Chapter 2
Max was in his office going over some paperwork, when Lisa, Carole, Stevie, and Evie walked in.
"Max," said Lisa, "This is Evie, could you let her ride one of your school horses, so she can go on a hack with us?"
"What riding Level are you, Evie?" asked Max
"I was level 5 before my horse died." Replied Evie
"I'm very sorry about your horse," said Max gently, then he continued, "If you're level 5 you should be able to handle Comanche and no one's assigned to him today."
"Okay thanks," said Lisa, "Come on, Evie, we'll introduce you to Comanche." The girls led Evie to Comanche's stall.
The girls introduced Evie and Comanche then left Evie to tack up and get acquainted while they went to get their own horses. They all met out in the staging area and it was clear that Evie had a way with horses as Comanche nuzzled her and knackered happy to have made a new friend.
"Lisa, you have a beautiful horse." said Evie, "What's his name?"
"This is Pegasus," smiled Lisa hugging her horse's neck, "Max brought him to Pine Hollow not long after my school mount Prancer died. He just hadn't bonded with anyone one yet and his previous owner thought he was untamable."
"But it turned out he just hadn't met the right person until his and Lisa's paths crossed." Smiled Stevie, as she and Carole mounted up "It's kind of like Max's newest horse Atlas."
Lisa, who was just swinging her leg over her saddle, stopped short!
"Speaking of Atlas, look!" she half-exclaimed pointing as she settled into her saddle.
The girls looked and saw Atlas out at the edge of the paddock being saddled by Veronica!"
"What does Veronica think she's doing?!" snapped Carole
"It looks like she's going to try to ride Atlas," said Stevie, "and I'd bet a year's allowance nobody gave her permission either."
"Where are you ever going to find a sucker to take a bet like that." Said Lisa as they all started toward the paddock.
"Veronica, Stop," said Carole, "Atlas hasn't been worked with yet and I doubt anybody gave you permission to work with him."
"I'm an experienced equestrian," snorted Veronica haughtily, "I don't need permission to ride a horse that's too good for peasants like you!"
"Is she always like this?" Evie asked Lisa out of the side of her mouth
"Unfortunately." Replied Lisa out of the side of her mouth
Veronica ignored Carole's protests, sniffed arrogantly and led Atlas toward the dressage ring.
"Stevie," said Carole, "I think you'd better go get Max, so far, Atlas is tolerating the lead and the tack, but I've still got a bad feeling about this."
"You and me both," said Stevie turning Belle back toward the barn and hurrying off.
Veronica led Atlas into the center of the dressage ring. She checked the girth strap, then stuck her foot in the stirrup, and pulled herself up into the saddle. Instantly, Atlas reared up and started to buck wildly.
And just as fast, Veronica went from snooty to terrified.
"Help!" she screamed, all while hanging on for dear life.
Max came running, without stopping he stepped up on the bottom fence rail, pushed off and vaulted over the top of the fence. He grabbed Atlas's lead and managed to calm him down a little, so Veronica could jump off. As soon as Veronica was off his back, Atlas calmed down completely.
Max let go of the lead, ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation, and glared down at Veronica.
"Do I even have to tell you how stupid that was," he snapped, "Go to my office. I'm going to un-tack Atlas and turn him back out in the paddock. I'll deal with you later."
"Um Max," said Carole, She pointed to something behind Max. "There's something behind you that you ought to see,"
They all turned and saw Evie. She had dismounted, and was standing at the fence rubbing Atlas's muzzle.
Inspiration suddenly struck Lisa, and her eyes lit up!
"That's it!"
TO BE CONTINUED…PLEASE REVIEW