Parallel Tales The Stories of Grace and Finnigan: Parallel Tales

By Amberley Marsden

The journey of horse ownership is unlike any other. It can be rewarding, exciting, educational, and deeply heart-warming. It can also be frustrating, terrifying, disappointing, and heart-wrenching. It is emotional from all aspects.

The Stories of Grace and Finnigan takes us on this roller coaster of a ride as Grace purchases a new horse, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by the name of Finnigan. Finnigan is a horse owner's dream. He is beautiful, talented, and highly trained, with a wonderful temperament. Grace is completely enamoured with him and living her dream, until things inexplicably start to fall apart. Finnigan's personality suddenly changes, turning him into an unhappy, dangerous mount, and Grace must find a way to bring back the horse he used to be.

Told from both perspectives, Parallel Tales first takes us on the human journey, then on the journey of the horse. It gives a unique insight into the equine mind, allowing the reader to empathize with both horse and human as it becomes clear that perception is not always reality.

The Stories of Grace and Finnigan is the first book in the Parallel Tales series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Equilibrado Equestrian Publications
• Release date: Mar 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781738893218

Amberley Marsden

Amberley Marsden is an FEI level rider, coach, and horse trainer from Edmonton, Alberta. She entered the world of horse ownership in 1990 and began coaching and training professionally in 2003. Amberley bases her coaching and training business, Equilibrado Equestrian, around her belief that the key to training horses effectively is balancing the body and the mind. The name Equilibrado Equestrian comes from the Spanish word equilibrado, meaning ‘well-balanced’. Amberley founded Equilibrado Equestrian Publications and began writing the fiction series, Parallel Tales, in 2023. This unique series shares her experiences with and insights into human and equine psychology, and how the two intertwine.

Book preview

Dedication

To my mother, who edited this book,

and to Kim, Taryn, and Mary,

who helped me bring it together

Part One

Grace

Chapter One

The Search

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Grace was incredibly excited. She was going to try a new horse today! At twenty-five years of age, she was still as horse crazy as she had been at age six, when she went on her first pony ride at the zoo. Regal, her last horse, had died suddenly from colic over a year ago. He had been Grace’s partner for eight years.

She and her best friend Dana had grown up mucking stalls in exchange for riding lessons. As soon as they were old enough, they got jobs and started saving their pennies to purchase horses of their own. Buying Regal had been a dream come true for Grace. When he died, Grace felt like her heart had been shattered. It had taken her a long time to get over the loss, but she was finally ready to find a new partner.

Grace had looked at seven other horses over the past few weeks. She was starting to get discouraged, because she did not feel a connection with any of them. Then Dana mentioned a conversation she had with an old riding colleague. Her colleague knew about a horse that was for sale to the right home and offered Dana the contact information. The horse was not being advertised online, but Dana had contacted the seller and received photos and a description of the horse.

When Grace saw the photos, she felt like it was fate. Finnigan matched everything on Grace’s wish list. He was a stunning nine-year-old, 16.2hh bay Dutch Warmblood gelding. He had a big white star in the centre of his forehead. There were no markings on his legs, but Grace didn’t mind this. Regal had been a grey and she had spent countless hours trying to keep him clean at shows! Finnigan also had a wonderful resume. He had been successfully shown to Third Level in the sport of dressage, which is the ballet of the horse world. She immediately contacted Finnigan’s trainer to arrange a trial ride.

Grace had mostly done jumping shows with Regal, but it had always been her dream to try dressage. Whenever she watched the world class riders, she felt like the connection between horse and rider in dressage was incredible. She also felt like jumping would remind her too much of Regal and would make her miss him even more. It seemed like a good time to try something new and have a fresh start.

Grace hopped in her car, double checking that she had packed all her riding gear. She headed to Dana’s house to pick her up. Because she and Dana had been riding together since they were kids, she knew Dana would be honest with her about whether she felt Finnigan and Grace were a good match. Dana had kindly been letting Grace ride her Thoroughbred mare, Sassy, since Regal had died.

I have a really great feeling about him, Dana! Grace said as soon as Dana got into the car, grinning from ear to ear.

I do too, Grace, Dana replied. I can’t wait to meet him!

Me neither! Grace replied emphatically. 

They chatted excitedly throughout the three-hour drive to Spruce Hollow, the stable where Finnigan was boarded. As they made their way down the driveway, Grace’s jaw dropped. Both young women were suddenly speechless. The facility was gorgeous! They passed through a huge wrought iron gate, with images of dancing horses etched into the metal plaques on either side. The driveway wound down to the stable, lined on either side by thick spruce trees. The barn itself was like something out of a photograph. It had a dark wood exterior, with massive stone arches and pillars. There were huge, barred windows looking out from every stall. The barn formed a horseshoe around a courtyard. The courtyard was filled with trees, and there were benches where one could sit and eat lunch. The pathways for the horses were all rubber brick. They led around the barn to the paddocks where the horses were turned out to graze during the day. Grace suddenly felt very nervous. This was far beyond the calibre of facility she was used to riding in.

