'Maddie? Maddie, is that you?'

Maddie stopped Bel, turning around as she heard someone calling her name. 'Rose!' She smiled, the young girl she'd rescued a few weeks back running up to her and Bel. 'Hello.' She laughed as the girl gave her a hug then she knelt down to her level. 'What are you doing here?'

'Mommy is bringing me here for riding lessons.' Rose exclaimed happily. 'I want a pony just like Bel when I grow up and I need to know how to ride-'

'Rose? Rose… There you are.' Jenny said as she hurried over to them. 'Oh Rose, how many times have I told you not to run away on me?'

'It's Maddie Mommy! Look!'

She chuckled. 'Yes, I can see that. I'm sorry Maddie, I hope she's not bothering you.' She turned to the older girl. 'Rose hasn't stopped talking about you and Bel.'

'It's quite alright, Mrs. Young.' Maddie assured her with a smile. 'I'm just glad that she's well. I hear she's coming here for riding lessons?'

'Yeah, today is her first day-'

Rose grabbed hold of her mother's hand, pointing to a horse walking past. 'Look mommy! Can I go pat it?'

'I don't think you can pat that horse sweetie.' The muzzle it was wearing didn't particularly make it look like it was a safe horse. 'Is it alright if she pats your horse?'

'Sure. Here-' Maddie pulled a sugar cube from her pocket. 'You ever fed a horse before?' Rose shook her head. 'Alright, well, here's what you do. Hold out your hand flat, like this-' She demonstrated for her and the little girl followed her lead. 'Good. Now I'll place this on top-' Which she did. 'And you hold it out for Bel. Keep your thumb tucked in. There you go.'

Rose began to laugh as Bel munched away at the sugar cube then quickly wiped her hands on her new jodhpurs. 'It tickles!'

'Well done sweetie.' Jenny had taken a photo of her daughter feeding the horse. 'Now come on, we don't want to bother Maddie. I'm sure she's very busy.'

'It's alright, Mrs. Young.' Maddie assured her, a smile on her face seeing how gentle Bel was being with the young girl. 'Bel and I have finished for this afternoon. When does her lesson start?'

'Not for another fifteen minutes or so. We got here early.'

'Well, in that case, would it be alright if Rose rides Bel back to her stall for me?'

Rose looked up at her mother. 'Oh please, please Mommy.'

'Alright, since Maddie says you can.'

'Thank you!'

'Alrighty, helmet on first.' Maddie instructed and Rose quickly put on the pink helmet her mother had been carrying. 'And up we go.' With one smooth motion she lifted Rose up into the saddle. 'You hold on tight to the horn now, okay?'

'Yep.' Rose wrapped her little hands tightly around the horn. 'It's very high…'

'Bel is a tall horse.' She chuckled. 'Mrs. Young, would you mind walking beside Rose? Wouldn't want her to fall off before her first lesson even starts.'

'Of course. You listen to Maddie honey, don't let go.'

'I won't mommy.'

With that precaution in place, Maddie started Bel forward, Rose giggling all the while being led to the barn.

'Well, what do we have here?' Mika exclaimed, seeing Rose riding on Bel as Maddie led her back to her stall. 'Is someone running off with your horse Maddie?'

'Hardly.' Maddie chuckled. 'Mika, this is Rose and her mother Jenny Young. Rose is coming here for riding lessons.' She glanced back at Rose and Jenny as she brought Bel to a halt in front of her stall. 'This here is Mika, she's one of the employees here and she looks after Bel for me.'

'Pleasure to meet you Mika.' Jenny smiled.

'Likewise.'

'Alright Rose-' Maddie turned back to the child. 'Down you come now. Say thank you to Bel.'

Rose gave the mustang another pat on the nose. 'Thank you Bel.' She looked up at Maddie. 'Can you come watch me ride?'

'Oh I um… Well, I need to put Bel back in her stall-'

'It's alright.' Mika held out her hand to take the reins. 'I'll tend to Bel. Go on.'

'You sure?'

'Well, it is my job description so…'

Maddie handed the reins over, giving Bel a quick kiss on the cheek. 'Be back later darlin. Be good for Mika.'

