Pony Tales and Secrets

By Christine M. Wang

Naomi has just got a job of a groom at Mount Kept Stables! But then she realizes that being a groom and trying to be an equestrian horse rider are two very difficult things to handle at the same time!

Meanwhile, there is an International Cross-country Course at London! Though, only the best of the best riders can get chosen to get through…could Naomi survive through all the tests?

Chapter One

Naomi hunched her bag over her shoulder and walked through the Willow Hall Riding Center gates. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and Naomi was getting ready to Pony Club.
"Hey! Naomi!" shouted Naomi's best friend, Carrie shouted. Carrie was riding around the paddock with her pretty Friesian horse, Black Jack. Naomi grinned to see that Black Jack was looking over his shoulders, trying to take a nip of his old dressage saddle. Naomi quickly grabbed her riding helmet and waved to Carrie. "You should be really thinking about getting a new dressage saddle," she objected. Carrie shrugged and continued trotting Black Jack up and down the paddock. "Steady, boy," she cooed him as Black Jack started to shake his head furiously.

Naomi started to slip her helmet on when her riding instructor, Fiona came to greet with her. "Hello, Naomi. How are you?" she asked cheerfully. You can tell Fiona has been working out with sweat. She came to the stables at exactly six in the morning to train several horses. "I'm great, thanks. What horse shall I ride today?" Naomi thought that Fiona looked glamorous in tea green jodhpurs and buttoned tee-shirt with white laces and her blonde hair tied up in a high pony tail. Fiona went to the service desk near the kiosk. She looked at the list then frowned. "It said you were going to ride Jelly Bean," she started.

"Really?! That's excellent! I like riding Jelly Bean I've ridden him of like two times and I really miss him and-"

At mid-sentence, Fiona stopped her in tracks. "But you have been assisted to work at Mount Kept Stables for a fortnight. You will pack your bags and leave to Mount Kept at exactly eight," Fiona finished with a dramatic hump.

Naomi was more shocked then a magpie finding no blue pieces in their nest! Mount Kept was a famous racing, dressage and showjumping stable in the whole Australia! Naomi have always dreamt of working and riding there but today-just finding out that now when she really wanted to ride Jellybean was a huge surprise. Naomi swallowed the excited lump in her throat. "Really? Cool! Who's taking me?" she asked, excited, hearing the hoof noises and whinnies of the horses nearby the horse floats.

Fiona smiled. "I'm pretty sure your mum knows by now since I got a via. Email from her this morning about letting you go to Mount Kept to work for two weeks. You will get paid your salary which is fifty bucks a day. You will be working as a groom there," Fiona grinned as she saw Naomi jumping up and down. "Omigod this is fabulous news!" Naomi gasped. Then she fell to silence. "But Mount Kept is really far away, isn't it?" she whispered. Fiona nodded. "I'll be driving you there! You'll also get a chance to compete in the International Events which falls at the last day of the fortnight!" Naomi started to laugh. This was so much out of the blue! "That's excellent, Fiona but…The International Cross-Country Events are really…well…competitive and you know I don't really like events like this." Naomi mumbled with joy.

And if she wasn't quite right she saw her instructor flinch. Do instructors flinch like that? Thought Naomi silently. "What time is it?" Naomi opened her mouth before Fiona could.

"It's six thirty. Awfully early, I suppose. You should go have a hack on Jellybean for an hour and thirty minutes then pack your bags and leave Willow Hall Road and make our way to Mount Kept!" Fiona stated. But Naomi was just staring at the blonde-headed trainer with surprise. "But…"

"No buts! No stammers either! Off you go! I'll give you a whistle when it's time to pack!" Fiona gave Naomi a little push. Naomi couldn't believe it. It seemed like luck. No more than luck…happiness…it was…

"Naomi!" Carrie dismounted Black Jack and ran up to Naomi. "What's up?" Carrie asked, flipping her red hair back. Naomi gave Carrie a tiny smile but didn't say anything. She was just too shocked to. She just pushed her way out of Carrie's reach and started walking towards the horse floats to get Jellybean out and start tacking up. She was all in for luck.

