02x22 - High Stakes Part 1

[bunniefuu]

Mrs. RegSo, here he is. Windsong.

Windsong the hero.

He's beautiful. Beautiful.

He's fantastic.

Ahh. He's great.

CaroleDo you know who that is?

LisaNo, but he's beautiful.

[Scoffs] Not the horse. The guy.

That's Ethan Lowell Jr.

Who?

His father was only the most famous

racehorse trainer ever.

What's he doing here?

Training my new horse.

He's yours?

Daddy bought him.

His name's Windsong.

CaroleWindsong? But he's racing

the Bridgemont Cup on Saturday.

A horse like that doesn't race.

He wins.

Maybe you'll see it on TV.

We'll be in the winner's circle.

If he's racing in the Bridgemont Cup,

what's he doing here?

Shouldn't he be at a racing stable?

Daddy doesn't trust just anyone to look after him.

And now that he's the owner around here--

Part owner.

Pine Hollow still belongs to the Regnerys.

Daddy appointed me executive student president.

From now on, things are going to be

different around here.

No more tired, old fleabags

and cut-rate ponies.

From now on, Pine Hollow

only accepts the best.

I hear you're gonna be more

active around here, Veronica.

It's always good to have an extra pair of hands.

You can wash these.

Windsong will need them for Saturday.

[Laughter]

Can you believe that's Veronica's horse?

I don't get it. It's like the meaner she gets,

the more good stuff happens to her.

And don't forget the executive

student president thing.

Come on. What does that even mean?

It's not like she has any real power.

Maybe we should bring it up with Mrs. Reg.

No. We'll fight our own battles.

down, to go.

You're kidding.

I'm putting one of these in every stall.

No more yelling

from one end of the barn to the other.

Need a stablehand? Just push the button.

Did you ask Drew or Mrs. Reg?

Why? It's Daddy's money.

He said I could put whatever I want on his account.

So, you're in charge of your dad's part of the stables.

Exactly. I'm managing his investment.

He doesn't have time to worry about

running this place.

Does that mean you can change the horse assignments?

I can do whatever I want. Why?

I'm tired of riding Barq.

I want Prancer.

[Giggles] Consider it done.

Cool.

[Beep]

[Nickers]

Ahh.

[Nickers]

[Nickering]

What was that?

It was nowhere near his record time.

It was still a very good gallop.

We're not doing time trials, Mr. diAngelo.

He's just stretching his legs,

getting used to his new surroundings.

We haven't got time to coddle him.

You promised me a winning horse.

Then let me do my job.

I wish you would.

If I race him flat out every session,

he'll have nothing left at Bridgemont.

I'm not interested in excuses.

I need results.

I can see where Veronica gets it from.

Ah, owners are the same the world over.

Just make my prize possession go faster.

And the more money they've paid,

the less patient they are.

Mm. That's what I admire most about your dad, Ethan.

He was a patient man.

Mm. That's true. Though,

he didn't start out a great trainer.

It took him years to develop his talent.


Even longer to train a winning horse.

Did you know Ethan's dad, Mrs. Reg?

We shared a common interest in horses.

And barn dances, I heard.

Tell us more.

No, that's quite enough, I think.

We know nothing about you

when you were young.

Well, that's the way it shall remain.

[Laughter]

Mrs. RegNo!

You can't do that!

I just did.

Max assigned Prancer to me.

Don't worry. You can ride Barq.

Veronica!

Lisa, don't take it personally.

I've given everyone a change.

Put me on Jasper? I can't ride Comanche.

They're advanced horses.

And I think you're both ready for a challenge.

You'll thank me for this.

You can't do this.

RedHey. What's the problem?

[Scoffs]

Nothing to worry about.

Drew assigns the school horses, not Veronica.

You are so wrong.

I am the executive student president,

and that means when it comes to students,

I'm in charge.

Why don't you go muck out a stall or something

and leave this to me?

She's out of control.

I'll talk to Drew.

[Sigh]

Mr. Lowell?

Yeah.

I just wanted to say I'm a huge fan.