'I wonder what kind of pony I'll get to ride.' Rose started as they headed through the barn, Maddie leading the way to the arena where her lesson would be. 'I hope it's black, like Bel.'

'I'm sure whatever one you pick will be just fine.' Jenny assured her. 'They don't assign horses based on what color one you like.'

'Your mother's right.' Maddie agreed. 'You'll be given one that fits you. Whatever one you are assigned though I'm sure will be just fine.'

Rose let out a heavy sigh. 'I suppose…'

They came into the riding arena and after Jenny had spoken with the instructor and Rose had been told to go wait with the other kids, joined Maddie in the grandstands at the edge of the arena. 'You know, I never got the chance to thank you properly for what you did for my daughter.'

'No thanks needed Mrs. Young. I'm just glad we were able to help.'

'Jenny.' She corrected. 'My husband and I will forever be grateful to you. I hope one day we will be given the opportunity to return the favor. If there is anything we can ever do, just ask.'

Maddie smiled. 'I will keep that in mind ma'am.'

The lesson started, Rose being assigned a little piebald pony to ride and she waved at them as she sat on her, waiting for instruction. 'My little girl has been pestering me to let her have lessons.' Jenny remarked as one of the instructors began leading Rose around. 'Started the night we found her, before we even made it to the hospital. She's always loved horses but since I'm not the most horsey person, the closest she ever got to a horse was patting it at the Ranger Fair. After riding Bel though…. Non-stop pestering.'

She chuckled softly. 'Ah yep. She's been bit good by the horse crazy bug. You know, after lessons, the next thing she'll be wanting is a pony.'

'Oh, she already wants one of those.' Jenny laughed. 'My husband and I are searching for one now actually, for her sixth birthday but she doesn't know yet that's what we've planned. Hardly know where to begin looking though.'

'Well, firstly, a very very good sized budget is a good place to start.'

'Oh money's no problem for us.'

'Then that does help you out a lot. Children's ponies aren't cheap, especially the good ones.' Rose waved at them again as she was led past and Maddie waved back at her. 'If you want to find a good pony I'd speak with the folks here. They might know something.'

'You wouldn't happen to know of any children's mustangs for sale, would you?'

Maddie raised an eyebrow. 'Mustang?'

'Something wrong?'

'No, no. Not at all. Most people though when they think of a child's pony go for a Shetland or a welshie. Mustang usually isn't the first thing that comes to mind.'

'Well, Rose is insistent that it be a mustang.' Jenny exclaimed as she crossed one leg over the other. 'Says she wants to be like you. You've become a bit of a role model for her.'

She let out a soft chuckle at that. 'I'm pleased I made an impression on her, I guess.'

'What about a mustang though? Would it be a good choice for her?'

'Depends on the horse honestly. I mean, you can get some dead quiet mustangs and you can get some absolutely crazy welshes. It's the individual temperament that counts.' Maddie thought for a moment. 'Actually, I might know of a good mustang coming up for sale.'

'Oh?'

'In a couple of weeks, there'll be an auction up in Fort Worth at the completion of this year's Texas Mustang Makeover. There's a little 13.2 buckskin mare that will be in the auction, she might be suitable. I don't know her or the trainer personally but I've been following their progress and she's definitely promising.'

Jenny nodded. 'That's something to think about. Thank you.'

'No problem. If I can have your phone number I'll send you through the page and you can message them to inquire.'

'Alright, much appreciated.'

Once they had exchanged contacts, the two of them returned their attention to Rose's lesson. Rose did well for her first ride though there were a few things Maddie would have done differently if she were the one giving the lesson. For example, she'd have the ponies using bit-less bridles until little hands learnt to be gentler on the reins so they didn't keep jabbing the ponies in their mouths with the bit.

'Did you see Mommy?' Rose said excitedly as she ran up to them at the conclusion of her lesson. 'I got to ride on my own!'

'I know, I saw.' Jenny smiled. 'We best be leaving now, we don't want to be late for Ruben's birthday party so say goodbye to Maddie now.'

'Bye Maddie!' She threw her arms around Maddie's waist again, looking up at her. 'I love you.'

