Show-Jumping Dreams Read Online Free PDF

dissolving harmlessly. Saffron gasped with surprise as the dainty riding whip flew out of her hand, whizzed through the air and landed two feet away.
    At the same time, Princess lowered her head and began pawing at the water.Saffron was still looking at where the whip had landed and didn’t seem to have noticed, but Zoe read the telltale signs.
    “Oh no! Princess is going to roll! Watch out, Saffron!” she warned her cousin.
    But it was too late. The gray pony sank to her knees as she lowered herself into the puddle.
    “Ooh! Er!” Saffron lost her balance. She slipped forward, did an impressive somersault, and landed on her butt. As Princess rolled over, a wave of muddy water sloshed all over Saffron, soaking her from head to toe.
    Princess stood up, shook herself, and calmly trotted to dry land.
    Alex clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my goodness,” she said in a muffled voice, trying without success to stop thelaughter that was bubbling up inside her. “I didn’t expect that to happen.”
    Her magical friend blinked at her with surprised long-lashed eyes. “I thought that was what you wanted.”
    Zoe dismounted and ran to help her cousin. “Are you okay?”
    “Does it look like it?” Saffron burst into tears. “My clothes are ruined! They were a birthday present.” Dripping, sheplodded through the mud and stopped in the field.

    Seeing that Saffron was really upset, Alex abruptly stopped laughing. She felt an uncomfortable stirring of guilt.
    Comet had only used his magic because she had grumbled to him about Saffron. Alex chewed at her lip, wondering what she could do to set things right.
    Saffron had caught up with Princess. She grasped her bridle in a muddy hand. “Dad’s going to be really mad if I take her back looking like this. She’s filthy!” she wailed.
    “Don’t worry. I’ll tell Uncle Tim it was an accident,” Zoe said.
    “It won’t make any difference. He’ll still blame me. You know how strict heis. He’s got this saying: ‘It’s always the rider’s fault.’”
    “But that’s not fair!” Alex exclaimed.
    Unexpectedly, she felt herself starting to feel sorry for the older girl. It couldn’t be much fun having a dad who was so strict. She thought hard and a plan began to form in her mind.
    “I have an idea. Let’s go to my house . . .”

“Oh, dear!” Mrs. Judd exclaimed when she saw Saffron standing miserably in the mud room, dripping mud and water everywhere.
    To Alex’s relief, her mom didn’t waste time asking for explanations.
    Mrs. Judd rolled up her sleeves. “Okay. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes and into the shower. Alex, can you get me—”
    “Sorry, Mom. I’ve got something super important to do,” Alex interrupted swiftly. “Zoe will help. Won’t you, Zoe?”
    “Um . . . sure.” Zoe frowned, puzzled.
    “Towels are in the bathroom. And take any dry clothes from my bedroom,” Alex called over her shoulder, dashing outside before anyone could protest.
    She ran over to the stables where all three ponies were tethered. Comet whinnied a greeting when he saw her.
    Alex looked at Princess in dismay.

    The once elegant gray pony was covered with patches of smelly drying mud and streaked with grass stains. Her tangled mane and tail looked like frayed rope.
    “Wow! She looks terrible, doesn’t she?” Alex found herself wondering whether there would be time to put her plan into action. But she had to try.
    First though, she had a confession to make to her magical friend.
    “I’m . . . I’m sorry that I encouraged you to use your magic when I was upset. It was wrong of me, Comet. I know that now. Can you forgive me?”
    “Of course. Everyone makes mistakes,” the magic pony said. “It is what you do to fix them that is important.”
    Alex felt a bit better. “Thanks, Comet. You’re the best. I’ve got an idea. This ishow I can make it up to Saffron . . .”
    The magic pony swiveled his ears and listened carefully as Alex