We first meet The Comet in the 1981 book Eventer's Dream by Caroline Akrill when Elaine applies for a job with the Fanes:
"This is the Comet," Nigella said. "He's a bolter."
Bolter or not, The Comet presented a fine picture standing four square on the cobbles. Somehow it didn't seem to matter that his coat was streaked with yellow and the top of his tail resembled a scrubbing brush."We've tried everything to improve his braking system," Nigella said. "Martingales, gag snaffles, twisted bits and check reins, but nothing makes any difference. He just sets his neck and away he goes." Eventers's Dream by Caroline Akrill
In hindsight we should realise that he was to become an important horse character in The Eventer's Trilogy as he is one of the few horses named. Most of the other horses go by discription eg. the old bay mare, the black horse who never stood still and the mare who sometimes slips a stifle.
At the end of Eventer's Dream Elaine prevents The Comet from being sold by agreeing to buy him from the Fanes with the money she would have earned if they had paid her. (In other words she takes him in lieu of wages.)
But it's in A Hoof in the Door that The Comet takes a starring role. Our would- be eventer Elaine has her potential event horse and The Fanes are trying to raise money for professonal training by competing in all sorts of equestrian events including a Point to Point with The Comet which he wins!
The Comet's prize money goes towards the purchase of a saddle for Legend (Elaine's potential eventer) which is purchased from Lala Thornapple a retired Olympic eventer. Lala Thornapple is sadly confused and suffers somekind of dementia, she believes that her horses are still in the stables despite the fact that they were sold a number of years ago. Elaine and the Fanes are given a tour of the stables where they are introduced to (the now imaginary) Genesis, Lala's Olympic eventer.
When Legend is injured in an accident Elaine decides to ride The Comet in a 2 day event and training begins in earnest. Everyone is amazed by his brillance and Elaine begins to have suspicions about the horses' past.
It's only at the end of the event when Lala Thornapple "hurled herself at The Comet's lowered and dripping head, clutching wildly at him with her crippled, twisted hands. "Genesis!" she cried, "I knew it was you the minute I saw you! I Knew it!" that the truth comes out "The Comet is Genesis" the Olympic eventer.
It transpires that he was sold, along with all Lala's horses by her husband whilst she was having surgery on her hands. Being a very strong horse Genesis was sold on and eventually fell into the hands of the Fanes.
At the end of the book Lala Thornapple buys Genesis back from Elaine with the provision that Lala makes a will leaving Genesis / The Comet to Elaine with enough money "to keep him in comfort until the end of his days."
Book cover image Jane Badger Books
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