Rival Revenge by Jessica Burkhart Read Free Book Online Page A

Ms. Walker asked if we could swap arenas so the advanced team could work inside. We hired her just to work with the beginner and intermediate teams, but when my schedule is full, she’s going to take over the advanced team. So, let’s move to the largest outdoor arena and we’ll get started.”
    Mr. Conner walked toward the door and we turned our horses toward the exit, then dismounted. I led Charm toward the door and just as Heather, Jasmine, and Ireached the wide doorway, Callie, Eric, and the rest of the advanced team started into the arena.
    I almost stopped walking when I looked up at Callie and Eric. They were riding side by side and laughing. I pulled Charm forward, jogging to get away from them. I didn’t want to watch them together. Eric wouldn’t trash-talk me to Callie or anyone—he wasn’t that kind of guy. But it made me feel weird to see them together. And I couldn’t think about that before a lesson. Especially not when we were getting closer and closer to the tape for Mr. Nicholson.
    By the time we got settled in the outdoor arena, I was ready for a tough lesson. I wanted Mr. Conner to push us hard so we’d be ready for the tape.
    â€œLet’s start with a sitting trot,” Mr. Conner said.
    Jasmine, Heather, and I trotted the horses around the arena and I pushed my tailbone into the saddle.
    â€œCanter,” he called.
    At the same second, Charm, Aristocrat, and Phoenix leaped into canters and they made their way around the arena.
    â€œWalk,” Mr. Conner said.
    We slowed the horses and I waited for Mr. Conner to tell us what to do next. I hoped for dressage—Charm and I needed more work.
    â€œTrot for two laps and then change directions,” Mr. Conner said.
    I tried not to roll my eyes. This lesson was so basic! Where was the trot-without-stirrups-until-you-die Mr. Conner? This wasn’t even close to the work we needed.
    When he told us to cool out our horses, I almost wanted to raise my hand and ask if that was really it.
    â€œSee you next class,” Mr. Conner said.
    I half-expected him to turn around and say he was kidding and there was no way we were getting off that easy. But he left the arena and didn’t come back.
    I dismounted and pretended to be cooling Charm. I walked him around the arena until Jasmine and Heather left. Before going inside, I peeked through the indoor arena to make sure the advanced class was gone. The space was empty so I led him inside, mounted, and urged him into a trot. We had lots more work to do—there was no way that lesson was enough.
    I sat deep in the saddle, pushing my heels down and keeping my hands still. We made figure eights through the center of the arena and I took advantage of having the entire space to myself. I kept one eye on the door, though. If Mr. Conner saw us practicing after already having a lesson, he’d make us stop. But I rememberedthat he had a grain and hay shipment arriving today, so I hoped he was busy.
    Besides, you couldn’t even call what we’d just done a “lesson.” It was more like a warm-up.
    After figure eights, I stopped Charm and worked on my own posture. I dropped the reins around his neck and stretched my hands to the ceiling. I spent half an hour going through balance and strengthening exercises so Charm could rest. I twisted in the saddle and an incoming horse and rider made me stop in mid-twist.
    Callie and Black Jack. Callie halted Jack, mounted, and then looked at me. Her glare made me shrink a little into my saddle. I was used to that look from Jasmine and Heather—not Callie.
    â€œYou just finished a lesson, right?” Callie asked, her tone clipped.
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œThen, do you mind?” But the way Callie said it—she wasn’t asking a question.
    Charm shifted under me, feeling my nerves. “Of course you can ride in here too,” I said. “I don’t care.”
    I had to hold myself back from