( Continued from page 10)
atop the big black stud and said, " They’ re so drunk they’ ll have to read about it in tomorrow’ s paper.”
Without acknowledging his remark, Dr. Greely patted Lonny on the leg and said, " You just do what we planned and everything will be fine.”
A roaring cheer went up from the crowd as several of the horses entered the big ring. Lonny squinted to adjust his eyes to the glare of the intense lights in the arena. BEAU GENTRY was feeling great. He was in good shape and was equal to the task at hand. He loved to show! As the big black stud flat-footed down the rail Lonny could sense the crowd. He felt as if everyone was watching him and moved with him around the ring. As he moved into the first turn he glanced around to check his competition. There were twenty-one horses in the ring but only about five that could be considered real contenders for the " big one.” They were going the second time around and just as Lonny got into a prime position the call judge asked for the running walk. Lonny kicked BEAU GENTRY and the big stud moved easily into a beautiful gait.
He was on the rail and noticed three horses in a race passing him on the inside. BEAU GENTRY jerked his head, anticipating the contest, but Lonny held him firm on the rail. His horse was quizzical about what was taking place and it affected his gait. He was uncertain and unsure about his rider and his running walk began to show a lack of rhythm. After two times around the announcer called for the flat foot again. They cantered the first way of the ring and reversed.
As they paused to reverse Lonny felt a cold splash on his hand. He looked up into the misty glare of the ring lights and saw thin sheets of rain coming down. A Aden movement occurred in the grandstands as
Has and raincoats began coming out. Everything
• one n i halt while hasty preparations for rain were made. A lot of people got up to leave and as he
watched ar dner trainer pulled up beside Lonny and said, " You an always tell the real horselovers when it rains..: hey will sta }' here until the Ark comes.” Lonny laughed and wiped his forehead and eyes with a handkerchief. The rain was beginning to pour as they were asked to get back on the rail in the reverse in the flat foot walk.
Lonny felt like a kid again. He was having the time of his life. The cold rain split the night air like silver strings and as he rammed BEAU GENTRY into a big bold running walk he could feel each stinging drop hit his face. He stayed on the rail and showed his horse, who obviously was having a good time also. The mud began to build up and the ring got heavy and sloppy, and still the rain came. People had moved back away from the rail as mud was being sent in all directions by flying hooves. In the canter BEAU GENTRY did
as well as could be expected and just as they called for the flat foot walk, two horses threw shoes at the same time.
M. L. came into the ring loaded down with towels. He gave one to Lonny and set about wiping off BEAU GENTRY. As he parked his mount, Lonny looked at the long row of steaming horses as they stretched out in front of the now partially full grandstand. The steam filtered the lights as the rain continued to come down in a steady downpour. During the line-up Lonny noticed an unusual amount of activity among the Judges and the Ringmaster. One fellow was going from one judge to the other, and then went out to talk to General Hohan. He returned to his judge and then stood back while he started down the line-up of horses.
Three horses were dismissed from the class after two judges had passed in front of them and checked their feet and boots. Looking around to check the confusion, Lonny noted that one trainer was raising h ell with one of the Ringmasters. The man nodded a id pointed toward the exit. The man mounted his horse and carried him out in a mad-dash running walk that slung mud in all directions. Two judges passed BE / U GENTRY with normal inspection but the third ling-red. He looked him over with a critical eye... almost too critical for Lonny.
The showgrounds was a mess the next day but the bright sun was slowly drying everything out. The managers of the show had worked almost all day on the ring and had it in pretty good shape by mid-afternoon. Lonny was standing along the rail watching the work when Mr. Lane, who owned BANJO, came up to him. " Hello, Lonny... how’ s it going?” Somewhat startled, Lonny replied, " Oh... hello, Mr. Lane. All right, I guess. Say, I thought BANJO looked...” Mr. Lane smiled and put his hand on Lonny’ s shoulder, saying, " You really thought he looked pretty bad. I did, too!... How about forgetting what happened and taking BANJO back with you after the Festival?” With a look of real gratitude Lonny said, " You bet! And one day we’ ll win this thing with him!” Mr. Lane smiled and said, " Well, after seeing you get tied third last night without a workout it looks as if BANJO is as close to winning it as BEAU GENTRY. What do you think will happen Saturday night when you go for the big one?” As they started walking back toward the barn office Lonny said— partially to Mr. Lane and partially to the world— " I know what’ s going to happen!”
( Next Month— Who Really Won?)
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