Maddie didn't quite know how to reply, looking to her mother for guidance but Jenny just shrugged. After a moment, Maddie placed her arms around Rose too then when the girl let go, she knelt down to her level. 'I love you too. You did good out there today, real good. You practice hard and you might become a better rider then me.'

'Oh I could never be as good as you.'

'You never know.' She chuckled, standing again. 'I'm guessing you'll be coming every Saturday then?'

'And Wednesday's too at four, after Kindergarten.'

Rose looked up at Maddie. 'Will you be here to watch me ride?'

'I wouldn't miss it.' She smiled at her. 'See you Wednesday.'

Maddie stood, watching them leave for a moment then she herself exited the indoor arena and headed for the stables again. Bel's stable was empty though and after a quick look around, found Bel, having a wash down in the wash bay.

'What was that all about?' Mika questioned, looking up for a moment from scrubbing the sand off Bel's stomach.

'Just a kid I helped rescue after she was lost for four days. No big deal.'

Mika looked back at her, raising an eyebrow. 'Maddie, you are full of surprises. How?'

Maddie chuckled, Bel reaching out to see if she had any more sugar cubes in her pocket. 'Bel is trained for scent detection. While I was training her, before I started actually riding her, we had a little game of sorts that I turned into actual scent detection work. While the SAR teams and the Rangers have mounted search units here in Austin, none are specifically trained for scent detection. My Dad let me join in on the search to see if Bel was up to a real life search situation and well, she found the girl.'

'Amazing.' She shook her head, returning to her scrubbing. 'I honestly have never thought about using horses to track people down.'

'It's a relatively new thing but yeah, for her first real search she did better then I ever would have imagined.' She drew a sugar cube from her pocket, Bel happily munching it down. 'Right, extra sponge anywhere?'

'You're going to wash Bel down? You'll get all dirty-' Maddie raised an eyebrow then Mika began to chuckle. 'I forgot you don't mind getting your hands dirty. Over in the bucket marked Bel. There'll be an extra sponge. Gees girl, where did you two go to get so much mud and sand over yourselves?'

'The lake trail.' She found a sponge, starting on Bel's back legs where Mika hadn't been yet. 'Galloping back and forth. Bel loved it.'

'I can see that.'

The two of them spoke, laughter ringing out as they washed Bel down. Part way through, Maddie initiated a soap fight, the two of them ending up with as much soap on them as Bel had on her. It was good fun though and Maddie for once was able to forget, just for a moment, about everything that had happened during the week.

'When you two imbeciles have finished your playing about-' A blonde haired girl with impeccable makeup leading a black warm-blood stallion started. 'Diablo needs his bath too.'

'Diablo isn't included in my rotation.' Mika replied. 'You know that Elizabeth. Where is Mia?'

'She's currently detained. What do you want me to do?' She questioned. 'Bath Diablo himself?'

'Now there's an idea.'

'You, new girl.' Elizabeth said to Maddie. 'Bath my horse.'

'Ummm.' Maddie finished up scraping the excess water from Bel's back. 'I don't work here.'

'Oh, sorry.' She snorted. 'My mistake. Seeing you all suds up like that dog meat there made me think you were employed here too.'

'When I finish-' Mika started with a sigh. 'I will get to Diablo.'

'No. You'll get to Diablo now or I will go to my grandmother and complain this instant about your shoddy work ethic.'

She looked at Maddie. 'You right to finish Bel off?'

'Yeah, yeah. Sure.' Maddie assured her. 'You go take care of him. I've got Bel.'

'Thanks.' Mika tossed the sweat scraper back into the grooming kit, glaring at Elizabeth for a moment as she was handed the stallion's reins then she headed down the aisle with Diablo to un-tack him.

'So…' Elizabeth started, leaning up against one of the posts out of the way of her getting her clothes dirty. 'You're the new kid on the block.'

'The new kid- Maddie repeated as she kept going over the mare with her sweat scraper. 'has a name. Maddie.'

'Elizabeth Amelia June Rutherford. You may call me Elizabeth.'

'Right…'

'So, you ride western?'

