BOOK EXCERPT
Author Katrina Balding Bills in 2010
DRAGON
The Story of a Fiery Thoroughbred and the Girl Who Loved Him BY KATRINA BALDING BILLS Reprinted with permission from the author
CHAPTER 19
Fella Stumps The ‘Expert’ The commentary from my classmates swirled over my head like the steam from our dinners. My closest pals kept their mouths shut, not only to chew politely, but because they knew I accepted Fella’s quirks, lock stock and barrel. But there were days when our challenges at the barn had zoomed to main campus faster than the old barn van. “I swear you like it when he’s like this.” Yup, you’re right I do. I love his zest for life. “It’s a little embarrassing, I mean with you being on the Varsity team and head of Riding Council and all.” Just goes to show everyone how secure and unflappable I am! “You’re going to give everyone a heart attack one of these days.” I’m not worried, why should they be worried? “What, do you think you’re better than the professionals?” ouch. No, no I don’t. but I do know my horse better than they think they do. As I laid on my dorm room bed that night, trying to no avail to finish my dense Economics reading assignment, I replayed the last two days in my head.
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THE PLAID HORSE
October/November 2023
The intense clinic sessions with Mr. Horseshow Fancypants had not gone terribly well. To say the least. Then again, they weren’t a complete disaster. I’d not been made into a lawn dart, nor was I wearing a sling or bandage or splint on any part of my body, nor had he scattered the lacrosse team from their field. Other days had those kinds of results. Fella had not broken anything nor bitten anyone, which I felt was a huge win. My standards weren’t low, but I was realistic. I knew Fella was different from day to day, season to season. He looked like a million bucks, having gotten rounder with more turnout time and more hacking out. Fella was very aware of changes in surroundings, the jumps that were set up and even the voice of the person teaching the lesson. His misbehavior during the clinic was subtle. A little lead swap out before jumps because he was anticipating being balanced for the turn ahead. Then cheeky moments where instead of shortening his strides, he simply collected his body, tucked his head and neck in, and flung his legs further out so as to do the same number of strides between jumps. He showed he was
quite adjustable, just not the way we’d been instructed to be. When poles were added in a V shape, to give our horses focal points to jump over the middle of each fence even more dramatically, Fella felt the entire structure should be leapt. He bucked and squealed in celebration of not touching anything. His long full summer sunset tail swished and snapped in the air like a long whip tassel. I think he may have been above the jump standards while in his supersized flight path. I chuckled when I thought about the ‘professional’ wanting to get on Fella to “make him behave.” “Really, momma?” Fella’s side eye was plain and clear, irritated that I dare let anyone else put a leg over him. Rarely, only if I was sick or had too much homework, would Cassie ride him for me (and I would ride Beamer for her). I watched the professional adjust the stirrups longer and climb aboard my long-legged boy. I thanked God that Fella stood still at least. Small favors. Like a petulant child, following teacher’s orders, but with a growl and scowl while doing the task, Fella carted Mr. Fancypants around the course of PHOTO: ANNETTE DUSENBURY
