Weeks passed and fall was soon becoming winter. Maddie was crawling like crazy and starting to stand. Ty was still going to school and working with Scott. Amy was as always, busy with the horses. Today Amy was trying to get Georgie ready for the first jump show of the season. Val Stanton was hosting one at Briar Ridge. Amy was holding Maddie while watching Georgie guide Phoenix through the course. The first 3 she cleared nicely but the last jump Phoenix knocked down. Georgie rode up to Amy.

"I stunk. I told you we should have started practicing weeks ago. Everyone else has had at least 4 months practice and i've had 1."

Amy sighed. "Georgie I didn't have the time until last month. It's not easy working with the horses, running my house, taking care of Maddie, and still making time for Ty. I'm not Superwoman."

Georgie hung her head, "I'm sorry Amy. I shouldn't be blaming you. Can I try going around again?"

Amy smiled, "Of course."

Georgie went around and started again. She cleared all of them. When she rode back up to Amy she had a look of pride on her face.

"I did it! That should be good enough for Briar Ridge right?"

"It should be. Think you can beat Olivia?"

Georgie sat up straighter, "Budget Buster has nothing on Phoenix."

Amy laughed and Maddie squealed. Georgie looked at her.

"I think Maddie wants to ride."

Amy looked down at her daughter and smiled. Maddie's little eyes were fixed on Phoenix and she had the biggest grin on her face. "I think you're right."

Both girls turned their heads when they heard a truck approach. Ty hopped out and walked towards them.

"Hey girls."

Georgie hopped off of Phoenix and gave Ty a hug. "Hey Ty."

He hugged her back then kissed Amy and Maddie's cheeks. "What are you guys up to?"

Georgie patted Phoenix's neck, "Amy's helping me get ready for the show at Briar Ridge. Everyone from school is going."

Ty grabbed Maddie from Amy. "Cool so how did you do?"

"Amy said I could win a ribbon."

Amy grinned, "If you stay focused you could win the whole thing." She patted Phoenix, "After all you will have the best jumper there."

Georgie grinned, "You know it! I'm gonna give him a cold wash."

They watched her head into the barn before Amy wrapped an arm around Ty's waist.

"You're home early."

Ty wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. "Class was canceled and it's Scott's night to be on call. So I figured I would spend a night with my family."

Amy smiled and kissed him. Maddie whinned until they broke apart laughing at her. Ty looked down at her.

"Were we not paying attention to you?"

Maddie grinned at him. Amy leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"You were being so good for Mommy."

Maddie smiled and shook her teething toy at Ty. They walked towards the main house and found Jack, Lisa, Tim, and katie in the kitchen. Amy sat Maddie in the highchair next to Jack and kissed his head.

"Hey Grandpa."

"Hi there." He let Maddie grab onto his finger. "And how is my little cutie?"

Maddie grinned and started slapping her hands down on the tray. Lisa laughed.

"You might want to feed that girl."

Ty smiled and got a jar of baby food out of the cabinet. He sat down next to Maddie and started to feed her. The second the first bite went into her mouth Ty couldn't get the rest in fast enough. Lou walked in and laughed.

"Geez Amy did you feed her today?"

Amy scowled at her. "I just fed her 3 hours ago."

Katie got up and walked over to the highchair. She tickled Maddie's feet and smiled at Ty. "She's a pig."

Ty laughed, "Yes she is."

Maddie glared at both of them as if she understood what they had said. Ty and Amy spent the rest of their evening with the family. At 9 o'clock they went back to their house and gave Maddie her bath. After they put the baby to sleep they fell into bed.

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A week later Amy was woken up, not by Ty's alarm, but a tiny voice through the monitor.

"Dada!"

Amy sat upright waiting to hear it again.

"Dada!"

Amy grinned and shook Ty awake. He opened his eyes and started to sit up.

"What's wrong?"

Amy kissed his cheek. "Someone is calling for you."

Ty looked confused. "Who?"

Amy was about to answer until they both heard, "Dada!"

Ty looked shocked. "Was that?"

Amy nodded and Ty flashed out of the bed. He returned with a very happy Maddie. He set her on the bed and she crawled toward Amy. Amy wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into her side.

"Morning Maddie-bug!"

Maddie smiled and then giggled when Ty blew a raspberry onto her stomach. Amy grinned down at her then pointed to Ty.

"Maddie who is this?"

Maddie looked up at her daddy. "Dada!"

Amy and Ty both laughed and Ty kissed Maddie's cheek. "Good job Maddie." He pointed to Amy. "Can you say Momma?"

Maddie turned her little head and placed her hand on Amy's cheek. "Mmma."

Amy sighed, "Close enough. Of course she says Daddy first. She is Daddy's princess through and through."

