FELIX KING,
IF YOU DON'T GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT,
I'M GOING TO FEED YOUR FOOD TO DIGGER.
I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR BREAKFAST.
ONE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR A PROPER BREAKFAST.
BUT I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR WORK.
FELIX, I DON'T THINK THE WHITE SANDS HOTEL IS GOING
TO SINK INTO THE GROUND IF YOU STOP TO TAKE A BITE.
IF I'M LATE, MR. TREMAYNE WILL HAVE MY HEAD ON A STICK.
I DON'T THINK HE'LL GO THAT FAR.
HE WILL -- HE'LL PUT IT IN THE KITCHEN TO WARN OTHER SLACKERS.
FELIX!
YOU SAID I SHOULD EAT SOMETHING.
OH!
OH, NO!
I'M SORRY, FELIX.
I THOUGHT I'D HAVE IT FIXED BY NOW.
BUT, WELL, IT'S A MITE MORE COMPLICATED THAN I EXPECTED.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET TO WORK?
WELL, I KNOW SOMEBODY WHO'D, UH, GET YOU THERE IN A HURRY.
UNLESS YOU'D PREFER
TO WALK TO THE WHITE SANDS.
ATTABOY, PRINCE!
OH, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WANT TO SELL THIS BEAUTIFUL QUILT
AFTER ALL THE HOURS YOU'VE DEVOTED TO IT.
WELL, I'VE PROMISED IT
TO THE HARVEST FAIR.
THIS YEAR'S PROCEEDS ARE GOING
TOWARDS THE PURCHASE
OF NEW BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOL.
NOT THAT THE OLD ONES ARE WORN.
WHY DON'T YOU SIMPLY DONATE SOME MONEY
FOR THE BOOKS AND KEEP THE QUILT?
THAT'S HARDLY IN THE SPIRIT
OF THINGS.
YOU'RE GOING TO DEPRIVE YOUR FAMILY OF THIS LOVELY CREATION.
WELL, SOMEONE ELSE WILL BUY IT
AND THEIR FAMILY WILL ENJOY IT.
WHY DOES EVERYONE GO TO ALL THIS TROUBLE,
NOT TO MENTION THE EXPENSE, TO SEW QUILTS, MAKE PRESERVES,
BAKE PIES FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO BUY
WHEN THEY COULD SIMPLY BUY THE BOOKS DIRECTLY AND RELAX?
IF EVERYONE FELT THE WAY YOU DID,
THERE WOULD BE NO HARVEST FAIR.
OH, BUT THERE MIGHT BE MORE NEW SCHOOL BOOKS.
AUNT ELIZA, PLEASE.
IT'S A LOT OF FOOLISHNESS, IF YOU ASK ME.
MM-HMM.
HEY, FELIX, GUESS WHO'S COMING ON THE 2:15 TRAIN.
ALI BABA AND HIS 40 THIEVES?
MY BIG BROTHER, ARTHUR.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN AGES.
TOO BAD MORGAN'S GONE.
YOU'LL BE ON YOUR OWN.
ON MY OWN FOR WHAT?
STOPPING ALL THE ARGUMENTS BETWEEN
YOUR BROTHER AND YOUR FATHER.
I'M HOPING THINGS GO BETTER THIS TIME.
JUST STAND BETWEEN THEM.
THEY WON'T DARE TAKE A SWING AT EACH OTHER WITH A GIRL AROUND.
IT'S AITY THAT YOU CAN'T COME.
WE COULD EACH TAKE A SWING AT YOU.
CAN YOU ASK MR. TREMAYNE TO POST THAT?
WHAT IS IT?
IT'S A CROSS-COUNTRY STEEPLECHASE.
FATHER'S HELPING TO ORGANIZE IT FOR THE HARVEST FAIR.
THERE AREN'T MANY GOOD JUMPERS IN THESE PARTS.
FATHER'S GOING TO WIN.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
HE'S ALWAYS WON IN INDIA. HE'LL WIN HERE.
THEN HE'LL GIVE THE PRIZE MONEY TO THE FUND.
WHAT PRIZE MONEY?
THE GRAND PRIZE.
SEE, RIGHT HERE AT THE BOTTOM.
$10.
I'M HOME.
OH, HELLO, FELIX. HOW WAS WORK?
IT WAS FINE.
MOTHER, THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL QUILT!
WELL, THANK YOU, DEAR.
I HOPE SOMEONE ELSE LIKES IT AND BUYS IT.
OUR GOAL FOR THE SCHOOL BOOK FUND
THIS YEAR IS QUITE AMBITIOUS.
IT'S WONDERFUL!
AH, I SUPPOSE I'D BETTER GET STARTED ON SUPPER SOON, THOUGH.
OH, WELL, ALLOW ME TO MAKE DINNER TONIGHT.
YOU'VE WORKED HARD ENOUGH ALREADY.
FELIX,
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
THE LAST TIME YOU?
OFFERED TO HELP, YOU DROPPED MY BEST PITCHER DOWN THE WELL.
MOTHER, PLEASE, I'M JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL.
I KNOW YOU WANT TO KEEP WORKING WITH YOUR QUILT.