'Yeah. Judging from the jodhpurs and long boots-' She looked over at her. 'I assume you either jump or dressage.'

'Both actually. You're looking at the Ridge's best junior eventer and the Ridge's junior eventing team leader. Taken out the White Fence cup three years in a row now.'

'Congratulations.'

She smiled. 'Thank you. In addition to eventing I also have experience showing and riding to hounds too.'

'Fox hunting?'

'Yes. Have you ever done any?'

'No.' Maddie replied with a cheeky grin. 'Been cougar hunting though. Got a hundred and twenty pounder kitty-cat that had been enjoying itself on my Grampa's quarter horse foals.'

'Cougar hunting… How… quaint.'

'Now try hunting one of those with foxhounds.' She chuckled.

'I don't think I will, thank you.' Elizabeth said with a turned up nose. 'So, you compete?'

'I've been to a few rodeos.'

'Rodeos? How about real equestrianism?'

If real equestrianism means going around like you Elizabeth, I'd much rather punch cattle. Only crap that comes out of them is what they drop. 'Never had the pleasure so far. Bel can jump though.'

'Really?' She raised an eyebrow in surprise. 'I thought dog meat here wouldn't be any better then used for a trail plodder.'

'Elizabeth-' Mika returned with an un-tacked but muzzled Diablo, cross tying him in the empty bay at the end so there was space between the stallion and Maddie's mare. 'Haven't you got something else to do other then stand here, idly gossiping?'

'Well, there was supposed to be a ladies high tea meeting later this morning but it got canceled.'

'How terribly disappointing...' She murmured beneath her breath.

'And I take it that caring for your own horse is beneath you?' Maddie questioned, grabbing a comb to untangle the mare's tail.

'Quite.' Elizabeth replied seriously.

'How quaint…'

Mika chuckled at Maddie's sarcasm. 'I see you and the resident busy-body have made each other acquaintance.'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'Thank you, stable scum.'

'Anytime Elizabeth,' Mika smiled, bringing the hose over so she could start washing the stallion down. 'anytime.'

'So, you say Bel can jump?' She turned back to Maddie. 'Reckon you feel like proving it? You, me, the practice course for the junior cup?'

'Sure.' Maddie agreed as she gently ran the comb through a rather stubborn tangle. 'Bel and I haven't had the chance to ride a real show jumping course. Might be fun.'

'Fun?' She snorted. 'There is no fun in eventing. It's hard work, dedication and the only thing that matters is winning.'

'If you say so…' She was beginning to tire of the girl's annoying and pompous attitude. What a shame if Elizabeth was to get drenched… 'Tomorrow then?'

'I'll be in the ring at nine sharp. It'll be so thrilling to watch you embarrass yourself, also proving that once again, pedigreed warm-bloods are much better then glue factory material.'

'Mmhmm….' Right… That's it. Maddie dropped the mare's tail, walking to the mare's head. 'Shake off, Bel'

'Oooh! Ah! Ugh! Yuck!'

Mika laughed as Bel shook the water from her coat on command, utterly drenching Elizabeth's impeccable white shirt and cream jodhpurs in the water left in her fur.

'You-' Elizabeth turned to Maddie angrily. 'You made her do that on deliberate!'

Maddie held up a finger as Elizabeth looked down at her clothes, giving Bel the cue to stick her tongue out before she noticed. Bel knickered into the bargain, Elizabeth glancing up to see the mare sticking her tongue out at her.

Mika began laughing so hard Maddie thought she might wet herself.

'You… You-' Elizabeth stuttered, trying to think of something to say but after a moment, stormed off out of the barn.

'Oh… Oh, that was brilliant!' Mika laughed, holding a hand over her aching stomach. 'The-the look on her face…'

Maddie began to chuckle, giving Bel a pat as she gave the mare a sugar cube as her reward. 'I think we can both agree she had that one coming.' She looked over at Mika. 'Who was that anyway?'

'That...' She paused for full effect. 'is Nina's esteemed granddaughter.'

'Oh… Oh dear. I hope I don't get into trouble.'

'Why?' Mike winked at her. 'Horses have a mind of their own, you know.'

