I set up a few more bounces and Clinton walks his horse next to mine as I watch Sophie take Rain through them.

"So, you're Clinton?"

"From Downunder Horsemanship."

"I'm guessing you're here about the Mustang up front."

"That'd be correct."

"I'm her owner. I don't want you to touch her."

"Alright, Miss. I won't."

"Elsie, I'm done."

"My turn." I chuckle, moving Dazzle out of line, circling her before the jumps. I smooch her into a choppy canter before going into 2-point over the vertical bounces. She tucks her knees up and lands safely on the other side.

~W~

After unsaddling the two horses, I grab a drink and hurry to the outdoor arenas to prepare for the afternoon cross country class. I grab a vest from the bin of XC vests and tighten it.

Jessica exits the stable with two horses in hand. One a dark bay and the other a dashing dapple grey.

"This is Shadow and Steele. You'll be riding Steele for me. He's a coming 7yr old Saddlebred X Quarter gelding. I feel like you'd have a blast on him."

"Thank you. Is he yours?"

"He's my promising 3-day eventing horse. I want you to train him for me."

"Okay, I guess I have two horses to train."

"You're working with that Mustang, right?"

"Yeah, her name's Amy."

"How much training has she had?"

"She's halter-broke and knows a little bit of liberty."

"Your sister is a very promising rider. Where'd she run off to?"

"I asked her to go do some groundwork with Rodeo Boy."

"He should be saddle-broken already."

"He is, but he's a bit of a hard-headed gelding."

"Sounds like a challenge."

"He really is." I stop Steele next to the mounting block, tighten the girth and lower my stirrups.

Jessica mounts Shadow from the ground and he tries to walk off, so she dismounts and makes his feet move on her accord.

"G'day Elsie, Jess." Clinton trots into the arena on a new horse, watching Jessica as she moves Shadow around her. "I see you've watched my training videos."

"Have you been working with that Mustang, sir?"

"No m'am. I've been told not to touch her. Mind if I ride with you guys?"

"Nope, but stay away from Steele. He bites."

Before we even start to trot, I hear a 'watch out' from the barn. A chestnut blur gallops past the arena and I realize it's Amy. I direct-rein Steele out of the arena and squeeze him into a fast canter.

Steele's TB bloodlines help him run alongside the mare.

Amy's lead rope dangles from her halter. I grab it and both horses slow down to a walk. Amy snorts and Steele tries to sniff her.

"I've never seen anyone do that on an x-racehorse. That mare's got spunk."

"And a knack for speed."