As they made their way into the barn, the warm voice of an older gentleman rang out, You must be Grace. Welcome to Spruce Hollow! I’m Jason.

Grace turned to see the trainer whom she had been in contact with about Finnigan. Jason shook their hands warmly, as introductions were made. He had a very calming energy, which made Grace instantly feel more comfortable and relaxed. Jason led the way to the crossties where Finnigan was patiently waiting for them.

This is Finnigan, Jason said.

Grace’s heart melted when she saw him. It was love at first sight! Finnigan’s dark coat was even richer in person than the photographs Jason had sent her, and he had a soft, kind eye. Grace held out her hand for Finnigan to sniff. He softly lowered his head, breathing gently onto her fingers. He stood like a perfect gentleman as Jason groomed and tacked him up. Jason began to share the details of Finnigan’s history.

Finnigan had belonged to Jason’s late niece, Jessica. She had been a very accomplished dressage rider. She had purchased Finnigan from Europe as a yearling. Along with Jason’s guidance, Jessica had trained and shown him from the time he was four years old. Grace was shocked to learn that Jessica had been involved in a fatal car accident five months ago. She had not asked why Finnigan was for sale, when she contacted Jason initially. Jason explained that he had continued to train and care for Finnigan himself over the past five months. Unfortunately, he had many of his own horses, as well as client horses to look after. He could tell that Finnigan was missing Jessica and the bond they had shared, so he spoke with Jessica’s family. They agreed that it would be best for Finnigan to find him a new home, with someone who would love and enjoy him as much as Jessica had.

Grace understood now why Finnigan had not been advertised publicly. Jason wanted to be sure that he found the right match, without exposing Finnigan or Jessica’s family to a lot of different people. They were all still very much in shock and grieving.

As Jason led Finnigan down the barn aisle to the indoor arena, Grace and Dana followed slightly behind. They were still in awe of the beautiful stable. Each stall was oversized, with a mesh grid metal front that allowed the horses to see out into the aisle as they ate their hay. Everything was immaculate. There were two horses in the stalls they passed. They looked relaxed and content. The arena was every bit as beautiful as the barn. It had huge windows, allowing lots of natural light to flow in. Grace felt very privileged to be in such a place. It seemed like destiny that she and Finnigan crossed paths. Perhaps they could help heal each other’s broken hearts and form a new bond and partnership with one another.

Jason offered to ride Finnigan first, in order to demonstrate his gaits and training to Grace. She quickly said yes. No matter how fabulous a horse seemed, she knew better than to get on a strange horse without seeing someone else ride it first. Too many people she knew had been injured by getting on a horse that was supposedly well broke, only to have the horse buck or rear or bolt when they got on. Plus, she was excited to watch Finnigan show off his moves with a professional!

Finnigan stood quietly at the mounting block as Jason tightened his girth and adjusted the stirrups. He did not budge as Jason mounted. They moved off at a forward walk on Jason’s cue. Finnigan stretched his nose out nicely to the contact. He looked eager to work, but relaxed. Jason started with a nice long walk, followed by a stretching trot. This allowed Finnigan’s tendons, ligaments, and joints sufficient time to warm up before going to work. Grace was becoming increasingly impressed with Jason’s training methods. The evidence was there with how content and well behaved Finnigan was. Horses don’t lie! Grace whispered to Dana, Finnigan has incredible manners, and I really like how Jason trains.

Dana nodded in agreement, whispering back, Me too. I am really impressed so far!

When Finnigan was warmed up, Jason started to demonstrate more and more of Finnigan’s capabilities. Although Finnigan had shown to Third Level in dressage, it turned out his training went far beyond that. He had begun to learn some of the more advanced movements, such as pirouettes and tempi changes. By the time Jason finished running through Finnigan’s repertoire, Grace felt like she was dreaming. How was it even possible that she could have the opportunity to own a horse like this? Grace whispered to Dana, He knows a lot more than I do. Just think of how much I would learn from riding him!

Dana said with a wry smile, That’s for sure. I’m rather jealous, to be honest!

After a thorough run through of all Finnigan’s skills, Jason asked, Would you like to try him now, Grace?

Yes, please! Grace said immediately. She was super excited to ride Finnigan, but slightly terrified she would make mistakes and confuse him. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, as she walked toward them.

Jason dismounted and handed Grace the reins. She led Finnigan over to the mounting block. He once again stood like the perfect gentleman, while she adjusted the stirrups and got on. As she sat in the saddle, Grace felt like she was putting on an old glove. Finnigan was the perfect size for her. Her leg hung naturally around his barrel. Do my stirrups look okay? she asked Jason. She was not used to riding in a dressage saddle and the stirrup leathers felt very long compared to her jumping length.

Yes, they do, Jason replied. If you’re not comfortable with them, we can go up a hole, though.

No, I think I’ll be ok, Grace replied. She knew she would have to get used to the longer length anyway, if she was going to ride dressage. Might as well start now! She asked Finnigan to walk on. He stepped out calmly and confidently for her, just as he had done for Jason.

Jason was quiet for a few minutes while he let Grace get a feel for Finnigan. As she played with his walk, trot,