Inseperable- A Story Of The Bond Between Horse And Rider
Cindy took in a deep breath and loosened her grip on the leathery steering
wheel. It was a bright summers morning, the kind of day that you know just
can't go wrong. She'd been up since five, awaken by her alarm clock to feed,
groom and muck out stalls, a routine she had done so many times she'd lost
track. Quickly glancing at her watch she realized it was a mere two hours
until the auction would begin. She she pulled the bright red Dodge Ram into
the gravel drive of the auction house she smiled to herself. Three years ago
she had gotten a job at the local veterinary hospital as a certified
assistant. Cindy had flown in and and out of school, skipping numerous
grades and then breezing through vet school. The job paid well and she had
a great time at it, being around horses all day and meeting new people.
Today she planned on spending nearly half of her lifetimes savings on the
horse of her dreams. All her life she had been anticipating this day. Taking
another breath she opened the cab door and hopped out. After taking a glance
at the beige four horse trailer in tow she headed for the barn.
Walking confidently through the doors she took in the familiar smells. A
mix of leather, hay, manure and that smell horses just seem to have. That
one that can bring back so many memories, and for Cindy it was even better
than hot fudge. Pushing aside a loose strand of strawberry blonde hair she
spotted a face she knew from somewhere. And then she heard his voice, that
husky yet friendly tone from what seemed like yesterday. As he turned around
Cindy grinned at the man in the creased jeans, deep brown boots and flannel
shirt. It was Charlie, the man who had trained her last horse.
"Why hello Cindy! I heard," he continued in sympathy "I'm sorry.
Four years ago Cindy's horse Triumph was competing in the biggest show of
his life, The Royal Cup '90. Everything had been going great, he was ready
for the big step up and oozed capability. As the two were approaching the
second to last jump he spooked and went hurdling into the towering blue and
white over. Cindy had escaped with a concussion and snapped wrist, but
Triumph was less fortunate. He had fractured his leg in three places,
leaving them with no option but to be put down. Charlie's words brought back
deeply unwanted memories, but Cindy knew the man meant no harm. Smiling she
quickly changed the subject.
"So do you have any horses in the auction Charlie?" she asked hopefully.
"You bet" he replied casually putting a hand in his pocket.
"Really!" Cindy exclaimed excitedly.
Charlie had done the best possible job training Triumph, and not only did
she trust him in training a horse but looked forward to seeing his latest
work. He showed her a few colts, but they were all too young. If a young
horse is jumped too early you can cause permanent damage.
"I think around five is what I need" she told Charlie.
"You're gonna like this one then" he said, a touch of anticipation in his
voice.
Charlie unlatched the stall door and walked in. Inside was a thing of true
beauty. Just from looking at the mare Cindy could see the works of Charlie.
Her well muscled shoulders, rippling hindquarters and the gleam in her eyes.
The chestnut bobbed her head happily and nickered.
"This here is 'One of a Kind," he said nodding to the mare. "Her grandsire
is the same as Big Ben's and out of a talented broodmare."
Big Ben in Cindy's mind was the greatest jumper ever. He was a Canadian
Champion show-jumper, bred and raised in Germany. World famous and had the
respect of the nation. She admired the mare's straight long legs and strong
back. A great conformation set up for a jumper. Cindy knew she'd be a lot of
money, but they seemed to click and this was definitely what she'd come for.
"I'm willing to pay my whole savings for her" Cindy exclaimed.
'One of a Kind whined excitedly and paced her stall more.
"Guess she agrees" chuckled Charlie. "But she's a big interest with lots of
betters Cindy, be ready."
Cindy said her farewells to Charlie and looked at more potential horses.
Just as she has suspected though, none matched up to 'One of a Kind or
Kindle as Cindy had already nicknamed her. After seeing over a dozen horses
she took her seat in the bleachers and got ready to bid like her father had
taught her, not too fast and warily. 'One of a Kind was the very first
horse to be bid on, a warm up for the crowd was Cindy's guess. Optimistically she observed the mare as she was lead around the ring on a lead line, her
coat shimmering under the lights. Cards flashed in the air so quickly it was
amazing. The auctioneer was thrilled and his words were a slur of gibberish to her. Suddenly hope began to fade when the bids were just five thousand
dollars off her limit. Cindy flashed her after the others.