By the time Maddie walked into the barn Sunday morning, word about the impending jump off between the new girl and the Ridge's esteemed rider had gotten around. Apparently no one dared to openly compete against Elizabeth and for a new girl who rode western and whose horse was a mustang, both points had everyone talking. She was stopped at least six times alone trying to get to Bel's stable and when she finally got there, breathed a huge sigh of relief. 'What is the big deal?' She breathed to Mika, her friend grooming the gray gelding. 'Seriously, its just a little friendly competition.'

'Oh Maddie, you have so much to learn.' Mika chuckled, grooming out the gelding's tail. 'Friendly and competition don't go together in Elizabeth's vocabulary.'

'I see.' Bel came to the stall door to meet her and she slipped her a sugar cube before grabbing her halter and lead rope from the hook. 'What is the go with her anyway? I mean, why does she have to be mean like that?'

'That's just Elizabeth. She's been that way since I've been here. She is the poster girl for snotty nosed bratty rich horse girls. She's got a ton of friends, the popular rich girls of course.'

'Huh.' Maddie commented, leading Bel from her stall. 'So that yesterday, that's just her usual behavior?'

'Yep. You stay around here long enough, you get used to it. I might add that you handled it rather well. I mean, getting Bel to shake…' She imitated a chief's kiss. 'Magnifico.'

Maddie laughed, tying Bel up so she could groom her down.

'But seriously, how did you put up with her? She drives me insane and I can't do anything about it because she'll go running to her grandma and she knows she can't do anything about it so she just keeps at it and-'

'Mika.' She turned to her. 'When's the last time you took a deep breath?'

Mika glared at her for interrupting her then began to chuckle. 'See? See just what thinking about her does to me? What is your secret? Tell me, oh wise one.'

'No secret. Honestly, what's the worst that can come of it? She'll just have something to brag about. I really do not care.' She picked up a brush and curry comb and set to work. 'I mean, it's not like we're racing for a ranch for heaven's sake. Now that, that I would be worried about.'

'Do I detect a hint of bitter sarcasm there?

'Yeah… Perhaps a little.' She said with a sigh. 'Gramps and everyone don't blame me for losing but I… I kinda still do… I mean, if Bel and I had only been just a little faster-we lost by half a stride for heaven's sake.' Maddie sighed again, running the brush over Bel's back. 'Now I just try not to think about it.'

Mika nodded as she went to grab another brush to finish off the gelding's groom. 'I wish there was something I could do.'

'Keeping me company so I ain't thinking about it is more than enough.'

'Well, well, well…' Elizabeth exclaimed as she walked over to Maddie and Mika. 'I'm honestly surprised you didn't chicken out.'

Maddie glanced over at her for a moment before returning to her mare's groom. 'I'm here, like I said. You aren't here to chicken out yourself, are you?'

'No, no. Just here to let you know we won't be able to ride at nine. There's a special class being held at that time. We'll have to ride at four. Unless, of course, that doesn't suit you.'

She shrugged. 'Four sounds good to me.'

'And you can't ride a showjumping course in a western saddle so there's a set of my old gear you can borrow. Mika knows where it is.'

'Ah, thanks?'

'Don't thank me, just evening up the playing field a little. Believe me, you're going to need all the help you can get.'

Elizabeth left again and Maddie rolled her eyes, Mika chuckling softly. 'I honestly can't believe you agreed to this though-' She started, untying the gelding to lead him back into the stable. 'You've never ridden a show jumping course?'

'Nope. Well, I'll rephrase that. I haven't jumped a proper course.' Maddie replied. 'But jumping a barbed wire fence at a full gallop qualifies for practice, right?'

'Oh boy…'

She chuckled softly. 'Hey, I'm just doing this for some fun. Nothing else.'

'What on earth is this….' Maddie wondered out loud as she struggled to figure out what gear went where later that afternoon. Bel stood quietly, swishing her tail at a couple flies as she waited for her human to figure out what exactly she was doing. Again Maddie held it up with a frown. It didn't make any sense… Luckily, Mika was walking through the barn at that moment. She turned to her with a look of desperation on her face. 'Help.'