Ty laughed, "She'll be saying Momma before you know it."

Amy smiled. They cuddled with Maddie until Ty's alarm actually went off at 6:00. Amy fed Maddie while Ty showered then he got her dressed while Amy showered. When Amy emerged from the bedroom dressed she laughed when she saw Maddie. Ty had dressed her in a navy long sleeve tee, jeggings, a tan faux fur hooded vest, a navy blue bow headband and tan cowboy boots. Amy picked her up off the floor and kissed her cheek.

"Did Daddy dress you to ride today?"

Maddie smiled and talked in baby jargon. Ty came into the room and grinned at them.

"I just grabbed the first outfit I found."

Amy kissed him. "Well maybe I can take her on a ride today. She seems to love it."

"Like mother like daughter."

Amy kissed Maddie's forehead and then looked back to Ty. "So what time will you be home?"

"Well I'm working 8:30-1:30 with Scott then I have classes from 2:00-5:00 and then i'm on call tonight. So maybe 6:00 but I might have to leave again."

"Ok do you want to just eat dinner at the main house in case you have to leave?"

"Sounds great." He kissed her then kissed Maddie's head. "I'll see you girls tonight."

Amy grabbed Maddie's hand. "Can you wave bye to Dada?"

Maddie waved her hand at her Daddy. When Ty left Amy packed Maddie's diaper bag. After she put Maddie in her stroller Amy called Lobo over and the he walked beside Maddie stroller. At one point Maddie actually reached her hand out of the stroller and grabbed Lobo's tail to keep him close to her. When they went into the main house Lou was serving Katie and Georgie their breakfast. She glanced up when Amy walked in.

"Hey Amy. Hi Miss. Maddie."

Maddie squealed. "Gougie!"

Amy glanced at her trying to figure out what Gougie meant. Then she realized it meant Georgie. She looked at the baby. "Do you want Georgie?"

Maddie looked at her mother and nodded. Amy handed Maddie to Georgie who started tickling her. "Hi Maddie. What are you going to do today?"

Maddie gave her a cute grin and then helped herself to some of Georgie's bacon. Georgie broke it into smaller pieces for her. After Amy finished a cup of coffee she went outside to start working with the horses. She watched Georgie run down the driveway to catch her bus and then Jack and Caleb came out of the barn. Jacked met Amy at the paddock fence.

"Morning Amy."

"Hey Grandpa."

"Can you run a few errands for me? Caleb, Tim and I need to move the cattle and fix the fence again."

"Sure I needed to run out anyways."

"Thank you." He handed her a list which she folded up and put into her pocket. When she was done turning out the horses with Mallory and Jake, she went back into the main house and grabbed Maddie. When they got to Maggie's Amy signed for the feed order and started looking for some new feed buckets. Maddie was quietly looking around at all of the items and the people. After Amy found a few new buckets and some new lead ropes Amy grabbed one of the catalogs off the counter and started looking for a gift for Georgie. Amy wanted to get her something really special for the show at Briar Ridge. Lou had already ordered a personalized bridle for Phoenix the day before but Amy wanted Georgie to have something really special. Then she saw it. A customized riding helmet. She placed an order not only for that but also for a custom jacket. When she was done Amy ordered some sandwichs for lunch. She stopped by Scott's clinic and left 2 sandwichs at the front desk for Scott and Ty and then drove home. She had just stepped into the barn with Maddie when her phone rang. She answered after she saw Ty's name.

"Hey Babe."

"Hey. Do I have you to thank for my lunch?"

"Oh good you got it."

"Yeah Scott says thanks too."

"Well you're both welcome. I was at Maggie's ordering something for Lou and figured you would be starving."

"I was. How is Mad?"

"Good I was just about to take her on a ride."

"Ok. Have fun."

"I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

She slid her phone back into her pocket and sat Maddie down on a bale of hay. She brought Spartan out of his stall and Maddie started squealing. Amy turned and looked at her.

"You love Spartan don't you?"

Maddie tried to grab Spartan's tail but he turned on her. Amy quickly tacked him up and then climbed onto him holding Maddie. She let the baby hold the reins with her and then started walking down the driveway. Maddie smiled and petted Spartan's neck. Amy took her around the property and then headed back to the barn. Amy saw Mallory by the barn door.

"Hey Mallory."

"Hey Amy." She took Maddie so Amy could climb off of Spartan. "Could you put him away I need to make a few phone calls."

