15x09 - The Long Game

[bunniefuu]

AMY: Previously on "Heartland":

This isn't just about us anymore.

I mean, we can't risk hurting the girls

making frivolous choices, right?

But what about us getting
back together seems frivolous?

FINN: The shoes seem to
be agreeing with him.

That's an understatement.
Feels like my horse again.

New pair of shoes can
make all the difference

in the world sometimes.

Oh, Evan Garland. Pleased to meet you.

Wait a second, you're not his...

Yes, his younger, more handsome brother.

(CHUCKLES)

(FEET CLATTER ON POLE, CROWD CHEERS)

(BELL RINGS)

Whoa! (BREATHING HARD) Ah!

You need someone to
come and get you, Caleb?

(BREATHING HARD)

Logan, I just got off the
phone with your case worker.

Your father didn't make parole.

- AMY: Logan, wait!
- (RUNNING FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

♪

(TRUCK RUMBLES, TRAILER RATTLES)

(HOOVES THUD LOUDLY,
SPARTAN BREATHES HEAVILY)

(TRAILER CLUNKS)

(TACK JINGLES LIGHTLY,
SPARTAN BLOWS OUT HIS BREATH)

(TRUCK RUMBLES LOUDLY)

♪

(TRAILER DOOR CLUNKS
OPEN, HORSE WHINNIES)

Whoa! Whoa-whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.

(HORSE SNORTS AND NEIGHS)

(CHUCKLES) Wow, who's this?

(LAUGHS) Name's... (CATCHES HIS BREATH)

name's Blue.

I figured we could use
another horse around here

with some cow sense.

Yeah, well, Blue looks
pretty green, to me.

(CHUCKLES) Well, he's halter
broke and he takes a saddle.

Sort of.

Mm-hmm. Let me guess,
you got a good deal?

Stumpy practically gave him away.

I have a bunch of client horses

I have to work with today,
but if you need a hand,

I can spare some time on the weekend.

Ah, I think I can handle him on my own.

Okay, but from what I've seen so far,

he looks pretty stubborn.

Well, that's something that
Blue and I have in common then.

If you need a hand,
you know where I'm at.

- Thanks, but I got this.
- (BLUE WHINNIES)

Blue doesn't know it yet,

but we're gonna be good friends.

(BLUE SNORTS NERVOUSLY)

♪

(BLUE BLOWS OUT HIS BREATH)

sh**t, I got charged for
that campsite I booked

for you and your dad.

We rescheduled that trip weeks ago.

I know, but I forgot to cancel.

I'll call them and see
if I can reschedule.

When did your dad say he was free to go?

We decided to do a ski
trip this winter, instead.

That's too bad. You love camping.

It's no big deal, we
can just go another time.

No, there is no way I'm letting you

miss out on this experience.

Besides, you deserve a fun
trip before school starts.

But I was just in
Vancouver visiting Dad.

Yeah, that doesn't count. You know what?

This site is already
booked and paid for,

so I'm gonna take you camping instead.

- You?
- Mm-hmm.

I thought you didn't even like camping?

Mm, true,

but that's only because I
went with your grandfather,

and he was always so disorganized.

Just leave it to me.

I am gonna make this the
mother-daughter camp trip

you will never forget.

(SIGHS)

(JACK WHISTLES, BLUE SNORTS)

(JACK CLUCKS HIS TONGUE)
Get up there, get up there.

- Whoa, whoa.
- (BLUE SNORTS)

Yeah.

(WHISTLES)

- (CLUCKS TONGUE) Get up, Blue.
- (BLUE NEIGHS)

(ROPE WHOOSHES)

- Ungh!
- (BLUE WHINNIES)

(BLUE SNORTS)

- Ungh...
- (BLUE GRUNTS)

♪

(BLUE NICKERS)

Yeah...

(BLUE GRUNTS SOFTLY)

♪

(SADDLE BUCKLES JINGLE)

(BUCKLES JINGLE)

(FOOTSTEPS THUD ON FENCE)

Wow!

Not bad.

I told you Blue and I
were gonna be friends.

(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)

- (BLUE NEIGHS WILDLY)
- Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Easy, easy...

- (BLUE GRUNTS NERVOUSLY)
- Whoa, whoa.

- No! Whoa, whoa!
- (BLUE GRUNTS)

Well, I didn't say best friends!

(CHUCKLES)

♪

♪

♪ And at the break of day ♪

♪ You sank into your dream ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh... ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

♪ You dreamer ♪

- (SCREEN DOOR BANGS SHUT)
- Hey.

- Ah, perfect. I'm starving.
- Help yourself.

Thanks. What's with all the gear?

I'm taking Katie camping.

Like, by choice?

Yeah, of course.

- You hate camping.
- Yeah, true,

but Katie loves it and I want to
spend some quality time with her.

