Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart

Author:Jessica Burkhart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2009-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

16

TWO BLUE RIBBONS, FOUR GIRLS, AND SOME SERIOUS ATTITUDE

THE LAST RIDER FINISHED HIS ROUND. JULIA and I stood on opposite sides of the ring, waiting to hear his score. “Number 196, Alex Walker, has scored zero faults,” the announcer said.

My heart pounded. It was official: Julia, Alex and I would compete in the jump-off. We’d have the same course, we’d be competing for the fastest time, and the rails would be raised in this round. The judges removed two verticals from the course. Our jumping order was determined randomly—Alex had the first slot, followed by Julia and then me.

I watched Alex’s ride. His black gelding, Agent Ace, thundered over the jumps and Alex urged him into a slow gallop on the long turns. The final jump was the highest of the course, but Alex and Ace soared over it. The crowed roared its approval.

“Final time for Alex Walker is fifty-nine seconds with no faults,” said the announcer.

Julia mounted Trix. She had to jump clean and beat Alex’s time. A bell sounded. The bay mare seemed to have the course memorized. Julia’s face never changed expression—she kept her eyes forward, always on the jump ahead of her. She urged Trix into a fast canter as they approached the final jump. Trix leapt into the air and at the last second, her shiny black hoof nicked the rail. The rail shook and looked as if it would bounce out of the holder and tumble into the dirt. Julia looked over her shoulder as the rail wobbled and then settled back into the hold. My stomach sank. Audience applause filled the ring and Julia pumped her fist in victory. That was going to be hard to beat.

“Time for Julia Myer is fifty-two seconds with no faults.”

Julia trotted over to me. “Are you really going to even try?”

Her face was half hidden by her black riding helmet. She had a few splotches of arena dirt on her nose. I ignored her and double-checked Charm’s bell boots.

“Heather!” Julia called across the ring. Heather ran over and high-fived Julia. A red ribbon—second place—peeked out of her jacket pocket.

“Is that the new It look, Silver? A buzzed mane?” Heather asked, smirking.

Charm swung his hindquarters around so Heather got a lovely shot of chestnut rump. Before I could say a word, Julia and Heather linked arms and took Trix to the waiting area. Julia draped Trix in a sweat sheet and waited to watch my round.

I turned away from them, focusing all my attention on Charm. Glancing into the stands, I saw Callie waving a blue ribbon at me. She beat Heather in dressage! With a grin, I gave her a thumbs up before signaling Charm to enter the ring. Charm stepped up to the starting line and the bell sounded.

I pushed Charm into a fast canter as we cleared the first jump. He landed easily and huffed in excitement as he powered toward the second fence.

Charm slowed a notch and the oxer was soon behind us. He soared over the rails, the water jump and the in and out set.

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