OH, I ALMOST FORGOT.
"THE FIRST ANNUAL AVONLEA"
"CROSS-COUNTRY STEEPLECHASE."
AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE WINNER.
OH, FELIX, REALLY!
MOTHER, I KNOW
I COULD WIN EASILY -- PRINCE IS A TREMENDOUS JUMPER.
HE'S FASTER THAN A BOLT OF LIGHTNING.
FELIX, YOU ARE NOT RIDING IN ANY HORSE RACE.
WHY NOT?
BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT A JOCKEY.
AND PRINCE HAS NEVER RUN THAT SORT OF RACE.
AND BESIDES THAT, YOU'RE TOO YOUNG.
HORSE RACING IS THE SPORT OF KINGS, AND WE'RE KINGS.
SO I OWE IT TO MY FOREFATHERS.
NO.
WELL, DID YOU KNOW THAT THE STEEPLECHASE
WAS INVENTED IN ENGLAND 200 YEARS AGO?
THEY WOULD RACE BETWEEN VILLAGES, FROM STEEPLE--
FROM CHURCH STEEPLE TO CHURCH STEEPLE.
SO I THOUGHT IT WAS SORT OF A RELIGIOUS EVENT,
LIKE EASTER OR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, OR--
NO.
MOTHER, PLEASE. MOTHER!
FATHER,
YOU THINK I'M A GOOD RIDER, RIGHT?
OH, YOU ARE A FINE YOUNG HORSEMAN!
FELIX, YOU ARE NOT RUNNING IN THAT STEEPLECHASE.
WHAT STEEPLECHASE?
JUST LAST YEAR, ALEXANDER EWING BROKE BOTH HIS LEGS
IN SOME COCKAMAMIE RACE OVER IN MARKDALE.
I'M A BETTER RIDER THAN ALEXANDER EWING.
WHAT STEEPLECHASE?
I'LL SAY IT FOR THE LAST TIME, FELIX.
NO.
FATHER?
A STEEPLECHASE -- YOU KNOW, PRINCE
COULD PROBABLY WIALEC!S.
WELL, HIS SIRE WAS A JUMPER, YOU KNOW.
FELIX CAN'T RUN IN THAT RACE.
FELIX, OF COURSE NOT. HE'S TOO YOUNG, BUT I'M RACING.
YOU ARE?
A LITTLE EXCITEMENT.
WHY DON'T YOU TELL FATHER
IT'S TOO DANGEROUS?
BECAUSE HE WON'T LISTEN TO ME.
BUT YOU HAVE TO.
AND SINCE YOU OFFERED, YOU CAN STILL HELP ME WITH SUPPER.
YOU CAN PEEL THE POTATOES.
WELCOME HOME, ARTHUR.
I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.
AND I CAN'T GET OVER
HOW IZZY'S GROWN.
WON'T MORGAN SURE BE SORRY HE'S MISSED YOU.
HOW'S HE DOING AT MILITARY SCHOOL?
TOP OF THE CLASS, OF COURSE.
YOU MEAN TOP OF THE CLASS OR ELSE.
SO HOW'S VETERINARIAN SCHOOL?
HAVE YOU SAVED ANY ANIMALS YET?
LAST WEEK I HAD TO OPERATE ON A BULL.
THE WEEK BEFORE THAT, I HELPED
SPEAKING OF HORSES, ARTHUR,
I'D APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING A LOOK AT ANNABELLE.
I'M RIDING HER IN THE STEEPLECHASE
AT THE HARVEST FAIR NEXT WEEKEND.
ARE YOU SURE THAT'S A GOOD IDEA, FATHER?
WHY NOT? ANNABELLE'S A FINE STEED.
WELL, YES, BUT...WELL, WON'T THE COMPETITION BE RATHER STIFF?
I NEEDN'T REMIND YOU THAT I'VE WON MANY TROPHIES,
INCLUDING THE KYBER CUP, FIVE YEARS RUNNING...
...AND IAL FULLY INTEND
TO BE IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE AGAIN.
FATHER, AFTER A CERTAIN AGE,
BONES BECOME BRITTLE, AND MUSCLES DON'T STAND UP
TO THE EXERTION OF A RACE THE WAY THEY ONCE DID.
YOUNG MAN, I'M IN FINE CONDITION FOR A RACE,
EVEN AT MY "CERTAIN AGE."
MANY THINGS IMPROVE AS THEY GROW OLDER:
A STURDY CHEDDAR, A FINE PORT...
AND HORSEMANSHIP.
AND AFTER A WHILE THE CHEDDAR GROWS MOLD,
AND THE PORT GETS CLOUDY, AND--
...AND CAKE GETS STALE.
LET'S EAT!
FATHER, PLEASE.
LOOK, YOU CAN TAKE PRINCE TO THE HOTEL,
BUT YOU ARE NOT RIDING IN THAT STEEPLECHASE.
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY NO?
WELL, YOU DON'T REALLY MEAN NO.
FELIX...
YOU HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS
OF SAYING NO -- YOU HAVE THE REAL "NO",
AND THEN YOU HAVE THE "MAYBE NO".
