Now here's a challenge. Rewriting Saddle Club season 3. The majority of the plots were totally fine, the new characters are enjoyable and the new actors did well. But... the absence of major characters was jarring, and I really didn't like how Phil and Murray were treated. So, here's the first episode tackled.
It was quiet at Pine Hollow. The holidays were very long, but that didn't mean that there weren't people around. Oh no, the horses needed TLC year-round. That's what the stablehand, Red O'Malley, was doing today. Fetching a lead-rope and halter, he went to collect the handsome buckskin gelding from the paddock.
But, as he was about to put the halter on, he saw the horse toss his head back, standing up straight and tall. His black mane seemed to flow gently in the breeze and his ears pricked.
"What's up, Starlight?" He asked curiously, slipping the halter on gently and clipping the rope to him. Then, he checked his watch, nodding in understanding. He stoked Starlight's nose and headed toward the stable.
Meanwhile, the stable owner, Max Regnery, was cleaning out a black mare's hooves. The mare also seemed to be on alert, letting her hoof fall back to the ground.
"Easy girl, easy." A woman, this one being Mrs Reg, the owner's mother, said soothingly. "I know what it is." She chuckled.
"It's time, isn't it Belle?" Max chuckled, giving the mare a pat on her nose.
Out in another paddock, a new stable-hand, Jack O'Neil, hired soon after Pine Hollow was saved from the brink of closure, was watching a chestnut mare trotting around. The mare seemed to put extra effort in her strides, looking up into the sky.
"What's gotten into Prancer?" He wondered. Then, without a warning, Prancer leaped the fence.
"Hey come bac…" Jack stopped himself and thought for a moment about what Red had told him. "Oh… she must be one of those horses."
It didn't take long for Prancer to meet up with Belle and Starlight, and all three bolted toward the stable entrance. They stood in a straight line, just as a girl emerged from the car, and two more dismount bikes.
"Prancer!" Lisa Atwood rushed over to the chestnut mare, tussling around with her mane. "I missed you so much."
"Starlight!" That was Carole Hanson dashing over to the buckskin gelding with open arms. "I missed you too, Starlight."
"Belle!" Stevie Lake rubbed the black mare's neck. "Pretty boring without me, huh?"
"The holidays were way too long without you guys." Lisa perked up, and the three rushed forward into a group hug.
THEME SONG
"Well, if it isn't the saddle bags."
Yes, Veronica had shown up, just as things were going well for the Saddle Club.
"I knew it was too good to last…" muttered Stevie.
"I had a good time Dublin too. So much more professional than this little place." Veronica added.
Carole rolled her eyes as Veronica turned to head for the lounge. "Some things just always stay the same."
"No kidding!"
The Saddle Club looked to see a teen boy around their age walking over with a palomino gelding on a halter and lead rope.
"Hey Phil!" Stevie rushed over to her boyfriend as Phil Marston tied Teddy to the fence, and they gave a loving embrace. Teddy gave Belle a nuzzle.
"I missed having you around, Stevie."
"Hey, what about us?" Asked Lisa innocently.
"You guys as well." Phil hi-fived Lisa and Carole. "Come on, let's get these horses tacked up."
"Let's do it out here." Stevie suggested, going into the tack room to find her bridle and saddle. "They'll totally want to catch up with Teddy."
"Especially Belle." Joked Lisa, seeing the black mare flirting with Teddy. "She hasn't seen her coltfriend for ages."
"Are you guys going on a double date after the lesson?" Teased Carole.
"Carole, Lisa, what are we going to do with you…"
Meanwhile, Ashley and Melanie were grooming Dime and Penny. Both ponies were a light grey colour, and both were trying to pinch the brushes from the grooming box.
"Hey!" Cried Ashley. "Dime, give it here."
"Penny!" Melanie yelped. "Come on!"
But, as the girls tried to get the brushes back from the ponies, Dime's cross tie snapped.
"DIME!" Ashley took off after him but thanks to his longer legs and more of them, Dime was too slippery for Ashley to catch. But then, a rope slide around Dime's neck, and a pair of hands tied him to one of the doors in the stable.
"How'd they do that?" Asked Melanie, reaching her friend's side.
"What's important is, Dime's not getting away." Ashley replied. "Come on, let's get back to grooming him and Penny."
"What's this I hear about Dime getting away?" Asked a voice. The girls recognised him as Red, the head stable hand at Pine Hollow, and they quickly explained what happened.
"It wasn't me." Red admitted.
"Don't look at me." Called Jack, who was mucking out the stall that Dime's rope was tied to.
"I… I did it." A timid voice spoke. A girl just barely younger than Melanie and Ashley walked over from behind the back stall.
"Ah, you must be the new girl." Red smiled. "Welcome. Jess, this is Ashley Taylor and Melanie Atwood. Ashley, Melanie, this is Jessica Cooper. She'll be joining your classes."
