Back in the Saddle Read Online Free Page A

and separate them from the herd.
    â€œHeads up, Haley,” Tia called out. “Got a seven over to your left.”
    Haley glanced that way and spotted the heifer Tia meant, a big-eared one with a stubborn expression.
    â€œOkay, Wings,” she murmured. “Let’s show our stuff.”
    She didn’t dare look around to see if Owen was watching as she sent her pony toward the cow. Wings jigged, clearly wanting to speed up, but Haley kept him at a walk. If they scattered the herd, it would take forever to get them back.
    The cow eyed the pony as he got closer, and finally scooted away in the direction Haley had hoped she would. Wings was watching the cow now, ears pricked.
    â€œEasy, easy,” Haley murmured as they pressed the heifer a little harder, trying to aim her toward the far end of the arena. “That’s the way . . .”
    The cow snorted and tried to duck past to return to the herd, but Kenny scooted in and blocked her. When number seven turned back and took off at a lope, Haley and Wings were ready. The pony leaped forward, staying close beside the cow to keep her separated from her herd mates.Kenny was right there too. Meanwhile Tia had galloped to the far end and was waiting to help corner the cow and then keep her there while her teammates fetched the other two they needed.
    By the time the three of them had pushed all three heifers into the small pen and raised their arms for the timer, Haley was breathing hard and smiling from ear to ear.
    Top that, Lemke, she thought, finally chancing a look around at the spectators. She saw Tracey and Emma waving at her, and she waved back, glad that she’d come. Maddie was right—she and Wings had needed to let off some steam and have a little fun.

    Haley was still in a good mood the next afternoon as she saddled her pony for a ride. “Okay. We missed our dressage schooling yesterday,” she told Wings, who was standing quietly in the crossties for a change, watching the chickens running up and down the barn aisle. “So we should do at least a little dressage today and then go ahead with our trot sets.”
    She hummed as she tightened the girth another notch,then gave the pony a pat on the shoulder. Her team had just edged out Owen’s yesterday, winning first place in their age group. Tracey and Emma had been excited, jumping around doing little cheers. Owen had come over and congratulated her, but he hadn’t been able to resist joking that the cows had probably mistaken Haley’s spotted pony for one of them.
    â€œWhatever, Lemke,” Haley had said, feeling a bit smug as she’d brushed the sweat marks from Wings’s coat. “You’re just jealous because you wish you had a pony who could do anything.”
    She’d expected another joke, but Owen had just shrugged. “I guess he’s okay, for a runt pony. Anyway, we’ll get you next time.”
    â€œWe’ll see.” Her smile had broadened. “But first Wings and I have something more important to do—win that event next weekend!”
    In the Sunday afternoon quiet of her home barn, Haley felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about what she’d said. Just six days until she and Wings made those words come true!
    â€œCome on, boy,” she said. She led the pony into a nearby field and then swung into the saddle. “Let’s do some dressage.”
    Most of the previous week’s snow had melted, revealing the clear spot Uncle Mike had plowed in the deeper snow for Haley’s dressage ring. She glanced toward it and nudged her pony’s sides, but he stayed where he was.
    â€œCome on, Wingsie,” she said. “Walk on.”
    She clucked and asked again, and finally Wings stepped off into a walk.
    Haley chuckled. “Okay. I know you don’t like dressage that much,” she said, “but we have to do it. Eventing is about more than just running and jumping, you