Ruby guided her skittish new pony toward the first jump. He snorted, spun, and sent a bright red ribbon fluttering skyward.
Ruby caught the reins before they slipped away. “Easy. We can try.”
Ruby patted the pony’s neck and walked him past the jump once. A flag snapped, and he hopped sideways—plop!—into a pile of hay.
Ruby laughed and led the pony back to the starting line. Hay clung to his bridle and whiskers.
Ruby tried again, trotting toward a small jump. The pony stopped, and the quiet crowd watched the shining wooden rails.
Ruby waited instead of pulling. The pony lowered his head, then lifted one hoof toward the jump.
Ruby loosened the reins and gave him a chance. The pony charged toward the highest jump.
The pony leaped so high that Ruby’s hat flew off. The crowd gasped, then burst into cheers.
Ruby and the pony landed safely and raced across the finish line first. Bells rang above the blue frame.
Ruby hugged the pony’s neck. He nudged her fallen hat, and together they took the winner’s ribbon.