This book is dedicated to all the other horse crazy kids who work hard for what they want. If you work hard for what you want it makes it so worth it in the long run when you succeed.

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Ella went down to the field to catch Wyatt for her lesson.

Wyatt came trotting over with his ears high as can be when Ella reached his gate.

"Good boy,” Ella said. “Do you want a carrot? Why wouldn't you!” Ella reached into her pocket and pulled out a treat as she walked him up to the barn and put him safely on crossties.

“I’ll be right back, Wyatt,” Ella said as she skipped into the tack room.

While she was in the tack room, she ran into Alyssa.

“Why are you here today? Oh wait! I know you're here to ride Wyatt. That means I won't ride him for another week!” Alyssa said in a whiney tone.

“I’m sorry. I didn't ask to ride him. Maria thought...” Ella began to say when Alyssa interrupted.

“She thought what?” Alyssa hissed.

Ella did her best to ignore Alyssa and walked away, but after she pulled Wyatt's saddle off the rack, Alyssa tripped her and began to laugh. “Oops!” Alyssa said sarcastically. “Maybe you need to work on your balance both on and off the horse!”

Ella tried her best to ignore the mean comment.

“Sorry I took so long,” Ella quietly said to Wyatt as she stroked his soft white nose. “Time to pick your feet!” Ella said as she walked over to the old pink grooming kits.

Wyatt picked up all of his feet willingly and Ella was able to move on to grooming him. Ella proceeded to pick up the curry comb and brush Wyatt. Clumps of brown hair gently fell to the concrete floor of the cold barn.

Ella picked up the saddle and placed it onto Wyatt's tall pointed withers.

Wyatt began to throw his head up and down while Ella fixed the discombobulated saddle pad. After Ella put on Wyatt’s bridle, she began to lead him into the ring for her lesson.

“If you're ready you can go ahead and get on,” said Maria.

Ella led Wyatt up to the green dusty mounting block and carefully climbed up.

Once Ella was situated in the saddle she began trotting Wyatt around the ring.

“When you're ready, you can pick up your canter and go outside line home, quarter line oxer away, and inside line home,” Maria said pointing to the jumps.

Ella tapped Wyatt on the shoulder with her crop and he began to canter around the ring.

“That looked really nice Ella,” Maria said. “You know, we haven't told anyone this yet, but Wyatt’s owner is going to college and won't be able to bring him with her. She asked me if I knew anyone who would be able to buy him from her. She doesn't want to sell him, but she thinks he deserves to be ridden and loved. Long story short, I was wondering if you would be interested in buying Wyatt?”

“I would love to, Maria! How much is she selling him for?” Ella exclaimed.

“Well she thinks it will be around $5,000,” Maria told her. “She just wants him to go to a good home.”

By this time Alyssa was in the ring, tightening her horse's girth. “I bet Ella won't be able to afford him then, because she doesn't have enough money,” Alyssa said, “But I would definitely be able to buy him,” she said mockingly.

“Let Ella speak for herself Alyssa. Don't make assumptions.” Maria scolded.

“Well, I would have to think about the price. Maybe I could work some extra hours to earn some additional money. I think I have around $3,000 saved so far,” Ella explained.

“I will talk to Lauren, Wyatt’s owner, for you and tell her your concerns,” Maria said.

“Thank you so much, Maria. Oh, and should I put Wyatt in his stall again after I do a quick cool down? ” Ella asked.

“I’m not sure. Check with Tara to see if he still needs to eat his dinner,” Maria told her.

“Now that Ella wasted my lesson time can I get on?” Alyssa said in a nasty voice.

“Yes. As long as you think you tightened Poppy’s girth enough, go ahead and get on. I'll give you a crop if you need it, but don't start with one.” Maria said to Alyssa.

“Thank you Maria, bye Alyssa.” Ella got off of Wyatt and put up her stirrups. “You were a good boy today Wyatt!” she said to her sweaty horse. “Do you want a bath?” she asked.

After Ella was back in the barn, she put Wyatt’s halter on and proceeded to take off his saddle. Ella walked into the tack room and placed Wyatt’s saddle and bridle on their red hook, before returning to Wyatt on crossties.

“Ok sweet boy, bath time!” Ella told Wyatt. She led Wyatt into the wash stall, while attaching the fraying cross ties to the halter. After Wyatt was situated, she turned on the water so that it was nice and warm.

The water began to slowly come out of the hose. She covered Wyatt in the warm water and then took the loofa and coated him in bubbles. After she rinsed off the bubbles, she went to grab the sweat scraper from the blue metal cabinet.

Ella finished sweat scraping Wyatt and asked Tara if she should put Wyatt in his stall.

“Maria told me to ask, because she wasn't sure if Wyatt still had to eat his dinner,” Ella said to Tara.

“I think he does. You can go ahead and put him in his stall and I will put him out tonight for you” Tara told Ella.

“Thank you Tara,” Ella replied. Ella led Wyatt into the back section of stalls and flipped on the light.

The following Saturday, Ella showed up at the barn to prep for the Devon Horse Show, her biggest show of the year. The show was only three weeks away and she was trying to get in as many lessons as she could afford. She rushed in through the stone archway.

Wyatt was waiting for her with his bridle on. She walked him into the ring.

“Ella, when you're ready, go ahead and bring Wyatt up to a trot,” Maria said. “Have you thought about what I told you, about Wyatt?” she asked.

“Yes I have but I'm not sure how I will be able to afford him at that price. I mean $5,000 is a lot of money for a 17 year old girl to have just lying around. I only have $3,000 saved up,” Ella said to Maria.

“That's pretty good though. Why can't you ask your parents to help you out with the rest?” Maria asked Ella.

“Well, my parents already pay for my riding lessons, and I don't want to trouble them with buying me a horse. They are already worried enough about saving up for college,” Ella replied. She thought about it during the entire lesson.

After Ella had finished riding and put Wyatt back in his stall, she found Tara.

“Tara, I was wondering if you maybe had any additional barn chores you need help with,” she asked as politely as possible.

“I might. What for?” Tara asked.

“I am trying to earn money to buy Wyatt. I need an additional $2,000!” Ella replied.

“Oh I see, well come with me. I might have some things you can do,” Tara said.

“What time do you need to leave?”

“I am leaving at 1:00pm,” Ella explained.

“Perfect! Follow me,” Tara said as she began to go into the tack room. “I want to help you but it is not going to be easy and if I give you the remaining money then all you will need to do is work 12 hours a week until you go to college.” Tara said to Ella.

“Really, you would do that for me Tara?” Ella asked, trying to contain her excitement.

“Yes Ella. You have shown nothing but kindness to everyone you meet and that even includes Alyssa. You put up with even the most selfish people, and I believe you deserve to be rewarded for that,” Tara explained. “You got into Johnson and Wales, right?”

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