- Could be a horse rustler.
- Where are they, this herd?
- They were here, but they've gone now.
- Hey, Issie, we could get our dad's drone -
fly it over the forest. - That would be amazing.
- Can you tell the future?
Are we going to win cross-country trials?
- No way.
Trust Dulmoth Park to have a water jump.
- It's OK, we've got Caroline.
- Oh! [CAROLINE SPLATS]
- Ow, I'm OK, but my shoulder...
- What about your internship?
- He's got one more chance. Next Saturday.
- But that's cross-country trials.
We can't enter without five riders.
Issie could do it.
- I am not ready for this.
[MYSTERIOUS THEME MUSIC]
Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz
[MUSIC BUILDS]
[MUSIC SOFTENS]
[DRONE BUZZES]
CAROLINE: Hello!
Where are you, horses?
Horses, hello!
- If the wild herd are here, we'll find them.
I made, like, a grid map around the swim hole
and we can cross-reference it back against the-
Caroline! Caroline!
All right, hand it over.
You can't steer it with one hand.
- [GROANS] Why do forests have to have so many trees?
- Here, give it.
- Don't. Ow!
[GROANS] - Give it.
- Don't. You're not the boss of me. Stop! Ow.
- Caroline!
[BOTH YELL, DRONE BUZZES, THUDS]
- That is so broken.
- It's not broken, it's just sprained.
Oh, right. The drone.
[DRONE SPARKS, CAROLINE YELPS]
- [SIGHS]
Maybe we can salvage the footage...
if we're still alive. - Cos Dad'll kill us
once he finds out we've destroyed his drone.
- Tom might kill us first if he finds out you hurt your
shoulder right before cross-country trials.
- So many people who want to kill us. Yay [!]
- Come on.
[OMINOUS TONES]
[RADIO PLAYS DISTANTLY]
- [SIGHS]
- Here she is!
- How are you feeling about today?
- Fine.
- What are you looking for?
- My gloves. - Toast?
- Or porridge?
- Buckwheat pancake! - Oh, please stop listing food.
- You really feeling OK about today?
- Yeah.
- Here.
Black tourmaline. It's for protection.
- Why would I need protection? - Mum, she'll be fine.
- She will now.
- Yeah.
Yeah, I'll be fine.
- Ooh, that's still got the- - Mm-hmm, yeah, I got that.
- You think she needs her chakras realigned?
- Oh, please just let me be in the room
when you suggest that one. - Hmm.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
PA: Kia ora, good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to Dulmoth Park Area Cross-country Trials.
Would all trainers please make their way to the steward desk
to register the attendants. Calling all trainers,
please register your teams if you haven't already. Thank you.
The course will be open for walking in five minutes.
- Hey, any luck with the drone?
- I don't know yet. It kind of crashed.
- Yeah. - What?
- I'll try and salvage the footage.
- [GROANS]
- It's your shoulder, isn't it? - It'll be OK.
- Disaster. We've already lost Dan, you're hurt,
and Issie's gonna be way out of her depth.
- Uh, standing right here.
- Ignore her.
- What she means is, 'Thanks for stepping in'.
- Yeah, exactly.
And don't worry, in cross-country,
your team always drops the lowest score from the board,
so your points won't even count.
- Again, thanks, Natasha, for your vote of confidence.
- All right, you lot.
I've got the running order here.
Caleb and Natasha, you're in pre-training,
so you're up first.
And there's the training class, which is you, Caroline.
Issie and Stella, you're in intro, so-
- I'm sorry, pre-training?
I just- I thought I'd be moving up to training by now.
- Oh, did you?
And I thought I'd be married to someone really rich and famous,
but we'll both have to deal with the disappointment. OK?
Let's go.
- You and me, Blaze. Team KP.
- Issie, come on. Course walk.
[SNORTS]
- Issie, that's the start box.
- [SCOFFS]
- WOMAN: Stel! - What is this,
the Rugby World Cup? - Hi!
