Read Online Initiation by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online Page A

intermediate team. Over the summer, all the new seventh-grade riders got an e-mail from Mr. Conner, explaining how the testing system worked. Apparently, it had changed from last year.
    Incoming seventh graders would test for the beginner or intermediate team. Returning students already on the beginner or intermediate team would test the following week so long as they’d been on the same team for a full school year.
    Last year, a couple of talented sixth graders, including Khloe, had tested into the advanced team, where they would start this year. The intermediate pool would be bigger this year—with room for up to six students. I wondered how many of those six slots were actually occupied.
    I headed for Whisper’s stall near the end of the aisle. I spotted someone familiar next to Whisper’s stall—a petite girl with curly dark hair pinned back with glittery purple barrettes. Oooh, the barrettes! J’adore!
    Lexa took a halter and lead line out of her tack trunk. She looked up when I stopped at Whisper’s gleaming wooden tack trunk.
    â€œHey, neighbor,” Lexa said.
    â€œOh, cool,” I said. “This is perfect.”
    I felt so guilty last night after all the time I’d spent with Khloe and Lex. I hated not being truthful with two incredibly nice people who honestly wanted to be friends. Still, every time I thought about telling the truth about my riding background, my . . . accident, I’d stopped.
    No. Canterwood was my fresh start. And if that meant leaving out some details about my career as a competitive rider, who would really even care?
    â€œCome meet Honor,” Lexa said.
    A strawberry roan with a blaze stuck her head over the door and nudged Lexa’s shoulder. Lexa laughed and stroked the horse’s muzzle.
    â€œI guess she wants to introduce herself,” Lexa said, laughing. “This is Honor. She’s just a little outgoing.”
    â€œA tiny bit,” I said, laughing.
    I reached my hand up for the mare to smell. Her nostrils widened as she took in my scent, then stuck her head in my direction. “She’s beautiful,” I said, truthfully.
    Lexa leaned against the stall door, rubbing Honor’s cheek. “Thank you. I got her a couple of years ago. She’d just turned five.”
    â€œWhat breed?” I asked.
    â€œSaddlebred and Thoroughbred mix. She’s got the smooth gait and long strides of a Saddlebred and the speed of a Thoroughbred.”
    The mare bumped Lexa’s shoulder with her cheek. “And the energy of a yearling!” Lexa added.
    Whisper, likely hearing my voice, put her head over the stall door. I stepped over to her and Lexa followed me.
    â€œThis is my girl, Whisper,” I said. The mare reached her cashmere-soft muzzle toward me. I ran my finger over the pink and white snip on her muzzle. Her coat, the lightest shade of gray, almost shimmered.
    â€œI love grays!” Lexa said. “She’s tall, too. What breed?”
    â€œIt took a while for me to find out,” I explained. “My riding instructor helped me purchase her from a reputable breeder, but Whisper was a special case. She was originally bought at auction from people who didn’t give the breeder much information about her past. Finally, I learned that Whisper is a double registered Hanoverian and Thoroughbred.”
    â€œWhat a great mix,” Lexa said. “I love her delicate face and the contrast with her strong body.”
    â€œStrong body and strong will,” I added.
    Strong will was definitely the right description, without a doubt. Whisper was sweet and she listened to every single command I gave her. But there were still a few kinks to work out. Every time I got frustrated, I reminded myself that we were still new to each other. Not to mention that I hadn’t been able to spend as much time at the stable as I’d wanted.
    Maybe because my to-do list had looked something like this:
    Â· CARPET