Disclaimer~ I don't own any of the 7th Heaven characters. I only own the people you've never heard of. 

                 Candice paced back and forth, dust rising around her feet. Sitting intently in front of her were the eager young riders hoping and praying to be on the riding team. Standing with her arms tightly folded, was Clover. A slight smile was upon her face as she watched Candice worked her magic.  

       "Ok, so here's the deal. There are only three spots on the riding tram. That means that those of you who do not get very good makes when we judge you, well, you're not on the team. The horse that we assign you to ride today will be your horse throughout all the competitions. I want no complaints. If you don't get the horse you want, suck it up and ride!" she clutched her shark-tooth necklace, and continued. "Clover and I will be judging you on basic flat work, and jumping. Today we will be doing flat work. Now, lets get started!"  Clover stepped forward, her face flushed with excitement. "I have a list of names and horses here. When I call you name, stand up and I'll tell you what horse you're riding. Then, you'll go and tack up your horse. Simple."

        Sitting stiffly in the front row, Ruthie shifted uneasily. Her heart was racing and her palms were all clammy. What if I don't get Star? What if Ercia gets Star? What if I get a horse like Rio, or even wore, Archer? She fretted, feeling sick to her stomach. Clover began to rattle off names. 

    "Ercia Sanders…" Ruthie held her breath, her heart beating painfully fast.  Ercia shot up. Flashing a pearly white smile at Candice, who merely glared back. She was in no mood for suck-ups. "Rio." Erica's smile vanished. Ruthie could've screamed she was so overjoyed. Yes! I have a chance! She thought excitedly. Ercia flounced out of the arena. Candice rolled her eyes and pushed back the sleeves of her black shirt. Clover snorted and shot off the rest of the list.

            "Dave Dirkens. Chili"

            "Michelle Seamann, Angora"

            "Shella Cambridge, Sweetie"

            "Laura Cambridge, Star."

As soon as the words left clover's mouth, Ruthie's heart, stopped in mid-beat. She could hardly believe what was happening. Laura? Star? NO! She wanted to scream and rip out her hair. Her mind was swimming and she could barley concentrate on what Clover was saying. She hardly reacted when Clover finally called her name. But as soon as she said the horse she would work with, she snapped back to reality. 

               "Ruthie Camden, Archer."