July 2009 Story Contest

The Derby Mishap by thehorsegirl & Patched (MelizabethE) age 13

      As the sun set below the eastern hill, a young girl named Sophie, turned her horse’s head homeward. Sophie had honey colored hair, and soft, golden eyes. “Come on Shasta, lets go home.” She said softly to the horse as she gave her a gentle kick. The horse broke into a full gallop. Sophie laughed into the wind. She got home to T Ranch just as darkness set in. She took care of Shasta quickly, and went to the house. Just as she shut the door, her father said “Amen”. Sophie slid into her seat and said a quick prayer. “Why were you late Soapy?” asked Todd, her six-year-old brother “I was riding out on Pike Hill.” “Where’s that?” asked her Dad with his mouth full. “It’s in Green Meadow Dad.’ She answered. After dinner, Sophie and her Dad went out too take care of the horses. Sophie always helped her father take care of them after dinner, while her Mom was putting Todd to bed. This particular evening was silent, except for the chirping of the crickets. Sophie wished that she had an opportunity to prove that she was responsible enough to own a horse. That opportunity came sooner than she thought.

   

       The State-wide Derby was coming up. Sophie loved this time of the year. The preparation of the horses, the workouts, and of course, the Derby. And her father also got very excited. He often relied on Sophie’s opinion of which horse should be entered. Sophie loved these afternoons when she would help mix the feed, exercise the horse and help polish the racing tack. Finally, the big day came. Sophie helped her dad load the horse into the trailer. A tingle ran down her back. Finally, after all this hard work, the race was coming. Sophie rode in the truck with her father while Todd and her mother rode in the van. “Why can’t Soapy go with us?” wailed Todd “Because she wants to ride with Daddy.” Answered his Mom “She’s always with Daddy,” pouted Todd as his Mom shut the sliding door “See you there!” called out Mrs. Porter, climbing into the drivers seat. Dad chuckled as he started the engine “sounds to me someone has been missing you ‘Soapy’.” Sophie laughed “Yeah I’ve been so busy helping you that I haven’t spent much time with him. I feel bad.” “Don’t,” said dad putting his hand on her shoulder “He’ll live. He has every other year.” Dad smiled as he looked at the road.

When they were about five miles from the track, something happened. Dad was humming along with the music when the truck began to shake “Dad, what’s that?” asked Sophie as a hard shake jarred them both. “I think that Black Streak is a little excited.” The Black Streak kept stomping fretfully “Alright honey. I’m going to pull over to the side of the road. When I do, I want you to go back there and comfort him.” “You mean stay back there?” she asked nervously “Isn’t that against the law?” “Maybe so, but I’ve never heard of it. We might already be late as it is.” Sophie nodded. Maybe this was her chance to prove that she was responsible. Dad watched the road carefully for a chance to pull over. As he turned towards the side of the road, the horse also rocked heavily that way. “We’re going over!” screamed Sophie as the car hit the ground hard. The world went black.

 “Dad,” said Sophie as she regained consciousness “Dad?” a little louder this time. No answer “Dad!” she shouted as she looked underneath her. She was on top of dad. His face had a deep gash, and it looked like his arm was broken “Dad,” she sobbed. The most fun day of the year was now the scariest.

  The next hour past quickly. Sophie flagged a car to call an ambulance. They got him on a stretcher and took him to the hospital. Sophie got dad’s cell phone and called Mom. Mom came and got her. Sophie called the vet to bring the horses to her house.  “Sophie dear,” Mom said to Sophie that night as she was about to leave for the hospital “ you know that we can’t pay for a vet.” “But Mom!” cried Sophie “What about Black Streak? He could die Mom!” “I love Blackie just as much as you, but we don’t have the money. Your Fathers hospital bill is already more than we can pay. I need to go.” Mom ran out the door. Sophie fought back the tears as she tossed on her coat and went outside. She went quietly to Black Streak’s stall. He lay still on his side. He had a tear on his left shoulder, and he severely injured his back leg. Sophie set to work immediately. She got antibiotics, bandages, and blankets. If he was going to be better by the time that dad got home she would have to work fast.  

    The next few months flew by quickly. Everyday Todd went to Grandma’s, Mom to the hospital, and Sophie went to the barn to take care of Black Streak. After three weeks Dad could finally come home again. Only mom could be with him for a while. But the kids got to see him after a few days. “Hey Dad.” Said Sophie warmly as she went in to see him “I just wanted to let you know, I’m not giving up.” He nodded and closed his eyes. Black Streak improved with every day. After the first month, Sophie started doing some leg warm-ups with him. 

  By August dad could walk around again. One day he went out into the barn. Sophie had just finished jogging Black Streak and was cooling him down with some water. “Your Mom said that he was a goner,” Dad said as he approached Sophie “But I see she was wrong.” “His leg is still mending, I have a splint around it.” He put his hand on Sophie’s shoulder “I, am so proud of you. You have saved the life of this horse. You need a good reward.” He pulled his hand away and paced the barn “I know what!” he said, snapping his fingers. “How about one of the yearlings? Would you like that?” Sophie felt herself grinning “You bet I would!”

  The End