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bring in some of the things that are jammed into my truck. I didn’t realize I had so much horse stuff until I had to pack it all up.”
    Before Derek could leave, Tim and Paige appeared, eager to meet the new boarder. When Sarah introduced them, she mentioned that Derek lived in Winchester.
    â€œThe vets that take care of the Brookmeade horses are from the Winchester Equine Clinic,” Tim said, “and a girl who rides in our class goes to Winchester Academy.”
    â€œI’m going to be a junior there, a day student. Most of the kids who go to the Academy are boarding students, though.”
    â€œHave you met Rita Snyder?” Paige asked. “She would also be a junior. She’s thin with long black hair. She drives a green Mustang convertible.”
    Derek shook his head. “Our classes don’t start until next week.”
    â€œWhat do you do with your horse?” Tim asked.
    â€œBefore I got him, Bismarck was a show jumper in Germany,” Derek replied. “When we get our act together, that’s what I hope to do with him. I really love doing the jumpers. I wasn’t totally thrilled with my instructor in Chicago, though. I’m hoping Jack can help us. What kind of riding do you do?”
    Paige and Tim looked at each other, as if not sure who should answer the question. Paige jumped in first.
    â€œI have a gray Thoroughbred, Quarry, and both Tim and I started eventing our horses this year,” Paige said. “Quarry is off the track, so it’s taken some time to get him retrained. He’s quick, and likes to rush his fences.” She grinned. “At the Maple Crest event in July, there was a huge rock pile on cross-country called Titanic. Quarry was a little intimidated, and he didn’t know whether to rush it or suck back—so he was just right.”
    Like the others, Derek laughed. “You’ll have to tell me more some time, but I’ve got to move my stuff into the tack room before it starts to rain hard again.”
    â€œI’ve got some time,” Tim said. “Want a hand?”
    â€œSure,” Derek said, as the two left for the parking area.
    When they were out of earshot, Sarah spoke softly to Paige. “What do you think of the new guy?”
    â€œI think he’s totally cool!” Paige said. “You’ll probably see Kelly and Nicole stopping by here a lot now, like they do around Tim’s stall.”
    â€œI hope not,” Sarah said. “They’ve had it in for me ever since Jack moved me into your class last winter. They don’t speak to me, and I have a feeling they would stab me in the back if they got a chance.”
    â€œI’d ignore them if I were you,” Paige said. “They’re just jealous. Maybe you’ll be back riding with us one of these days.”
    â€œIt can’t be soon enough for me,” Sarah said, “but Prince is still green. I saw some of your lesson yesterday, and all of you guys looked awesome. Next year you’ll be long-listed for the Olympic eventing team.”
    â€œYeah, right before I win the New York Marathon,” Paige said, rolling her eyes. She turned to leave. “I’ve got to get back to Quarry.”
    Sarah looked at Crown Prince standing patiently on the crossties. He didn’t appear to be jumping out of his skin after being cooped up in his stall all day. Maybe he wouldn’t be too rambunctious if she tried to hand-walk him in the indoor.
I can clean his stall later,
she thought. She left for the tack room to get her grooming caddy. When she returned, there was a pile of tack and horse care equipment near Bismarck’s stall. It looked like Derek and Tim had gone back for more.
    After going over Prince quickly with a soft brush, Sarah grabbed a hoof pick out of her caddy. A thorough grooming could be skipped on this day when she wouldn’t be riding, but his feet needed to be picked out at least once a day. The