Anyone who owns a whip misuses it: Thoroughbred #2: Wonder's Promise

All is joyful at Townsend Acres. Ashleigh's Wonder is a healthy yearling--instead of a sick foal. Now Wonder can be trained to race. Ashleigh Griffen is worried that Wonder will have a hard time being trained. Ashleigh can't watch the first day of training because of school. Damn school! But after she practically leaps from the bus the minute it stops at her home, and runs straight to the barn. Ashleigh can tell from Wonder's mood that training didn't go too well, and surmises that it's partly because the trainer didn't take time to pat and kiss and get to know Wonder before taking her out [sic].

Soon, Wonder has to be trained to a saddle. Long, angsty story short, it doesn't go too well. Jennings, the trainer, is harsh. (that is, firm), which is not good for Wonder! Charlie, the old retired trainer, who is helping Ashleigh train to become a jockey, says he could alert the head trainer, Maddock--IF Jennings WAS abusing Wonder. But he's not. Sorry about the expert discipline you're getting, Wonder.

Conveniently, Jilly, Townsend Acre's female exercise rider and jockey, is assigned to ride Wonder during saddle trainining, and shows how amazing Wonder is. Then, more bad stuff happens. Ashleigh can't be Wonder's (non-official, non-paid) groom anymore! Still, Jilly's riding, right? Nope--Jilly is soon injured in a race, and is replaced by Jocko the jockey (groan). He's a new rider, and he uses a whip! Whips are bad! Jocko abuses his rights to bear arms whips. it. He doesn't beat her with it...but, uh...she just hates whips, okay? Even Mr. Griffen goes to watch the training, and to Ashleigh's dismay (again), he says nothing's wrong. Wonder's just not working.

A few days later, Wonder's taken out of training with the possibility of being sent to auction! BUT! When Ashleigh asks if she can ride Wonder under Charlie's supervision, Maddock's all, OK, whatevs. Heck, whats wrong with "lending" an expensive, well-bred, almost untrained filly to just anyone? Especially if one saw the first ride, which involved a skittish, scared horse and Ashleigh, who quickly realized it did take more than words and pats on the neck to handle a horse. Ashleigh falls off on the second ride, Wonder bolts, Ashleigh falls, and is embarrassed when rich and therefore snobbish Brad Townsend (the owner's son) brings Wonder back, laughing.

On January 1st, Wonder officially turns 2 y/o. Caroline tells Ashleigh that she was talking to the riders, and the riders don't think Ashleigh is good enough. Caroline claims telling Ashleigh this for Ashleigh's own good, maintaining that hearing it from her first is better than overhearing it from the riders. They get into a fight when Ashleigh finds out that Caroline has been going out with Brad. How dare she! Brad has teased/"mocked" Wonder and Ashleigh. How can Caroline be such a traitor? Ash runs down to the barn and cries into Wonder's mane.

The rides get better, though. 23 flat, at the 1/4 mi., in the mud on a trail by the paddocks. YEAH. Rachel Alexandra's 1/4 m. speed in the Woodward was just shy of 23 in the fast track. 23 in the mud, in a workout? PUHLEEZE. One night, Charlie, Wonder and Ashleigh, Jilly and the pace horse Dominator sneak onto the track. It's dark except for light from the training barn, and most of the staff is gone, except for a couple of grooms Charlie trusts. Wonder blazes like a rocket!

But, all the secrecy was for naught. Hank, a groom from the breeding barn, "rats" on Charlie, Ashleigh and Jilly. Now Maddock and Townsend want to see Wonder work (and don't discipline anyone for working a horse in the dark). Jocko rides, and it's horrible, but of course, Charlie and Ashleigh convince Maddock to let Ashleigh ride! Ashleigh and Wonder surge past the other riders and horses. and they prove the disbelieving riders wrong. Wonder's going to be great, and Jennings and Jocko are embarrassed for always saying Wonder is bad. All it took was cuddles and keeping one or two certain riders on her.

Wonder runs her first race in the brilliantly titled Wonder's First Race.

QUOTES:

Ashleigh tries to convince Jennings to let her 'job' of grooming Wonder.

"We've got this special thing. I know she'll be more relaxed if I keep grooming her."

We know how you feel, Ash, but most farms HIRE a groom who is of legal employment age.
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Next: Trixie Belden #1: The Mansion Mystery