a short distance and turned back to Jack. “After Sam puts the horse away, why don't you guys go to the ingate and ask Smitty to let you bring your rig back to my barn. We'll load him here.”

Back in Rudy's office, Rudy offered some advice as he opened his file cabinet again. “You'll want to have your black-smith or farrier replace Crown Prince's aluminum plates with regular horseshoes, or perhaps just pull the racing plates and let him go barefoot for awhile. He's got a decent foot, so that shouldn't be a problem.” His face was serious as he spoke to Sarah. “If this is going to be
your
horse, you need to start thinking about these details.”

Sarah drew Chandler DeWitt's letter from her pocket and gave it to the trainer. Rudy promptly pulled a pen from his desk drawer and signed the appropriate spaces. “He's all yours now, Sarah,” he said, handing it to her father to witness. “I just hope he works out.”

Sarah beamed. The horse she had always dreamed about was hers! At least for now….

“There's one thing we almost forgot,” Martin Wagner said, pulling his wallet from his back pocket. He pulled out a dollar bill and laid it on the desk. “We need to pay our way here, just to make it ‘legal.'” They both laughed, as Rudy took the letter back and made note of the payment.

Sarah and her father were almost back to Crown Prince's stall when the Brookmeade truck and trailer pulled up in front. Sarah hurried to the truck and grabbed her tote bag from the back seat. Jack nodded at the wraparound shipping boots she pulled from the bag.

“Chances are he hasn't worn anything like these before. At the track they use bandages and cottons for shipping, so the heavier material and velcro will seem a little strange to him. But they'll provide good protection if he becomes rambunctious in the trailer. I'll hold him while you put them on.”

Sarah looked up in surprise. “Are you sure? I've never done this before.” Jack took the lead shank. “Now that you have a horse, there will be many new things you'll be doing. 'Tis time you'd be learning how.”

Under his watchful eye, Sarah wrapped a boot around each leg, making sure the Velcro straps were going in the right direction and the boots were taut but not too tight. Crown Prince was wary of the large shipping boots, sensing the difference in height and weight. He shook his head nervously and tried to move away.

“Whoa, son,” Jack said, holding the shank firmly.

When Sarah had finished, Jack held out the lead shank to her. “We're ready to load—let's go,” he said. “Take him up the ramp, and once he's on we'll close the bar behind.” Sarah gulped, but took the lead from Jack. It seemed as if he was testing her. Even though she had never loaded a horse on a trailer before, she was determined to do whatever he asked. Besides, she'd seen Kayla load Fanny tons of time.

The ramp was down and a full hay net hung in the front. They were ready for the journey back to Brookmeade Farm. Sarah spoke once more to
her
horse and gently stroked his neck. “Come Prince. We're going home.” Her father swung the stall door open and she stepped onto the shed row, leading Crown Prince to the trailer. Feeling the weight of the heavier shipping boots, he hiked his hind legs high for a few steps and kicked out with one hind leg as he left the stall. A few steps later he was moving normally. Walking beside him, Sarah looked up at his withers. Crown Prince towered over her—by comparison, Lady Tate would seem like a cob!

Sarah remembered a few loading battles Fanny had waged when Kayla first got her. The mare had a deathly fear of horse trailers and refused to go on. Once, when Fanny dug her toes in and resisted going forward, Kayla turned to face the mare, but Mrs. Romano quickly corrected her. “Have you ever seen anyone backing their way up a ramp?” she'd asked Kayla. “Of course you haven't—and this mare hasn't either. When Fanny sees you turn to face her, she thinks you're not going any farther.” Being trailered every week to the lessons at Brookmeade helped Fanny overcome her fear, and now she loaded onto the Romanos' trailer as willingly as she walked into her stall.

As he approached the Brookmeade trailer, Crown Prince hesitated. In the past he'd been transported on huge horse vans more like barns on wheels. He looked warily at the trailer and stopped abruptly, planting his feet in front of the ramp. Sarah waited a few moments, giving him time to lower his head to sniff the ramp, while she continued to face the inside of the trailer and apply tension to the lead shank. As she clucked loudly and began moving up the ramp again, Jack placed a hand on the horse's hindquarters to urge him forward. Crown Prince took a few tentative steps and then strode up the ramp. Jack snapped the butt bar in place behind him. “Well done, Sarah,” he said, as he and Rudy lifted up the ramp and fastened it securely.

“Good boy, Prince,” she murmured, stroking his neck and attaching the trailer tie to his halter. She offered him her last peppermint, but he was too distracted to have any interest in the candy. He looked nervously out the trailer's side door, tossed his head, and pawed the trailer floor a few times. Jack read her anxious mind. “Don't be worrying, now. He'll be all right. But the sooner we get started the better, to be sure.”