Chapter Two

Naomi started trotting Jellybean all the way about the hill. The fine chestnut mare was about 16.1 hands Paint Horse who was excellent in dressage and trot. But Naomi thought that Jellybean needed to excel in a few other things. Once they got top of the hill after a never-ending trot, she patted Jellybeans mane and smiled. "So, boy? Are you ready for a nice cooling canter?" she cooed softly. Then, as if Jellybean could understand what Naomi was saying, the Paint horse started cantering down the hill like mad. When they got to the end of the hill, Naomi dismounted to have a drink from Jellybean's saddle bag. But instead, feeling the red lump in her throat she collapsed into a fit of sobs and hugged Jellybean's mean and started crying. "Jellybean!" she wept. "I'm going to miss you for two weeks!" Jellybean started to nuzzle and nicker in her dark hair as if to say, "Don't worry. We will see eachother again,"

Naomi wiped her eyes with her sleeve then check her watch. It was seven thirty. "We'd better be going boy," she whispered and mounted on the Paint horse and started to walk casually up the hill then down so they can reach the stables in time. During the way Naomi sighed. She wished she could bring Jellybean with her to Mount Kept. It would feel so good as them two will never part again. However, Naomi knew that her career as a professional rider was way more important than worrying about love between her and the horses. So she decided to suck it up and be the fourteen year old she really was! By the time Jellybean and Naomi reached the stables, Fiona was waiting for Naomi by the kiosk. She mouthed to Naomi as she dismounted, Hurry up! Naomi had no choice but to quickly take off her helmet and boots in her bag next to Fiona. And there was no time to say goodbye to Jellybean. Instead, Jellybean was taken aback by one of the head-grooms of Willow Hall Stables. Naomi gave a little wave to Jellybean as he trotted back into his horse float. Then she sighed as she got into Fiona's car. It was going to be a very long week without her precious Paint horse.

Chapter Three

"So, are you ready to start working at Mount Kept stables?" a woman with light ginger hair and a soft spot of freckles came out from the horse floats to greet Fiona. Before Naomi could request Fiona butted in. "Goodmorning Mrs. Jacques," Fiona greeted in a polite and strategic voice. "I'm Fiona Mascot. Remember me, madam? I competed against you in the Badminton trials a few years ago?" Fiona continued but the woman cut her off. "I'm sorry," she snapped briskly. "I'm Vivian Jacques. I suggest you call me Vivian or your 'star-rider' will lose her job once and of all!" then, Vivian Jacques stomped off to go to the stalls to see the horses in a huff. Naomi was surprised that the manager of Mount Kept was so…so…rude.

"Whoa," exclaimed Naomi, watching Vivian Jacques stomp back into the stables. "What's about with her?" Fiona sighed and started to explain quietly. "A few years ago I was competing in the Badminton trials. I was competing against Vivian, for my luck I beat her with my horse, Goldilocks at the water jumps. Vivian was furious! She wouldn't speak to me at all." The story went on about how Vivian was jealous of Fiona's raw talent. But finally they both separated after a few months to work at different stables. Naomi nodded after the story. It made sense. No wonder why Vivian was all in a huff when she saw Fiona. As far as Naomi could see, Vivian was now happily talking to another resident of Mount Kept and stroking a horse, gleefully. "C'mon Naomi," gestured Fiona. "Let's go register you in so you can get your salary,"

Naomi was officially confused and puzzled. "What? My salary? But I haven't even started working!" she stammered as they went to the queue. Fiona nodded, running her slim fingers in her long blonde hair. "It's because at Mount Kept, you get paid when you come to register the salary and then it just becomes normal," Fiona explained patiently. Naomi was shocked. "Whoa! That's really…strange?" she said nervously, just in case Vivian overheard, who was at the service desk, registering everyone in for the job. "There are a lot of people wanting to be a groom here," Naomi shivered. "It's going to be really fussy,"