- They came. Hi, Mum!
- Look who came.
- Even Hamish.
- He'll feel at home here, being a show pony himself.
- Oi, Stel. Did we miss kick-off already?
- That's not what they call it.
- OK, officially freaking out now.
- Oh, I know, right?
You should see how huge the rest of the course is.
- Seriously? - No, not seriously.
Stop winding her up.
- You don't even have to jump this one, Issie.
Look, it's got a red square.
That means it's a training-level fence.
- Red equals training. Blue equals pre-training.
- And you and Stel are intro level - the white squares.
- NATASHA: Look for the teeny tiny ones. That's you.
[FOLK GUITAR MUSIC]
- Caleb, why has this got a white square on it
when you said that I'm white squares?
Have I got something wrong here? This is massive.
- Well, you don't jump the water. You ride through it.
- Plus, water's a black flag. - A what?
- A black flag means when a jump in the course
is really tough for your level, they give the rider a choice.
Look, you can ride it like this...
- Oh, you don't have to...
- ...straight through here.
Find your stride.
And up and out over this log.
To get home faster.
- Or what you'll do is go through the water to the side,
still in between the flags,
canter up the bank,...
which is the other option.
- So why would anyone jump out if they didn't have to?
- To save time! - Don't worry about it.
Only the top four scores matter.
- So you keep telling me.
- All right, the course splits here.
I'll take Caroline through the red options.
Natasha, coach these guys through the white and the blue.
Yes, that's the spirit, Natasha [!] Team, team, team.
- Come on.
- Natasha, you wanna talk about this one?
- Not really.
[GROANS] Jump over it, blah, blah. Next.
- So, this is the white flag, Nicole.
This is the one you'll be jumping.
- Excuse me, we were walking here.
- Yeah, it's not like you own the course.
- Except technically they do, because it's their course.
- Whatever. - And since when are you
riding intro? I thought you rode pre-training.
- Check the rulebook, Natasha. Nicole has a new horse.
He hasn't been upgraded yet.
- That's what we told the judges, anyway.
- So you dropped a grade to win.
You guys are such cheats. - But we're also winners.
- Yes. Because you cheat.
So it's an empty, hollow victory.
- Funny. Our trophy cabinet isn't empty.
- WHISPERS: There's nothing on the bottom shelf.
- Everyone wants to ride for Dulmoth Park.
So it's so sad that you have to scrabble around
for total dropkick beginners just to make up a team.
- We're not horrible and elitist like you guys.
- We like including people. - Exactly.
I mean, Issie might be a terrible rider,
but she's our terrible rider.
- Thank you, Natasha [!] - You know what I mean.
Cheat all you like, Bianca. We'll still thrash you.
- Seriously?
Even if you were on, like,
flying unicorns, you still wouldn't beat us.
- WHISPERS: Apparently unicorns aren't real. I looked it up.
- Yes, I know. That is why I said it.
[LIGHT FOLK MUSIC]
PA: And pre-training is underway.
The first riders have taken to the course.
Next to ride is Caleb Burford on Galileo.
- Three, two,...
one, go! [STOPWATCH BEEPS]
STELLA: Go, Caleb! - Go!
- Whoo-hoo! [CROWD CHEERS]
[GENTLE FOLK MUSIC]
- Come on, Natasha!
- And three, two,...
one, go!
[CHEERING]
ISSIE: Go, Natasha!
[CROWD CHEERS ENTHUSIASTICALLY]
- Gosh, I mean, those jumps, th-they look very high.
- Yeah, I told you, I'm not doing this ones.
- Yeah, well just remember, you're just-
- A beginner. Yes, thank you, Mum.
- Come on, let's go watch.
- OK. Caroline. - Caroline, come on.
- Is the big man not here?
- Hmm? - Sam.
- Oh, right. Yeah, no, no, no, he's- he's working.