THAT WAS DEFINITELY A "MAYBE NO".
THAT MEANS YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT.
WELL, LET ME SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU.
N-O, NO! THAT'S A REAL ONE.
THERE YOU GO.
'MORNING, MR. TREMAYNE.
YOU'RE HERE BRIGHT AND EARLY, FELIX.
I RODE PRINCE.
CERTAINLY BEATS PEDALLING A BICYCLE THAT LONG DISTANCE.
I RODE HIM YESTERDAY, AS WELL.
YOU SHOULD SEE US.
WE JUMP EVERY DITCH LIKE IT ISN'T THERE.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE FLYING.
PRINCE IS A FINE HORSE, ALL RIGHT.
I KNOW I COULD WIN THAT STEEPLECHASE.
I'VE RIDDEN IN A STEEPLECHASE A TIME OR TWO.
YOU HAVE?
MOST CERTAINLY.
I RODE MY FIRST ONE WHEN I WAS...JUST ABOUT YOUR AGE.
I HAD A HORSE THAT WAS
WINGED PEGASUS HIMSELF.
WE SOARED OVER THE HEDGES AT FULL GALLOP AND HIT
THE GROUND T'OTHER SIDE WITHOUT MISSING A STEP.
AH, IT WAS GRAND FUN!
THAT'S EXACTLY THE WAY I FEEL
WHEN I RIDE PRINCE.
I JUST HAVE TO ENTER.
PRINCE HAS THE LOOKS OF A NATURAL-BORN JUMPER,
BUT A STEEPLECHASE IS AN INTRICATE BUSINESS.
COULD YOU TEACH ME?
WHAT ABOUT YOUR FATHER?
SHOULDN'T HE HELP YOU?
I WANT TO SURPRISE HIM.
IT'S A DATE, THEN.
TOMORROW MORNING, 9:00.
THAT'S THE WAY, FELIX.
KEEP PRINCE WELL BETWEEN HAND AND LEG.
HEELS DOWN, HEELS DOWN.
SHORTEN THE REINS.
PUSH THREE STRIDES OUT FROM THE FENCE.
WHOA, PRINCE!
WHOA, WHOA!
YOU ALL RIGHT?
WHAT HAPPENED?
I DON'T KNOW. EASY, PRINCE.
IT'S ALL RIGHT.
HIS LEG GAVE WHEN WE LANDED.
IS IT BROKEN?
YOU'D BETTER GET THE VET.
THERE'S A GOOD FELLOW, PRINCE.
I KNOW IT HURTS.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE TENDON IS JUST BRUISED.
THAT'S NOT TOO SERIOUS.
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR HIM?
THE ICE WILL HELP BRING THE SWELLING DOWN,
AND WE'LL GET SOME LINIMENT.
HE SHOULD BE BACK TO HIS OLD SELF AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS.
REALLY?
REALLY.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT, BOY.
I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME FOR YOU.
SORRY, FATHER.
I THINK YOU OWE MR. TREMAYNE AN APOLOGY, TOO,
FOR LETTING HIM BELIEVE YOU HAD MY APPROVAL.
I'M SORRY, SIR.
APOLOGY ACCEPTED.
ARTHUR, THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT WITH THIS.
I WOULDN'T WORRY. HE'LL BE FINE.
FELIX, WHAT IN HEAVEN'S NAME DID YOU
I WAS GOING TO CHALLENGE YOU.
CHALLENGE ME?
WE'D SET UP A COURSE,
AND WE'D BOTH TAKE TURNS RIDING PRINCE.
AND THE ONE WITH THE BEST TIME WOULD...RIDE HIM IN THE RACE.
YOU'D BETTER TAKE HIM IN NOW.
YES, SIR.
YOU'D THINK THE BOY HAD MORE SENSE.
I WAS JUST LIKE HIM AT HIS AGE, ANXIOUS TO PROVE MYSELF.
FELIX DOESN'T NEED TO PROVE HIMSELF.
IF YOU THINK THAT, YOU'VE FORGOTTEN
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE 14.
BUT HE'S TOO YOUNG TO BE IN A RACE LIKE THAT.
AND HOW OLD WERE YOU THE FIRST TIME
YOU RODE IN A RACE LIKE THAT,
OR PLAYED A GAME OF CRICKET WITH YOUR FATHER'S FRIENDS,
OR ENGAGED IN ANY KIND OF CONTEST WHERE
YOU WERE UP AGAINST MEN AND NOT JUST ANOTHER GROUP OF BOYS?
WELL, I WAS ABOUT 14, BUT I WAS MORE EXPERIENCED.
I BET YOUR FATHER DIDN'T THINK SO.
NO...NO, HE DIDN'T.
THERE'S STILL A GREAT DEAL FELIX HAS TO PROVE TO YOU...
AND TO HIMSELF.
[ HORSE NEIGHING ]
PRINCE! WHAT HAPPENED TO PRINCE?
OH, HE'S FINE, JANET.
HE JUST NEEDS A LITTLE TIME TO HEAL, THAT'S ALL.
