Show Judge by Bonnie Bryant Page B

cautioned as she struggled to get the girl’s stock pin absolutely straight.
    Jasmine tapped her foot on the ground like a restless pony. “My dad is always saying he hates wearing ties, now I know why.” She tried to run a finger around the inside of the high collar.
    Lisa moved her hand away gently but firmly. “Stop that.”
    “But Carole already came by and inspected us, so what does it matter if my pin is a little crooked?”
    It was true, that part of the judging was over. Lisa was very proud of the work Jasmine had put in, and while her braiding still left a lot to be desired, not even Carole could fault the girl on effort. Her pony’s coat practically glowed, his tack was immaculate, and Jasmine’s records were clear, precise, and up to the second. “You know Max is going to start the ring work soon. You don’t want Outlaw to be ashamed of his rider, do you?” Lisa said, making a minuscule adjustment to the fine white linen. “There, that’s perfect. You look like a pro.” Lisa checked her watch. “Time to go.”
    Jasmine went pale. “I think I’m going to throw up,” she said faintly.Lisa grabbed her by the shoulders. “No, no, no. You’re going to be fine. Take a deep breath.”
    She did as Lisa said.
    “Now let it out slowly. Again.” A little color came back into the girl’s face. “Better?” Lisa asked.
    Jasmine nodded and swallowed. “That was close.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” Lisa said, wrapping a protective arm around the girl’s tiny shoulders. “I feel the same way practically every time I compete.”
    Jasmine was clearly surprised to hear that. “You do?”
    Lisa steered her toward her pony’s stall. “To tell you the truth, I think most riders feel that way before they go into the ring. Even the really experienced ones. Now, let’s get out there and show everyone how good you and Outlaw really are.”
    F ROM HER PLACE on the top rail of the ring, Stevie could take in every detail of Corey and Samurai’s appearance, and she smiled with delight. Her concentration was broken, however, as, to her surprise, Lisa scrambled up to join her on her perch. Ever since they had canceled the sleepover in the hayloft there had been very little communication between the members of The Saddle Club.
    Lisa settled herself comfortably on the rail. “Ribbons, huh?”
    Stevie thought Lisa was making fun of her Pony Partner team and rose to their defense. “Corey has a real talent for braiding. It was her idea to weave green and black ribbons into Samurai’s mane to match her riding jacket, and I think they look terrific.”
    “I have to admit, they are a nice touch. But ribbons don’t win a horse race,” Lisa declared firmly.
    “And hoof black does?” Stevie asked, pointing to Jasmine’s pony.
    “What? There’s nothing wrong with a little polish. I thought it might draw some attention to how well Outlaw picks up his feet over cavalletti,” Lisa said defensively. “It does show off his white socks nicely, don’t you think?”
    They watched as Max put the young riders through their paces. He had started the class at the walk and then had them extend it. Everyone did fine. Next came a sitting trot. Stevie noticed that one rider, seven-year-old Liam, was having trouble keeping his balance. Corey, on the other hand, sat easily on her pony, the two of them completely in sync. Stevie felt like a proud parent.
    “Posting trot, please, and riders change directions,” Max instructed from the center of the ring.
    “Oh! Did you see that?” Lisa said, nudging Stevie inthe ribs. “Jessica Adler circled Penny in an outside instead of an inside circle on the change of direction.”
    “Major mistake!” Stevie said. “I bet Andrea is about to tear her braids out.”
    “It was a silly mistake,” Lisa agreed.
    “Andrea should have prepared Jessica better.”
    Lisa nodded. “Absolutely.”
    The two of them grinned happily at each other.
    The rest of the event consisted of collected and