Well, that'll be nice.

I remember I used to get so jealous

when you and Dad would
go camping without me.

Yeah, and I'd get jealous
you got to stay home with Mom.

(LAUGHS) So, what's the plan,

like hiking, fishing?

Yeah, maybe. Definitely hiking.

I was thinking since
Katie and I will be alone,

it would be a good
chance to float the idea

of her dad and I getting back together.

Oh! Well, that's big.

(SIGHS) I am so nervous about it.

Just please tell me I'm
doing the right thing.

You're doing the right thing, Lou.

- (RELIEVED CHUCKLE)
- (DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

TIM: Hey.

- Hi, girls.
- Hi. I'm gonna head back out.

'Kay. Is that the tent?

Yeah. Where do you want it?

Just, uh, throw it on the pile.

Still can't believe
you're going camping.

You never seemed to enjoy
it when you were a kid.

That's not true. I always
liked spending time with you,

even if your approach to
camping was a little cavalier.

Cavalier?

Well, Dad, don't get
me wrong, I had fun,

but I remember this one time,
we spent the whole weekend

eating nothing but hot
dogs and baked beans.

I learned the hard way
that preparation is key.

Mm.

Are you sure we need all this stuff?

Dad and I usually travel pretty light.

Haven't ya heard? Preparation is key.

Let's load all this.

♪

AMY: Well, I don't know what technique

Stumpy was using with Blue,

but he obviously didn't get very far.

Well, that's not Blue's fault.

Stumpy couldn't teach a
horse how to eat grass.

(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)

Why this horse, Grandpa?

I like him.

I know, it might seem
like he has a mean streak,

but he's not mean, he's just
too smart for his own good.

Logan, what brings you by?

- Hi, Mr. Bartlett. Amy.
- Hey.

I, uh, I just had some free time,

so figured I'd come here

and see if Amy needs help with anything.

Well, that's perfect. I'm
just about to start working

with a client horse who, uh, is
a little nervous around traffic.

- Cool.
- Come on,

I'll introduce you to Rose.

(BLUE NICKERS)

So, we just hang around the road

and that'll cure her fear of traffic?

Well, sort of. This has
to be done in stages.

This isn't a very busy road

so it will get her used to cars
without them imposing a thr*at.

And then, as she gets more comfortable,

we'll move to something a little busier.

(CAR WHOOSHES)

How do you know all this stuff?

Do you go to school for it?

- Horse Whispering ?
- (CHUCKLES) Well,

I, uh, I learned a lot from my mom,

and the rest is...

well, it's kinda just intuition.

You know, like goin' with your gut.

Either have it or you don't, right?

Yeah, exactly.

Don't know if I have what it takes.

You know, this isn't something
that you learn overnight,

and I've seen you with horses;

you definitely have what it takes.

But it's not enough
for me to believe in it.

You have to believe in it too.

(APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS)

- Hey, Scott.
- (MAJOR NEIGHS)

Hey, Amy.

Uh, this is Logan. He's
giving me a hand today.

- Good to meet you, Logan.
- Nice to meet you.

Uh, do you mind putting
Rose away for me?

- Sure.
- Thanks.

- You wanna go?
- So, how's Major doing?

Well, you were right, he has ulcers.

I started him on some meds.

Mm. It should clear up in a few days.

Thank you.

Um, if you have a few minutes,

can you look at Spartan for me?

Sure. Something wrong?

No, it's actually the opposite.

He's got a new spring in his step.

I dunno, I got him
reshod a few weeks ago.

I don't know if that has
anything to do with it.

- Well, that's great.
- Yeah.

I've been taking him out
riding almost every day,

and if I let him, he'd be
flying along the trails.

So, why don't ya?

His arthritis.

- We got that under control.
- (SIGHS)

I know, it's just...

he's not a young horse

and I don't wanna injure him.

Yeah, it's a balance
with older horses.

You don't wanna push 'em,

but you also don't wanna
let them get too bored.

Yeah.

Well, I'm just still trying to figure
out where that line is, I guess.

Why don't we go for a ride together

and afterwards, I'll run some tests,

see where he's at.

- Yeah. Okay, that sounds great.
- Okay.

♪

(HOOVES THUNDER,
SPARTAN AND SHADOW GRUNT)

♪

(HOOVES THUD LIGHTLY GRASS RUSTLES)

Well, I'm impressed.

He's keepin' up with,
uh, Shadow, no problem.

Yeah, and he wants to keep goin'.

- (CHUCKLES)
- Well, so far,

Spartan looks like he's
in pretty good shape.

I think if he wants to keep
going, you should let him.

- It's your call.
- Yeah, let's do it.

Okay.

