Free Liberty and the Dream Ride by Stacy Gregg Page B

minutes?”
    Avery was looking decidedly twitchy when Issie rushed into the media room.
    Where have you been? her trainer mouthed at her as she pushed her way through the crowds to take a seat beside him. Issie plonked herself down just as Blaire Andrews stepped up to the lectern at the front of the room and tapped on the microphone to check it was on.
    â€œGood afternoon, everyone,” she smiled. “Thank you so much for coming today. With just one more day before the Kentucky Four-Star gets underway this final briefing session is intended to cover all the key issues and any last-minute concerns that riders might have. We’d also like to use this opportunity for all of you to meet the press…”
    â€œYoo hoo!” Issie looked up to the left of the room where a plump blonde woman dressed in Donegal tweed was frantically waving. The blonde woman pushed past a couple of other riders at the back and crammed herself into the spare seat on the other side of Issie.
    â€œWe haven’t met before,” the woman whispered hoarsely, trying to keep her voice down as Blaire Andrews explained the rules regarding the trotting-up. “I’m Tiggy Brocklebent, senior writer at Horsing Around magazine.” She extended a chubby hand for Issie to shake. “I’d love to do an interview with you, for my magazine.”
    â€œUmmmm, yeah, sure…” Issie frowned. She had just missed what Blaire had said. It was something about being disqualified at the trotting-up if you didn’t have the right number on your horse.
    â€œYou’re the youngest rider ever to compete at Lexington, did you realise that?” Tiggy continued in her throaty whisper. “When I saw your name on the list of riders I said to my editor – now there’s our story! And you’re riding a fourteen-two pony? Unbelievable stuff, I’d—”
    â€œUmmm, Tiggy?” Issie whispered back. “Can we talk after the rider briefing? I really need to hear this.”
    â€œAbsolutely!” Tiggy said, “I was just saying earlier to Caroline Powell… do you know Caroline? You must know her! You’re both from New Zealand. She lives in the UK too – just like you do. Such a lovely woman! It was such a thrill when she won the Burghley Horse Trials on Lenamore. Lovely little grey horse. Only fifteen-two you know. Not as little as your Comet, of course. He’s only fourteen-two – just a pony…”
    Issie couldn’t believe it! Tiggy simply would not shut up! The journalist was still blithering on in her ear and it was almost impossible for Issie to hear what Blaire was saying. She was certain that she’d just missed some vital piece of information about the equipment check before the horses went into the start box!
    â€œâ€¦and that concludes our briefing,” Blaire said, picking up her notes from the lectern. “I hope you’re all ready for the kick-off on Friday. Thanks very much for coming – there will be coffee and cake served in the main foyer and you’ll have a chance to talk to the press.”
    Issie watched in horror as Blaire left the stage.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Avery whispered to Issie. “I made notes. I’ll fill you in later…”
    â€œYou must be Tom Avery!” Tiggy leant over to introduce herself. “I’m Tiggy Brocklebent; so glad to meet you. I was just telling young Isadora that I’d love to write a feature on her for Horsing Around magazine.”
    â€œUmmm, Tiggy?” Issie said. “I’m really flattered that you want to do a story on me, but I don’t think I’ll be interesting enough. There are lots of other riders here who are far more experienced than me…”
    â€œThat’s the point!” Tiggy said brightly. “I’ve written about all of them a hundred times before. They’re all seasoned professionals, but not you! You’re fresh –