The older two girls shook hands with Jess, who still felt a bit out of place in her new environment.
"Next time, leave catching runaway horses and ponies to adults." Red advised, turning his head to see Mrs. Reg walking through the door.
"Red." She called, "the pony is ready down at Sweetwater Stables. You can pick him up now."
Red looked confused a moment, then checked his watch. "I'm due to pick up that feed in town…"
"And I have to look after things here." Added Jack, who was walking back with an empty wheelbarrow.
"Oh…"
"We can pick him up Mrs. Reg."
"You?" Mrs Reg blinked at Ashley and Melanie in shock.
"The pony's as quiet as a lamb." Red explained.
Mrs Reg nodded toward Red approvingly, and Jess looked sadly around the stable.
"C-could I come too?"
Ashley and Melanie looked at each other. They had secretly been wanting a third member into their click for quite some time.
"You did do well by catching Dime." Ashley nodded. "Ok, you're in."
"Ok, now to a canter. Good job, Lisa, nice soft hands and good seat. Stevie, slow down there, jockey girl. It's a walk, not a trot. Carole, I know you love your horse, but don't talk to him every two minutes."
The Saddle Club chuckled as Max's firm, but gentle and somewhat humorous voice filled their ears. It was great to have him back as a riding teacher. But, if Pine Hollow had been sold… they wouldn't have a riding school to go back to. The boarding horses would have had to go somewhere else, and the school horses… Lisa couldn't imagine riding without Prancer, who was almost sold along with the rest of the school horses.
"I'm so glad Pine Hollow did not get sold." Sam remarked as he stroked Comanche's mane.
"I know." Replied Danny, adjusting Higgins' reins as the group turned anti-clockwise. "It's a lucky break for the stables."
"I'd be devastated if the stables had to close." Megan agreed, checking to make sure Eddie didn't bump into Higgins. "Thank goodness it was not the case."
"It was all because of that stamp I found, don't you forget." Veronica put in.
"And." Max interrupted, "we had so much extra money, that some of it went to give Pine Hollow extra trials." The riding instructor mounted his own horse, Barq, one of the top school horses in the stable. "I'll be showing you one of those trails today."
The students' eyes widened with curiosity and excitement as Max lead them out of the riding ring.
"Where does it go?" Asked Lisa.
"Wait and see."
The group trotted down a new path laid out. Willow tree branches drooped down, giving the riders and horses shade, cooling them off. Long, lush grass lay on both sides. Starlight seemed to lick his lips and steer towards it.
"No, Starlight." Carole chuckled as she pulled back on the reins and urged with her legs to get him focused again.
"You know what your problem is, Carole?" Veronica called as she trotted closer. "You need to dominate your horse like I did when I visited Dublin. I left there with discipline. Attitude. And this fabulous new jacket." To emphasise this, Veronica tapped her jacket with one hand before putting it back on the reins.
"I've forgotten what a pain she can be." Phil remarked, as she and Carole caught up with Lisa and Stevie. "I wonder if she got a cup holder for her saddle while she was in Dublin too."
The Saddle Club laughed heartily at Phil's joke, then Lisa paused for a second.
"You right, Lisa?" Asked Phil.
"Anyone smell that?"
The others sniffed too.
"It's smells like message oil for feet." Megan commented from the back of the group.
"But there wouldn't be salons out here." Sam blinked in confusion.
But… Flowers would be. And only one flower would give off a strong scent like that.
"Lavender!" Lisa cried with triumph.
"That's right." Smiled Max. "We've reached our destination: the lavender fields."
The students and horses glanced around the area. Lavender grew in huge quantities, and its sweet scent hung in the air.
"There's a huge grass patch over there." Danny noted, "and a creek."
"The owners have allowed us to come down here anytime we like." Max explained. "Feel free to allow your horses to eat and drink before we go back."
"Good." Smiled Carole, dismounting. "I don't think I can hold Starlight back any longer."
"Can we pick some lavender as well?" Asked Megan, jumping down from Eddie.
"I think it's a great idea. A bit of lavender around the barn helps to keep horses calm."
Most of the students let out chuckles as they lead their horses to the grass patch, rubbing their noses gently as they headed towards the lavender field. Max followed with Barq, puzzled.
"What? It's true…"
Up at the pony farm, Ashley, Melanie and Jess were admiring the handsome young gelding which they just picked up. He was a strawberry roan colour, and he was gently sniffing Melanie as she led him along.
"Isn't he adorable?" She stroked the pony's neck affectionately.
"Yeah." Ashley agreed, petting the pony's head. "I won't mind riding him in a lesson one day. What do you say, Jess?"
Jess was quiet for a moment, looking into the pony's eyes, it's sturdy legs, and mane and tail blowing in the soft breeze.
"I used to have one just like this." She explained. "When I used to work in a circus."
Ashley and Melanie's eyes turned wide. "You used to work in a circus?" The former gasped.
Jess nodded. "We had an act. My parents are still doing it."
