“But the line he took was slower. I just rode it more competitively.”
“Olivia, the line you took was too tight. Yes, you might clear the jump, but you are more likely to miss the combination and flatten it. Yes, you might lose half a second, but it is a safer line if you don’t want faults.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “You think you know better?”
“I think you’ve lost your edge and should give way to a younger generation.” Olivia drawled.
I looked across at Hilary, anger in her eyes, however, she resisted commenting directly.
“Okay, I think we should work on your seat. Quit and cross your stirrups, let’s see you jump again without them this time…” I watched the smile slowly cross Hilary’s face and started to pull down my own stirrups. “Oh, you don’t need to Adam…”
“Oh, I’m game if Olivia is…” I shot her a look. I’d spent many hours practising gymkhana games; Olivia was looking considerably more nervous. I crossed the stirrup leathers in front of my saddle and pushed the horse into a canter lining up for the first jump. We jumped the first clear before taking a tight turn into the combination also jumping them clear.
Despite her nerves, Olivia wasn’t going to lose face against me. She lunged for the first jump, slithering on the saddle before attempting a tight turn. The horse lost its footing for a moment, stumbling and she fell, hitting the sand hard. Winded, she lay still for a moment before Hilary approached her.
“As you can see, if you turn too tightly you can have an issue. Right, get mounted and try again.”
I had to stop myself from giggling as Hilary walked away. Olivia was still lying prone on the damp sand. Her horse had stopped and was now looking down at her. She leapt up, snatching the reins, yelling abuse at the horse before hitting it hard with her crop.
“Oi! That horse did nothing wrong…”
“Fuck off! I’m teaching it…”
I rode towards her, pausing until she was standing beside me, between the horses. I leaned down; she was now out of sight of Hilary. “If I see you do that again, I will not be responsible for my actions…” I kicked on my horse, turning to the nearside, its quarters struck her hard, knocking her from her feet and she found herself sitting on the arena sand again. “Whoops…” She was glaring at me now. “Shall we try that again Hil’s?”
* * *
“Oh please, tell me again what happened.” Sally was leaning forward on her chair, a massive grin on her face.
“I can do better!” Hilary stepped into the tack room. “We can study the footage later.”
Of course, Hilary had CCTV cameras across the yard and in the arena, not just to protect against theft, but also to allow for review of lessons. I’d sat with her before studying, frame by frame, my riding position and jumping style and it was a powerful tool. Sally looked as if Christmas had come early and was already requesting multiple copies.
* * *
Olivia was back in the afternoon, we were in the arena, she was sitting on her horse paying more attention to her phone than what Hilary was saying. We’d been working on dressage and it was clear this was boring her. Hilary was not rising to the bait and carried on as if nothing was happening as we worked our horses through a series of exercises.
“Olivia? Do you not want to concentrate on this? Honestly, dressage is one of the areas you could improve on…”
“Duh! I’ll do fine. I just need to ride the jumping faster and I’ll make up the points.” She turned back to staring at her phone.
I cut Hilary off before she could comment and we discussed several transitions, however, I could see she was fuming. Olivia hadn’t spoken to me since the session earlier and whereas she no doubt thought I would be regretting her silent treatment; I was quite glad not to have to interact with her.
The remainder of the session was frustrating with Olivia’s lack of interest upsetting Hilary and distracting what could have been useful riding time. As we walked back to the yard she threw her reins at Sally and walked off. I shook my head as I saw her open her mouth to comment.
Sally and I were in the hay shed later filling hay nets when Hilary stepped in. Sally sneered.
“Oh, are you going to help us? Are you sure you’re able?”
“Very good Sal. This is the one place I can get away from that opinionated madam. I’ve had her mother on the phone. Apparently, she’s bored with dressage training, despite it being a major part of three-day eventing which she so desperately wants to excel in. I’m to stop the flatwork and concentrate on her jumping. What can I do?”
“Well, it seems if you want sponsorship you have to do what you have to. But you knew that. I am guessing we just have to put up with her. Look, Hilary, there must be other sponsors surely you could-”
“Adam, I wish it was that simple. It’s not like the old days, there just isn’t the money in the sport. And…” She bit her lip. “I’ve tried.” The sigh was heartfelt. “When I spoke to other potential sponsor’s, they said they didn’t want to cross her. She’s made it clear she would sue for breach of contract if I went with another sponsor. If she can’t have something, no one can.”
“Shit! Well, there doesn’t seem to be an answer to this. I’m sorry Hilary.”
“I just wish we could get rid of her…” Sally shook