"Nope," Fiona cut her off. "Some are here to register for a job and salary. But some are coming here to register to compete in the International Cross-country Contest next Friday!" Then, Naomi started goggling at her riding instructor. "So…then…what are we here to register?" she asked, terrified and faintly. Fiona gave Naomi a tiny smile. "We are registering you for your groom job-and your competition. Yes, Naomi-you are ready. Ready to compete in the International Cross-Country Event,"

Chapter Four

"Next!" snapped Vivian, thumping her black inky pen on the bamboo desk. Naomi felt homesick even though they are still in the same country and not overseas. Fiona walked casually up towards Vivian's desk while Naomi just slumped, shifting from foot-to-foot, and hands in her pink jacket pockets.

"Naomi Withers. Gash Number seven, please." Fiona told Vivian the details. Vivian frowned and stared at the computer screen for several minutes.

"He-llo?" Fiona gestured, tapping her foot lightly on the steel ground.

Vivian's frown went deeper. "Naomi Withers? Ha, ha! She's only fourteen-the first youngest rider to compete in the International Cross-Country Events. Are you sure she's ready, Fiona?" Vivian said darkly and coldly.

Fiona smoothed her hair back and gave Vivian a cold smile. "Thanks but maybe we didn't come here for Aunty Jacques Life-For-Time advice." Fiona stated through gritted teeth. For the first time the ginger-hair manager didn't bite back but got to work immendiantly. She gave Fiona the ticket and said, "Well Fiona Mascot. Good luck with Naomi Withers, fourteen eh?"

Fiona ignored Vivian and left the registration room and Naomi followed with discipline.

"So now I'm the youngest rider to compete?" Naomi asked when they went to the horse floats. Fiona nodded and went to a Dutch stall door to unlock it with the keys Vivian gave her.

"But Fiona, that's crazy! I can't compete with people that are, like two times older than me with more experience! This is insane!" Naomi shrieked dramatically. Though Fiona stopped Naomi's squeaks. "Naomi, you have to! The prize to the winner who wins this event gets $100, 000."

"And is that all you care about, Fiona? Money?" Naomi demanded with accusing eyes to her trainer.

"No, Naomi. It's more than that. Look, it's just that if you win this competition and get the prize money, if you were generous enough you probably would donate some money for Willow Hall Stables to make it a better place!" explained Fiona in a tense tone. Naomi scratched her head thoughtfully. "True, very true Fiona," she answered in a light voice. "Um, but we have a serious problem…" stated Naomi.

"I don't have a horse to ride in the competition! You see, without Jellybean I can't even do cross-country! Jellybean's dressage is so good, and his showjumping is getting there and he is so fast and sensible…" Naomi pattered on.

But Fiona had had it. "Hoi, Naomi," she put a hand up. "Enough about Jellybean. And since we are on the subject of horses, you can see that I am opening a stall of a mysterious horse that you might be riding for the event!" finally, she unlocked the Dutch stall and Naomi saw it. Her horse she will be riding for the next couple of weeks.

Chapter Five

The dark bay horse with a white strip down the forehead was about 15.3 hands tall and finely built except there were a few slumps over the shoulders. She had white stockings and she was merely pretty. But, as Naomi saw the way the mare was built, she started to object with Fiona.

"I refuse! I refuse!" yelled Naomi, stomping her foot each time she finished the word, 'refuse'. Fiona stopped stroking the mare's forehead and was shocked about how Naomi acted just then.

"Oh, Naomi-don't be silly! This horse is a strong and fine built mare. She has excelled showjumping and, look she even has white stockings on her legs! She's very fascinating and great with cross-country. She's been rated 3.5 stars when I searched online for the horses-you're lucky Naomi. Some of the other horses were rated 2 or 1 stars." Fiona fought back to the feral girl. Suddenly, Vivian Jacques came running into the stall, looking quite flushed.

