Crown Prince Read Free Page A

coat. Not much dust and dirt appeared as she brushed him—thank goodness he hadn’t rolled in his paddock that morning! She hastily ran a comb through his mane and went over his face with a soft brush.
    Gray Fox stood quietly for grooming, seeming to enjoy it. When Sarah had finished, she lifted the saddle and pad onto his back, and ran the girth through the martingale loop before tightening it. He obligingly opened his mouth to accept the bit when Sarah put on his bridle. So far the old gelding was being cooperative; a good sign.
    Sarah put on her helmet, picked up the crop, and was about to lead Gray Fox out of his stall when she remembered her spurs. She quickly strapped them to her boots, but on this warm afternoon, she left her riding gloves in the tote bag. Gray Fox’s hoofs rang on the cement floor as she led him down the aisle toward the side exit. Cutting across the courtyard would be the quickest route to the indoor arena.
    Once outside, Sarah began jogging, not easy in her tall boots, and she was relieved when Gray Fox willingly trotted beside her. The arena’s large entrance door was open, with only the wooden swing gate closing off the opening. She looked in to see if the coast was clear. Taking a deep breath, she called out, “Gate!” to the riders inside and led her horse into the arena.

CHAPTER 2
The Lesson
    THE AIRY INDOOR RIDING ARENA was brightly lit from the afternoon sun filtering in through the skylights when Sarah led Gray Fox inside. She was relieved there was no sign yet of Jack O’Brien. The other four riders in her class were mounted and warming up their horses, all wearing helmets, riding breeches, and tall black boots.
    These four teens were experienced riders, the best of the young equestrians at Brookmeade, and they took their riding seriously. They hoped to do well in competition and knew Jack O’Brien would help them achieve that goal. Sarah had felt honored when she was invited to join the class, even though she had to ride a school horse while they all owned their own mounts. Jack said she deserved to be challenged along with his top riders and shouldn’t be held back. “To be sure, there’s much good that comes from riding many different horses,” he’d added.
    Paige Vargas was riding Quarry near the ingate and came closer when Sarah entered. Quarry, an eye-catching dappled gray Thoroughbred, turned his head to Gray Fox, who pinned his ears. Fox wasn’t friendly with most horses; the barn crew was careful to turn him out with only the few he tolerated.
    â€œYou’re late,” Paige said. “What’s up?” A few strands of blonde hair escaped from under her riding helmet as the girl with the perfect complexion and violet eyes halted her horse.
    â€œMy mother’s appointment ran late, that’s all,” Sarah said. “I’m glad Quarry is okay now.”
    â€œWe think he was just footsore after being shod last week. You know how brittle his feet are. He had a few days off and now he’s fine.”
    Paige glanced at Sarah’s mount as she asked Quarry to move off. “I’m glad it’s your turn to ride Gray Fox,” she called over her shoulder as Quarry broke into trot. “Be prepared to work hard!”
    As Sarah walked Gray Fox to the center of the arena to mount, she saw Kayla trotting Fanny in a circle at the far end. She caught Kayla’s eye and gave her a thumbs up—Kayla and Fanny looked great. Sarah knew Kayla was a little nervous about jumping Fanny today, as things hadn’t gone well in their last lesson. Fanny had stopped in front of a triple bar jump, something she’d never done before.
    â€œIt was my fault, not Fanny’s,” Kayla admitted later. “Jack said Fanny needed more impulsion. If I’d ridden her stronger to the jump, she wouldn’t have refused.”
    On the far side, Paige’s boyfriend, Tim Dixon, was doing