Free Summer Rider by Bonnie Bryant

at Betty, who had turned to help another camper with her stirrups. “I know,” he said. “You’d be surprised how many of the people I’ve asked think even a dollar is too much. My sister Barbara would only pledge a quarter a fence.”
    “She and Alex should get together,” Stevie said. “Anyway, we’re just going to have to make it up in volume. And Mike had a great idea about that. He offered to take a few of us into town tomorrow afternoon to look for sponsors.” The next day was Saturday, and there were no afternoon classes. During time off, campers were sometimes allowed to make trips into the closest town, as long as Barry gave them permission.
    “What are you going to tell Barry?” Lisa asked.
    “I’ll think of something,” Stevie said. “I’ve got to. We need this trip if we’re going to have any prayer of getting the kinds of numbers we need.”
    Just then Betty turned to glare at them. “Excuse me. Am I interrupting your discussion, kids?”
    “Sorry,” Carole said contritely.
    “Okay then.” Betty turned back to the rest of the class and continued. “As I was saying, it’s almost time to decide whether you feel up to the challenges of show jumping or if you’d rather stick with hunter jumping.”
    Stevie sat up a little straighter. With all the excitement over her plan, she had almost forgotten about the show-jumping event.
    “I want you to take this decision seriously,” Betty went on. “You’ve got to be realistic about whether you’re ready. Show jumping is a strenuous event for you and the horse. As you know, the pace is fast and the fences are higher than in hunter jumping—though of course ours won’t be nearly as high as some of those you may have seen on TV.”
    “Whew,” Todd said loudly, and the others laughed.
    Betty smiled. “Okay, let’s ride—once through the course, one at a time, at a canter. I know you’re all probably dying to talk about the show, so go ahead. Just listen for me to call your name. Melissa, you’re up first today.”
    As Melissa moved forward, Stevie turned to her friends again. “Well, we’re almost to the moment of truth,” she said with a grin. “Who’s up for the challenge of show jumping? Besides me, that is.”
    “Count me in,” Carole said eagerly. “I can’t wait. It’ll be a fantastic learning experience for Starlight.”
    “Oh, yeah, that’s why I’m doing it, too,” Phil said, turning to wink at Todd. He grinned. “Actually, I think it will be a blast. I’m in for sure.”
    Todd was shaking his head. “Sounds a little rich for my blood,” he said. “I haven’t been riding as long as the rest of you, and I happen to like my bones just the way they are—unbroken.”
    Stevie opened her mouth to tease Todd about his decision, but Carole shut her up with a sharp look. “I think that’s a smart decision, Todd,” she said. “When it comes to riding, better safe than sorry is a good rule. It never pays to rush things.” She turned to Lisa. “Have you made a decision yet?”
    “I made my decision ages ago,” Lisa said without hesitation. “I’m going for it.”
    Carole and Stevie were surprised at her confident tone. Lisa was definitely a better rider than Todd, but she hadn’t been riding a whole lot longer than he had. It was easy for her friends to forget that sometimes, but not now.
    “Oh, right,” Carole said uncertainly. “Um, I mean, that’s good.” She was afraid to say anything more—Lisa had been so touchy lately.
    Stevie was entertaining similar thoughts. There was no way she was going to suggest that Lisa reconsider her decision, at least not directly. But when Phil and Todd rode off to talk to one of their cabin mates, she leaned closer to Lisa and winked at her.
    “Are you really sure about this show jumping thing?”she asked teasingly. “I mean, yeah, it’s going to be exciting. But wouldn’t it be even more exciting to be in the same class with hunky Todd?”
    That was the last