"What on Earth is going on? Fiona Mascot?" Vivian glared at Fiona. Oh-o, thought Naomi. This ain't gonna be good. But Fiona wasn't defending by Vivian's rudeness. She was used to it. "Hello, Vivian. We will be in the arena in five minutes. Naomi will tack up and get ready to train before she starts working as a groom," Fiona said to the ginger-hair manager. Vivian shrugged and glared at Naomi. Then, heel first; she slumped away in a puff and huff, as usual. When she was gone, Fiona got quickly to work to console Naomi. "Naomi," she instructed. "Tack up this horse. You have to make sure that you get a cross-country saddle, bridle and bit. You must get the correct tack!" then, as if she never met Naomi, she walked out of the stall and gave Naomi a quick goodbye. "I'm going to get a drink. Promise I'll be back in an hour and by that time; you'll be working as a groom. Good luck in your first cross-country class at Mount Kept Stables!"

Chapter Six

Naomi found her mare's cross-country tack easily. Still, she was pretty pissed off that she didn't get a chance to know her horses' name. But she figured the mare was called Starvia-as it said at the end of the cross-country saddle. She tacked up as quickly as possible and mounted on Starvia and clucked her to the arena where all the other competitors were waiting. Naomi took a deep breath when she found out who the trainer was. It was Vivian Jacques.

"So today we are going to learn the basics of cross-country. Can someone tell me what the two basics of cross-country are?" Vivian asked stiffly. Hands shot up in air, people sitting still on their fidgitive horses, listening to Vivian's long speech about cross-country's "basics". Vivian chose Naomi's hand, since Naomi was the first to put up her hand.

"Dressage, jumping and racing?" Naomi mumbled the answer. Clearly, Vivian had lost it. "Speak up, young lady! Not even a giant could hear you!" Vivian snapped angrily. No one dared to even flinch on their saddles. Not even Naomi, who was the general target. Still, she didn't even dare to clear her throat. So she practically yelled to Vivian, "Dressage, jumping and racing!!" Of course, Vivian took that as a defendant compliment. She scowled at Naomi. "Correct-but incorrect. Racing isn't technically one. You need to have good gallop but it's not necessary. Now, since we are all competing against other riders from all around the world, who are talented, I want to get all of you perfect! So, Katie Plums please take Jimmy in the center of the arena and warm up and start jumping these fences. Now!" Vivian's voice is like a whip crack. Katie was a small, sparrow-like girl. She had pale skin and dark wavy hair and she was wearing cream jods and a shiny white riding helmet. Her hair was tied in a tight ponytail. She was looking nervous. Her horse, Jimmy was a strawberry roan Thoroughbred with fine white markings. Katie started to warm up Jimmy naturally, which Vivian got sick of.

"Hoi, Katie! Don't you dare do your version of warming up Jimmy! I want you to do MY version of the warm up! Don't collect him up! Use the whip!" Vivian screeched. Obediently, Katie lifted up her whip while Jimmy was in a collected trot and wham! The whip hit Jimmy harshly and Naomi could not believe it. As soon as that disaster struck, Jimmy went bonkers. He bolted and bolted and started to whinny. Vivian took hold of Jimmy's bit and thrust it in the thin air. All of the other riders were too terrified to move. Katie had slipped off her saddle.

Chapter Seven

"You foolish girl!" Vivian thwacked Katie's whip against her boot. "You didn't do it properly! You should've hit harder. You're worthless! I'm not sure why Avery let you in this International Cross-Country event when you are completely not ready!! Hmph!"