BUT WHAT HAPPENED?
UH...
WELL, HE, UH...
UH...
WELL, HE STEPPED INTO A HOLE AND BRUISED A TENDON.
FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO BONES BROKEN.
HERE WE GO.
THERE.
OHH!
I KNOW IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS, BUT THAT MEANS IT WORKS.
SO HOW'S HIS LEG DOING?
WELL, THE SWELLING'S GONE DOWN.
WHOO! YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WASH UP
BEFORE YOU COME INTO THE HOUSE.
YEAH, I GUESS I SHOULD BE LUCKY
YOU DON'T MAKE ME SLEEP OUT HERE.
WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL MOTHER WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
WELL, I SUPPOSE I SHOULD HAVE, BUT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT,
THE DAMAGE WAS DONE, AND... YOU KNOW HOW YOUR MOTHER FRETS.
YEAH.
YOU HAD YOUR HEART SET ON BEING IN THAT RACE.
YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN US.
IT WAS LIKE WE WERE MELTED TOGETHER,
FLYING OVER THOSE HURDLES.
IT WAS FANTASTIC.
YOU KNOW A...
STEEPLECHASE ISN'T JUST A WALK DOWN A LANEWAY.
DO YOU THINK YOU COULD HANDLE IT?
I DO.
WELL, WE'LL SEE.
DO YOU MEAN I CAN RACE?
NOW, HOLD ON. PRINCE HAS GOT SOME HEALING TO DO FIRST.
YEAH. WHAT ABOUT MOTHER?
LET'S JUST WORRY ABOUT PRINCE FOR NOW, SHALL WE?
OOH! AH!
ALL RIGHT.
LET'S GO, ANNABELLE.
WHOA. WHOA.
FATHER.
YOU'RE LIMPING, I SEE.
I JUST TOOK A BIT OF A JOLT, THAT'S ALL. I'M FINE.
YOU CAN BARELY WALK.
DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR OLD FATHER.
I SHAN'T DISGRACE YOU.
WELL, HOW'S PRINCE?
GREAT. HIS TENDON ISN'T EVEN SWOLLEN OR SORE.
OH, THAT'S GOOD.
I THINK HE'S ANXIOUS TO GET OUT OF THE BARN AND RUN.
I THINK YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S ANXIOUS.
WELL, THE RACE IS ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS AWAY.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.
WE'LL...
WE'LL GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING,
AND IF PRINCE LOOKS LIKE HE'S UP TO IT,
WE'LL TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE.
GREAT.
OH, AND FELIX...TRY TO, UH, TRY TO BE AS QUIET AS YOU CAN
WHEN YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING.
[ GRUNTING ]
SHH!
SORRY.
COME ON, BOY.
OK.
EASY, THERE.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
NOW, LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT YOU.
IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S HURTING.
I'D SAY HE'S AS RIGHT AS RAIN.
KEEP LOW IN THE SADDLE, FELIX, WHEN YOU APPROACH THE JUMP,
THEN SIT BACK AND BALANCE HIM WITH YOUR HANDS.
TRY IT AGAIN, SON.
HEELS DOWN, FELIX. HEELS DOWN.
YES, NO REFUSAL THERE, MR. TREMAYNE.
YES! GOOD!
THAT LAD CAN RIDE, ALEC.
YES.
YES, HE CAN, CAN'T HE?
SO, THINK WE CAN WIN?
INDEED I DO.
THE HARVEST FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING SHOULDN'T TAKE TOO LONG.
OH, FELIX, HELLO, DEAR.
MOTHER, NOT WHEN I'M AT WORK!
OH.
JANET!
EULALIE BUGLE. JUST THE PERSON I WANTED TO SEE.
I SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN AN HOUR.
I'LL BE WAITING.
SO, WHAT DID SHE SAY?
I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HER YET.
WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO?
WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
ALEC.
CLIVE, GOOD DAY.
FELIX, ARTHUR TELLS ME
YOUR HORSE TOOK A NASTY SPRAIN JUMPING HURDLES.
OH, IT WASN'T THAT BAD. HE'S FINE NOW.
I WAS AFRAID YOU WOULDN'T RACE.
I'LL BE THE ONE RIDING, MR. PETTIBONE.
YOU'RE NOT UP TO IT, EH, ALEC?
YOU THINK THERE'S THE SLIGHTEST CHANCE
OF A BOY WINNING IN A GENTLEMEN'S COMPETITION?
IF WE OFFICIALLY ENTER THE STEEPLECHASE, MR. PETTIBONE,
I'M SURE THAT FELIX WILL ACQUIT HIMSELF HONOURABLY.
OH, DO ENTER. THE FIELD CURRENTLY STANDS AT FOUR.
A FIVE-HORSE RACE WOULD MAKE VICTORY THAT MUCH SWEETER.
YOU MEAN YOUR VICTORY?
I DON'T MEAN TO BOAST, BUT
I CAN'T THINK OF A SINGLE HORSE IN AVONLEA
THAT CAN MATCH MY ANNABELLE FOR SPEED AND STAMINA.
CERTAINLY NOT A FARM HORSE.
