Back in the Saddle Read Online Free Page B

know.”
    Wings flicked an ear back at the sound of her voice, but didn’t respond when she nudged again with both legs to ask for a trot. Haley was surprised.
    â€œAre you okay, buddy?” she said. “Come on, let’s go!”
    She kicked harder, and Wings picked up a choppy, sluggish trot. Haley bit her lip, wondering if they’d overdone it the day before. What if Wings had used up all hisenergy at that penning? What if this hurt their chances at the event?
    Uh-oh, she thought. Did I make a big mistake?

    Haley always gave Wings the day off on Monday, just like many of the big-time trainers did. On Tuesday she hurried home from school, and barely paused to wolf down a banana before heading out to the barn. Wings had perked up after a while on Sunday, but his energy had remained lower than usual. What if he was still tired today?
    He seemed a little more like his normal self in the crossties, shifting his weight and snorting at Bandit as the dog wandered past. Still, Haley was nervous as she gave him a quick grooming and then fetched her saddle. If the pony was still tired, would they have to scratch from the event? It was only four days away, and there didn’t seem to be much point in going if she knew they wouldn’t be at their best. . . .
    But when she mounted, Wings leaped forward, trying to break into a trot as soon as Haley’s rear end hit the saddle. She smiled with relief as she pulled him up.
    â€œHey, settle down,” she chided, though she didn’t really mind his antics this time. “Glad you’re feeling better today, but we’ve got work to do.”

    That evening after dinner Haley logged on to the Pony Post. She scanned the latest entries, smiling at some new photos Nina had posted of Breezy. Then she opened a text box.
    [HALEY] Good news, guys. Wingsie’s back! He was raring to go today, ha ha! Lucky it was a XC day b/c I think he would’ve exploded if I’d tried to make him do dressage!!! As it was, he overjumped everything I pointed him at by like a yard, lol! Soooo glad that penning didn’t tire him out too much after all! Whew! But yeah, we had a great ride today, and I know we’re ready for the big day on Sat. Ready to win, that is!!!

CHAPTER
3
    THE REST OF the week passed in the blink of an eye. At least that was how it felt to Haley as she emerged, yawning, from the cab of Uncle Mike’s truck into the cool morning air on Saturday. She stretched and looked around, her sleepiness evaporating instantly when she got a look at the scene before her.
    The event was taking place at a stable about forty minutes’ drive from her house. It was the same farm where she’d attended the clinic in the fall, and once again she was impressed by its immaculate twin barns, large riding rings, and acres of rolling hills, which managed to look lovely and manicured despite the dusting of snow that lingeredin the shadier spots. Horses and riders were everywhere, some of the horses still dressed in stable blankets, some tacked up and ready to go, many somewhere in between.
    Haley had received her ride times a couple of days earlier. She checked her watch and saw that she had at least two hours until she needed to start warming up for her dressage test. Good. That would give Wings plenty of time to settle in.
    â€œLet’s get you unloaded.” Uncle Mike checked his watch too as he hurried toward the trailer. “I need to get back for my shift at the drugstore.”
    Haley nodded. “Thanks for bringing me,” she said. “Don’t worry about what time you get back here this afternoon. I don’t mind hanging out and watching if we’re finished before you come to get us.”
    â€œOkay.” The corners of Uncle Mike’s eyes crinkled as he smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Sorry I can’t stay and watch.”
    â€œIt’s okay. Jan will be here.” Haley glanced around,