Katie was on the sandy ground and tears were flowing down her eyes. Vivian stood up against her and started to thwack Katie with a whip. How cruel! How inhumane to whip a girl with a cross-country crop when she has just fallen off a horse! Naomi thought, flinching in her saddle. Vivian was not only a rude trainer but a violent and inhumane one! After a few thwacks of Katie, Vivian started to huff. She helped Katie up and pushed her hard out of the arena with Jimmy. "Out you go! To the office! You know where it is! And take Jimmy back to his stall! Now! Shoo!" Vivian made signals with her hands. Once poor Katie and Jimmy were out, Vivian took her attention back to the rest of the class with five words: "Never disappoint me with that crap again." Everyone remained silence.

"Now, Naomi and Starvia, come in the middle of the arena and start warming Starvia up! Use the cross-country crop! Then, jump these fences! Now! Hurry up!" Vivian scowled. Once Naomi and Starvia were in the middle of the arena, Vivian started to scowl, "Let's see what you got, you teenager!"

At first Naomi was scared to do the warm-up since Vivian was very much bad tempered and had thwacked one of the riders with a crop! But Naomi knew that she had to think and be a good rider. She started to round the dark bay mare with long white stockings in the arena. She made Starvia trot around the arena. Then, after two laps she signaled Starvia to canter a figure eight. Naomi held her breath just in case Vivian started shouting at her to use the crop. But Vivian didn't. That was a good sign, Naomi thought as she finished galloping Starvia in circles. Once she finished the warm-up Vivian still remained silent, watching. The other riders were watching as well. She took a very short brief halt on Starvia then started cantering towards the first three short fences. It was no problem. Naomi had jumped short fences like these three before. Starvia seemed to jump like a complete superstar. It was terrific, as Naomi thought. After the first few fences, Vivian didn't say anything. She just gave a tiny nod at Naomi and clapped her on. "Go put Starvia back into his stall. You'll need a break. Plus, go check out on Katie. I'll call you when you need to come back," said Vivian in a cold tone. Naomi did as she said and rounded Starvia up to put back into her stall.

Chapter Eight

Naomi met Katie Plums at Mount Kept Stables office. Katie was looking quite depressed. Her face was ghostly and paler.

"Hey," Naomi smiled at Katie. The dark brown-hair and pale skinned girl was lying down on an uncomfortable-looking bed with a hospital sheet. The girl did not smile back. Ick, thought Naomi.

"I'm one of the worst riders Vivian has ever known," Katie sighed. She sat up from the bed and placed an ice-pack on her forehead. "Jimmy and I have worked so hard to get into the International Cross-country Events but now we don't have a chance," Katie's clipped English accent had fooled Naomi completely from the start. "Where do you come from?" Naomi sat down next to her on the look-a-like hospital bed with white hospital sheet covers.

"I'm come from England," Katie replied with no tense of change in her voice. Suddenly Naomi all knew where it were coming from…obviously…

"Well," Naomi smiled, standing up from the hospital look-a-like bed. "We'd better be going back to class. Vivian is now selecting the riders who can go through to the International Cross-country Event."

Chapter Nine

Naomi couldn't believe it! She made it in! She was going to compete in the International Cross-Country Event. She saw the list. It went:

Students Who Have Been Chosen to Compete in The International Cross-country Events:

1. Sam Cornfield

2. Elaine Dickinson

3. Kissy Tang

4. Naomi Withers

Naomi had noted proudly that since the list was in alphabetical order, Naomi's name came last. "At least I got in," Naomi was telling Fiona who just came back from the Milkshake Shop down the street. Fiona had brought over a mango, strawberry and banana milkshake for Naomi.

"Yep, and I'm really proud of you," said Fiona, slurping a mango milkshake. They were sitting down at a barbeque area that Mount Kept had bought for the land. "This barbeque area of Mount Kept is amazing. I'm going to stay here all afternoon," Naomi sighed.

"No, remember you have a job as a groom at Mount Kept Stables. If you want to take your career seriously you'd better sharpen up your act, Naomi. No more Disney Land or Barbie World or those pesky My Little Pony stunts." Fiona reminded her. Suddenly Naomi felt a sharp pang down her throat. Of course! She had forgotten all about her job as a groom! "Sorry Fiona, I forgot completely about my job! When do I start?" asked Naomi.