- Yeah, 'course. He's a hustler, that one.
You must be proud.
[THRILLING MUSIC]
PA: 23, Natasha Tucker and Aramis, jumping beautifully.
Making light work of the course there.
[CROWD APPLAUD, CHEER]
STELLA: Go, Caleb!
- A clear round for Caleb Burford,
but there will be time penalties.
And next home is 23, Natasha Tucker,
with a very successful round. Well within the time there.
CALEB: Time penalties. NATASHA: It's OK.
ISSIE: You guys tack up. STELLA: What?
- Are you OK? - Oh, yeah.
Just a bit of a headache. - Probably just nerves.
They'll go when youstart warming up. - Am I meant to be there too?
Which one's the warm-up arena?
- The one that's not the actual arena.
- [GROANS] I'm such a beginner.
CALEB: Everyone starts somewhere.
- [SIGHS] Is there actually any hope?
Me - novice. Caroline - injured shoulder.
STELLA: Yeah, Caroline will be fine. She's brave.
- And maybe the adrenaline will mean she doesn't feel it.
- Hmm. Here's hoping.
[SINISTER TONES]
[HORSE SNORTS]
[BLAZE NICKERS, BAG UNZIPS]
[DOG BARKS]
[BLAZE SNORTS]
[BLAZE WHINNIES]
[BLAZE WHINNIES LOUDLY]
[BLAZE WHINNIES, NICKERS]
- Whoa, whoa. [DOG BARKS]
Whoa, Blaze. Easy. Easy, girl. Easy. Easy.
[BLAZE SNORTS]
Who was that? [BLAZE NICKERS]
You're all right.
[ANXIOUS MUSIC]
- Will Issie- She's not gonna do those jumps?
- Yeah, yeah. Get a grip. - Oh no!
[HORSE BLOWS]
- Let's go, girl.
[STELLA'S FAMILY CALL ENCOURAGEMENT]
- Come on, Stel.
[CROWD APPLAUDS]
[HIGH-PITCHED WHINE] - [GROANS, WINCES]
- Oh.
[HORSE BLOWS]
[DISAPPOINTED TONES]
- Is she all right?
- Yeah, it's not for points. It's just a warm-up round.
- OK. OK.
HAMISH: Come on, this time. - Come on. Come on.
- Come on, Stel. Yeah. - Straight line.
- You've got it. You got it, girl.
- You've got it. [SUPPORTERS CALL ENCOURAGEMENT]
- [GROANS IN PAIN] [HIGH-PITCHED WHISTLING]
- [GROANS]
- [CHUCKLES] Good to see Kauri Point bringing the magic [!]
- It wasn't magic. It was reall-
- I was being sarcastic.
[TENSE TONES]
- [SCOFFS]
- Are you OK?
- There's just this noise in my head like bees,
and it keeps coming and going all day.
[VOICE OVER PA, HIGH-PITCHED SCREECHES] [MOANS]
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. - PA: ...good start.
- It's the PA. It's interfering with her cochlear implant.
- So we get them to turn off the PA.
- Or she turns off the implant. - That could work too.
[MUFFLED PA ANNOUNCEMENT]
- MUFFLED: Anything?
- Nothing.
- Good luck out there today, Caro. Break a leg.
- [PAINED GASPS]
[WHIMPERS] - Hey, hey, hey. Are you OK?
- Ow. [WINCES, BREATHES SHALLOWLY]
[BLAZE NICKERS SOFTLY]
- I'm not ready for this, am I?
- Just take it easy out there. Don't push her.
She's a quick mare; she'll make up the time.
Just take the black flag options and play it safe.
- Sure. I mean, I'm just making up for numbers, right?
It's not like I'm a real rider.
- You're our anchor out there today, Issie.
And you'll do what the team requires.
And what we need from you is to complete the course safely.
- [SIGHS] I feel sick. - [CHUCKLES] Trust me,
once you're out there, you take that first jump,
all your nerves disappear and it's just you and your horse.
