Rival Revenge Read Online Free PDF Page B

the horses at a canter for a couple of minutes to be sure they’re fully warmed-up and then you’ll each take turns doing the exercise,” Mr. Conner said. “Go ahead to the wall and start cantering.”
    We each moved our horses to the wall and Charm went quickly from a trot into an even canter. I moved with him and didn’t bounce in the saddle—Charm’s canter was too smooth for that. As we finished the warm-up, I contemplated how many more hours of riding I could squeeze into this week. I’d keep adding things to the list of activities that I could cut out. I’d see less of Paige, but she’dunderstand that I’d want to practice harder for the tape.
    â€œOkay, slow to a walk, then line up your horses over there,” Mr. Conner said, pointing to the far side of the arena. Jas, Heather, and I moved the horses to the arena’s side and waited for Mr. Conner’s instructions.
    â€œJasmine, you’re going to go first,” Mr. Conner said, uncapping his pen and holding it over his paper, ready to take notes on her performance. “Do you need a reminder about how to ask for a flying lead change? Or are you comfortable without instructions?”
    I looked over at Jas—she held back a smirk. “I’ve got it, Mr. Conner,” she said.
    No surprises there.
    He waved his hand at her. “Whenever you’re ready.”
    Jas leaned down to adjust her left stirrup, then righted herself in the saddle. She sat straight, without being rigid, and her hands were soft on the reins. She asked Phoenix for a canter and the gray gelding responded immediately. They swept past Heather and me for two laps before Jas turned Phoenix toward the center of the arena. When she and Phoenix reached the center of the arena, I didn’t even see Jasmine ask for the flying lead change—it just happened. Phoenix swished his tail and struck out with his opposite foreleg, then leading with that leg. Jas canteredhim back to us, grinning. There was nothing Mr. Conner could say about that. It was perfect.
    â€œBeautiful, Jasmine,” Mr. Conner said. “Your cues were subtle. Phoenix knew exactly what you wanted.”
    Beside me, Heather groaned under her breath. “What. Ever,” she whispered. “We can do better.”
    I gulped. She probably could. But I wasn’t so sure if I could. Sometimes, Charm ignored my cues. Stop it, I told myself. I was freaking myself out before I even started. And I didn’t want Charm to feel any tension from me.
    â€œGo ahead, Heather,” Mr. Conner said. Jas angled Phoenix next to me and we watched Aristocrat and Heather mimic what Jas and Phoenix had just completed. Like Jas, Heather’s signals were invisible. Aristocrat’s flying lead change made him look as if he belonged at a junior class in the Hampton Classic. His movements were gorgeous.
    Heather circled him for another half lap before slowing him and riding back over to Jas and me.
    â€œWonderful, Heather,” Mr. Conner said. “Your hands were perfect. That was exactly the way to ask for a flying change.”
    There was no way Charm and I could do as well as Jas and Heather—it was a fact—but we could try.
    Mr. Conner marked something on his paper, then turned to me. “Ready, Sasha?”
    I nodded. “Yes.”
    Charm seemed to know I needed encouragement—he walked forward before I could think about what we were about to do. I let him trot and posted as he moved away from Phoenix and Aristocrat. I squeezed my legs against his sides and urged him into a canter. We circled the arena twice and then I pointed him to the center.
    Relax, I told myself. In four strides, I’d ask Charm for the change. I only had seconds before it was time. I switched my leg positions, moving my opposite leg behind the girth, and kept my hands light. Charm stretched through his back and for a second, I wasn’t sure he was going to do it.