PRINCE ISN'T JUST A FARM HORSE!
HIS DAM WAS A CHAMPION RACEHORSE AND HIS SIRE'S A JUMPER.
THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANCESTRY AND PERFORMANCE.
WELL, I'VE SEEN YOUR ANNABELLE RUN,
AND I FOR ONE THINK THAT OUR PRINCE
WOULD LEAVE HER IN THE DUST.
YOU'RE JOKING, OF COURSE.
NO, NO, I'M PERFECTLY SERIOUS.
THAT KIND OF BOASTFULNESS IS USUALLY ACCOMPANIED BY A WAGER.
NAME IT.
FATHER, I HAVEN'T EVEN REGISTERED YET.
WE'LL ARRANGE THAT, FELIX.
YOU'RE SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO RECONSIDER, ALEC?
AFTER ALL, FELIX ISN'T A TRAINED EQUESTRIAN.
HE'S TRAINED ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU A VIEW
OF HIS BACKSIDE AS HE CROSSES THE FINISH LINE.
NAME THE STAKES.
WELL, YOU KNOW THAT NEW SADDLE
THAT'S IN THE WINDOW OF McLEERY'S LIVERY?
YES, I'VE NOTICED IT.
WELL, I'VE TAKEN QUITE A FANCY TO THAT.
WELL, SHALL WE SAY THAT
THE LOSER BUYS THAT SADDLE FOR THE WINNER, THEN?
YOU'RE ON.
GOOD DAY TO YOU.
AND TO YOU, MASTER FELIX.
TOMORROW MORNING,
THE BACK PASTURE?
YES, I GUESS I'M IN THE RACE NOW.
YES...
YES, I SUPPOSE YOU ARE.
FIVE MINUTES FLAT.
FIVE MINUTES?
FIVE MINUTES, FELIX -- NOW, THAT'S THE WAY TO RIDE.
THAT'S YOUR BEST TIME YET.
OH, THERE'LL BE NO STOPPING US NOW, SON.
WHAT ABOUT MOTHER?
WELL, IT'S OBVIOUS PRINCE CAN RUN.
I SUPPOSE...I SUPPOSE
NOW WOULD BE THE RIGHT TIME.
WHY DON'T I TAKE PRINCE FOR A NICE LONG RUN
AND BUILD UP THE ENDURANCE AND ALL.
YOU DON'T WANT TO RISK COMING HOME
UNTIL AFTER THE DUST HAS SETTLED.
NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT.
WELL, GO EASY ON PRINCE.
WELL, SHE'S FINE.
GOOD.
I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME FOR THE RIDER.
I'M FIT AS A FIDDLE.
YOU'RE IN PAIN.
OH, IT'S NOTHING
THAT A HOT BATH CAN'T CURE.
FATHER, LISTEN TO ME FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, PLEASE.
LIKE IT OR NOT, YOU'RE NOT AS YOUNG AS YOU USED TO BE.
I DON'T SEE HOW THAT'S YOUR WORRY.
I WORRY THAT YOU'LL HURT YOURSELF.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE CONCERN.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE THIS RACE, FATHER.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE YOURSELF TO ANYONE.
YES, WELL, THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN PRINCIPLE, ARTHUR.
THERE'S A MATTER OF A SMALL WAGER INVOLVED.
WHAT SORT OF WAGER?
I BET ALEC KING A NEW SADDLE
THAT ANNABELLE WOULD OUTRUN PRINCE IN THE STEEPLECHASE.
BUT PRINCE HAS A BRUISED TENDON.
I SUPPOSE IF PRINCE CAN'T RUN
AND ALEC WITHDRAWS, I SHALL WIN THE BET BY DEFAULT.
WELL, IF YOU WITHDREW AS WELL, THEN THE BET WOULD BE OFF.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
ALEC KING RISKS INJURING HIS HORSE.
YOU RISK INJURING YOURSELF, ALL OVER A STUPID SADDLE?
TO THE DEVIL WITH BOTH OF YOU.
♪ DA-DA DA-DA ♪
WHAT IS ALL THIS?
TEA TIME WITH CANDIED LEMON PEEL.
MURIEL STACEY'S CARRYING IT AT THE GENERAL STORE.
THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE TO TRY SOME.
HOW SWEET OF YOU.
AND THE TEA'S ALMOST READY.
OH, I'D LOVE TO STAY, BUT I JUST STOPPED BACK TO GET MY QUILTING.
CLARA POTTS IS EXPECTING ME.
WE HAVE TO GET THE LAST OF THESE QUILTS READY
FOR THE HARVEST FAIR, AND I'M LATE ALREADY.
WELL, I CAN SAVE THIS FOR LATER.
[ KNOCKING ]
I'LL GET THAT.
ARTHUR, GOOD AFTERNOON. COME IN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. KING.
I'VE COME TO CHECK ON PRINCE.
OH, HE'S DOING SPLENDIDLY.
I DIDN'T SEE HIM IN HIS STALL.
UH, FELIX IS OUT EXERCISING HIM RIGHT NOW.