- You hear that, girl? Just you and me.
[BLAZE NICKERS ANXIOUSLY] Whoa. Whoa, easy, Blaze.
Easy, easy, easy. Easy, easy. Shh.
CALMLY: Easy, easy.
What's wrong with you?
- Come on. Get your number on. Time to go.
[BLAZE NICKERS GENTLY]
[QUIET SOLEMN MUSIC]
[BLAZE SNORTS]
[BLAZE NEIGHS]
[DISTANT PA ANNOUNCEMENTS]
- [EXHALES SHARPLY]
CALEB: OK, careful, Caroline.
Let's get you in the float to sit down.
NATASHA: I'm sure you'll be fine.
- [MOANS] - Caroline?
- [BREATHES HEAVILY] - There's no way she can ride.
- And Dulmoth Park beats us?
There must be something we can do.
- Like what? It's not like anyone else can ride for me.
[BREATHES RAGGEDLY]
Although...
[DECISIVE MUSIC]
- Yeah, you wanted to ride training today, right?
- Yeah, but,... - This could work.
Tie your hair up, swap numbers. No one will notice.
- OK, A, I've never ridden Treacle before,
and, B, this plan is crazy.
- I suppose Issie could always win it for us.
- [SCOFFS] ISSIE AND NATASHA: Yeah, right.
- Do it, Natasha. For the team.
[UNCERTAIN MUSIC BUILDS]
- Three, two, one,... [STOPWATCH BEEPS]
...go.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
PA: Dulmoth Park rider 61 off to a good start.
Indeed a promising start for number 61.
Rider 63 looking excellent on the training bars.
And it's a decent finish for number 58
in what's proven to be an exceptionally strong group.
Bianca Radcliffe looks like she's making excellent time.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
And that's a clear round from number 61, Bianca Radcliffe.
- Whoo!
PA: Next up, riding in the training category,
we have Caroline Burford from Kauri Point.
- You ready, 65?
Three, two, one,...
- Come on, Treacle. Come on. - ...go!
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
[CROWD APPLAUDS]
PA: That's a clear round for 65, Caroline Burford,
riding from Kauri Point.
[FOCUSED MUSIC]
MUFFLED: Ready, Stella?
MUFFLED: Three, two, one.
[DETERMINED MUSIC]
- Whoo! Go, Stella.
- WHISPERS: Yes!
You just got a clear round.
- You just got a clear round.
- CHUCKLES: In your face, Dulmoth Park.
[DETERMINED MUSIC BUILDS]
- Come on, quickly, here's your bow.
- [LAUGHS]
- Yeah, there we go.
[DOOR OPENS]
- Need a hand?
[DETERMINED MUSIC]
[APPLAUSE]
[CROWD CHEERS]
[MUFFLED CHEERING]
[CROWD CHEERS]
- And then Bianca went by and she was like,
'Break a leg' or something, and then she went bam!
- Yeah, obviously deliberately, you know, she must have known.
- That I had an injured shoulder.
- Wait, when did you injure your shoulder?
- In the forest, but Dan was great and-
- Shh. - Wait, what were you doing in the forest?
- I'm gonna stop talking now.
- I went all clear.
Oh, what?
PA: Announcement, Kauri Point rider Caroline Burford
has been disqualified from the competition.
Number 65 disqualified from competition.
- What's happening?
- Natasha rode for me. I'm disqualified.
- What? They knew you swapped. - No, they didn't.
- Tom on the other hand...
Tom knows we switched. - Oh.
- He told the officials?
- He's so honest.
- So we lose Caz's score.
CAROLINE: At least Dulmoth Park got penalties.
NATASHA: Yeah, but not enough.
- If you make a really good time,
then we can beat Dulmoth Park. - What?!
- Whoa, guys. Too much pressure.
- Issie can't ride fast enough.
- What she said. - Well, she might.
- She won't. - What she said.