"What did you do?" Asked Melanie.
"I did everything. Horseback riding, juggling, fortune telling."
"Can you tell our fortune?" Ashley requested.
"For a dollar."
"How about fifty cents?"
Jess shook her head. "Can't promise much for that."
"You know…" Ashley trailed. "Dime does tricks. Melanie and I can show you later. I do dancing too."
"I do singing." Melanie interjected. "It's in my family's genes. Mum says."
Jess smiled thoughtfully at her new friends' words. "Interesting idea. Maybe we can do a performance. The three of us."
"The Pony Tails Performance night at JBs." Grinned Melanie. "I like it."
The newcomer looked questionably at the middle child of the group.
"It's a group Ashley and I made up. Do you want to be our third member?"
"Is there any initiation?"
"Just be a good friend and hang around horses all day." Ashley put simply.
"Ok!"
The newly formed Pony Tails gave each other a high-five. Maybe they could VS the Saddle Club in a singing contest one day.
Back at the lavender farm, the Saddle Club were picking small bunches of the sweet-smelling flowers.
"Is there truth to what Max said?" Asked Danny as he came close to the girls.
Carole nodded. "No one quite knows why that's the case. Maybe the scent of lavender calms the horses."
"That would make sense." Stevie admitted. "Before I got Belle, I remember I rode Comanche near a lavender patch during a cross-country race. He was ok when I jumped him into the water then, and he hadn't fully gotten over his fears yet."
Suddenly, the group hears a buzzing sound.
"Bee!" Cried Carole.
"Stay still." Advised Lisa. "If you remain still, a bee wouldn't feel threatened and it would go away."
True to Lisa's word, the bee hovered in mid air for a second, then left the group alone.
"Phew…" Sighed Stevie. "That was close."
"AHHHH!"
The Saddle Club, Danny, Sam, Megan, Phil and Max all turned their heads toward Veronica's shrill yell. Lisa tried to repeat the advice she had given to her friends, but Veronica didn't listen.
"If I stop, that bee will sting me!" She cried, and without watching where she was going, Veronica splashed into the creek. The bee, not wanting to get drenched, flew away.
"Ugh!" Veronica groaned, stomping out of the water, dripping wet. "How dare you humiliate me like that!"
"Lisa was only trying to help, Veronica." Phil explained calmly.
"Yeah." Agreed Sam. "You humiliated yourself."
This elected light chuckles from the group, as Veronica settled herself on the grass.
"I think we'll start heading back now." Max advised, starting to walk toward Barq.
The Saddle Club stroked their horses' necks affectionately, while Starlight, Belle and Prancer nuzzled their riders' shoulders. Then, the riders mounted onto the horses' backs. Veronica shook her head and hopped onto Garnet's back.
"You and your lame little club…" She muttered as the other students mounted their own horses. "If you can ride as well as you muck around, you wouldn't be so pathetic."
"Veronica, it was only a bee." Sighed Carole. "Get over it."
"I challenge you three to a Cross-Country race." Veronica announced. "Today, on the way back to Pine Hollow. I dare you."
The Saddle Club looked at each other, shrugging. Veronica was very competitive, but they didn't think it would happen first day back.
"And if I win." She continued, "you have to give me pedicures for a year."
"And if you lose." Stevie said confidently, "it's pedicures for us all!"
Lisa, Carole and Phil, who had just approached on Teddy, had to hold in their giggles. Veronica having to do pedicures for three other girls? Now that would be a sight.
"As if I'd lose."
"A cross country race? Against Stevie?" Phil remarked. "She'll leave you hollow."
Stevie flashed a wink at Phil and gave him a high-five. Lisa and Carole smiled too. It was no doubt that between the three of the girls, Stevie was the best at Cross-Country riding.
"What's going on?" Asked Max, riding up to the group.
Phil and the girls described what the idea was. Max gave a firm nod.
"Alright." He agreed. "But remember, Saddle Club, Veronica, if you stray or improvise you could end up in trouble. Do not go anywhere near Dead Man's Gully. They are spraying poison from an airplane at three, so it will be extremely dangerous. You must stick to the trial."
Phil urged Teddy into a trot to go back with the other students to let Veronica and the Saddle Club to go first. Teddy and Belle gave each other a quick nuzzle before Stevie let Belle trot next to the other competitors.
"Are you ready?"
Prancer seemed to brush her hoof back, Starlight eyed the trial with determination, Belle looked straight ahead, and Garnet glanced to the side a little.
"Go!"
The four horses took off, while the students at the back seemed to cheer on. Stevie easily pulled ahead, closely followed by Carole, and Lisa seemed to be alongside Carole. Veronica was looking for an opening to pass, and swerved to the left, overtaking Stevie. However, the cross-country expert urged Belle into a canter and pulled ahead.
