A Horse, a Swollen River and a Pretty Girl

As the helpless horse surfed and battled the raging current, she was swept along and lost her ability to reach a bank.  The riders followed on land and called to her, reassuring her to keep swimming.  The riders followed on horseback as the mare was moving along with the current.  Finally the horses could not continue and one girl got off while the other took her horse.

Alexandra ran along the bank keeping up with the horse and calling to her.  She did not see a solution until she came to a dock and the horse was pushed by the water close enough that she could take her hunting stick and hook the frightened mare’s bridle.  With tugging and reassuring the horse, she could move the mare to the bank where the horse emerged cut up and very cold.

Alexandra walked her to a nearby pub shouting to the pub goers to please give her blankets so she could rug up the horse to keep her warm.  She was convincing and got some lovely tartans which she held on the horse by tacking up the saddle over them.  When Alexandra’s friend arrived she said, “what do you want to do walk him back to the start?” Alexandra said, ” I rescued her and I am going to ride her back, which she did.  It was a wise choice as the horse kept moving and settled down.

Back at the start of the race, Alexandra was noticed by Lady Zara Phillips, who with her look,  gave a congratulations to Alexandra for her successful rescue.  The owner of the horse, who was as rough and tough as his horse said, “well, I guess I will not have to hose her down”.