ARTHUR, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MRS. KING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE FELIX DOESN'T RIDE HIM TOO HARD.
WELL, HE SEEMS COMPLETELY HEALED.
WELL, NEVERTHELESS, I WANT TO SEE
HIM AGAIN BEFORE YOU START JUMPING.
JUMPING?
TRAINING FOR THE STEEPLECHASE.
MR. KING, I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY FATHER.
I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD RACE.
I WONDER IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER CALLING OFF THE BET WITH HIM.
WHAT BET?
GOOD BOY.
WHAT A JUMP, BOY. COME ON.
HO, COME ON.
GOOD BOY.
COME ON. YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!
OH! WHOA, BOY.
WHOA. WHOA.
OVER HERE, PLEASE.
NOW, THESE THINGS ALMOST ALWAYS LOOK WORSE THAN THEY ARE.
BASICALLY ALL FELIX HAS IS A NASTY BUMP ON THE HEAD.
YOU'RE VERY LUCKY.
BUT MY HEAD STILL HURTS.
I EXPECT IT WILL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY,
BUT YOU SHOULD BE UP AND RIDING BY TOMORROW.
OH, I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH CHANCE
OF THAT HAPPENING AGAIN SOON.
YOU SPEND THE REST OF THE DAY
TAKING IT EASY, ALL RIGHT?
THANK YOU, DR. SNOW.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
MOTHER?
YOU ANGRY WITH ME?
FELIX, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN BOTH YOU AND YOUR FATHER.
SHOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING SOONER.
THERE WAS NOTHING TO SAY, DEAR.
I'D ALREADY SAID NO.
I'M SORRY.
I'M SURE YOU ARE.
GET SOME SLEEP.
I WAS GOING TO TELL YOU.
BEFORE THE RACE OR AFTER?
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE PRINCE COULD RUN
BEFORE I BROUGHT UP THE SUBJECT.
HOW THOUGHTFUL.
LOOK, IF WE--
YOU WENT BEHIND MY BACK, ALEC.
WE HAD MADE THAT DECISION TOGETHER.
WELL, I CHANGED MY MIND.
KNOWING WHAT IT MEANT TO ME?
KNOWING WHAT IT MEANT TO FELIX.
HE ALMOST GOT KILLED TODAY.
HE DIDN'T FALL TAKING A JUMP, JANET.
HE FELL RIDING ON THE BEACH. IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ANYTIME.
WOULD YOU FORBID HIM FROM RIDING ALTOGETHER?
MY GREAT UNCLE REDMUND, YOU KNOW,
ALMOST CHOKED TO DEATH ON HIS CHERRY COBBLER.
NOW, DOES THAT MEAN WE SHOULD BANISH ALL CAKES, PIES
AND COBBLERS FROM THE HOUSE?
YOUR UNCLE REDMUND IS NOT THE POINT, AND YOU KNOW IT.
IT IS.
IT IS THE POINT.
LIFE IS FULL OF RISKS.
YOU CAN'T AVOID THEM.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD COURT THEM EITHER.
I MEAN...
ENTERING THIS RACE IS JUST... ASKING FOR TROUBLE.
HE'S TOO YOUNG.
HE'S NOT RIDING.
NO!
GOOD MORNING.
DECIDED TO JOIN US, HAVE YOU?
'MORNING.
WHERE'S MOTHER AND FATHER?
THEY'RE DOING THEIR CHORES IN THE BARN.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
UM...BETTER.
BETTER ENOUGH FOR BREAKFAST?
YES, PLEASE.
HOW MANY EGGS?
UH, TWO.
TWO EGGS COMING UP.
YOU'RE QUITE LUCKY, YOU KNOW.
REALLY? I DON'T FEEL LUCKY.
WELL, YOU ONLY LANDED ON SOME PACKED SAND.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THERE HAD BEEN A ROCK WHERE YOU LANDED?
IT COULD HAVE CRACKED OPEN YOUR SKULL LIKE A RIPE MELON.
I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT.
OR SUPPOSING
PRINCE WOULD HAVE LANDED ON YOU.
YOU FALL OFF, HE GETS FRIGHTENED,
HE REARS UP AND LANDS
WITH BOTH FEET ON YOUR CHEST.
HOW MUCH DOES A HORSE LIKE PRINCE WEIGH?
ABOUT 1,200 POUNDS.
THAT MUCH.
I HAD A GIRLFRIEND IN ENGLAND WHOSE BROTHER
FELL OFF HIS HORSE, CAUGHT HIS FOOT IN THE STIRRUP
AND IT CARRIED HIM FOR A QUARTER OF A MILE
BEFORE HE STOPPED.
HE SPENT TWO MONTHS IN HOSPITAL.
TWO MONTHS?
SO YOU'RE REALLY VERY LUCKY INDEED.
TWO EGGS?
ACTUALLY, I'M NOT HUNGRY ANY MORE, AUNT ELIZA.
I THINK I'LL GO OUT TO THE BARN
AND SEE IF MOTHER AND FATHER NEED MY HELP.
HELLO, FELIX, ARE YOU FEELING BETTER?
READY TO WORK.
GOOD.
WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO START?
WELL, THERE'S NO NEED TO OVERDO IT TODAY.
WHY DON'T YOU JUST SWEEP OUT THE STALL, THERE.
ALL RIGHT.
[ WHINNYING ]
FELIX?
I, UH...
I'M SORRY...I WASN'T WATCHING WHERE I WAS GOING.
YOU KNOW, PRINCE HASN'T BEEN EXERCISED TODAY.
WHY DON'T YOU TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE NOW?
JUST AROUND THE YARD.
WHAT'S THE MATTER?
MY HEAD'S BEGINNING TO HURT AGAIN.
MAY I PLEASE GO LIE DOWN?
OF COURSE.
THANK YOU.
FELIX?
I'M ALL RIGHT, MOTHER.
I...I JUST NEED TO LIE DOWN.
IS HE ALL RIGHT?
IT'S NOT HIS HEAD, JANET.
HE'S SCARED.
IF HE DOESN'T GET BACK UP ON THAT HORSE NOW, HE MAY NEVER.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT.
HE'S JUST ASKING FOR TROUBLE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE BEING SO HARD ON FATHER.
I'M NOT BEING HARD ON HIM.
I'M BEING REALISTIC.
HE'S GOING TO GET HURT.
I MEAN, IF HE WANTS A SADDLE SO BADLY, I'LL BUY HIM ONE.
BUT HE ALREADY HAS ONE.
NO, I MEAN LIKE THE KIND HE BET ALEC KING FOR.
THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.
HE BOUGHT A NEW SADDLE TWO MONTHS AGO.
WELL, THEN WHY...?
WHY WHAT?
WHY RACE?
BECAUSE HE LIKES IT.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE LEARNED TO RIDE BEFORE HE LEARNED TO WALK.
IS THAT TRUE?
IN HIS CASE, QUITE POSSIBLY.
HE SAID THAT WHEN IT'S HIS TURN TO GO,
HE DOESN'T WANT TO DIE IN BED.
HE'D JUST AS SOON BE RIDING ANNABELLE.
I GUESS IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING THAT MUCH, HAVING TO GIVE IT UP
WOULD FEEL LIKE A KIND OF DEATH.
HUH?
I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN, IZZ.
HE JUST LIKES IT.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING, SWEETHEART?
BETTER.
GOOD.
YOU KNOW, YOUR FATHER THINKS YOU'RE A PRETTY FAIR HORSEMAN.
DOES HE?
OH...HE TOLD ME HE THOUGHT
YOU HAD A GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING THAT RACE.
I SUPPOSE I FEEL SO STRONGLY ABOUT YOU NOT RACING
BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS 8.
WHAT HAPPENED?
MY FATHER HAD A BIG, BLACK STALLION NAMED ANDREW,
AND ABIGAIL DARED ME TO RIDE HIM.
OH, I MANAGED TO STAY ON FOR ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE
BEFORE HE THREW ME... AND HE THREW ME.
DID YOU GET HURT?
I WAS MORE SCARED THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
SO SCARED IN FACT,
THAT, WELL, I WOULDN'T GET BACK UP ON ANY HORSE.
I'D MAKE EXCUSES, TAKE BUGGIES OR WALK.
I TOLD MYSELF THAT IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE I GOT BACK UP ON A HORSE, BUT...DAYS TURNED INTO WEEKS,
AND WEEKS TURNED INTO MONTHS.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO GET BACK ON HIM?
I NEVER HAVE.
I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE RIDING.
AND I'D HATE TO SEE YOU STOP THE WAY I DID.
WHY DON'T YOU COME OUTSIDE AND GET BACK UP ON PRINCE.
AND IF YOU STILL FEEL LIKE IT... WELL, YOU CAN RIDE IN THAT RACE.
YOU, UH, YOU WOULDN'T MIND?
WHAT I WANT...IS TO SEE YOU GET BACK UP ON THAT HORSE AGAIN.
NOW, YOU BEHAVE YOURSELF, HUH?
WELL, HERE HE IS, SON.
YOU'VE RIDDEN HIM COUNTLESS TIMES.
HE'S NO DIFFERENT.
YOU'RE NO DIFFERENT.
HERE YOU GO.
UGH.
AH!
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?
CAN'T COMPLAIN.
I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE A LITTLE STIFF.
ARTHUR.
NO LECTURES, I PROMISE.
HERE.
WHAT IS IT?
A COLLEAGUE OF MINE GAVE IT ME.
TAKE IT.
RUB IT INTO THE PART OF YOUR BODY THAT'S SORE.
SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.
YES, BUT IT WORKS,
ON HORSES AND MEN.
THANK YOU.
I HOPE YOU WIN TOMORROW, FATHER.
I INTEND TO.
I KNOW.
♪
NOW, JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP LOW IN THE SADDLE
WHEN HE STARTS TO JUMP.
AND SIT BACK WHEN HE LANDS TO KEEP HIM BALANCED.
DON'T TAKE HIM FAST TOO SOON.
MAKE YOUR RUN AFTER THE LAST JUMP.
AND TRY TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, ALL RIGHT?