Mika laughed and came over to her. 'What have you done?'

'No idea! Honestly, this gear is just….' Maddie shook her head. 'What on earth is it for anyway?'

'This-' She took the item that Maddie had been struggling with. 'Is called a running martingale. It's the thing you see the other riders using on their horses to keep their heads down.'

'Bel doesn't need that. She does it on her own.'

'You can leave it off if you want.'

'Yeah, that might be a good idea…' She looked at Bel, her mare already wearing the bridle and English saddle then she shook her head. 'Honestly, this gear isn't what I'm used to.'

'Well, you can't jump in your western saddle. Hey-' Mika started as Maddie unbuckled the cinch. 'What are you doing? You've only got half an hour.'

'Riding my way.' The saddle was slid off her mare's back and placed back onto the saddle horse with the pad then she turned to remove the borrowed bridle. 'I don't know how to ride with this stuff. Bel's never been ridden in these gizmos and gadgets before. Honestly, have you seen this bit?' She held up the bit, a double twisted wire snaffle with a flash nose band attached to the bridle. 'Why anyone would use that is beyond me.'

'It's for control. Elizabeth would never get Diablo around a course if she didn't use a wire gag bit.'

Maddie shook her head in disgust. 'It's too harsh.'

'Well, that's what she uses.'

'I sure ain't.'

'What are you going to ride with then? You can't just ride bareback.'

'That's precisely what I intend to do.' Picking up the neck rope she usually rode with she slid it over the mare's head.'

Mika sighed heavily. 'Tell me you at least plan to use a bridle.'

'Nope.'

'You're crazy.'

'Yeah… That fact has been debated around the dinner table once or twice.' She replied with a chuckle. 'I learnt to jump bareback, my grandma taught me. I've hardly used a saddle for jumping. Actually… apart from the few times I was out chasing cattle and had to go over a log or rock wall, I've never jumped with a saddle.'

'Really?' Mika questioned with surprise. 'Like, never?'

'Nope. All bareback.'

A grin started to creep across her lips. 'Oh this is going to be good. Elizabeth is going to spit chips when you walk in there with just a neck rope on her.'

Maddie chuckled softly as she untied the mare, the two of them heading to the other arena to warm up. 'I just like the idea of being able to ride a proper course for a change and not my homemade, makeshift one.'

As the time for their jump off to take place, the grandstand began to fill up with both boarders and some of the stable hands. With word having gotten around about what was going on, most people wanted to come and watch. Even a couple of the trainers, especially Elizabeth's, were quite interested in how it was going to play out.

This was the activity that Bonham and Cordell found themselves walking in on, the two of them wondering why the place was so quiet. After finding one person to speak to who informed them that Maddie was planning to ride against Elizabeth in the main indoor arena, that's where the pair of them headed to go see what was going on.

Elizabeth was going around the course first, Maddie standing at the edge of the arena to watch. The jumps were rather high but honestly, nothing compared to jumping that barbed wire fence like she had during that race. She herself still couldn't believe she'd done that… The things you do when you're desperate… Still, even that hadn't been enough. Half a stride. Just half a stride…

Diablo was fighting Elizabeth, the stallion heavy on her hands and verging half out of control. As she watched them go around, she shook her head. If this was what Elizabeth thought real equestrianism was then she really had no idea at all. It wasn't using all those gadgets and force to get a horse to do as you wished. It was having a bond. A connection.

Though Diablo was a hard ride, Elizabeth still jumped the course clear. As she finished, Maddie clapped along with everyone else, Elizabeth riding over to her with a smug look on her face. 'You'll have a hard time beating that.'

'We'll see.' She replied with a smile. 'That was a good ride Elizabeth. Well done.'

'Where's your horse?'

'Oh, she's coming. Mika was just keeping her warmed up for me.' Just as she said that, Mika led Bel in through the back door and over to her. 'Thank you Mika.'

'W-what? Don't tell me you refused to use the gear I lent you.'

'Yep.' She unbuckled the leather halter and handed it to Mika. 'It's just not our style.' She replied, leading Bel into the arena by her neck rope. 'No sense in using gear I have no clue about.'

