Betty's Inspection

The road was calm. The only sounds were the trailer’s engine, birds calling to each other, and Betty occasionally neighing or stomping. The weather was just as favorable on the country road. The sun high in the sky, a soft breeze; which was amplified by the trailer’s speed, and a cool temperature; not too warm, and not too cold. Spring time was the best time. 

Betty was in the back of the trailer. She didn’t really have any issues with trailers, she’d just playfully defy you a bit before finally getting in. 

I turned the radio up as ‘Sailor Song’ started playing. 

“I saw her in the rightest way, looking like Anne Hathaway.” I sang along, memories floating through my mind. 

The road transitioned from a paved road to a soft dirt road. “Now I’m really in the country.” I huffed. I love the peace and quiet but I don’t like being this far away from civilization if something happens. 

I pulled into the large stable. The driveway itself passed six barns, each with their own small parking lot. I was nervous, this would be the moment of truth. This was Betty’s breeding certification. If she passed she would be allowed to have five foals that would be breed certified. Well, as long as the sires also had his certifications. 

I’m not into backyard breeding at all. Not in the slightest. There’s a breeding program at Whispering Grove that I want to put Betty in and breed her to a Teddy Cobs stallion, but I’m not going to do it unless the foals will also be considered Teddy Cobs. 

I parked the trailer in the last lot. Marwa told me to park here since it’s closest to the inspection site. As far as I know I’ll have someone taking me to the inspection site and there will be two judges and one vet to ensure the breed standards are met. 

The trailer engine shut off and I jumped out of the truck, the soft wind hitting my slightly sweaty back. I shut the door and took a moment to look at my surroundings. The stables were beautiful. I saw Teddy Cobs being moved in and out of stables, and even some people in the parking lot walking with stable officials. They must be here for breeding inspections as well.

“Avery Chanling?” A woman behind me asked. I turned to meet her. 

“Marwa Asmeal?” I asked, offering my hand. She nodded and took my hand in a soft hold. 

“You have Catch Me If You Can, correct?” Marwa asked, a clipboard in hand. I nodded. “Perfect, you’re right on time. Take a few minutes to get her out, and then follow me.” She instructed, nodding to the trailer. 

I opened the trailer that was made for Loshenka’s and not Teddy Cobs. Betty looked so tiny in the trailer. I chuckled as I slowly unloaded her. I really hoped that she wouldn’t get all defiant on me, but only God knows what she’ll do.

Marwa smiled upon seeing Betty. “So you wrote on her inspection form that she’s well trained but has a bit of an attitude?” Marwa inquired, her brow raising slightly. They surely can’t expect horses to have no personality, right?

“Yes, Betty AKA Catch Me If You Can is a well trained mare. She can be purposefully defiant sometimes, but never causing harm. It’s mostly small things like deciding to play a game of catch me if you can when we’re trying to get her in from the field. That’s actually where she got her name from.” I answered. Fear seeped into my mind. I didn’t need to breed Betty, yes that’s true, but I love her so much and I can’t help but hope for a little mini me for her.

“Huh.” Marwa chuckled. “That’s actually really cute and quirky. I like it. Most owners don’t tell us that side of their ponies.” Marwa smiled. “Alright then, follow me and we’ll get you to the inspection site.” Marwa gave Betty a quick smile before beginning to lead the way.

The inspection site wasn’t quite what I expected. Betty walked on my side, our steps matching perfectly. 

The inspection site had a long table filled with paperwork. There was a long walkway and two people in blazers, and one in a vet outfit. Marwa walked slightly in front of me.

“Catch Me If You Can, aka Betty, owned by Avery Chanling. Identification number zero zero seventeen.” Marwa announced. The three people watched as we walked past them. “Please enter the circle.” Marwa directed. We walked onto the small circle path that I assumed was there to help the vet and judges see the gaits of the horses. “Very good, please enter a trot going your current direction.” Marwa instructed. I made a clicking noise and Betty raised into a trot as I jogged beside her. She was listening well today. We kept going for maybe about a minute before Marwa said anything. “Thank you, please cross through the circle and change directions. Continue in a trot.” Marwa requested. Oh god I suck at directions. I turned Betty in, and crossed the circle in a straight line, and once we were on the other side I went left. The trot’s pace stayed pretty much the same. “Avery please do it again, and this time turn to the left, you turned to the right.” Marwa sighed. She sounded defeated. My cheeks heated as I felt my eyes sting. No tears. Not here.

We redid it and this time actually turned to the proper direction. “Thank you, and don’t worry about earlier we all make those mistakes.” Marwa tried to comfort me and honestly it helped a little. “Now please canter on the left.” Mawra guided. I clicked and Betty went into a slow soft canter, which I can’t lie I was struggling to keep up with. We kept up the canter for maybe thirty seconds before Marwa spoke again. “Perfect, please switch directions by cutting through the middle of the circle.” She said. I turned Betty in again and we cut through the circle and I went right, the correct direction this time. We kept a steady canter and after not too long a horn went off, telling us to stop in place. 

We slowed to a halt, and Marwa and the vet walked up. 

“You’re doing great.” Marwa smiled. “This is Jeff, and he’s the vet who will be conducting the overview. Do you mind if I hold Betty while the overview is conducted?” Marwa asked but I knew it wasn’t really a question. An official had to hold the pony while the vet overview was being conducted to make sure that their temperament with other people was good.

“Of course.” I said, offering the leadrope. Marwa took it and offered me a nod as I stepped back and let the vet do his thing.

The vet spent about fifteen minutes overviewing Betty. Betty had already been to a certified vet and gotten blood testing and all of the reproduction testing done to ensure she could safely carry a foal. All the blood work and testing came back positive so the final call was up to Teddy Cob’s main facility to decide if she embodies the Teddy Cob body correctly.

“Okay.” The vet started, sighing and taking a step away from Betty. Marwa handed me the leadrope and took a step back. “Catch Me If You Can is in good health. Her gait is slightly off–” My heart dropped as Jeff continued. “But we don’t expect perfection, we just expect good quality horses. From what I can see between her biological health and what we’ve seen today she looks like a good quality horse. From my side, all is good, but the judges will make the deciding votes.” He kept going. “We’ll mail you the results within a few days. Your address is the same one listed, correct?” Jeff asked as he finished.

“Uhm, y, yes. Two eight zero nine, Vista Sulla Val D’orcia, Tuscany, Italy.” I responded. Jeff nodded. 

“Perfect, thank you, you’re free to go. We’ll mail you the results.” Jeff smiled. I walked Betty back and I caught the judges smiling while talking and glancing at Betty. I really hope she passes.

We drove back home. The ride was long, but filled with beautiful scenery as we made our way back to Tuscany. 

Once we arrived, Betty was getting antsy and I could hear Cash’s shrill nickers at his bestie getting home.

Once I had Betty’s leadrope in hand, she walked me to Cash, her pace as fast as she could go without dragging me.

The reunion was sweet. Cash hung his head over the fence and his nose met Betty’s nose. 

“Okay love birds, that’s enough, let me at least get Betty inside the field first.” I snorted, walking Betty over to the gate. She reluctantly agreed, and only because Cash followed us all the way to the gate. 

By the time she was inside, Cash was already nibbling Betty’s neck, and Betty was stretching out and nibbling Cash’s back.