Catherine’s mare is an off-the-track Thoroughbred. The little ex-racehorse doesn’t fit in with the expensive German horses at the dressage barn because she doesn’t look or move like them.<br><br>So it’s no surprise that when a competition is held for all the boarders, Catherine and Besca are the only ones not chosen to ride on a team. The two are laughed at for having the nerve to hope they’d be invited to compete.<br><br>Catherine resigns herself to not taking part, but continues to work on her riding skills and practice the test she wanted to perform in the competition. But she doesn't realize she's being watched ... by someone intent on changing her life when show day arrives.

The Horse Inside

The barn’s retired horses were coming in from their overnight turnout and whinnied in protest at being separated from their pasture buddies. Hay was being dispensed from wheelbarrows trundling up and down the aisles, adding a sweet aroma to the pervasive odor of equine sweat and droppings, which gives horse people a high and keeps us sane and happy!


I checked the ride times on the cork message board outside the tack room. The first horse was due to compete at 9 A.M. and it was now 8:30. I decided to watch a few horses before getting on Besca. Unlike the genuine competitors, I was under no time pressure and could ride her when I wished.


The previously light breeze was now gathering strength outside, and made an intermittent rushing noise on the corrugated roofs. A few horses, including mine, picked up their heads at the sound before dropping them to eat again. 


Chapter 4