False Gods: The Show Jumper's Challenge

Cory fiddled with the zipper on her pocket, opening and shutting it, and thought about the mare outside. There was a chance Vee would bid against the meat buyers just to screw with them. She fingered the sale brochure rolled up inside her pocket and remembered the advertisement she’d found on Dream Horse for Epiphany, emphasizing the breeding. Vee had researched every Hanoverian stallion in the United States and Europe when she was picking a sire for Allegra. Maybe she would know something about this mare’s sire. Maybe she could get Vee interested that way.

“Have you guys ever heard of a stallion called Eisenhartzen? Probably a Hanoverian?”

Vee set down her empty cup. “Sounds familiar, but I’ve never heard of the E line at all. Maybe it’s just not big in this country.” She pulled her purse onto her lap and started digging through it.

Cory pulled out the program listing and scanned Ephiphany’s entry. Maybe Vee knew something about the dam, but less likely. “How about Dancing Shoes? Ever hear of that horse?”

“Sure, I know her.” Vee uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “In fact, Deb Harty owned her for a long time. Had her at a farm near where I was training.” Vee’s voice got softer as she recalled the horse. “She was a gorgeous mare, super jumper before she got hurt and went into the broodmare barn.” She gave Cory a skeptical glance. “Why do you ask?”

Cory inhaled a ragged breath. “Well, because one of her daughters is outside in the kill pen.”