High Hurdles by Lauraine Snelling Read Free Book Online Page A

I’d . . .”
    “Now, child, a horse isn’t everything. We’ll keep on praying.” She leaned forward and tapped the end of DJ’s nose. “And I’ll pray especially that you can find it in your heart to be kind to James.”
    DJ groaned. When her grandmother started to seriously pray about something—look out! DJ finished her sandwich and picked up the crumbs with a wet fingertip. “Gran, do you still miss Grandpa sometimes?”
    “More than just sometimes, but nothing like I used to. There comes a day when you find yourself remembering something really good, maybe a fun time, with that person. Then it doesn’t hurt so much. It takes time, of course.”
    “I wish it didn’t. I sure miss Diablo.”

    By the end of the next week, with DJ’s birthday only three days away, Bridget had the rails up two more notches when DJ came for her lesson. She worked Megs around the edge of the ring, careful to warm the mare up even though she couldn’t wait to get going. Post to the trot, collected canter—the horse responded smoothly to DJ’s lower leg and hand signals. Megs knew the drill inside and out and seemed to be having as much fun as her rider. Ears pricked and with an occasional snort, she went through her paces.
    “All right, take the two low ones on the outside first, then head up the middle for the others.” Bridget had taken her place in the center of the ring, the best place to watch for each flaw of DJ’s performance.
    “No, do not let her rush it. You are signaling her to lift off too soon. A good rider is a calm rider. Now, again.”
    DJ tried to keep her excitement under her hat, but it wasn’t easy. After the next round, Bridget signaled her over.
    “Keep your hands like so, and your knees here.” With each command she put DJ in the proper position. “Now, again.”
    By the end of the session, DJ didn’t want to hear “now, again” for a long time. One thing about Bridget, you had to have one skill down perfectly before you could go on to the next.
    “Okay, work on those the next few days. Remember to picture the perfect jump in your head. See yourself doing it perfectly every time. It is not practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect.”
    DJ said the same to her young students at the class she taught an hour later. Perfect practice —she’d remember that one.
    “When are we going on our ride up into the park?” Sam asked at the end of the session.
    “You promised,” Krissie chimed in.
    DJ pretended to be deep in thought. “You really think you can handle your horses well enough to leave the arena?”
    At their chorus of “yes-s-s,” she grinned. “Then bring your lunches on Tuesday—in saddlebags if you have them. You’ll need signed permission slips, and I recommend you pack your sandwiches and chips and such in plastic containers so they don’t get squished. My friend Amy will be coming along. Any questions?”
    All three girls wore matching grins, the kind that wrapped nearly around their heads.
    “Now, take care of your horses. I see at least one mother hanging over the fence. Krissie, aren’t you in a hurry today?”
    “Hey, kitty-cat.” DJ heard the nasty voice after she’d just waved her last student off.
    “James, I’m gonna . . .” She spun around but couldn’t see him anywhere.
    “Meow, meow, meow.” Now he sounded just like a cat food commercial.
    She looked down the aisle again in time to see him duck into Diablo’s stall. Why did he always pick on her? Or did he treat everyone this way? She thought about that, all the while letting his taunting set her on a slow burn.
    “Kitty-cat, kitty-cat, where are you hiding at?” Now he’d rhymed it.
    DJ started down the aisle, fists clenched at her side.
    “Hey, DJ, I need some help over here,” Amy called from the other end of the barn.
    DJ turned and stomped back the way she’d come. She’d have to take care of James later.
    “Don’t let him bug you,” Amy said after one look