Disclaimer- I don't own 7th Heaven or any related characters

"Outside line, diagonal, outside line, rollback." Candice announced happily, tracing the course with her fingertips for the class to see. "If you know how to jump, then there shouldn't be a problem with this. I want to hear you count your strides out loud every time, and I want you to make sure your horse keeps its pace." She added, looking at each of them sternly. Ruthie's stomach gave a nervous flutter as she gazed at the jumping course in awe. It was a series of twists and turns that would bring out even the simplest flaw in your jumping skills. "Ok, warm up your horses over that cross rail down there. When you're done, line up in the middle of the arena." She pointed to a lonely white cross rail down by the other side of the arena. Ruthie slowly gathered up her rains, and tried unsuccessfully to calm her nerves. She nudged Archer into a working trot, and brought her over to the rail. Looking over at her jump, Ruthie judged her pace to be about a perfect five strides. She looked down the long side and saw the jump. She nudged her horse again, and began to count the strides. "Five, four, three, two, one.."

"Ruthie Camden! Let's go!" Candice cried, turning to face her. Ruthie nodded, and turned Archer out on to the rail. "Ok, I can do it" She said softly to herself, sliding her outside leg back. She tapped Archer with her inside leg as she did this, and they flew into a rocking canter. Ruthie eyed her first jump. A simple vertical. She pressed her inside calf up against Archer's side, and moved her over into a corner before the first jump. Archer resisted Ruthie's aid, and plowed right through the corner, picking up speed. Ruthie instinctively leaned back, and gave a half halt four strides before the jump. That did the trick. Archer launched into the air. Wind roared in Ruthie's ears and ran through her hair as they soared over the jump. Adrenaline raced through her veins as they landed and dashed for the next jump. Archer pumped her powerful legs, spraying dirt in every direction. Ruthie leaned forward in the saddle, pushing her forward. The next jump was bigger, although it was still a vertical. Ruthie squeezed the reins slightly, and asked for another half halt. Archer responded quickly, settling into a collected canter. As the jump approached them, Ruthie gave one final squeeze. Archer flew over the jump with satisfying ease. Ruthie smiled to herself. "Maybe this'll be easier then I thought.."

"We have given this much thought. There were some that we dismissed as soon as you picked up the trot. But there were some that have real talent. And there were also some who Candice and I believe could become better over time. Now, we won't give you any of that, 'you're all winners here' pep talk because it's just was waste of time and ya'll know it's true. Now, let's find out who made the team." Clover slowly surveyed the list of names with a smile upon her face. "Michelle Seamann!" She cried. Ruthie let out a squeal. Her best friend was on the team! "Laura Cambridge! Ruthie Camden! And last but not least, Erica Sanders!"