( 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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