Gold Medal Rider Read Online Free Page B

does.”
    “If you want him to make the Olympic team, you’d better start pushing him,” Kate said. “It’s a long way from one advanced horse trials to an Olympic event course.” The rest of The Saddle Club was a bit surprised at the edge in Kate’s voice.
    “No,” Nigel explained. “We’re not trying for next summer’s games. Beatrice is aiming for the Olympics four and a half years from now. She really does have plenty of time. She’s not going to gain anything by risking Southwood’s confidence, not this early.
    “There’s no point in moving Southwood to advanced level now,” Nigel continued. He rubbed his hands together and his voice rose. “This weekend isn’t a three-day event—there’s no steeplechase, and it’s held over two days, so it’s called a horse trials. It isn’t that big of a deal. There won’t be another competition until February, and all the important ones are even later than that. I think Beatrice should skip this event and let Southwood relax a little.”
    Nigel sighed. He watched Dorothy check a horse and carefully latch the stall door when she was done. “Obviously, Beatrice disagrees with me,” he said. “But she can’t ride in the trials because she’s leaving for the Virgin Islands tomorrow afternoon. Her brother is getting married in Saint Croix on Sunday. That’s why she told me to ride him.”
    “So why did you say yes?” Stevie asked. “I mean, you think it’s wrong. Beatrice can’t make you ride. She won’t even be here.”
    Dorothy turned off the stable lights, and they stepped outside into the cool night air. Moonlight shone through the pine trees. As they all walked toward the little house, Dorothy reached for Nigel’s hand.
    “It’s a hard thing, Stevie,” Nigel said. “But you see, Southwood is a very fine horse. And if I don’t ride him, Beatrice will find another trainer who will. She might find another trainer permanently.”
    The girls understood. Max Regnery, the owner of Pine Hollow, had to take nonsense from some of the people who rode with him, too. The name Veronica diAngelo sprang instantly to mind. She was also a spoiled brat who refused to take care of her own horse. Max needed her business, so he put up with her. Undoubtedly Nigel had to do the same.
    “Southwood looked so good,” Carole said soothingly. “I’m sure he’s more than ready. Don’t you think so, Kate?”
    Kate shrugged. “Hard to say,” she replied. “Events aren’t won in the dressage ring. Lots of horses are good at dressage, but the cross-country phase counts the most. It all depends on how well Southwood jumps.”
    Nigel laughed and gave Kate a soft clout on the head. “He jumps better than he does dressage,” he told her.
    Kate smiled. “Then he’ll do fine.”

T HAT NIGHT C AROLE was unable to sleep. All around her on the floor of Dorothy and Nigel’s living room, her friends lay in their sleeping bags, fast asleep; but Carole stared out the window at nothing, too keyed up to close her eyes. This trip was so exciting! She loved spending time around professional riders. And the idea that Southwood might someday go to the Olympics gave her a thrill, even though it wouldn’t happen for another four and a half years.
    Carole sighed and rolled onto her side. Her eyelids fluttered, just for a second. When she opened them the room was lighter. The sky outside the window looked navy blue. Carole reached for her watch—six A.M .! She must have fallen asleep after all.
    A light was on in the kitchen. Carole wiggled out of her sleeping bag, wrapped it around her shoulders, and went to investigate. There was a pot of hot coffee on the stove and the light above the sink was on, but the room was empty and the house was quiet. A big box of doughnuts and a carton of orange juice sat on the table. There was a note next to them: “Girls—See you at the stable. D.”
    Carole set the note down and looked out the window. Dorothy wasn’t kidding—they were already