Horse Mad Heroes by Kathy Helidoniotis

Author:Kathy Helidoniotis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The novelty teams events were about to start. I was tired. No, I was exhausted! I felt like I’d been piggybacking Honey around dressage arenas and over showjumping courses. But I had to forget all about the pain in my back, my seat and my legs, because for most of the Riding Clubbers at the gymkhana, this was what it was all about. The individual events were a chance for everyone to prove how good a rider they were on their own merits. But it was only in the teams events that true supremacy could be decided. Pride was lost and won in the egg and spoon race, the potato race, the bottle race and the sack race. Every single member of Shady Creek Riding Club had come to the gymkhana with one purpose—to beat Pinebark Ridge in each event. Second place wouldn’t do. We wanted the colour of our ribbons to match the colour of our shirts.

Bells started ringing and teams lined up. The Under 10s were first as usual and the Shady Creek riders screamed and cheered as our representatives crossed the finish line in first place, all eggs on spoons, three horse lengths ahead of Pinebark Ridge.

It was our turn next, the Under 12s. My team lined up, mounted, alongside Team Creep, Pinebark Ridge (Pree was riding for her club and waved madly at me) and Jacaranda Tops. Gary fussed like a mother chook, checking gear and spoons. While he was with the Creeps, I figured it might be a good time for a team pep talk. It was usually Becky’s job, but she had been silent since the photo. She wasn’t even speaking to the twins.

‘We have one chance to kick butt in this race,’ I began. Julie and Jodie were all ears. Becky stared off into the distance. ‘We all love to smash Pinebark Ridge, but this race is about a lot more than that. It’s about beating the Creeps.’

Jodie frowned and slapped Buttons’s neck. ‘What about Sandra? It’s not her fault she got lumped with—’

‘I know,’ I said. Jodie was right, but it didn’t matter how nice Sandra was. I couldn’t bear to even think about the Creeps winning. ‘But we have to do whatever we can. Becky? What do you reckon?’

Becky didn’t flinch. She just kept staring.

‘Becky?’ I said again.

Julie held her reins in one hand and poked Becky’s shoulder with the other. She turned around instantly, smiling. ‘Yes, Julie?’

‘Ash is talking to you,’ Julie said, flicking a long strand of Boots’s mane over his shoulder.

Becky looked confused. ‘Is she? I didn’t hear anything.’

‘Becky, cut it out,’ I said. ‘We have to work together. This is a teams event, remember?’

Becky looked at the sky.

‘What’s wrong?’ Julie asked.

‘Nothing,’ Becky said, sweetly. She leaned forward and stroked Charlie’s neck as though everything were normal.

‘Then stop ignoring Ashleigh—you guys are best friends.’

Becky shook her head. ‘I don’t have a best friend.’

Jodie’s mouth fell open. Julie sucked in her breath.

‘Becky, what’s wrong with you?’ I couldn’t believe she was doing this to me.

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