Chapter 4: The Show Jumping Snafu
The show jumping arena was a buzz of activity as riders and their horses prepared for the next phase of the competition. The bright, multi-coloured jumps were set up in intricate patterns, and the air was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. For the Meadowbrook eventers, this was the moment to showcase their agility and precision. Ben was particularly excited. Show jumping was his favourite part of eventing, and he was eager to show off Duke's skills. Despite Duke’s reputation for being lazy, Ben had worked hard to get him in shape for the competition. He was confident that today they would surprise everyone. As Ben and Duke warmed up, the rest of the team gathered to watch. Laura, Emma, and Tom offered their encouragement and support.
“You’ve got this, Ben,” Laura said, patting Duke’s neck. “Just remember to stay focused and keep Duke motivated.”
“Yeah, and maybe lay off the jokes until after the round,” Emma added with a grin. “We need you both to stay serious for just a few minutes.”
Ben laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan. Duke and I are ready to rock this course.”
Little did they know, Ben’s “plan” involved a little surprise he had concocted the night before. Always the prankster, Ben had decided to add a toy frog to one of the jumps, hoping to catch his friends off guard and inject a bit of humour into the event. He had carefully placed the frog on the top rail of the final jump, confident that it would go unnoticed until the perfect moment. As Ben and Duke entered the arena, the crowd fell silent, their eyes glued to the pair. Ben took a deep breath, focused on the course ahead, and urged Duke into a canter. The first few jumps went smoothly, with Duke clearing them with surprising ease. Ben’s confidence grew with each successful jump, and the crowd began to cheer. Then came the moment of truth—the final jump with the hidden frog. As Duke approached, Ben could feel the anticipation building. He glanced at the jump, spotting the toy frog, and couldn’t help but smile. This was going to be perfect. But as they closed in on the jump, Duke’s eyes locked onto the frog. His ears flicked back, and Ben felt the sudden tension in Duke’s body. In an instant, Duke came to a screeching halt, sending Ben flying over the jump in a spectacular display of unplanned acrobatics. The crowd gasped, and then erupted into laughter as Ben landed on the other side, covered in dirt but unharmed. Duke, meanwhile, stood frozen in place, staring at the frog with a look of utter bewilderment. Ben, realizing what had happened, couldn’t help but laugh along with the crowd. He stood up, brushed himself off, and took a theatrical bow.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called out, “Duke and I present to you... the most dramatic dismount of the day!”
The laughter and applause grew louder as Ben walked back to Duke, who was still fixated on the toy frog. With a gentle pat on Duke’s neck, Ben removed the frog and showed it to him. “It’s just a toy, buddy. No need to be scared.” Duke snorted, clearly unimpressed, but allowed Ben to lead him out of the arena. As they exited, Laura, Emma, and Tom rushed over, all grinning from ear to ear.
“That was epic, Ben,” Laura said, struggling to contain her laughter. “I don’t think anyone will forget that performance anytime soon.”
“Especially Duke,” Emma added, giving the gelding a reassuring pat. “You both handled it like champs.”
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