All those horses your dad trained.

Eclipse, Sundancer, Moonlight Desire.

I watched all the races and...

Good luck with Windsong.

You're a racing fan.

More like a horse fan.

Yeah. Me, too.

Can't believe Windsong's at Pine Hollow.

Neither can I.

Sorry. That's not what I meant.

Pine Hollow's a great facility.

It's just a bad idea to move a horse

into a new stable days before a big race.

Why did you?

You have to ask Mr. diAngelo that one.

His horse.

He probably misses his stablemates.

Hard enough for any horse to be

stuck in a new environment,

especially for a horse like Windsong.

See? He's already high-strung.

Ha. Like any good racehorse, right?

He's the best.

If you need any help, I--

You spend any time around racehorses?

Yeah. I used to exercise them

for David McLeod.

Well, I could use some help.

Really?

Us horse fans have to stick together in this business.

[Clicks tongue] [Nickers]

[Sigh]

She's totally out of control.

It's like Veronica times .

And I know why she did it--

because Kristi wants to ride Prancer.

He's more stressed-out than we thought.

He hasn't even touched his food.

Putting Kristi on Prancer's bad enough.

What about Melanie on Comanche?

Ashley on Jasper?

Who's Danny going to ride?

You know what Drew should do?

He should put Veronica on Barq or Dime.

Poor Ethan. Everyone expects him

to train winners like his dad.

Now he's finally got the chance with Windsong,

and the diAngelos ruin it.

The diAngelos. Exactly.

That's what I've been saying.

Windsong could be the next Secretariat

or Sundancer or Phar Lap.

Why am I talking to you?

You've got racehorses on the brain.

[Nickers]

Oh. Mr. diAngelo.

I was looking for Drew.

He's in town. How can I help you?

Oh, thanks. It's a Drew thing.

I'll catch him later.

Wait, wait, wait, wait. While you're here.


What's-- what's this about?

New tack for the school horses.

new bridles and a saddle?

Yeah.

For school horses?

Yeah.

We don't buy tack for school horses.

But the old tack was worn out.

Oh, let students buy their own.

We're running a business here, Red,

not a charity.

I understand that, Mr. diAngelo,

but the school horses belong to Pine Hollow.

And half of Pine Hollow belongs to me.

From now on, you don't sign for a single carrot

without my approval. Got it?

Are you sure you want to be bothered

with all that small stuff?

All that small stuff can add up to big stuff

if you're not careful.

OK.

But you're right. I can't deal with everything.

So, when it comes to the students,

talk to my daughter Veronica.

All right?

Bit of licorice and ginseng

to give you some energy.

It's not a pet, Ethan.

I realize that.

I train racehorses for a living, remember?

Yes, of course.

I just want to see the animal live up

to our great expectations of him.

Haven't seen a good performance out of him

since he got here.

EthanYou will. On Saturday.

Yeah. Spent a lot of money on this horse, you know.

He's worth it.

And if he wins the Bridgemont Cup,

then his price goes up.

I'm doing everything I can

to get him ready.

He looks so tired.

Where's the fire, the energy?

I was just about to try another herbal remedy

and give him a leg massage.

Yeah, well, use your flaky,

New Age concoctions.

Just do what it takes to make him win, OK?

I better get back to my chores.

I wanted to talk to you, Stevie.

What?

Pine Hollow can no longer offer you

free tuition in exchange for your chores.

Well, duh. The tuition's not free.

I do work in exchange.

Well, we can't afford that arrangement any longer.

I have to deal with the Regnerys.

Nothing to do with you.

Oh, really? If it weren't for my family,

they would've lost everything.

Stevie has to work here to pay for Belle's board.

It's nothing personal, Stevie.

It's business.

You can't do that, Veronica.

Stevie needs this job.

The budget is very tight.

We need more paying students.

How can you afford to install intercoms

if the money is so tight?

We're gonna tell Drew about this.

I'll be informing Drew of my decision.

Who left this bucket here?

Oh. That's Starlight's.

I was just gonna put it in...

Do you have any idea how important

Windsong's diet is?

