"Of all the rides that you could have joined, you had to pick mine!" Stevie yelled angrily, who was walking on Comanche behind snotty Veronica and Barq. Veronica turned around in the saddle and was about to nastily retort but Barq shied and suddenly stepped sideways, causing an unexpecting Veronica to fall off rather ungraciously in a muddy puddle, dirtying her brand new outfit.

"GRRRRRRRRR!" screeched Veronica wiping off the mud furiously.

Stevie was laughing so hard that she too fell off right beside Veronica equally as ungracious and got equally as dirty.

In the distance Max could see the hilarious situation and he beckoned the new rider to start warming up while he sorted it out. The new rider nodded and went to the show ring to jump a few oxers.

"GIRLS" Max barked, "What in the world are you doing in a mud puddle!"

The girls pointed at each other and said in unison, "SHE DID IT!"

Max just sighed as they squabbled and walked over to the horses who were at the entrance of the stable and led them over.

"If you haven't already noticed we have a new rider who will also join you after you have ceased to embarrass yourselves. Stevie, you will practise with the new rider and I, and Veronica, since you had to impose on someone else's lesson, you are going to practise your drills in the dressage arena with Mrs Reg with the novices. Is that clear?" Max asked firmly.

"But…" Veronica started.

"NO! it is not my fault you had your lesson forward because you have to look at buying yet another horse." Stevie shot Veronica a pathetic look. It was so like her Stevie thought. Now, if you don't mind Stevie, please go and warm up with the new rider while I escort Miss Veronica to the dressage arena"

"I don't need escorting! I am perfectly capable of walking!" said Veronica sharply.

"It was none other than the infamous veronica, the richest snob of the whole Pine Hollow Stables. Her attire was completely impractical for cross country and you could tell she was just showing off. She was wearing a completely new outfit including a state-of-the-art velvet helmet, a black Windsor show jacket, shiny cream breeches and highly polished Chevalier boots. Stevie glanced down at her muddy jodhpurs, old boots and chaps, a tatty body protector and a plain polo shirt. Although she was completely shown up she knew she was far safer. She held her head as high as she could and urged Comanche on. She plodded out of the stables on her scruffy pony behind Veronicas gorgeous palomino Barq. Stevie brushed the lucky horseshoe on the way out, Veronica did not. She'll end up regretting that Stevie thought to herself, but put it out of her mind. As she got closer to Max she noticed something different. There was a new rider sitting on her favourite pony. Can it get any worse? Stevie thought.

"You could have fooled me!" Stevie remarked with a smirk. She soon stopped after getting a disapproving look from Max. Stevie mounted and trotted in the direction of the arena and opened the gate, while a disgruntled Veronica