- Hup!
- (HOOVES THUD)

(POLE CLINKS)

(SIGHS) Mom, I think we're
missing one of the tent poles.

What? Are you serious?

- Yeah.
- (SIGHS)

So, what do we do now?

It's okay. It's-it's no
problem. We'll just um...

we'll replace the tent pole
with a... with a branch.

We just need to figure out a
way to attach it to the frame.

Duct tape?

(SNAPS FINGERS) That's a great idea.

Okay, I'll find a branch,
you get the duct tape.

Sure. Uh, where'd you put it?

I didn't bring any. Did you?

You were the one who was
going on about being prepared.

(SIGHS)

No problem. So we're down a tent pole.

It's not the end of the world, right?

We'll figure it out.

(SIGHS)

AMY: So, Scott did a full check-up

and lameness test on Spartan today.

Oh yeah? How's he lookin', Scott?

Oh, great! He's in better shape
than a lot of horses half his age.

Well, good. Sounds like old
Spartan's getting a new lease on life.

This is all over a pair of shoes?

They must be magical shoes.

Dad, they're not magical.

It's just, this is about
conditioning and maintenance

and the more I do with
Spartan without him being sore,

the stronger he gets.

You know, Amy, there's an
endurance race this weekend

over at the Williamsdale Ranch.

- You should think about entering.
- (SCOFFS)

- Are you serious?
- It's a -mile race,

- mostly just for fun.
- Spartan's a geriatric horse.

He shouldn't be entering a race.

My client, she just
won a big endurance race

down in the States. Her
horse is years old.

See? There ya go, Tim.

Just 'cause you're getting old
doesn't mean you're all washed up.

(CHUCKLES)

- (VROOMING)
- Okay, you two,

come on, sit down for dinner.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

So, how is Spartan gonna win this race?

He can barely gallop anymore.

Well, the point wouldn't be to win,

just to challenge Spartan.

I'm still worried about his arthritis.

I'm working as one of the vets.

We check the horses
every miles or so.

I wouldn't let Spartan,
or any of the other horses,

continue if they
weren't completely sound.

But it's totally up to
you, Amy. No pressure.

Why don't you enter
Shadow? He's a lot faster.

Nah, the endurance race
is not about being fast.

It's about playing the long game.

(DOOR BANGS SHUT)

Hey, thanks for your help
today. I really appreciate it.

(EXHALES) Yeah, no problem.
Had a really good time.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Hey, Amy?

You know, you should
really enter that race.

I bet you and Spartan would
kick some serious butt.

Well, thank you. I'm
not so sure about that.

Remember what you told me
about working with horses?

You know, being confident,
not doubting yourself.

Maybe you should take your own advice.

(BIKE CLICKS AWAY)

(SIGHS)

LOU: (SIGHS)

The tent is a little sad looking, but...

how 'bout this dinner?

- Pretty great, huh?
- It's delicious.

I've never had food like
this on a camping trip before.

Oh, I'm so glad you like it.

We should probably hurry up and
finish eating before it gets too dark.

We still need to hang
food up in a bear bag.

Oh, no, no, no, don't worry about it.

We'll just throw everything
in the SUV when we're done.

But Dad and I always hang
food up in a bear bag.

Trust me, there is no way that
a bear is getting into the car.

Just enjoy your meal. No need to rush.

(MUGS CLINK)

Mmm...

(FOOTSTEPS THUD LIGHTLY)

Hey. (CHUCKLES)

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

We've been through a
lot together, haven't we?

- (SPARTAN NICKERS)
- (CHUCKLES)

What do you say?

Are you up for one more challenge?

- (SPARTAN NICKERS)
- Yeah? Okay. Okay.

You rest up, all right?

We've got a race to get ready for.

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

All right, so your job is
to meet me at each checkpoint

and make sure that Spartan
has plenty of water,

and that he's cooled down.

All right, so I'm like
your, uh, your pit crew.

Yeah, exactly.

Well, how am I supposed
to get to every checkpoint?

- I can't drive.
- (TRUCK RUMBLES)

Well, that's why I invited my dad.

(SPARTAN NICKERS, ENGINE
SHUTS OFF, DOOR SLAMS)

Oh, I'm here.

Still think this race is a crazy idea.

Yes, I know you do, but I appreciate it.

I'm gonna go get registered.

(LOGAN'S PHONE RINGS)

- Are you gonna get that?
- Uh, no.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- Amy!
- Evan!

- Hey! What a nice surprise.
- Yeah.

So, are you here cheering somebody on?

- 'Cause I hope it's me.
- Um, I'm actually competing.

Oh! Oh, I didn't know you
were an endurance racer.

Well, I'm not, really.
This is my first race.

Oh, okay. Well, you picked
a good one to start with.

It's only miles.
Should be a piece of cake.

I mean, I doubt my horse
is even gonna break a sweat.