"Sure." She passed Maddie back and took Spartan's lead rope. Amy carried Maddie into the house and into the living room. Maddie was on the verge of sleep so Amy sat down on the couch and held her until the baby fell asleep. Amy carefully carried her into Katie's room and layed her in the playpen. Then it was phone call time. There were 8 different horses that needed her this week. Amy needed to figure out the best times for their owners to bring them. When she was done she went online to the Briar Ridge site to take a look at Georgie's competition. It looked like it would be pretty stiff competition. There were 4 riders in Georgie's division from Briar Ridge so Amy knew they would be very well trained. When Amy heard Georgie walk in she hopped off the couch and met her in the kitchen.

"Hey Georgie."

"Hey Amy." She set down her backpack and kicked off her shoes. "What's up?"

"I have some time to work with you and Phoenix if you want."

Georgie's face lit up. "Let me get changed."

Amy watched her dart up the stairs and then Lou walked in.

"Hey Amy."

"Hey Lou. Can you keep an eye out for Maddie? I put her down about 30 minutes ago. I really want to work with Georgie."

"Sure. Are you and Ty going to eat with us?"

"Yeah."

"Ok."

Georgie came back into the kitchen dressed in her riding clothes. "Ok Amy i'll go tack up Phoenix."

By the time Amy went outside Georgie was standing in the jumping ring with Phoenix ready to work.

"Ok Amy what order do you want?"

"Well you're in the High Junior Division this year. I checked online and there are 7 other jumpers in your division. 4 are from Briar Ridge so they are going to have amazing horses and excellent form. Then Olivia is also in your division and you know how good she is. So I think that we can bump one jump up a notch and get you some extra points in the begining. That way if you knock down a pole you will get extra time and difficulty points. Hopefully you can get a ribbon."

Georgie nodded "So I need to pull my elbows in and relax my knees?"

"Yes your form is the only thing that will kill you. If you fall it is an immediate disqualification."

"Ok I got this."

She took Phoenix through the course 4 times and he did perfect. Amy reminded herself not to get Georgie's hopes up too much. By the time they were done Ty was pulling in and Lou was calling them for dinner. They came in and washed up. After everyone had sat down Jack turned to Amy.

"You and Georgie were certainly out thre for a long time."

Amy swallowed. "I saw her competition for the show. We need to keep practicing. We are going to have them put jump 3 on the Grand Prix level to get her some extra points. I really think we can get to the Fall Finale if we take at least third in the next 2 shows."

Everyone nodded and Lou spoke up. "Fall Finale is in 2 months. Do you really think she'll be ready?"

"Yes. If she stays focused."

Georgie snorted. "I'm focused and screw third Phoenix and I only accept blue or red ribbons."

Everyone laughed at her. Amy helped Lou clean up and at 8:30 Ty got a call and had to go back to work. So Amy and Maddie walked home alone. At around 2am Amy felt the bed sink a little and felt Ty's arms wrap around her. Amy drifted off to sleep.

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Today was the Briar Ridge show. They had arrived a few minutes ago and while Lou and Jack went off to check Georgie in, Ty and Amy were helping get Phoenix ready. Georgie was starting to look around and her nerves were starting to show. Amy decided to hand Maddie to Georgie. When she did Georgie looked at her.

"She's good for the nerves."

Georgie shifted Maddie onto her hip. "I'm not nervous."

Amy sat her down on a hail bail then knelt in front of her.

"It's ok to be nervous. You've only been in 3 shows before and you have never competed at this level. Plus you've never been in a show this fancy. I would be nervous if I were you."

Georgie set Maddie on her lap and played with the baby's downy soft blonde curls. "What if I don't place. Then I can't go to the fall finale."

"If you don't place today I can find another show for you to enter. But you are going to compete in the fall finale."

Georgie grinned at her. "Thanks Amy."

Amy grabbed the purple bag by Phoenix's stall door and motioned for Georgie to go stand with everyone. When all of the family was standing around Lou came to stand next to Georgie holding a pink gift bag. Lou cleared her throat and looked at her.

"If you are going to ride in a show this fancy we need to class Phoenix up." She handed Georgie the bag. Georgie let Maddie play with the tissue paper but she pulled out the beautiful brown leather bridle with the gold nameplate that read "Phoenix Rising". Georgie grinned and hugged Lou then Peter.

"Thank you so much."

Amy laughed and held out the purple bag. "There's more."

Georgie pulled a navy show jacket that had "Georgie" embroidered on it and her new helmut. Amy saw a tear fall from her eye. She looked at Amy. "You got these for me?"

"Of course. You need to look better then all the snobby brats out there."

Georgie cracked a smile and kissed Maddie's cheek and then hugged Amy and Ty. "Thank you guys so much."

Jack grinned. "We better get you and Phoenix ready. Show starts in 15 minutes."