He can't eat that.

I'm sorry.

Windsong is hypersensitive.

You may have just cost him the race.

She didn't mean to.

This is a valuable racehorse.

Not one of your school ponies.

You stay away from him.

But you said I could help.

Carole, this isn't a game.

No one comes near this horse

except for me and Mr. diAngelo.

Did that just happen?

Because it felt like a bad dream.

It wasn't your fault. He totally overreacted.

Did he? But what if Windsong

actually does get sick from Starlight's food?

It was an accident, Carole.

You didn't feed it to him on purpose.

Ethan's just under a lot of pressure.

A few mouthfuls of Starlight's food are

not gonna make a huge difference.

You don't get it His diet is so important.


One change could throw him off.

Wait a minute. What?

He wasn't eating anything before.

Maybe Starlight's food tastes better.

Or maybe he's feeling better.

See?

And I just wrecked it.

I have to go check on him.

You can't.

She's right.

You should chill for a while.

But I have to go see if he's OK.

What if they catch you?

I'll go. What?

Nobody told me to stay away from Windsong.

[Sigh]

Wow. You were one thirsty horse.

[Nickers]

[Scoffs] Keep your hair on.

I'll get you some more.

[Gasp] What are you doing?

Don't do that. You scared me.

Stevie, Mr. diAngelo and Ethan

are on the warpath.

No one is supposed to go near Windsong except them.

Yeah, OK, I know, but I was just walking past.

I noticed that his water bucket was empty.

[Scoffs]

I just filled it.

Well, he drank it.

He was asking for a refill, so, I--

His feed's gone, too.

Really? So, does that mean he's OK?

I mean, Carole didn't wreck his diet or anything.

You can tell Carole that Windsong's fine.

He's eating, drinking,

and no, she didn't wreck him.

[Sigh] Great. Thanks.

VeronicaWhat are you two doing?

Didn't you read the memo?

Memo?

No one touches anything

without asking me first.

We were just taking our saddles out.

Why?

To tack up our horses.

Max and Drew may have forced you to work,

but we diAngelos don't believe

that paying students should have to do manual labor.

But I want to tack up my own horse.

How are we supposed to learn otherwise?

You're here to learn how to ride.

Not to become stablehands.

Because no one would want to become

a stablehand.

Would they?

[Scoffs] That's not-- that's not what I meant.

Anyway, from now on

students ride and stablehands work. Got it?

So, basically, you're throwing

the Regnerys' whole philosophy out the window.

What philosophy?

I'm sure Drew will be

very happy to share it with you.

[Scoffs]

[Beep]

That's more like it.

Mrs. RegLooks pretty good, doesn't he?

Good? He's like a different horse.

Red told me you were worried.

What's wrong?

[Sigh] I don't know. Just how can a horse

change so much so suddenly?

Well, he just got his appetite back.

Horses react to change like people.

I know. I thought that at first,

when he wasn't eating.

Now he's pigging out.

And then he wasn't drinking.

Now he's practically like a camel.

Don't you worry about Windsong.

My guess is that he's finally settled in.

Decided that Pine Hollow isn't such a bad place after all.

[Horse whinnies]

I guess you're right.

Like I'm an expert on racehorses anyway.

[Chuckles] Oh, you.

DrewVeronica.

A number of people have come to me

with complaints about the way you've been

treating them.

Who?

That's not important.

The point is that you can't tell Red--

What did he tell you?

or any of the staff what to do.

You're not their boss.

Well, I'm the executive student president.

Yes. And that doesn't give you the right

to change long-term arrangements between


the stables and the pupils.

But we can't afford that arrangement with Stevie.

I'll be the judge of that.

[Scoffs] Well, I was just

trying to cut costs.

If you want to spend your dad's money on intercoms,

I can't stop you.

OK? But these are still my stables,

and you won't bully my staff and my students.

These are the horse assignments for Friday's lesson.

Any changes are made by me.

You pull another stunt like that last one,

and you can find yourself another instructor.

Are we clear?