I did tell you about my new
horse, right? Fire Season?

Yeah, I think you
mentioned it at the pub.

Well, look, if you need any tips,

I've got a lot of experience
doing these races, so.

Yeah, you might've mentioned that too,

- but I think I'm good.
- Okay.

Well, if you change
your mind, let me know.

That kid is such a blow-hard.

(LAUGHS)

Caleb, what're you doin' here?

Well, I dabble in endurance races.

- You dabble?
- Yeah.

I thought, why not enter
one for old time's sake.

Mm-hmm.

Sounds like a bit of
a coincidence to me.

Okay, maybe Tim put the
bug in my ear. (LAUGHS)

Hope you don't mind a
little friendly competition?

No, I don't mind at all.

And the best part is, we
can both kick Evan's butt.

(SIGHS) Look, I just
hope I finish the race.

I'm not here to b*at Evan.

Well, I am. The way he gloated
after that lumberjack competition,

can't wait to wipe that
smug grin off his face.

(CHUCKLES AND SIGHS)

(FOOTSTEPS CRUNCH)

(HATCH CLICKS OPEN)

What the...?

(MOUSE SQUEAKS)

Oh! Oh! Shoo! Get out! Oh my gosh! Ew!

What is it? What's wrong?

Oh, there was a mouse in the car!

God, how did it get in there?

I guess bear bags aren't only for bears.

(SIGHS)

Oh, got into the bread. (BREAD THUMPS)

Ugh! All of our vegetables
and our herbs are ruined!

All of my meals. What're we gonna do?

Well, the...

granola bars are still good.

And we still have... these.

Ugh. Great. Hot dogs. It's perfect.

(BIRDS CHIRP)

(FLAG RUSTLES GENTLY)

- See that?
- (BLUE SNORTS GENTLY)

See that?

(FLAG RUSTLES, BLUE SNORTS GENTLY)

- Get up here. Step up.
- (BLUE WHINNIES)

Get around there. Get around there.

That-a boy, atta boy. Hoo, hoo.

- Hoo.
- (BLUE SNORTS GENTLY)

Yep. Yep.

(BLUE SNORTS GENTLY, HOOVES THUD)

Hoo.

(JACK CLUCKS HIS TONGUE,
BLUE GRUNTS GENTLY)

- Hoo, hoo, hoo.
- (GRUNTING INTENSIFIES)

Yep. Yep, get over there.

(BLUE NEIGHS)

(JACK CLUCKS HIS TONGUE) Hoo...

Doin' good, Blue.

Doin' real good. (CHUCKLES)

- Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
- (BLUE SNORTS SOFTLY)

Easy.

So, it's mostly forested
trails in this part

just before the first vet check.

So, you can make up some ground there.

That's assuming Spartan even
passes the first vet check.

Wow, you really know how
to give a good pep talk.

- (CHUCKLES)
- These races aren't easy.

(LOGAN'S PHONE RINGS)

- Oh.
- (PHONE KEEPS RINGING)

Are we keeping you from
something important?

No, sorry.

'Kay, let's go over the second leg.

(BLUE PANTS SOFTLY)

(SNORTS NERVOUSLY)

- (BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY)
- Whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy now.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

(BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY, HOOVES THUD)

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Whoa... whoa.

(BLUE SNORTS)

(EXHALES)

'Kay, now we're gettin' somewhere.

(BLUE NICKERS)

MARSHALL: Attention riders,
prepare to start the race!

(HORSES GRUNT NERVOUSLY)

Hey...

It's okay. You're a good boy, Spartan.

Slow and steady, okay?

- Good luck, Amy.
- Thanks, you too.

(HORSES NICKER)

MARSHALL: The timer will begin
once the flag comes down.

On your mark, ready...

(HORSES WHINNY, HOOVES THUNDER)

(CROWD CHEERING AND CLAPPING)

♪

(HORSES GRUNT, HOOVES THUD)

♪

(HOOVES CLOP LOUDLY)

(WATER SPLASHES NOISILY)

(HOOVES CLOP QUICKLY)

(HOOVES CLOP GENTLY)

(BIRDS CHIRP, FOLIAGE RUSTLES)

LOU: There is supposed
to be a hot spring

around here somewhere.

We must've taken a wrong turn.

Are you sure that's the right map?

I've been here a couple times with Dad,

and we've never been to a hot spring.

Oh no, it's definitely the right map.

It's gotta be around here somewhere.

If it is, I'm sure we'll find it,

but don't stress, let's
just enjoy the hike.

(SIGHS) You're right.

You're totally right. I mean,
the hot spring would be fun,

but we're gonna have fun anyway, right?

- Right.
- Uh...

so, listen, um...

I've been meaning to talk
to you about something.

What is it?

It's um...

