Tic-Tac by Leslie McDonald

Author:Leslie McDonald
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: YA, E
Publisher: Down the Aisle Promotions
Published: 2013-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The weeks passed quickly for Terry. She worked hard at her job, applying the experience she gained from the horses she exercised to Tic-Tac. Though pure determination, she and Tic-Tac grew for be a formidable team.

When the day of the show team tryouts finally arrived, Terry felt confident. “Bobby and Paula will make it for sure,” she had told her parents the previous night, “but Captain picks three riders and an alternate. I think my chances are as good as anyone else in Summer Club. A month ago I never would have thought I had a chance, but Tic-Tac and I have improved so much since then.”

The sun glared down on the riders as they solemnly led their horses single file into the outdoor ring. The August heat intensified the tension that had been building in the students since the previous week. That morning, instead of the usual raucous commotion, the bus had been filled with a strained silence. Everyone had his or her own special reason for wanting to make the team that for the moment jeopardized even the closest friendships.

They waited beside their horses until Captain Riskin and an unfamiliar man carrying a clipboard entered the ring. Terry was curious about the stranger. He was a lean, middle-aged man with a leathery, suntanned complexion.

“This is Mr. Wilson Krepper,” the Captain introduced. “He is a top ranking trainer and judge. I have asked him to choose our show team this year.”

Terry felt panic well up inside. “He can’t!” she thought with alarm. “If I make a mistake, Captain knows I can do better, but this guy doesn’t.”

Mr. Krepper removed his sunglasses and tapped them against his clipboard as he solemnly surveyed the class. After a moment, he nodded to Captain Riskin. “Fine looking group this year. Let’s hope they perform as well as they appear.”

Terry glanced down the line at her friends to see if they were equally as worried about the surprise guest judge. Next to her, Jerry nervously fidgeted with Irish Mist’s reins. Mary looked down, intently scuffing her left boot against the ground. Liz whispered angrily to Donna who tried to ignore her.

Tic-Tac tried to lower his head to nibble the infield grass,

but Terry quickly jiggled the reins to keep his attention. Annoyed at the restraint, he restlessly stamped his hoof and shifted backwards.

She gave his velvety nose a calming stroke. “How could Captain do this to us?” she wondered. “Why can’t he judge us?”

“From your faces, I see you wonder why I do not choose the team,” the Captain explained as though reading her mind. “I have invited Mr. Krepper to make this important decision because I do not want my personal opinions to hinder the choice of the best possible team to represent Briar Hill at the show. As a professional, he will only judge what he sees in the ring without any knowledge of background or personalities. But, do not worry. He will not bite. He is here to help you.”

Terry looked at the stern judge who stood waiting, hands folded behind his back, clipboard tucked under his arm.

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