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felt Penelope ready to leap forward, Katani slid her hands halfway up Penelope’s neck, grabbed a clump of mane, and sunkher weight into her heels. She felt like she was on Pegasus, soaring through the air. It was magical. Horse and rider landed smoothly, and Katani sat back, letting the reins slide through her fingers.
    â€œNice work, Katani. Next.”
    Katani’s heart soared as she slowed Penelope to a trot and patted her and told her what a good girl she was. She wished everyone from gym class at school could see her now. Mr. McCarthy always expected her to be good at basketball, as if she’d just start playing like her star sisters one day. That was never going to happen. She was an uncoordinated mess on the basketball court. It was hard to believe she was even related to Candice and Patrice. But riding was different. She and Penelope understood each other. Confident, Katani sat up straighter and posted around the ring. Next lesson, she and Penelope would jump even higher.
    Three Hundred Dollars
    Claudia walked over as Katani was dismounting. “You did a nice job out there today, Katani. Why don’t you and Kelley sign up for Pony Camp this summer? But you better do it fast because the slots fill quickly.”
    â€œI’ll talk to my parents,” Katani replied eagerly as she grabbed the reins under Penelope’s head.
    â€œThe applications are in the office. Grab one before you leave today.”
    â€œThanks, Claudia.”
    Excited, Katani led Penelope back to the cross-ties, where she started to rub and brush down the pretty mare. She would absolutely love to go to Pony Camp. A whole week with a horse of her own to take care of—how cool would that be?!
    Out of the corner of her eye, Katani saw Whitney wipingdown her bay in quick, efficient strokes. Whitney was as tall as Katani and though she didn’t wear makeup, there was something perfect about her face, like a doll’s. Her eyebrows looked like they’d been waxed into neat arcs, her nose was small and buttonish, and her lips were heart-shaped. She could easily be a model , Katani thought, and made herself look away.
    â€œKatani?” Samantha asked.
    Katani looked up, startled.
    â€œYou won’t forget to clean Penelope’s hooves, will you?”
    â€œNo. No, I won’t. I promise,” Katani said, embarrassed that she had forgotten.
    She immediately retrieved the pick and started with the front hoof. She clucked and squeezed the back of Penelope’s lower leg until the horse gently lifted her foot, which Katani placed in the palm of her left hand. With her other hand, she dug out the dirt and muck stuck in the soft leathery pad.
    Katani looked up to see that Whitney was rubbing Penelope’s nose. A piece of paper was in one hand. At the top it read “Pony Camp.” Of course she was going, too, Katani thought. She was the best rider at High Hopes, and money wouldn’t be an issue.
    â€œSo, Katani,” Whitney started. “I know you have a lot of ideas already, but I could help you with your business plan. I’ve done this sort of thing before.”
    â€œOkay, thanks. I’ll let you know if I need help.” Why won’t this girl just drop it already? Katani thought with irritation. Maybe Whitney’s a stalker, she thought unkindly.
    Whitney folded the Pony Camp application into squares and slid it into her vest pocket. Then she lifted her velvet-trimmed hat and unclipped a barrette from her golden brown hair. “I make these. I paint them all. It’s my ‘business.’”
    Tiny brown horses with blue ribbons strewn in their manes and tails pranced at either end of the barrette Whitney held out. Katani had to admit they were much nicer than any of the painted barrettes she’d seen in JB’s Bead, Yarn, and Craft store. She reminded herself to tell Isabel about them, since she was always looking for new arty ideas.
    â€œI sell them at