Every morning, Amanda would arrive at 6:00, and she would help make feeds, pitch hay, and clean stalls. After all that was done, she would catch the horses that were being used for lessons that day,

BM

Fuzz

Alex

groom them, and lay out their saddles. If she was lucky and had time to spare, Sophie would let her play with Buttercup and the foal.

No thanks.

Here

Then she would catch the school bus and head off, just to return as soon as school was done. Once a week her parents paid for a lesson, but sometimes she got to ride as a reward from Sophie. She loved going and helping, being with Sophie, and she loved to play with the ponies and other girls. She was just fine with no reward.

One day, when playing with the foal, Sophie proposed something to Amanda. "You know, I've been talking with your parents, and they agree that you should be paid for helping me so much." Sophie started. "No, I love coming. Letting me help is reward enough. I won't take any money." Amanda replied. "I thought you'd say that. But it isn't money I'm offering. If you agree, then I'd like to pay for you to lease a horse. And don't you dare say no, I insist!"

Amanda lay thinking over the details of her horse. No, not my horse. A horse to lease. She reminded herself. Same difference. She thought. Sophie would provide tack, and Amanda could ride whenever she pleased, as long as she got her work done. Yes, it was almost exactly the same as owning a horse, and they started looking for one tomorrow.

It was Saturday, and Amanda was beggining to think that Sophie was morse excited than she was, and that was saying something. They were in the farm truck, and Sophie would not quit talking about how cool it was to go around to different farms and look at horses that they could potentially take home.

They arrived at a pretty farm, and the staff led out a gorgeous chestnut thoroughbred. "He's feisty, so be careful ok!". Sophie smiled excitedly and looked the horse over. "I have a great rider here, he'll be no problem!".

The horse tossed his head and jigged about, and Amanda had a hard time getting control. Clearly, looks were the only thing this horse had going for him. With proper training, he could be good, but Amanda decided to move along. They could always come back.

So they hit the road again and came to a small barn. "Are you sure about this?" Amanda asked. "Yes. A very nice old man said he had a horse for his grandaughter, but she is in collage now." So in they went.

They were greeted by a little pony, much too small for Amanda. Sadly, they turned and left.

On the way to the next barn, Sophie warned that it was very posh. But that also meant they had good horses.