"If even one of the Saddle Club cross the line first," Veronica muttered, "they'd all win." She glanced back to see where Carole and Lisa were. They weren't too far behind. Prancer was an ex-racehorse which would give Lisa an advantage, not to mention that she now rivalled riders who rode longer than her. Carole was also the most skilled rider at Pine Hollow, and she had trained Starlight very well.
"We're going to need a shortcut to win, Garnet." Veronica whispered into the horse's ear. "And I know just the place."
Veronica tactfully remained a bit ahead of Lisa and Carole, but not too much so that she would get ahead of Stevie. She got out her SAT NAV and coded in shortcut way to get to Pine Hollow. It would mean cutting through the bush, but if it meant getting pedicures for a year, it'd be worth it.
"Your optimum route is south by south west."
Veronica trotted off the track, as Lisa and Carole came up.
"Why is she going that way?" Wondered Carole. "It's way off course."
"Then let her go." Stevie replied, turning Belle around to face her friends. The black mare nodded her head once, as if agreeing with her owner.
"Do you suppose she's up to something?" Asked Lisa.
"Maybe." Carole perked up thoughtfully. "But let's stick with the trails and pick up the pace."
Belle bounded ahead of Prancer and Starlight, but it didn't take much for the other two to keep up with their friend. The wind breezed by their manes as they raced, and the Saddle Club all smiled, knowing their horses were having as much fun as they were.
Meanwhile, Veronica was trotting solo in the bush. The rich girl glanced around the area. Was this the right way? It had to be… the SAT NAV said so.
It's my life… it's my life
Garnet tossed her head, slightly spooked, and Veronica mentally facepalmed herself for not muting her phone. She picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Veronica!" The familiar, welcoming voice rang into her ears.
"Kristi!" She cried. "How are you holding up with your new home?" She asked, remembering how her friend had moved with her half-sister to explore new drawing opportunities.
"It's alright I suppose." Kristi replied. "Chelsea and I are drawing a lot of great pictures. But… I really miss you. How's things with Pine Hollow? Is Red still there?"
"Yes… he's still there. He's training a new stablehand called Jack." Sighed Veronica. Even after Kristi left, her crush on Red was still going strong.
"I'm so glad he's decided to become a mentor. How's his progress…"
"Listen," Veronica interrupted. "I'm in a cross-country race with the saddle bags right now."
"You're on horseback and have your phone?!" Cried Kristi. "That's crazy! Do you remember what happened with Comanche and Stevie on Lisa's first day?"
"Did you become friends with the Saddle Club when I wasn't looking?" Veronica scoffed.
"No!" Kristi sounded slightly hurt, and with an edge of concern. "Someone would have gotten hurt. And remember, I rode Comanche a few times."
Veronica nearly forgot about that. Kristi mostly was seen on Braq, and on the odd occasion, Delilah.
"Good luck on your drawings, Kristi. I've got a race to win. Give Chelsea my regards."
Veronica flipped the phone off and tucked the phone in her pocket. But, as Garnet transitioned from trot to canter, Veronica's phone fell out and tumbled down a cliff, without rider or horse knowing.
Back with the Pony Tails, Jess was telling Melanie and Ashley all about her time in the circus. By now, Ashley was leading the pony.
"Ok." Ashley said, "Let me get this straight: Your mum eats fire, and your dad makes people disappear."
"Could he make Lisa disappear?" Asked Melanie curiously.
"He brings them back again." Jess replied simply. "So, your sister will still be around, I'm afraid."
Melanie sighed. "I wish I was an only child." She shook her head and turned toward Jess again. "Do you have any siblings?"
"I have a brother." Jess explained. "He juggles chain saws. And I have three sisters. One walks on a tightrope, one does trapeze, and the last one is also a horseback rider."
"I have a sister too." Ashley put in. "She's just turned double digits this year."
As the three continued to walk the pony along and chat about their families, they hear a noise coming from the bushes.
"What was that?" Asked Melanie, turning her head toward the noise.
"Sounds like an animal." Ashley realised. "Jess, where's your lasso? You need it."
The youngest of the trio whipped out her lasso and spotted something grey moving around.
"Here goes nothing." Jess twirled her lasso around and it looped around the neck of something. She pulled back, but her rope was pulled loose from her grip. Out stepped a small, grey Mediterranean donkey.
"Catch it!" Cried Ashley. "Melanie, go right, Jess, front! I'll go left!"
The Pony Tails split their different ways, managing the corner the little donkey. Jess grabbed the rope, and Melanie put her arms gently around the donkey.
"Isn't he gorgeous?" Asked Melanie, scratching the donkey's head.
"He's quite quick too." Ashley commented, rubbing the creature's nose. "Let's get him to Pine Hollow along with the pony."
Jess held onto the lasso firmly as the girls continued their trek to the stables.
Out alone with her horse, Veronica cantered along an open clearing past a small lake. She secretly wished Kristi hadn't left the stables, but there was nothing she could do about it. It didn't take long for Garnet to reach the edge of a cliff.