I'm not sure how to put this.

We already had the birds
and the bees talk, remember?

Oh, no, I know, it's not about that.

It's not that at all.

Um...

you know what? Never mind.

We can talk about it when
we find the hot spring.

- Yeah.
- Let's try this.

Maybe this is the turnoff we wanted.

- Oh! Oh! Oh my God! Ow!
- Mom, are you okay?

Ow! Yeah, I'm okay. I
just tweaked my ankle.

- Okay, let me help you.
- Ow! Oh no. Ow.

No, no, can't do that.
Ah, I just need to...

I just need to sit here
for a minute, I think.

- Okay.
- Whew! (SIGHS)

(EXHALES, INHALES SHARPLY)

(BREATH HISSES)

(DEEP EXHALE)

How's my favourite cowboy doing?

Oh, real good! I think Blue and I,

we're starting to make some progress.

Oh good!

But Amy said that you
were gonna be working

with Blue all day, alone,

and that sometimes he can be difficult?

- Maybe a little bit dangerous?
- Nah!

(SIGHS)

Why can't you wait until
Amy's here to give you a hand?

As much as I respect Amy's techniques,

I wanna put the first ride on him.

This one's for me.

EVAN: (SIGHS)

- What's taking so long?
- That guy, Evan's fast.

He's gonna be hard to b*at.

Yeah, well he got here first, but...

the clock doesn't stop until
his horse's pulse goes down.

- He seems riled up.
- Yeah, he is.

That horse will probably burn
out before the end of the race.

You seem to know a thing
or two about horses.

Yeah, well, I've been ranching
and rodeoing for a long time.

You know, uh, Amy said she learned

everything about horses from her mom.

- She never really mentioned you.
- Ha!

Well...

Amy's mom, Marion, she uh...

she saw horses on a
different level than I did.

So, Amy learned from the best.

(HOOVES THUD, HORSE NEIGHS)

There she is.

♪

(GRASS RUSTLES UNDER FOOT)

That took over minutes.

He's not that far ahead of you now.

- Dad, I honestly don't care.
- Well, care a little.

- You could win.
- (SIGHS)

Congratulations on making it this far.

Yeah, thanks. You too.

It's nice to have some decent
competition, for a change.

Been winning so many
of these races lately,

it almost stopped being fun.

I don't know, Evan.

I got a feeling like your
winning days are done.

Yeah, well, we'll see about that!

(HAND PATS GENTLY) Come on.

- Wow.
- (SCOFFS)

(SPARTAN NICKERS, HOOVES THUD)

(FIRE SEASON WHINNIES)

(SPARTAN NICKERS, HOOVES THUD)

(HORSES NICKER, LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

Hmm, he's in great shape, Amy.

Got nothin' to worry about.

Thanks, Scott.

- Come on.
- (SPARTAN GRUNTS, HOOVES THUD)

(FIRE SEASON BREATHES HEAVILY)

Hmm. Took a while for
your horse's heartrate

to come down when you got here,

but everything checks out now.

- You're good to go.
- Oh, yes!

Come on. Let's go. (CLUCKS HIS TONGUE)

(FAST APPROACHING HOOVES THUD)

- Twenty miles down, to go.
- (CHUCKLES)

(FIRE CRACKLES)

Do you want one? They're pretty
good, even without the bun.

No, thanks.

(SIGHS) Katie, I'm so sorry.

All the meals I planned are ruined.

Can't even go hiking because
of my stupid ankle. (SIGHS)

This whole trip has been one giant fail.

I don't think it's a fail.

We'd be having a good time
if you weren't trying so hard

to make everything perfect.

You always get like this.

- What's that supposed to mean?
- Never mind.

No, enlighten me. How do I get?

(SIGHS)

You always try to have
everything a certain way.

The perfect food, the best hiking trail.

It sucks all the fun out of everything.

Why can't you just go
with the flow for once?

Katie, I have been busting
my butt for the past two days

to make this the best camping
trip you've ever been on!

I wouldn't have bothered if I'd
known you'd be so ungrateful.

I never asked you to take me camping.

I was trying to make up for the
fact that your dad had to cancel.

I wasn't upset about it.

I'd much rather go
skiing with him anyway.

You didn't have to pretend
you wanted to go camping.

- I know you hate it.
- I don't hate it!

I just don't love it.

- (EXHALES SHARPLY)
- So, it's a lie.

You're pretending.

It's just like when I was a kid,

I'd hear you and Dad
arguing through the walls,

but as soon as I walked in,
you'd pretend everything was okay.

But I wasn't stupid, Mom!

I knew it wasn't okay.

Katie, I...

I was just trying to protect you. I...

I wanted you to be happy.

Well, I wasn't happy all the time, Mom.

Especially not right
before you and Dad broke up.