PA: Calling Issie Brown and Blaze to the start box, please.
- Just go out there and have fun.
[BLAZE NICKERS GENTLY]
[FOCUSED TONES]
- [SIGHS] Blaze, do you ever have those moments
where you just wish you were somewhere else?
[BLAZE SNORTS] - Ready, 81?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
- Play it safe, Issie.
- Ready.
- Three, two, one,...
Go!
KENNY: Go, Issie!
[CROWD SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT] - Go, Issie.
MITCH: Yes!
[UPLIFTING MUSIC BUILDS]
[BLAZE BREATHES ENERGETICALLY]
TOM: Here she comes.
- She's going very fast.
- She's looking strong, Amanda. Stop fussing.
PA: Issie Brown and Blaze off to a confident start.
And heading down towards the water jump now.
[UPLIFTING MUSIC BUILDS]
- Come on, girl.
- Oh, no. - Let's do this, Blaze.
[BLAZE SNORTS]
- Why's she heading to the- - She's going to jump out.
NATASHA: No, Issie!
[BLAZE WHINNIES] - Whoa!
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[WATER RUSHES]
[SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC]
[MYSTICAL MUSIC]
[MYSTIC BREATHES]
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
[GIRL MOANS]
[MYSTIC PUFFS]
[MYSTIC NICKERS, SNORTS]
[GIRL GROANS FAINTLY]
[MYSTIC NICKERS GENTLY]
[BLAZE NICKERS]
[ETHEREAL MUSIC]
[BLAZE SNORTS]
- Issie?
Issie, are you OK?
You all right?
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[LIGHT GUITAR STRUM]
[BIRDSONG]
[GENTLE FOLK MUSIC]
- [SIGHS]
- Tom, I-I can't stand the silent treatment.
You haven't said one word to me since we left the showgrounds.
- And I'm normally known for my conversation [!]
- Look, I know I messed up.
And the thing is,...
I knew Blaze was upset.
Something had her spooked just before the start. But,...
- What? - I saw someone... run off.
And they looked like the... horse rustler.
- Really?!
You sure?
- No. Oh, I dunno.
I'm sorry about today.
- Why'd you push your luck?
Why'd you take that log?
All you had to do was come home safe.
- Because if I took the fast option, then we would have won.
And those horrific Dulmoth Park girls were like,
SNOBBY VOICE: 'Oh, we're going to win, blah, blah, blah.'
- Issie. You need to spend less time listening to idiots
and more time listening to your horse.
I got a text with your results. You wanna know?
- I dunno, do I?
- What did Tom say?
- He told me about my results.
- Oh, how'd it go? - Well?
- I passed. [LAUGHS]
- Well done. Amazing. I knew you would.
- So, you guys didn't seem so lucky.
- [GROANS]
- Yeah, watching Bianca win was just... [SIGHS]
- We'll get them next year, though.
- And take it all the way to the champs.
- Yeah.
- Oh, Caroline, what did the guys at A & E say?
- That it was a sprain and it should have been in a sling.
- Ah, who knew? - [CHUCKLES] Yeah, I know.
I should have listened to you. Yadda, yadda.
- Looks like I can treat horses and humans.
So if any of you got any injuries...
- Me.
- Didn't the medic says you were OK?
- Yeah, but I've got a massive bruise.
I fell on a protection crystal that my gran gave me. - [CHUCKLES]
- It was epic the way you took that water jump, though.
NATASHA: Stupid.
But, yeah, also epic.
- Whoa, whoa, hold up. You took the water jump?
CALEB: Guys, come look at this.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]
- ISSIE: Oh, you salvaged the drone footage.
- Hey, look, it's us. [CHUCKLES]
What?
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC BUILDS]
- [GASPS]
They've seen the drone. - OMG.
- They're covering something up.
- Guys, what is going on?
[MYSTIC THEME MUSIC]
Captions by Able. www.able.co.nz