Fiona frowned. "Six o' clock in the morning tomorrow is your first shift to clean the stalls and muck out the horses. Then, you will finish your shift at exactly eight o' clock. You will have fifteen minutes break then at eight fifteen you'd better be ready for Vivian Jacques class." She explained.

Naomi opened her mouth to protest that the timetable she had been given was ridiculous but Fiona cut her off short.

"After Vivian Jacque's cross-country class which takes two hours it will be ten fifteen. You will have a short fifteen minute break which you will get to do whatever you like-take horses out for a hack, a trot etc. etc. then, after that fifteen minutes it will be eleven you'd better get back on the saddle for another Vivian Jacques cross-country class which takes two hours again. After those two hours it will be one o' clock you will have only four minutes of break then get back to mucking, washing, feeding and grooming the horses until five o'clock. After five you get to do anything you like. Get the routine and the math?" Fiona finally finished with a triumph look on her face.

Naomi groaned. The schedule was too much to think about. Maybe getting hired as a groom at Mount Kept was a really, really, really bad idea, thought Naomi. She slammed her milkshake down and protested to Fiona. "I need to go back to the motel," she said.

"Why of course," said Fiona.

Chapter Ten

She shifted through the gate. She had Starvia's stall key safely in her pocket. The first shift had been a disaster. The horses here at Mount Kept not only were feral, but completely insane when a groom is around! A pesky little pony called Pelvin had practically stomped on Naomi's foot with a big fat hoof when she was mucking out the manure Pelvin made. It had been horribly and pretty ugly sight. Now it was her second shift. Through Vivian's class she must say that she had done excellent with her new mare, Starvia. Starvia might look slumpy but she was certainly a good cross-country mare. Though, Katie was struggling. She didn't get in the International Cross-Country Event at all and even Vivian dissed her out at class. It was almost like, thought Naomi as she pushed the Dutch stall door open. That Vivian was talking behind a rider's back. While Naomi was curry-combing Starvia she started to think about the riders who are competing in the International Cross-country Events. Many were from different countries but Naomi tried not to think that. She decided to think about the ones in Vivian Jacques class. Sam Cornfield was a tall boy with red hair and freckles and pale green eyes. His pony, Kittishfifty was an excellent dapple grey Arabian stallion that always stood proud and trotted like a pro and jumped the fences with no mistake.

Elaine Dickinson was a girl that came from Ireland who had brunette hair and lovely blue eyes and tanned skin with her horse, Number Forty Five. It was a pretty strange name for a horse but today after Vivian's lesson Elaine and Naomi got caught up in a conversation.

"Why is your horse called Number Forty Five? It's quite strange if you ask me," Naomi had said briefly.

"I named him it because my lucky number is forty five plus, it just seems to suit him." Protested Elaine. Overall, Number Forty Five was a palomino Quarter Horse that was brilliant at galloping and racing. Though, the elegant dressage just did not seem to fit Number Forty Five. When Naomi was grooming Number Forty Five, he even tried to produce more and more manure even though Naomi just cleaned his stall! He even stamps his hooves on the poo! It was sickening sight and Naomi could've vomited but she had to clean his hooves again for the third time of the day.

Kissy Tang was Vietnamese and an Oxford-trained student. She was born in Australia but her family came from Vietnam. She came to Mount Kept to compete in the International Cross-Country Events. Like Naomi, she didn't have enough money to bring their own horses to Mount Kept so borrowed a school horse from Mount Kept: Mackerel. Mackerel was an 18.1 hands grey shire gelding. His racing was good but his jumps seem heavy and his dressage was far from, 'elegant'. And if Naomi couldn't be more wrong she had sworn that she saw Mackerel pooping in the dressage ring. So guess what? Since Naomi was the groom for that shift she had to clean it. Then Naomi thought Kissy and Mackerel could never win the International Cross-country Events.

Chapter Eleven

"Naomi! Wait up!"