[Sigh]

VeronicaI take my responsibilities very seriously,

but it seems I'm the only one.

Drew speaks to me as if I'm, like,

like everybody else around the place.

Are you listening?

Yeah, I agree with you.

They should have more respect.

What did your dad say?

Well, this you really won't believe.

First, he tells me he's not prepared

to defend my position with Drew.

[Scoffs] Then, then,

he tells me I'm spending too much money.

Unbelievable.

[Scoffs] All he cares about

is this stupid horse race.

It's like his whole future depends on it.

Imagine.

I got to go. You want a ride?

No. My mom's picking me up.

See you later.

Bye.

Heavy, it is,

the head that wears the crown.

Like you'd know. Heh.

What?

What is it that you really want, Veronica?

You see, knowing as I do the real you,

I often get confused when I see you behaving

like a horse's-- Excuse me?

I saved Pine Hollow.

If my father hadn't have piled

all that money into the place,

there'd be a For Sale sign

over the entrance right now.

That was a fine thing you did for them.

A generous gift.

A very generous gift.

But a real gift

doesn't demand any payment, now, does it?

Hmm?

I've...

I've thought of what it is I want, Scooter.

Oh?

I'll have another strawberry shake, thanks,

and don't hold back on the malt.

Don't ever change, Veronica.

EthanUhh. Easy, Windsong, easy.

This should take the swelling down in your leg. Uhh.

Ethan?

Carole.

I just wanted to say sorry.

I should've been more careful with Starlight's food.

Don't worry about it.

I'm sorry I freaked out on you.

I'm just under a lot of pressure right now.

I know.

A horse like Windsong only comes along

once in a trainer's career.

And only if he's really lucky.

You really love him, don't you?

Yeah. We understand each other.

Why'd you sell him to Mr. diAngelo?

That's the business.

Can't keep them all.

Veronica's dad isn't exactly

a horse lover, is he?

He's a businessman.

He's just doing his job.

[Nickers]

He looks restless.

Raring to go.

Are those hives?

Uh, yeah, just-- just nerves.

They look sore and itchy.

Carole...relax. He's fine.

[Nickering]

Don't know what it is about him,

but he really gets under my skin.

Maybe you like him.

He's arrogant,

totally full of himself,

and--and he's-- Cute.

Irish.

That silly, one-sided grin


and the way his eyes all crinkle up.

And so unfinished! Yeah.

Hey! What are you doing?

I'm taking a bridle and a saddle.

Not without singing them out first.

I don't have time for all that paperwork nonsense, Veronica.

Get real.

It's the only way to be sure people

aren't stealing the gear.

Come on, but you know everyone here.

Really? Yes.

You're just doing all this to be a horse's butt.

You just don't understand how to run a stable.

That's why you're a stablehand

and you always will be a stablehand.

Ohh! Veronica!

How could you say that about Red?

Ugh!

What?

Red, wait! She didn't mean it.

Yes, she did.

I'll make her say sorry.

Don't worry about it, Kristi.

Pine Hollow has changed.

I'm reconsidering my future here.

I'm glad you're not a racer, Starlight.

So much pressure.

Everybody depending on you to win.

But you'd never give up your crunchies, would you?

[Chuckles] [Horse whinnying in distance]

I thought we were alone.

[Door opens]

[Horse whinnying in distance]

CaroleEthan?

[Horse whinnies in distance]

[Horse nickers]

What's wrong?

[Whinnies]

It's OK. It's gonna be all right.

[Whinnying] Shh. It's just me.

What's wrong?

[Nickering]

[Whinnies]

[Whinnies]

[Whinnies]

Stop. Ahh.

[Whinnying]

♪ Hello, world

♪ This is me ♪

♪ Life should be ♪

♪ Mmm, mmm, yeah

♪ Fun for everyone

♪ Hello, world ♪

♪ Come and see ♪

♪ Life should be ♪

♪ Fun for everyone

♪ Fun for you ♪

♪ Hello, world ♪

♪ Fun for me ♪

♪ This is me ♪

♪ Fun for everyone

♪ Fun for everyone ♪