Elizabeth didn't know what to say and instead rode out of the arena, dismounted and flung the reins at Mika before storming off to find a seat in the grandstands with her friends.

Mika and Maddie shared a look, Maddie chuckling softly. 'That went down well.'

'Yeah. Good luck.'

'Thanks.'

With an easy motion she vaulted up onto the mare's back, asking Bel to start off in a canter. The mare started forward easily, collected and gentle in her movements. Being concentrated on her ride she didn't notice Bonham or Cordell sitting amongst the crowd, her whole focus being on her mare.

After doing a couple laps of the arena and a few circles to warm Bel up, Maddie set her sights on the first jump. Bel calmly went at it and jumped over it with ease as if they were still at home just jumping for fun. One down, eight to go.

As they made it over the eighth jump, and so far clear, Maddie began to smile. Bel was enjoying this, excited but still calm and responsive and as they turned to the last jump, a triple bar, Maddie urged her on just a little more. Bel leapt, tucking her legs daintily up beneath her as she flew over the top bar. They made it clear.

The grandstands erupted in a cheer, Maddie punching the air with happiness at having a clear round. Bel, deciding that she wanted to join in the fun, bucked. Having not expected that, Maddie lost her seat, landing in the sand. Bel, realizing she'd lost something, stopped and turned back to her, Maddie laughing loudly as she stood and brushed the sand from her jeans. 'You rascal.' Bel knickered softly and she shook her head with amusement, giving the mare a pat. 'Always got to make it about you, dontcha?'

They left the arena, Maddie giving Bel a cool down walk before taking her back to the stables. A few of the girls came to speak with her and she engaged in polite conversation but didn't enjoy the attention at all. Finally, she was alone with Bel in front of her stable, brushing the mare down.

'Well…' Elizabeth started as she walked over. 'I know when I'm beat. You two did good.'

Maddie smiled. 'Thanks. It was a little harder than I expected and I know Bel was on the wrong lead a couple times but it was fun being able to ride an actual course. I do have to thank you for challenging me to ride. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.'

'Would you consider taking up show jumping? It'd be nice to have an equal around here for a change.'

She shook her head. 'Not competitively.'

'That's a shame. I was looking forward to having real competition for a change.'

'Elizabeth bothering you again Maddie?' Mika said, coming over to join them. 'Think you've forgotten you just got your butt kicked big time out there.'

'Yeah, yeah. Rub it in. Think about it, Maddie. We are looking for other riders to join the showjumping team.'

'What was that about?' Mika questioned, turning to Maddie after Elizabeth walked away.

'I think I just got invited to join the show jumping team…' She replied with a chuckle then shook her head. 'I'm not interested. I'm more than happy doing exactly what I'm doing. I don't need to do competitions.'

'Afternoon Maddie.'

She turned, a grin coming to her lips and she hurried over to Bonham and Cordell, giving her dad a hug. 'Hey Dad. You're off work early.'

'Thought I might come see where you've been spending all your time lately.' He replied with a smile. 'Nice dismount by the way.'

'What?' She chuckled, looking between him and Bonham. 'You saw?'

'We saw the whole thing.' Bonham replied with a slight smile on his lips. 'You been putting Abby's lessons to good use then.'

'Yeah. Just a little.' They started back to Bel and Maddie was quick to introduce Mika. 'Dad, Grampa, this is Mika.'

'Hi.' She smiled at them. 'Nice to meet you. Maddie talks a lot about y'all.'

'All-all good things I hope.' Cordell said and Maddie chuckled. 'Well, we are here for a reason Maddie. How does going out for dinner tonight sound?'

'Sounds great. You mean, leave now though?'

'Well, that's the general idea.'

Mika took the brush from her hand. 'Go on then. I'll take care of Bel and Dakota for the evening.'

'You sure?'

'Yes. Go on.' She chuckled then looked back at Bonham and Cordell. 'Nice to meet you both. Have fun Maddie.'

'Yeah yeah, bye.'

'So-' Cordell started as they headed out of the barn. 'What exactly were you doing…'