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eBook Category: Children's Fiction
eBook Description: When her beloved pony is hurt taking her over a jump, Jennifer endures her father's decision to buy a bigger horse more suited to the development of her riding career. However, the new horse scares her even more than her cruel and demanding riding instructor. She's ready to give up until she meets a boy named Todd with a solution.

eBook Publisher: The Fiction Works, Published: http://www.fictionworks.com, 2004
Fictionwise Release Date: April 2004

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [74 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [55 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [44 KB] , Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [183 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [47 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [90 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [111 KB] , hiebook (KML) [150 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [86 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [39 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [50 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [102 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [69 KB]
Words: 15530
Reading time: 44-62 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Portable Document Format (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

I should have known it was going to rain because the rest of the day had been so crummy. Imagine, the last big horse show of the season, and I broke the zipper on my breeches. Then my pony, Commodore, rubbed out half his braids when I wasn't looking. Do you know how long it takes to do 15 of those things?

This show was important to me. There were three different rings for riders trying to earn championship points. Earlier I'd had dreams of beating snooty old Darla Flinn in the equitation class. I had worn my best riding clothes and done a good job, if I do say so. But no one can look as elegant on a horse as she can. My only hope for a blue ribbon now was the "Pony Hunter Over Fences" class. I was already soaked, and it looked as if it was going to rain all day.

The ring I was supposed to ride in was a swamp. At the moment it was full of kids on leadline ponies. They were having trouble just walking in the glop. How could they expect a horse to jump?

Commodore moved around under me and yawned. For some reason, that made me feel better. I patted his neck and said, "I know, fella. You're a pro, and you're bored, but you'll get your chance." He snorted and dropped his head again.

My friend Melody Banks waited next to me on her pony Bobby Sox. We've been showing together for three years, ever since we started taking riding together when we were in third grade. We get along great because we both like anything relating to horses.

Right now I could tell how Melody felt about the rain by the way she kept blowing drops off her hat brim. It was as if she were letting the steam inside her escape.

Finally she said, "This is stupid. I think I'm going to scratch."

"Good idea," I said. "I would, too, if this weren't the biggest show of the season and I weren't right up there in points."

"Oh, Jenny, you have to ride," Melody insisted. "Somebody has to beat Darla Flinn."

I sighed. "It isn't going to be easy. That pony of hers is really good."

"I know," she agreed. "They've won a lot of blues this summer. I'll bet that pony cost her dad plenty."

"Hi, girls," said a friendly voice. "How about this weather?" It was our riding teacher Valerie.

Melody groaned and said, "It is the pits, and I'm going to scratch. Bobby Sox will never make it in that mud."

"I don't blame you," Valerie agreed. "The ring is getting pretty sloppy and could be dangerous. If you're not comfortable riding, I don't want you to risk a fall. How about you, Jen?"

I squared my shoulders and said, "If anybody can make it, Commie can."

Valerie nodded. "Okay," she said, "but be careful. Make sure he keeps his legs under him, and don't go too fast."

"I'll try," I promised. Commodore was a strong and confident pony. I knew I'd sense his feelings if he didn't want to enter the ring. Whenever he said "no," I listened.

"That's the spirit," Valerie replied, looking away. "I'll be watching you from over there on the other side. Right now I'm going to see how Susie Blake is doing." She slogged away through the rain.

I was about to say something to Melody when she put her fingers to her lips. "Don't look now," she whispered, "but we're about to have company."

I glanced behind me and was shocked to see Todd Carson riding in our direction. He boards at Plum Valley Stable, too, but we hardly ever see him. He's two years older than we are, and all the girls have a crush on him. I couldn't imagine why he would want to talk to us.

"Good grief," I muttered. "What's he want?"

"Who knows?" Melody said, still whispering. "But he's so cute I could just die."

Todd did look great, even wet. He urged his big gray horse in next to our ponies. He drew rein, then surveyed the arena, shaking his head.

"Wow, what a mess," he said. "This ring is even worse than the one we had our 'Junior Hunter class in. If anyone falls, they might drown."

"How did you do?" Melody asked quickly.

"I won it." He grinned.

"Congratulations," Melody and I said in chorus.

"I'm not looking forward to this class," I said, just to make conversation. "But I sure would like to win the championship."

"Have faith in your pony," Todd said, nodding. "I'm sure he's got what it takes."