Georgie nodded and went to get dressed. 15 minutes later Georgie and Phoenix were in the ring for line up. Amy felt butterflies. She insisted on standing at the edge of the ring with Maddie in case Georgie needed her. When Georgie's age division started with a girl named Rachel who was 2 years older then Georgie on a horse called Jump for Joy. She was from Briar Ridge and she did great until she knocked down the last pole. Then there was a boy named Dylan on Dash, they had a 5 second time fault. When it was Olivia's turn Amy and Georgie both held there breath. She did a clean run but she stayed in the age level. She didn't try to bump up any jumps for extra points. Amy knew the only way Georgie would beat her is if she had a clean run too. Georgie was on after the last Briar Ridge girl Erin who rode one of Val's horses called Flying Beauty. She had a clean run as well. Amy's stomach was in knots. She helped Georgie climb onto Phoenix then took a deep breath.

"Ok Georgie. Don't worry about the people, the time, or the judges. Focus on you and Phoenix and just let him do what he loves to do."

Georgie looked at Amy and Amy saw the fear in her eyes. But that soon went away and determination replaced it. Georgie looked over to where the rest of the of their family was sitting. Lou and Peter smiled and waved and Jack nodded to her. She turned her head back and leaned down to talk into Phoenix's ear.

"Ok Phoenix, we can do this. It's you and me against the world right bud?" Phoenix whinnied which made Georgie smile. "Let's give them something to remeber."

Amy noticed Phoenix's eyes were fixed on the jumps and he looked just as determined as Georgie. They went into the ring and Val Stanton's voice echoed over the loud speaker.

"And now we have Phoenix Rising with rider and owner Georgina Crawley Morris representing Heartland Ranch."

Georgie took her place and then the time started. Amy held her breath until Georgie made it over the first jump perfectly. Then the second. When it came to the raised third jump Amy cheered when the cleared it beautifully. Georgie had a perfect run. When Georgie cleared the last jump Amy and the rest of the family cheered so loud that it echoed through the building. Georgie and Phoenix rode up to Amy. As soon as Georgie climbed off Amy pulled her into a big hug careful not to crush Maddie between them. Then Amy patted Phoenix and Georgie hugged him around the neck to talk to him.

"That's my boy. Good job Phoenix."

When the award ceremony started Amy stayed at the ring enterance. Georgie sat up tall on Phoenix and kissed his head. Val Stanton walked to the front.

"In third place representing Briar Ridge Erin Staut on Flying Beauty."

Amy clapped as the girl got her award and then held her breath.

"And in second place...Olivia Wheaton on Budget Buster."

Amy cheered louder then anyone else.

"And our High Junior Champion today will be...Georgina Crawley Morris on Phoenix Rising."

Georgie took her ribbon and had a huge smile on her face. Amy noticed a few tears fall from her eyes. Phoenix held still as Val placed a red blanket over him that said "Briar Ridge High Junior Champion". When Georgie came over to Amy leading Phoenix Amy gave her a high five.

"I am so proud of you."

Georgie grinned. She saw the rest of the family approaching and handed Amy Phoenix's reins. Georgie launched herself at Peter and Lou. Maddie looked at Phoenix and then to her mother. She squealed until Amy looked at her.

"Can I help you little Miss?"

Maddie pointed to Phoenix. "Orsie."

Amy grinned, "Yes that's a horsie."

Maddie looked very serious. "Mine."

Georgie heard her and came over to tickle her. "No Maddie Phoenix is mine."

Maddie pointed to him again and then started to squirm free from Amy. Tim laughed.

"I think she was trying to say my turn." He walked over and grabbed Maddie from Amy. "Here you go Maddie."

He set Maddie in Phoenix's sadle. Amy was shocked that Phoenix stayed still. maddie sat up pretty straight and grabbed the reins. Tim kept one hand on her back and grabbed the reins with the other. He walked Pheonix around in a circle around everyone. Maddie giggled with delight. Katie looked up to Jack.

"Grandpa I get a turn next right?"

Jack chuckled, "Ask Georgie."

Katie looked at her sister. "Can I ride him next? I'll help you muck out his stall if you do."

Georgie laughed. "Yes you can have a turn."

Tim pulled Maddie off of Phoenix and she frowned. Ty grabbed her while Tim helped Katie climb on. Maddie looked mad which made Ty laugh.

"Maddie it's Katie's turn now."

Maddie glared at him and huffed. Ty looked from Amy to Maddie.

"And just like your mother you get a temper when things don't go your way."

Amy stuck her tounge out at him. "Very funny Mr. Borden." She took Maddie out of his arms. "Daddy throws temper tantrums too if Mommy tells him he can't ride his bike."

Everyone laughed at Ty's face. They all decided to go home and have a cookout. They had a peaceful evening of celebration.