"Welcome to the the Annual Inter-Academy Equestrian Tournament! And as always we start things off with the perennially popular pretty pony parade!" The announcer shouts as Chelsea comes riding in on a dressed up Dash.

"Isn't Dash pretty? And we both smell like marshmallows!" Chelsea shouts as the group cheers for her as she quickly wins the competition.

*Timeskip*

"Oh here comes Skipper." Alexis says as Skipper rides in on Juniper.

"Next up in the dressage competition riding for Alpine Skipper Roberts on Juniper. And first place goes to Miss Skipper Roberts of Alpine!" The announcer says as Skipper quickly wins the competition.

*Timeskip*

"Our next event is the hunter riding competition and representing Alpine is miss Alexis Hathaway on Ember!" The announcer shouts.

"You got this Alexis." Barbie says as she is standing near Alexis and Ember.

"Thanks Barbie. Come on girl. Let's show them what we can do." Alexis says as she looks at Ember who neighs happily before taking off allowing Alexis to easily hit each of her marks with arrows.

"And in first place is Alexis and Ember!" The announcer shouts.

*Timeskip*

"Our next event will be the cross-country competition. Stacie Roberts on Pepper now heading for the double rails of number seven. And the jump is good! Now approaching jump eight the lighthouse. Immediately followed by the fickle frank at number nine. A smooth landing for Miss Roberts and Pepper. Moving strongly now and they beautifully adapt to the corners. Now jumping over the brush fence at- Uh-oh a run-out. That'll cost them points. But they recover nicely and go for the triple bar! A clean jump. Heading now for the final and most challenging jump the keyhole!" The announcer shouts as Stacie heads for the final jump on Pepper before the two make it through perfectly.

"She made it." Alexis says happily.

"A Perfect jump! And here comes the judges' decision. First place Stephanie Coda and King's Cross of Ecole Montagne! In second place Stacie Roberts and Pepper of Alpine!" The announcer shouts.

"Second place not bad. But next year we hammer them." Stacie says as she gets off Pepper.

"And that concludes the opening day competitions with Ecole Montagne and Alpine Academy tied for first place. Tomorrow the final event the spectacular steeplechase at Bernwald Racetrack. And don't forget the inter-academy formal dance tonight right here at Alpine!" The announcer shouts.

"That's the best we've done in years. What a great day for Alpine!" Max says happily as the group is walking back toward the stable.

"And a long one at that. I suggest we all have a little rest before the dance." Marlene says.

*Timeskip*

"Hey Alexis. You look beautiful." Barbie says as she notices Alexis walk up to her in a light blue with silver accents dress at the dance.

"Thank you Barbie. You look really nice too. I just wanted to say thank you for keeping the herd's secret. It means a lot to me. They're basically my family ever since I lost my birth one." Alexis says as she smiles at Barbie.

"You're welcome Alexis. I'd never do that to somebody or anything. Besides it's pretty awesome having learned this stuff about you." Barbie says as Alexis blushes.

"Really? No one has ever said that before to me when they did find something out." Alexis says shyly.

"Well I'm not like most people. I love this song! Alexis dance with me!" Barbie says as she and Alexis start dancing to a song being played before stopping as people hear screaming.

"The horses they're loose." Alexis says as she sees the horses run past as everyone runs outside and sees Chelsea on the back of a bucking horse before Etienne tries to grab the horse only to get kicked.

"Chelsea!" The group shouts as they see Chelsea get bucked off before Ember runs under her and catches her.

"Nice catch girl. Good girl." Alexis says in relief as she helps Chelsea down off Ember.

"Dash! Stop! I'm okay." Chelsea shouts as Dash nibbles on her hair.

"She's okay. Just a little shaken. She'll be fine." Marlene says.

"Chelsea why on Earth-" Skipper then gets cut off by Chelsea.

"I just wanted to ride a big horse like you and Barbie and Stacie do." Chelsea says.

"Oh Chelsea." Barbie says.

"I think you've done quite enough riding for one day. Let's get you inside. And Etienne we'll need to get a doctor to look at your arm." Marlene says as she goes inside with Etienne and Chelsea.

"Thank goodness she's okay. But what about our horses? They're all gone. Except for Ember and she doesn't like other people except Alexis riding her let alone bear back." Max says in alarm.

"The race! We must go after them!" Marie says worriedly.

"It's dark. We won't know which way they went." Alexis says.

"I can track them." A voice says revealing to be Jonas from the other academy.

"Jonas you know how to do that?" Skipper asks in surprise.

"I know these hills like Skipper knows her tablet. My friends said we could use their horses." Jonas says.

"Let's go!" Skipper says.

"We'll call the neighboring farms and ask them to keep a lookout for the runaways." Max says as the group splits up.

*Timeskip*

"Come on! This way! Hmm." Jonas says as the group is following him before he stops.

"What is it?" Alexis asks.

"These tracks... You see that set of prints? That horse is coming from a different direction than the others. Then it joins the rest here." Jonas says as he points to some tracks.

"Huh? It's not wearing horseshoes." Barbie says.

"Exactly. Then it appears to lead the herd away in that direction." Jonas says as the group rides on.

*Timeskip*

"I'm afraid that's it. The prints lead onto these rocks and then vanish. Sorry." Jonas says as the group stops at some rocks.

"Now what? The race is in a few hours and Alpine's got no horses. Aunt Marlene might as well kiss the school goodbye." Skipper says sadly.

"Wait! I know where they might be!" Barbie says as Alexis looks at her.

"Barbie." Alexis says.

"Alexis we don't have a choice." Barbie says as Alexis reluctantly nods.

"Okay." Alexis says.

"Follow us." Barbie says as the group follows her and Alexis.

*Timeskip*

"Good job Majesty!" Barbie says as the group finds the missing horses with Majesty.

"I wonder if she babysits. Four sugar cubes an hour and all the hay she can eat." Skipper says as she smiles.

"That horse... The one with the pink mane. What breed is it?" Jonas asks.

"A very special one. And they're our secret. Okay?" Barbie asks as Jonas nods.

"Looks like the steeplechase is still on!" Skipper shouts as Majesty neighs.