Veronica, the optimum route is straight ahead.
"There is no straight, hello!" How could there be a straight? Unless it was 'straight down the cliff…'. There was no way Veronica would go through that. She then urged with the reins and her legs to change direction. But, Garnet was not facing the direction to go back.
"Ugh!" Veronica groaned, dismounting and trying to turn Garnet around by leading her. "I really hate you sometimes."
Veronica tried to pull on the reins, but still Garnet refused to go back. "Whose idea was this stupid race anyway?" Veronica then thought about how she could be shopping for a stylish pair of riding boots. Or maybe be at the spa with a pedicure.
"AHHH!"
Veronica then tripped on the edge of the cliff and tumbled down to the bottom. She got up to her feet, unhurt, but couldn't find a way back up. Garnet looked around the area with alarm, before taking off.
"Garnet, please come back!" Cried Veronica. "I didn't mean what I… I… I love you!" Then, Veronica fell down the cliff even further, nearly to the bottom.
"This can't be happening…" She sighed. "Oh, Garnet. Why… Please Garnet! You're all I have…"
Back with the Pony Tails, Jess had tied her lasso around the donkey's face like a halter and was leading him along. She had allowed Melanie to lead the donkey now, and it was her turn to lead the pony.
"He's very small." Melanie commented. "Are you sure it's a donkey?"
"It's a miniature donkey." Ashley explained. "My mum mentioned them to me. There's miniature horses and ponies too. I've never seen one in real life before. Who does he belong to?"
"There's no collar or brand." Melanie observed.
"So, it's a stray?" Jess wondered. "But who would let a cute animal like this go stray?"
The Pony Tails shrugged and continued walking, wondering how they would explain this to Mrs Reg, Max, Red and Jack.
It's my life. It's my life…
The Saddle Club meanwhile, had made good time on their race. However, this was the first time they were on this track, and then…
"There's a fork in the path!" Carole cried. And indeed, there was. One path went left and the other went to the right.
"Which way do we go?" Asked Lisa.
"Well, we came from…" Stevie tried to point the way. "And then, we turned… or there we went to…" She shook her head.
"I guess we're lost." Sighed Carole.
"And probably so is the race." Lisa added sadly.
The Saddle Club looked both ways again and again. Everything looked so much the same. However, Starlight started sniffing the air. Carole caught sight of this instantly and stroked his neck.
"What is it, boy?"
Suddenly, Starlight broke into a brisk trot and Carole had to adjust herself to ride properly. Then, he halted and bent his head down.
"Starlight, what is…"
Then, Carole glanced down to see the same patch of lush grass her horse had tried to eat on the way up to the Lavender farm.
"Good boy, Starlight."
Belle and Prancer quickly followed Starlight and all three horses bent down to munch on the gelding's find.
"Haven't you three eaten enough already?" Laughed Lisa.
"It's like us and a smoothie at JBs." Stevie giggled. "They can't get enough treats."
"Come on, guys." Carole chided, gently urging with her legs. "First one back to the stable gets to be first in the paddock."
That got the horses' attention, and the Saddle Club urged them into a steady canter.
"Speaking of treats, let's all get a smoothie at JBs when we turn these three loose." Lisa grinned.
"Yeah, I'm totally thirsty."
"You two and me both!"
Back in the middle of nowhere, Veronica was wondering blindly around. She didn't have a phone to contact Kristi, Garnet had raced off and she couldn't get to JBs to chat with…
Veronica looked at a locket she had tucked under her jacket, a locket she had been given last year on her birthday. The locket was gold and was in the shape of a heart. Inside was a photo of herself and…
"What can I do without you?" She sighed. However, Veronica didn't look where she was going. She squelched into something sticky and muddy.
"Ugh, yuck! Gross!"
Veronica, this is not the optimum route
No duh! Who would send a route through mud?
Would you like to reprogram me, Veronica?
"No, you can expect a call from my lawyers!" She snapped. Then, as Veronica tried to wriggle out of the mud, she couldn't move her legs free.
Wait… this wasn't mud at all. It was quicksand.
"Oh no… Help! Rescue me, someone!"
Melanie, Jess and Ashley finally found their way to Pine Hollow.
"Should we show him to Max?" Asked Jess.
"Definitely not." Melanie advised. "He'll ask too many question."
"I'll take this donkey to the barn." Ashley told the others. "You two take the pony to his stall."
Melanie and Jess nodded.
"Ok, quietly now. Can't let anyone notice us…"
At the trail entrance, Max, Phil, Danny, Megan and Sam stood waiting with their horses. Mrs Reg had come out to join them. Teddy looked straight ahead and nickered excitedly.
"I know that sound." Chuckled Phil, petting his nose. "Belle's close by!"
As if on cue, Stevie rode in proudly on her majestic horse, closely followed by Carole & Starlight, and Lisa & Prancer.
"And the winner is, the Saddle Club!"
"Well done, guys!" Megan congratulated.
