Free Show Jumper by Bonnie Bryant Page A

purpose behind Veronica’s gushing was starting to become obvious.
    “I enjoyed seeing Max’s stable,” Jock said quietly. “I always like to see young riders get caught up in thespirit of fair competition. Reminds me of how I began my own career.”
    “Yes, well,” said Veronica, smiling. “You’ve certainly had a distinguished riding career. Now that you’re not a member of the USET, I bet you’re doing even more interesting things. Are you training horses? Teaching riding? Mmm, are you judging big events … like this one?”
    Stevie telegraphed a knowing message with her eyes and eyebrows to Carole and Lisa, and they nodded in agreement. Veronica thought Jock was one of the judges for the Macrae! And as such she was buttering him up, hoping to win his good will. It was enough to make anyone sick to their stomach.
    Jock, however, also seemed to grasp what Veronica was hinting at. He answered, with a twinkle in his eye, “Oh, I’ve been doing this and that. But no, I’m not judging the Macrae. I was asked, but I’m here on another mission.”
    Veronica’s face fell. “Oh, you’re not? Too bad. Well, Max and Mrs. Reg,” she addressed them brightly, “I simply must get back to the hotel. Mummy rented a suite for us, and I’m sure she’s going mad with worry over where I must be! We’re going to eat in a four-star restaurant, you know.”
    “Sorry you won’t be joining us for dinner, Veronica,” said Mrs. Reg. “Maybe another time.”
    Veronica hastily departed, and The Saddle Club exploded in laughter. Max looked bewildered by the outburst, but Mrs. Reg and Jock grinned in understanding. “Guess I disappointed her by not being a judge,” Jock said, shaking his head. “Things never change, do they? In my time on the junior jumping circuit, I remember meeting a few Veronicas here and there.”
    “Yes, we’ve already met our share,” said Stevie, making a face.
    “Not everyone’s like that,” Jock said. “Horse people are still my favorite people in the world. Can’t get enough of the show circuit.”
    Out of curiosity, Carole asked, “What
is
your mission here. Are you just checking out the scene?”
    “Well, yes and no,” he answered. “I’m here as sort of an unofficial talent scout for the USET. I’m still in close touch with all the members, and they’re really on the lookout for new talent.”
    Stevie promptly raised her hand. “That’s me!” she said. “Where do I sign up?”
    Jock laughed. “You know as well as I do that you have to work your way up through the show ranks,” he said. “But it seems like you’ve got a pretty good start on that. No, I’m on the lookout for equine talent—for any promising horses that the USET can train for its team.”
    Max looked at his watch. “It’s almost six o’clock!” he exclaimed. “We’ve got to rest up for tomorrow. Butfirst, does anyone want to watch the elimination round of the Grand Prix event?”
    Carole was the only one who mumbled tiredly in response, “Sure, Max.” Lisa was resting against the van with her eyes closed, looking exhausted, and Stevie was clutching her stomach, miming extreme hunger.
    Mrs. Reg laughed. “I think Stevie is trying to remind us that we’re all starving. And I think Lisa is trying to tell us that we’re all exhausted. Let’s go and have dinner, and then check in at the motel. We all need some food and rest.”
    T HE S ADDLE C LUB gobbled burgers, french fries, and milk shakes at a nearby fast-food restaurant. Mrs. Reg insisted that the girls also eat a salad with their meal. “Got to have your vegetables,” she said over the girls’ protests that, surely, ketchup was a vegetable. Then the group checked into their motel, which had been chosen for its convenient location—only twenty minutes from the show grounds—and because it was a lot less expensive than the place where Veronica was staying.
    Although Carole, Lisa, and Stevie had each traveled before with their families