(SCOFFS) I had no idea.

Ungh! Why didn't you tell me?

(SUCKS TEETH) You're not the
only one who's good at pretending.

- Katie.
- No.

I need to be alone for a little bit.

I'm going down to the creek.

(FOOTSTEPS RECEDE)

(SIGHS)

(LEATHER SNAPS)

We'll take it nice and slow.

(REINS RUSTLE)

(BLUE GRUNTS SOFTLY)

- (BLUE NEIGHS WILDLY)
- Okay, I get ya. I get ya.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

(REIN THWAPS GENTLY)

I guess you're not ready for that.

- Now...
- (BLUE BLOWS OUT HIS BREATH)

the thing is, is I like you, Blue,

but I don't think the feeling's mutual.

So, if I already like you,

I guess it's up to you

to find something you like about me.

(BLUE SNORTS, HOOVES THUD)

(BLUE NICKERS SOFTLY, SAND CRUNCHES)

Well, that's not a very good start.

(FAST-PACED MUSIC PLAYS)

(CALEB'S HORSE BREATHES HEAVILY)

(FIRE SEASON BREATHES HEAVILY)

(HOOVES THUNDER)

♪

♪

♪

Aggghhh!

- (GRASS RUSTLES)
- Ungh!

- Agh! Ungh!
- (CALEB'S HORSE WHINNIES)

♪

(SPARTAN BLOWS OUT HIS
BREATH, CALEB GRUNTS)

- AMY: Caleb?
- CALEB: Agh!

Caleb?

What're you doing, Amy? Don't stop!

- Are you okay?
- Uh, I'm okay,

just got the wind knocked out of me.

- What happened?
- Evan is what happened.

Look, don't worry about that now.

Just... go on, keep goin'.

- Are you sure you're okay?
- I'm sure.

Just a little embarrassed, if anything.

I'm the one that's supposed
to be looking after you.

Get goin'!

(SIGHS) Okay.

- (CHUCKLES)
- (SPARTAN SNORTS GENTLY)

(CLOPPING HOOVES RECEDE)

(BLUE NEIGHS AND NICKERS)

(BLUE SNORTS)

(SNORTS INTENSIFY, HOOVES THUD)

(BLUE NEIGHS AND GRUNTS)

What, you're thirsty, too, are ya?

- (BLUE NICKERS)
- All right.

Well, let me take care of that for ya.

(BLUE SNORTS SOFTLY)

(FOOTSTEPS CRUNCH)

♪

- There ya go.
- (BLUE SNORTS)

(BUCKET CLUNKS, BLUE LAPS WATER GENTLY)

All right.

(FOOTSTEPS CRUNCH LIGHTLY)

(BLUE LAPS WATER GENTLY)

♪

(EXHALES)

(BLUE GRUNTS SOFTLY)

♪

(BLUE SNORTS GENTLY)

(FAST-PACED MUSIC PLAYS,
HOOVES THUD RHYTHMICALLY)

(HOOVES THUNDER)

♪

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, HORSES WHINNY)

- How long has it been this time?
- Almost minutes.

He's obviously pushing
that horse way too hard.

That's not smart. (SIGHS)

(LOGAN'S PHONE RINGS)

You're a popular guy.

Yeah. It's my dad.
He... won't stop calling.

Do you two talk a lot?

Well, you know, we used to,

but, uh, I don't know,

there's not much to say.

Earlier you asked me about Amy's mom.

It's true, she was the
best at what she did,

and she passed her knowledge on to Amy.

And I might've passed on what I knew,

but I didn't, because I wasn't there.

And that's nobody's fault but my own.

But I've spent a lot of years

trying to make up for that time.

Lost time.

That's time you don't get back.

My point is that,

not a day goes by where I'm not grateful

that my daughters gave
me a second chance.

'Cause I'm not sure I deserved one.

(FIRE SEASON GRUNTS)

(HOOVES THUD)

There she is! She's still in this.

(HOOVES THUD)

(SPARTAN NICKERS)

Everything's normal.
Spartan's doing great.

Okay. Thanks, Scott.

AMY: You hear that?
You're doing so great!

SCOTT: Thanks.

I'm concerned about how
long it's taking your horse's

heartrate to come down.

But everything else seems fine.

Just take it easy out there, okay?

'Kay.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

- (SPARTAN NICKERS)
- Hey...

(SIGHS) Caleb.

(SIGHS) It's no big deal.

Why didn't you say something?

It's just a sprain, but my race is done.

- I'm sorry.
- (LAUGHS) It's okay.

You know, you never really
needed me out there, anyway.

So, do me a favour,

don't let Evan win.

- (CHUCKLES) Caleb...
- Yeah, yeah,

I know you didn't come here to b*at him,

but it's like they say, slow
and steady wins the race,

so don't count yourself out yet.