"You sure know how to ride." Sam grinned.
"No sign of Veronica?" Asked Lisa as she got down from Prancer, stroking her neck.
"No." Chuckled Danny, then added in a whisper. "Let's keep it that way."
"Alright!" Grinned Stevie, jumping down from Belle and high-fiveing her friends. "We beat her."
"Good job, Saddle Club." Max praised. "Why don't you put that lavender along with the rest of the collection in those two vases?"
"What's it for?" Asked Carole, already splitting her pile in two.
"Oh… just for the lounge to spruce up the place." Mrs Reg said causally before winking at her son.
At the barn, the Pony Tails had made it to the hayloft and had brought the donkey up. The pony had been stabled in the empty stall down below. It was the perfect spot to hide. No one would think to look up there.
"Maybe we should speak to Mrs Reg." Ashley announced to her friends.
"Doesn't Max run things?" Asked Jess, confused.
"He does." Melanie replied, "but Mrs Reg is his mum. She outranks him."
Ashley then whipped out the phone from her pocket. Turned out that it was that which made the noise. But that didn't explain what it was doing in the middle of nowhere.
"It looks like Veronica's." Melanie commented.
"Who's Veronica?"
"She's the stuck up one." Ashley explained. "She thinks she rides her expensive horse, Garnet."
"But mostly she rides an old broom."
Jess giggled at the two's comments, as Ashley flipped through her contacts.
"Whoa, look at these celebrities. No doubt this is Veronica's."
Indeed, there was Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, Princess Mary… even the Wiggles were on there.
"I didn't know Veronica liked the Wiggles." Commented Melanie.
"Apparently, she does." Jess replied. "But… can you believe this. Celebrities on this phone!"
"Maybe we can get them to help us help this donkey." Ashley thought out loud.
"How would that work, exactly?" Asked Melanie.
"Hey, it was just a suggestion."
In the lounge, Max, Mrs Reg and the students laid out both vases neatly on the coffee table. The stable owner stood up straight, as if trying to be professional.
"Hey, Phil." Asked Carole, "do you know what's happening."
"Don't look at me." He shrugged. "Max was just as vague with us as he was with you."
Just then, the door opened, and in stepped a woman who was around Max's age with a huge suitcase. The students gasped in surprise as they recognised her.
"DEBORAH!"
Yes, Deborah Regenry had returned from her long trip in France. She had stayed back longer than Max because she had important business to tend to.
"My love." Max hugged her tight. "How have you been?"
"I've missed everyone so much." She replied softly. "I didn't expect those newspaper articles to go on for so long."
"Welcome home, Deborah!" Cried Carole. "Oh, you won't believe what happened with Pine Hollow while you were away."
"What did I miss?"
"Where do we even begin?"
With that, Max, Mrs Reg and the students all sat down and explained the whole story about how Pine Hollow was almost sold.
"Oh dear!" Gasped Deborah. "Not Pine Hollow. How did you save the stables?"
"Surprisingly, it was thanks to Veronica." Lisa explained. "She found out how a stamp Max's Great Grandfather collected would be worth a lot of money."
"Wow." Deborah grinned. "If only I was here for that, I would have written an entry in the newspaper."
"If we had known the day you were returning sooner." Stevie went on, "we'd have given you a huge party."
"Just the fact you guys are all here and the stables is still running, is enough of a return for me."
Deborah then glanced over at the lavender in vases.
"Did you guys pick that just before?"
"Max opened a trail going to the lavender fields." Megan told her. "He told us to pick some and put it in these vases."
Max looked modestly at Deborah.
"I… I knew I couldn't get the party up in time so I… decided to do this instead."
Deborah blushed at looked at her husband.
"That's just the sweetest thing someone could ever do."
As the couple started hugging on the couch, Mrs Reg lead the students outside to leave them in peace.
"Say, guys." Lisa commented when she and the Saddle Club regrouped out the front of the barn. "Where is Veronica?"
"You know her." Stevie rolled her eyes. "At the mall at the latest shoe sale, getting a discount at the local spa or maybe getting a shake at JBs."
"I hope it isn't that last one." Carole chuckled. "Because I think we all earned ourselves a shake. Race you to JBs?"
"It's on!"
But before the Saddle Club could take off, there was a clatter of hooves. The girls whipped around to see Garnet, with her tack, without Veronica in the saddle and in a blazing panic.
The Saddle Club walked over slowly, speaking out soothing words, gently stroking her neck and rubbing her nose.
"Where's Veronica?" That voice came from Mrs Reg, who had overheard the commotion. She had just met up with Jack, Red having not come back yet.
Lisa quickly explained how Veronica had gone a different way.
"I'll go and look for her!" Mrs Reg announced.
"I'm coming with you!" Jack quickly followed after her.
"This is serious." Stevie concluded. "Lisa, Carole, let's get the horses."