GOOD DAY TO YOU ALL.
GOOD DAY.
HOW'S THE OLD NOGGIN?
IT'S STILL IN ONE PIECE, MORE OR LESS.
GOOD LUCK.
YOU TOO.
THERE'S THAT ODOUR AGAIN.
SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.
MURIEL, I HAVE MY QUILT.
WONDERFUL. LET'S JUST PUT IT HERE WITH THE OTHERS
AND I'LL GO AND GET A TAG, SO WE CAN PUT A PRICE ON IT.
DON'T BOTHER.
IT'S ALREADY SOLD.
SOLD? NO ONE'S EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO SEE IT.
I BOUGHT IT MYSELF.
YOU KNOW, I SAID IT SHOULD STAY IN THE FAMILY.
BUT, UH...
HERE YOU ARE THEN. YOU CAN PAY EULALIE BUGLE.
THANK YOU.
YOU'LL HAVE TO CARRY IT HOME FOR ME.
MY BASKET'S ALREADY FULL.
I BOUGHT SOME OF MRS. SLOANE'S PRESERVES,
SOME COBBLER FROM MRS. LATHAM
AND A SWEET CROCHETED PILLOW
FROM EDITH TURNER.
AND TWO LOVELY HANDMADE BEESWAX CANDLES.
I THOUGHT YOU CONSIDERED OUR HARVEST FAIR
A LOT OF FOOLISHNESS, AUNT ELIZA.
IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
GOOD AFTERNOON.
HELLO, MRS. KING.
THERE HE IS.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING, FATHER?
NEVER BETTER, THANKS TO YOU.
WILL ALL RIDERS PLEASE APPROACH THE STARTING LINE!
GOOD LUCK, SON.
SEE YOU AT THE FINISH LINE.
GOOD LUCK, FELIX.
ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN.
GET YOUR HORSES INTO POSITION.
YOU ALL KNOW THE RULES.
WHEN THE WHITE FLAG GOES DOWN, THE RACE WILL BEGIN.
YOU MUST FOLLOW THE STAKED-OUT COURSE AND
YOU MUST JUMP OVER ALL HURDLES.
IF YOUR HORSE REFUSES A JUMP, YOU'RE DISQUALIFIED.
EVERYONE GET READY...
LOWER THE ROPE.
COME ON, FELIX.
YOU CAN DO IT.
FELIX, GO!
COME ON, FATHER!
EASY, BOY, EASY.
THAT'S IT, GOOD JUMP.
NOW THEN... COME ON.
FORWARD IN THE SADDLE,
FELIX, THAT'S IT.
HE'S SECOND, ALEC.
TOOK THAT THIRD JUMP BEAUTIFULLY.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, COME ON!
COME ON, RANDY!
COME ON, COME ON!
YEAH. COME ON, COME ON.
COME ON, COME ON NOW.
JUMP!
COME ON!
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
YEAH, COME ON!
COME ON, PRINCE, COME ON.
[ NEIGHING ]
HERE THEY COME.
ALEC, LOOK, LOOK, LOOK.
HE'S IN THE LEAD!
HE IS!
COME ON, LAD!
COME, ON, YEAH.
[ NEIGHING ]
OH, NO, FELIX FELL.
FELIX, GET UP.
I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT.
STEADY, PRINCE, STEADY.
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!
COME ON, BOY, COME ON!
STEADY, PRINCE. COME ON!
THAT'S IT!
COME ON, BOY, COME ON!
YEAH, YEAH!
YES, COME ON!
ANNABELLE.
COME ON! THAT'S A GOOD BOY.
COME ON, LAD!
YEAH!
COME ON, LAD.
YEAH, YEAH.
COME ON, BOY. COME ON, PRINCE. YEAH!
FELIX!
COME ON, FATHER!
COME ON, FELIX!
IT'S A TIE. IT'S A TIE.
HUZZAH!
WELL DONE, FELIX.
GOOD WORK.
THANK YOU, MR. PETTIBONE.
MR. KING, I GUESS OUR WAGER WILL HAVE TO EXTEND TO NEXT YEAR.
INDEED.
AND AS FOR MY HALF OF THE PRIZE MONEY,
I INTEND TO DONATE IT TO THE AVONLEA SCHOOL BOOK FUND.
OH, THAT'S A VERY COMMENDABLE IDEA.
THANK YOU, MR. PETTIBONE.
FELIX, NOW, DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S A VERY COMMENDABLE IDEA?
MOTHER, MY, UH,
MY PRIZE MONEY FOR BOOKS?
YOU WOULDN'T WANT ANNABELLE
TO DO MORE FOR YOUR SCHOOL THAN PRINCE, WOULD YOU?
I'LL DONATE THAT MONEY IF
YOU DO ONE THING FOR ME FIRST.
WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
[ NEIGHING ]
ALL RIGHT, PRINCE, YOU BE GOOD.
DON'T WORRY, MOTHER, YOU CAN DO IT.
YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THIS, JANET?
YES, I AM.
WELL DONE.
THANK YOU, DEAR.
FELIX?
IT'S WORTH IT.
THERE YOU GO.