"Going once, going twice and sold!! To the lucky lady in the front row for
eighty thousand dollars!" the man yelled.
Cindy grinned. Although a little over her limit, she'd just bought her
dream horse. That night after Cindy had settled Kindle into her new stall
she began planning the next day. A whole new beginning. Just after planning
the warm up Cindy made the mistake of yawning and was soon sound asleep
The buzzing alarm clock rang at it's usual five in the morning and Cindy
was relieved to see a cloudless sky and a light breeze shuffling the trees.
'One of a Kind was fine while tacking up and even better during the warm up.
So far, so good. Cindy clucked to the radiant mare who broke into an even,
flowing canter. All of a sudden a deer leaped out of nowhere from in the
bushes in front of the pair. 'One of a Kind reared, frightened as ever as
Cindy reached desperately for a handful of mane. But her hand just wouldn't
grip the fine hairs and she slipped off the mare's back. It seemed as though she was floating through the air forever when she finally hit the ground and
the world seemed to turn upside down.
Not long later Cindy woke up dizzily in the barn office with ice on her
forehead. Her parents had found her there thanks to Kindle who had ran to
the house frantically looking for help. Thankfully both were injury free,
just worried.
In the next two years 'One of a Kind progressed incredibly and had gained
so much in very little time. Nothing like that clear skied day ever happened
again and the mare was a handful of talent. Cindy and the mare developed a
bond so tight nothing could interfere. She learned to jump unspeakable
heights and her stall door was constantly covered in ribbons. One day Cindy received
a letter in the mail. It turned out to be an invitation to Royal
Cup '96, a perfect opportunity for Kindle to be nominated for Horse Of The
Year. It was a tough decision, but Cindy knew it was the right thing to do.
Squirming in the saddle, Cindy waited for their turn. 'One of a Kind calmly
chomped on her bit and sighed. Before she could change her mind the number
seven was called. Kindle trotted effortlessly into the ring and halted for
Cindy to salute before taking on the course. The two sailed over hedges,
gates, water jumps, combinations and a bicycle jump before the judge called
"Two to go!" The next jump was an oxer and Cindy aimed the mare for it.
Suddenly she saw it was the jump which had ended in tragedy for Triumph,
the blue and white oxer. Before she knew it the jump wasn't so far away, in
fact it was right in front of her and 'One Of A Kind went down on her knees,
tumbling into the jump as Cindy flew over her head. And then it went quiet.
So quiet Cindy felt alone, not even able to hear her own breathing, he limbs
numb.
A week later Cindy woke to find herself in a hospital.
"Where is she Mom? I let her down!" she cried whispering.
"It's okay sweetie, we're here" gasped Mrs. Andrews.
"Kindle, where is she?" Cindy spoke frantically and impatiently.
"She's at the vet's dear. She has to......."
There was a long and hollow silence before Cindy took her mother's and hand.
"What?" she asked even more worry and strain in her voice.
"She had to be put down. She is being uthernized right now" her mother
turned to choke back tears and then turned to face her pale daughter but she
was no longer there. Mysteriously, Cindy had vanished.
Guessing Cindy had snuck away to think alone, Mrs. Andrews got up to let the
nurses know. Quickly she remembered her daughter had been paralyzed, unable
to function at all. Her thoughts were interrupted by the phone.
"Hello?" she managed to speak. "Mrs. Andrews, this is Dr.Burgess calling, Cindy's vet. This will seem very
strange to you mam, but please try to believe me. I know this is tough, but
uhh well you're daughters horse seems to have vanished" he notified her
uneasily.
"They always were inseparable" mumbled her mother tearily in awe.
This beautiful story was sent in by Brittany. Thanks Brittany!
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