Morgan tightened the girth and sprung into the saddle.
Summer tossed her mane excitedly. Today was another day for training.
Sherbert stood in the middle of the riding school with Chase, Golden and Ezmerelda.
"Just walk first Summer to warm up, then do some trotting." Sherbert instructed.
Summer waited until Morgan's stirrups were the right length, and the girth was tight enough, before walking on.
Chase flashed a smile at Summer from the centre of the arena. The Mustang mare returned the smile as she ambled her way past the 'A' marker.
After about five minutes of walking, Morgan urged Summer into a trot.
Chase was so absorbed by the way his mare moved, that he almost didn't notice his friends watching at the gate.
"I like the way you move!" Sang one of the stallions. The rest of them burst out laughing.
Chase was outraged, he charged towards the gate and snorted angrily at them.
"We were only messing about!" Max, the dappled grey horse called, as he and the other stallions cantered away.
Summer stared at Chase, then nodded appreciatively at him.
Once Summer and Morgan had warmed up, they rode out of the arena and to the track.
"Okay Summer. Remember to use your correct leg when you take off!" Sherbert said.
"I'll do my best." Summer replied, casting a look over to Golden, who smiled back.
"On your marks…Get set…GO!" Sherbert called.
Summer took off on the correct leg and sped around the first quarter of the racetrack.
"YES! GO SUMMER! GO!" Chase neighed.
The three horses reared up and neighed to their friend.
Summer approached the first quarter mark and shot past it in an instant.
Her hooves hardly seemed to touch the grass as she flew around the track.
Morgan urged the coloured mare on still.
Faster and faster…
"Wow! She's so fast!" Golden commented. "She has a chance, considering…"
"Considering what?" Sherbert asked.
"Well, she's not a Thoroughbred. But they'll have no problem getting her into that race! There's no rule against Mustangs in this race, after all!" Golden explained.
Chase whinnied loudly as Summer raced past the halfway mark.
Then, distaster struck…
Summer was doing so well, she went so fast, but as one of her front hooves hit the ground, she stumbled, and fell to the grassy floor, with Morgan toppling out of the saddle, luckily, unharmed.
"NO!" Sherbert and Golden shouted. They ran towards their friend.
"SUMMER!" Chase called, breaking into a gallop.
The three horses skidded to a halt beside Summer. Morgan had managed to get up unhurt, and was stroking Summer's nose.
A tear rolled down the girl's face as Summer whinnied weakly. Her left foreleg had a cut along it, just above the hoof.
Summer felt herself blacking out…
"GOLDEN! GO AND GET HELP!" Morgan cried, sending the palomino mare to the house.
Golden galloped to the humans' house and neighed loudly, pawing the ground.
"What's the matter girl?" Morgan's mother asked, stepping outside.
Golden threw her head in the air, and nudged the human's back. Morgan's mother understood, and heaved herself up on to Golden's back. The pair of them galloped over to where the accident had happened.
"Summer, please don't die. I love you Summer!" Chase was saying wen Golden returned with Morgan's mum. Summer looked weakly into Chase's eyes.
"I-I'm having y-your foal." She replied quietly. Chase stared at her as the coloured mare's head lowered to the grass…