It was a brisk clear morning and Naomi was having a trot with Starvia all over Mount Kept Stables trails. It was five o'clock in the morning and Naomi's shift started at seven. It was usually at six but since it was Saturday, she had to start her first shift at seven so the rest of the hours before Naomi wanted to keep to herself. Naomi spun around in her saddle but she didn't stop trotting. It was Kissy. Kissy Tang.

"Hey, Kissy." Said Naomi as Kissy catched up on her trot. Naomi put her head straight forward and concentrated more on her trot with Starvia than her greetings with Kissy.

"I overheard you yesterday. I mean, you were talking to Katie in the Rider's Lounge. You know Katie, right? Katie? Katie Plums?" Kissy said, making her shire gelding Mackerel keep up with Naomi.

"Yeah I do know Katie," answered Naomi thoughtlessly.

"Yeah? Well I heard you two talking about me in the Rider's Lounge. You said to her that it's okay if she didn't get in the International Cross-country Event since you didn't think I would win it either, since Mackerel is so not good." Exclaimed Kissy, still calm. Naomi made Starvia slow down into a walk and so did Kissy and Mackerel. It's like playing the game 'Copy Cat', thought Naomi. Except the game of Kissy and I's 'Copy Cat' version is on horses.

"Yeah? Well, it's true, you know. I mean, look at Mackerel. Look at his dressage. It stinks. Plus, he's so fat and heavy you don't even know…" explained Naomi confidently, still slowing down the walk on Starvia.

"That I don't even know what?" Kissy pulled Mackerel down into a halt but not Naomi. Kissy was really upset. Though it wasn't Naomi's time to care for her. She kept making Starvia to walk over to the bush-lands. Naomi didn't look back. She just answered stiffly, "You don't even know he is such a loser horse. A fat one. I don't know why Vivian even let you in the International Cross-country Events when you're riding a horse that weighs, like, a hundred pounds. And believe me I know because I'm a groom I took care of Mackerel hundreds of times this week, Kissy. Sorry Kissy you're just no good like your horse." Naomi ended her long paragraph with a triumph kick against Starvia's rib to make her canter over to the grasslands. The sounds only drained down of Kissy's cries.

Chapter Twelve

Back at Mount Kept Stables was a usual busy. There was no time for talk or even gossip. Vivian was a strict trainer and there was no fooling around at all.

"Sam! Make Kittishfifty move faster in his trot! C'mon!"

"Elaina! Watch that bogey-fence over there! The cross-country trials are going to have, it believe me!"

"Kissy, Mackerel's dressage is disgraceful! Shape him up!"

"Naomi! Don't get nervous and don't stress! When you get nervous or stress, the horse will connect with you and you might be flying off the saddle!!"

Days have gone by and finally, it was the day of the International Cross-Country Events.

Chapter Thirteen

"Good luck, Naomi!" whispered Katie and Fiona as they watch Naomi mount on Starvia. The day had finally arrived and Naomi was stressing. She was too scared. The bogey-fence-a two meter fence (It was taller than her!!) blocked with flowers and more was lying after three jumps of easy fences. Naomi never had aced that fence during practice. But she knew she could do it with Starvia to ride. Naomi got in line. She was wearing bright cream jodhpurs and a tea green buttoned collar shirt and a black riding helmet. She had a number pined on the back of her shirt which wrote: 4 because Naomi was the fourth rider to compete! She knew that there were many other riders from different countries so it didn't really matter what number she wore since they would be all riding together. Naomi scanned through the crowd of riders on horses. There were people from Germany, France, England, Ireland, China, Russia and Israel and many more countries came here to compete. To get their hands on the $100, 000 grand slam prize money.

"Ready…" the steward hollered through the noisy quarrel-like through the crowd.

"Set…"

"GO!!"