Back in the loft, the Pony Tails were in a conversation on how to get the donkey accepted at Pine Hollow, when the ringtone of Veronica's phone blared.
It's my life. It's my life
"Hello?" Melanie spoke into it. "Is this somebody famous?"
"Melanie?! What are you doing with Veronica's phone?!"
Melanie gulped and lowered the phone.
"Who is it?" Ashley asked.
"It's Kristi."
"Who's Kristi?" Wondered Jess.
"Veronica's best friend who recently moved from Willow Creek."
"Confess up you three!"
The Pony Tails looked down to see the Saddle Club facing them angrily. The voice in question naturally came from Lisa.
"Uh… Red couldn't pick up the pony and I suggested Ashley, Jess and I should…"
"Veronica's missing!" Cried Stevie, marching up to the hayloft. "Where did you find her phone?"
Melanie hastily gave Stevie the phone to avoid her looking at the donkey.
"We've found it on the trails between here and the pony farm." Ashley explained. "Near Craigie Bluff."
Stevie put the phone to her ear. Usually, she'd answer calls in the lounge, but this was an emergency. "Hello? Kristi?"
"Ugh, is this a Saddle Club prank?"
"No." Stevie briefly explained about Veronica's dare and how Veronica had gone off course.
"Wh-what?" She gasped. "Is Veronica alright?"
"We're about to tack up the horses and look for her. We'll keep you posted."
"Please let her be ok. If she's not, I don't know what I'd do."
"Don't worry. We're on it." Stevie and Kristi cut the call.
Carole and Lisa were already getting Starlight and Prancer's tack, and Stevie rushed to find Belle's, giving the phone to Ashley.
"If Kristi calls, keep her updated, but go to the lounge before the phone rings again."
Later, out on the trail, the Saddle Club had their horses fully tacked up, and Garnet galloped ahead. The Saddle Club tried to untack her, but she just wouldn't allow them for some reason.
"She must be that way!" Called Stevie.
"But that just leads to Dead Man's Gully." Cried Carole.
"If Garnet's leading us this way, then it must be where Veronica is." Without thinking twice, Lisa urged Prancer into a canter and followed after Garnet. Stevie and Carole soon followed with Belle and Starlight.
Garnet stopped just short of the cliff, and the Saddle Club halted their horses alongside. The liver chestnut mare pointed her nose diagonally toward her right.
"There's Veronica!" Lisa cried. "Come on!"
"Wait Lisa, when's that air-plane spraying poison down here?"
"Three O'clock."
Stevie checked her watch. "it's ten-two three!"
"Stevie, go down the landing strip and stop the plane!" Carole advised. "We'll help Veronica."
"You're more experienced than me."
"Not in Cross-Country."
While Carole and Lisa lead Starlight and Prancer down the cliff with Garnet, Stevie turned Belle around and galloped off to find the airport.
Starlight and Prancer were quickly tethered to a tree a safe distance away from the quicksand, so they wouldn't get stuck.
"Veronica!" Called Lisa. "Are you hurt?"
"I… I can't move."
Carole quickly got a rope out of her saddle bag, then tied it to Garnet's saddle horn.
"Hang on, Veronica, we're coming." Lisa started to move across a tree, which was sticking up out of the quicksand. In her hands, she held the other end of the rope.
"Hurry… please, I can hardly breath…"
Stevie and Belle galloped boldly along the country-side. Usually, the two would enjoy the rush of wind buffeting their hair and mane, and the sound of the birds tweeting as they go by. But today, it was far more important to get to where they were going.
Horse and rider steadily came to the airport. Unfortunately, things were running on schedule. Poison was laying on the side of the landing strip, and a plane was about ready to take off. The pilot gave the 'all go' signal, and the propellers started whirring.
"Oh no. Hurry, Belle!" The black mare's hooves pounded the ground.
By now, Lisa had made it to Veronica, and tossed the rope to her.
"Get it under your arm."
It was a bit of a struggle, but Veronica managed to get her arm free from the quicksand for a moment and slide the rope under.
"Ok, Carole! Forward."
Carole urged Garnet to move. The mare was straining hard, constantly slipping on the ground. Never once did she fall. It was clear to Carole and Lisa that Garnet cared very much for her owner, even if she didn't muck out her stall or groom her between lessons.
Stevie and Belle pulled to a safe distance from the plane. Then, Stevie waved wildly with her hands while Belle lifted up her front legs one after the other.
The pilot blinked from inside the plane, and then the propellers shut off. He turned on the intercom.
"What is the meaning of this, young lady?!" He asked, shocked.
Stevie grinned with triumph and petted Belle's neck. "Good girl! We did it."
Back at the quicksand, Garnet continued pulling hard, nearly tripping on a rock.
"Careful, Garnet," Choked Veronica. "Please… I don't want to lose you."
"Easy, girl." Carole steadied the horse and whispered reassuring words into her ear. With one more heave, Garnet pulled Veronica out of the quicksand.