Okay.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER, BIRDS CHIRP)

(WATER RUSHES, LOON
WAILS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)

You shouldn't be walking on that ankle.

I know, I just...

I really need to talk to
you. Is that okay? Or...

do you still wanna be alone?

It's okay.

Can we...?

(GRAVEL CRUNCHES UNDERFOOT)

(SIGHS)

It was never my intention to pretend

like nothing was wrong

when your dad and I were splitting up.

But I was just trying to shield
you from what was going on.

Gah... we've been patting
ourselves on the back

about how well we
navigated our divorce and...

now I see that we sunk that ship.

I'm really sorry.

(SIGHS)

You don't have to be sorry.

(SIGHS)

Even though we don't live together,

you're both always
there when I need you,

and I love my life just the way it is.

(SNIFFLES) I... I wouldn't
want anything to change.

Really? Do you...

- do you really mean that?
- Yes.

(EXHALES) I'm happy with
the way things are, Mom.

Really, I am.

(SIGHS)

♪

You know...

somehow, despite all my mistakes,

I've managed to raise this brilliant,

strong, resilient daughter, and I...

I could not be prouder.

Okay, Mom, that's a little too cringey.

(CHUCKLES) I'm sorry.

(SIGHS) Listen, if you wanna go home,

I totally understand. I
won't be offended. I mean,

we don't even have hot dog buns.

It's getting pretty grim.

Yeah. It might be time to put this
camping trip out of its misery.

Come on, let's go home.

- I will need your help, though.
- Oh yeah, of course.

Ooh. Ow. Thanks. (CHUCKLES)

(BREATH HISSES SHARPLY, GRUNTS IN PAIN)

- Okay.
- (BLUE SNORTS)

(CROW CAWS)

'Kay, Blue, we're gonna
try this one more time.

(BLUE GRUNTS SOFTLY, JACK EXHALES)

- Yeah.
- (BLUE GRUNTS MORE LOUDLY)

Well, well, well...

(LOW NICKER)

(BLUE GRUNTS)

(BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY,
HOOVES STAMP AND THUNDER)

Agghhh! Oh!

(BLUE NEIGHS AND GRUNTS)

(BLUE WHINNIES AND GRUNTS)

(HOOVES THUD)

♪

(SCREEN DOOR SNAPS SHUT)

What did you do?

- Nothin'.
- Oh no, what did you do?

- Nothin'.
- What did you do?

- It looks a lot worse...
- Well, let me see it.

- No... No, I'm fine.
- Let me see it!

Jack!

Are you crazy, or are you
trying to prove something?

- What is it?
- Well, I probably am crazy,

but you already know that,

so I guess, yeah, I do
have something to prove.

That you're a young, tough cowboy?

- (SIGHS)
- You have buckles,

you have trophies. Y-you
don't have to go out there

- and try and k*ll yourself.
- It's not about me, I swear.

It's about Blue.

When I saw him over at Stumpy's,

I knew he was a good horse,

but nobody's giving him a chance.

Stumpy gave up on
him, but I'm not gonna.

When I told Amy that Blue
and I were gonna be friends,

I meant it, and I never
give up on a friend.

You see good where no one else does.

You always have, and that is
why I fell in love with you.

- (CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
- BUT...

you don't have to be an old fool

and seriously hurt yourself.

(SIGHS) You're just
not gonna stop, are ya?

No.

- I'll be okay, Lisa.
- (TENSE EXHALE)

- (LIGHT KISS)
- Well, you better be.

(SNORTS SOFTLY)

♪

(STRING ZIPS TIGHTLY)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

- Hey!
- Hey, where did you go?

Well, there's a really nice family

camping not too far from here,

and they let me borrow their duct tape.

- We can fix the tent pole now.
- (CHUCKLES)

And they gave me something else, too.

I know I said plain hot dogs are good,

but they are so much
better with the bun.

I'm confused. I thought
we were going home?

I changed my mind.

I'd rather be here with you.

You would?

Yeah! As long as you don't
mind hot dogs for dinner.

(CHUCKLES)

I don't mind at all.

Okay, hand me that duct tape.

(TAPE RIPS)

(LEATHER CREAKS, BLUE GRUNTS)

- (BLUE BLOWS OUT HIS BREATH)
- Whoa.

(BLUE GRUNTS)

(LEATHER CREAKS)

(BLUE GRUNTS)

What're you doin', Blue?

Whatever it is, I'm not buying it.

You're not fooling me with
this calm horse routine.

Oh. (LAUGHS)

Okay, I get it.

You're waitin' for your
moment. Pretty smart.