The crowd cheered and the riders all kicked on their horses, urging them to get to the first few fences. Naomi kicked and kicked on Starvia. She dared not to use the crop. Not until the bogey-fence arrived. Naomi did the first few fences quite well until there was a water-jump. Naomi's stomach tightened. They had never practiced water-jumps in Vivian's classes! There were loads of people ahead of her and behind her. She was surprised that one rider ahead of her was Kissy. She and Mackerel aced all of the water-jumps. Naomi, on the other hand had to stumble and actually whip Starvia to get the water-jumps clear. Now Naomi felt sick with guilt. Not only, but she went through Vivian's routine in her head. Heels down, backs straight, crops high. Don't get nervous! If you stress or get nervous the horse will sense it a go bonkers! More and more jumps were coming through. How long did the showjumping circuit go for? More jumps were coming through!! Naomi dare not to sigh. She was focused. She was so focused she didn't even realized that she was ahead of all the riders! Finally, the showjumping circuit was over and the dressage one came. All the riders pulled their horses into a walk to get some breath. Naomi saw that she was ahead of all of them! Wow! Amazing!

"Naomi Withers first place in the showjumping circuit. Mary Ma second place in the showjumping circuit. Jilling Wang third place in the showjumping circuit." The steward spoke into the microphone. The crowd cheered.

Dressage was next and it started. Naomi thought it was going quite well. Starvia was trotting really excellent. She was glad she had practiced trotting on the trails yesterday and galloping the day before. It had finally brung Starvia to her senses.

"Hayley Thomas first place in the dressage circuit. Kissy Tang second place in the dressage circuit. Lola Dung third place in the dressage circuit," the steward spoke into the microphone.

Naomi took her breath and looked around. She had come 5^th in the dressage circuit. She was surprised Kissy came second. Suddenly, remembering how she hurt Kissy's feelings the other day made Naomi feel guilty and terribly wrong. But there was no time to think. The racing circuit was up!

The racing circuit had started and all horses were galloping their hearts out. Naomi wasn't whipping Starvia until they had to technically sprint to the finish line. It kept going. Suddenly, Naomi felt a push on her shoulder. She looked to her right and it was Kissy Tang! Kissy had just tried to push Naomi off Starvia! "Hey!!" Naomi grumbled, still trying to keep her balance. Kissy ignored her and tried to push Naomi again off the saddle. Naomi tried to make Starvia gallop to the other side but another rider was next to her. She was trapped by to horses and riders. Again, Kissy pushed Naomi. But this time hard. Very hard. Naomi started slipping off her saddle. It somehow felt like her stirrup was lose but it wasn't. Lucky it wasn't! Naomi's foot was still secure in the stirrups so she swung back up on the saddle. Kissy and many other riders were ahead of her! Naomi didn't look back if she was the last one. She kicked and kicked Starvia and even whipped her a little. Starvia galloped forward, puffing. After that it was all over.

The results of the International Cross-Country Event was hanging up on the green boards. Everyone was allowed to look at it. Loads of people were pushing to see their names. Naomi saw her name…first!

"Omigod! I won! Fiona! Mum! Katie! Vivian! I won! I won the prize money, didn't I?" shrieked Naomi. She was so happy, she could hardly breathe! She had won! She had won $100, 000 dollars. Looking through the other riders from Vivian Jacque's class, Sam came 16^th, Elaine came 13^thand Kissy, surprisingly came 7^th. Quickly, Naomi pushed through the crowd. Not to find Fiona. Or Mum. Or Katie. Or even Vivian. Kissy.

"Kissy!" called Naomi. Kissy grouched. Kissy was over near the toilets, possibly waiting for someone.

"I'm really, really sorry I hurt your feelings that day! Please, I didn't mean it! I was just….so mean! Please, please forgive me!" she begged Kissy. For a spilt second she even thought about going down on her knees and begging.

Kissy nodded. "I forgive you. Can you forgive me for pushing you off your saddle during the race?" she asked. Naomi nodded. "Yep! So friends?"

Kissy reached out to hug her. "Friends forever!"