"Well done, Carole and Garnet!" Lisa cried, giving Carole a high-five and petting Garnet's nose.
Veronica felt relived to be back on her feet and gave both members of the Saddle Club a hug.
"Thank you…" Unlike when she was auditioning for the movie with Sky Ransom, Veronica really meant these words. Then, she rushed to Garnet's side, embracing her.
"I love you so much, Garnet. You're a good girl."
"Come on, let's go home." Lisa suggested, the three of them mounting their horses.
"I'll let Stevie know we're getting out of here." Carole told the others, and she turned Starlight around toward the airport, while Lisa and Veronica steered Prancer and Garnet toward Pine Hollow.
Later, the four girls were untacking their horses.
"Say… where's my phone?"
It's my life. It's my life.
Veronica rushed up to the hayloft. "You guys… hang on, weren't there only two of you?"
"Jess is the name, circuses my game." Jess shrugged. "Veronica, right?"
"Uh… yes. And that's my phone!"
"We thought someone famous was going to call..." Ashley said hopefully, but then Veronica snatched the phone from her hand and pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Veronica, you're ok!"
"Kristi." Veronica sighed happily, walking down the hayloft and toward the lounge. "Of course, I'm alright. How's that drawing coming along?"
"The Saddle Club said you went missing. What happened?"
"I did, and I'm fine now, just ended up in quicksand due to a wrong turn…"
"Something tells me Melanie, Ashley and Jess are going to be a world of trouble." Chuckled Stevie.
"Three on three?" Carole remarked. "I think I can handle that. Though, we'd better tell Max they had a phone in the hayloft."
"Definitely." Agreed Lisa. "Let's go."
ENDING THEME:
There's this girl
She grew up in a small town
She's the biggest tomboy
You'd ever see around
There's this girl
She's got the longest hair
She looks like a model
Even down to the clothes she wears
There's this girl
she's tries to do what's right
whenever she's on horseback
You can see her come alive
Chorus:
These girls
They make me laugh, and make me smile
these girls
I feel special in their eyes.
And I know that they will be there till the end
These girls are my best friends
There's this girl
Her sister drives her insane
She seems to have a way with horses
That no one can explain
There's this girl
She gives the best hugs
When I'm feeling down
She knows just how to pick me up
There's this girl
She rides faster than the rest
She must have more crazy plans that anyone I've met
Chorus:
These girls
They make me laugh, and make me smile
these girls
I feel special in their eyes.
And I know that they will be there till the end
These girls are my best friends
Road trips and camping out on weekends
Or dancing to our local country bands
There's something special about my girlfriends
No matter what, they'll always understand
(Instrumental)
Chorus:
These girls
They make me laugh, and make me smile
these girls
I feel special in their eyes.
And I know that they will be there till the end
These girls
They make me laugh, and make me smile
these girls
I feel special in their eyes.
And I know that they will do whatever it takes
Yeah, I can tell the real ones from the fakes
And even if we argue now and then
I know that they will be there till the end
These girls are my best friends
These girls are my best friends x 8
Changes made to the episode (and some of the rest of the season) include:
- Red still being head stable hand at Pine Hollow and Jack being his apprentice.
- Ashley still being at Pine Hollow along with Melanie. They and Jess form 'The Pony Tails', a younger counterpart to the Saddle Club. Note: The Pony Tails were first formed in Foster Horse part 1, but it was unofficial at that point. I doubt their plots will change too much as the series goes on.
- Miss Amelia was completely cut, and she will be in subsequent episodes (which will be a bit of a challenge). Seriously, did Max think he needed another instructor, especially one as rude as her?
- I included Phil, but I cut Murray out. We don't see him for more than two episodes in the second season, to the best of my knowledge. I also threw in Sam, Megan and Danny, three minor riders from the first two seasons. I also tried to make Phil's persona more like his season 1-2 counterpart.
- I liked Sam riding Comanche in the first season after Stevie gets Belle, so I decided to do that here too. Danny rides Higgins, a horse we see in the season 1 episode. Across The Board. I've put Megan on Eddie, a pony we see in a few episodes of season 2.
- Kristi being on the phone being more relevant to the plot. I also made up the theory that she was taking drawing opportunities with her half-sister we see in Bloodlines.
- Max taking the students on a new trail to the Lavender farm. If the stamp sold for as much as it did, surely Max would take an opportunity like this.
- Including a reason why Deborah was absent from the last few episodes of the second season. The lavender was also a present for Deborah to come back to.
- Phones in the ring and around horses being addressed as a problem. That was established in the first episode of season 1. Where'd that knowledge go?
- Garnet being the one to lead the group to Veronica. I just think it gives them more of a bond.
- The pony that the Pony Tails bring home will play a role in a few upcoming episodes. Trust me.
For fans of Simon and Desi, don't you fret, they will be in this rewrite as well. In fact, Simon will be in the next rewrite, Moving On, parts 1 and 2.