- (BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY)
- Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

(BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY, JACK GRUNTS)

- Ungh!
- (BLUE WHINNIES)

(HOOVES STAMP LOUDLY)

(BLUE WHINNIES WILDLY, HOOVES STAMP)

(WHINNIES STOP SUDDENLY,
BLUE GRUNTS HEAVILY)

(HOOVES THUD LIGHTLY,
JACK PATS BLUE GENTLY)

(BLUE GRUNTS GENTLY)

(JACK EXHALES HEAVILY,
TRYING TO CATCH HIS BREATH)

Hey there, Blue.

My name is Jack.

Nice to meet ya.

(LAUGHS)

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

Why did you tell me
all those things about,

you know, not being
around when Amy was a kid?

Because I watched you avoid your
father's phone calls all day long.

And I remember how I felt
when, for the longest time,

my daughters didn't
take my calls either.

You know, I don't...

I don't know what to say to him anymore.

He's missed out on every important
thing in my life and that's on him.

You know, he coulda tried
harder to stay outta trouble.

- He coulda tried for me.
- Yeah, he coulda.

But he can't fix the past,

and trust me, he wishes he could.

When my daughters finally
started taking my phone calls,

those conversations
weren't exactly easy.

Most of the time, they hung up on me.

But at least it was a chance.

A chance for what?

To make it right.

(LOW HUM OF CHATTER)

♪

AMY: Spartan! Hey, easy!

(SPARTAN GRUNTS, HOOVES THUNDER LOUDLY)

Just keep it at a trot, okay, buddy?

♪

(SPARTAN NEIGHS)

Spartan, hey!

(HOOVES THUNDER LOUDLY)

Okay, okay!

All right, let's do it!

There's Amy!

(HOOVES THUNDER LOUDLY,
TACK JINGLES, HORSES GRUNT)

- (CLAPS)
- Come on!

- LOGAN: Come on!
- CALEB: Come on!

- TIM: Come on, honey, that's it!
- CALEB: Come on, Amy!

TIM: Come on!

(TACK JINGLES, HOOVES THUNDER)

(FIRE SEASON SNORTS)

(LAUGHS)

CALEB: She's gonna win!
She's gonna win! Come on!

(CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)

- Come on, Amy!
- Yeah!

- CALEB: Come on!
- TIM: Come on, honey!

- (DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS)
- Yeah!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC CRESCENDOS)

- (CROWD CHEERS AND CLAPS)
- Yeah!

- See, I knew you could do it.
- Great job, Amy

- and Spartan, a great team.
- Thanks, guys.

I actually was not expecting that.

Spartan just took off at the end,

and I guess he really wanted to win.

He's comin'.

I should probably talk to him, eh?

Well, just remember to be gracious.

Actually, don't. Gloat. Please.

(CHUCKLES)

- Hey.
- Well done.

- Thanks.
- Yeah, it's beginner's luck, I guess.

You know, I woulda won if Fire
hadn't petered out at the end.

Maybe it's time for a new horse.

I don't think the horse
is the problem, Evan.

- That's a good boy.
- (LAUGHS)

You are... the best.

(FIRE CRACKLES, LOU AND KATIE CHUCKLE)

Great idea to put baked
beans on top of hot dogs!

Do you really like it?

- It's really good.
- Something your, uh,

grandpa used to do all
the time when I was a kid.

- Hmm. It's not bad.
- Yeah.

So, um, earlier, you
said there was something

you wanted to talk to me about?
You know, when we were hiking?

Mm.

Um...

right.

- ♪ Slowly now ♪
- You know what?

- It's not important anymore.
- ♪ Are you coming down ♪

Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Okay, if I'm gonna eat the rest of this,

I'm gonna need a lot more ketchup.

(CHUCKLES)

- (CHUCKLES)
- Mm!

(LOGAN'S PHONE RINGS)

(PAIL THUMPS)

(PHONE RINGS, KIT THUMPS)

(PHONE BEEPS ON)

Hey, Dad.

Yeah, I know. I was, I was busy.

I couldn't get to the phone.

Uh, I'm at this endurance
horse race thing.

It's uh... it's, it was all day.

Yeah, it was actually pretty cool.

(TAILGATE CLUNKS SHUT)

I wish you were here, too.

Uh, anyways, you
remember that girl, Amy,

the one who was
teaching me about horses?

Yeah, she actually won.

(LAUGHS) Yeah. Yeah,
I know, it was amazing.

♪

♪ Old soul, old soul ♪

♪ Rises, rises ♪

♪ Old sun, old sun ♪

♪ Rising, rising ♪

Good boy, Spartan.

Good boy.

♪

♪ Old sun, old sun ♪

♪ Rising, rising ♪

♪

(HOOVES THUD LIGHTLY, TACK JINGLES)

(JACK EXHALES, BLUE GRUNTS SOFTLY)

Good boy, Blue.

Good boy.

♪