Crown Prince Challenged by Linda Snow McLoon

first day, and to gradually increase the length of the ride over the next few days. But Prince had been walking so fast. She’d probably gone too far already.
    When she asked him to turn around on the trail, Prince braced against the bridle. He wanted to go farther! He wasn’t ready to go home. Perhaps they could just jump the log ahead and then turn back. He had done it so effortlessly on their first ride, and there was no reason to think things would be any different today. Besides, she had been on this trail so many times with Lady Tate when they hadn’t seen even one wild turkey. She envisioned being totally in sync with her horse as he lifted her over the jump.
Okay, Prince,
she thought.
I know what you want. Let’s do it!
    Sarah shortened her reins and gathered her horse before asking him to trot. He pushed off eagerly, as if remembering the jump ahead. As they rounded the curve in the trail, the big log came into view. Prince’s ears went forward, focusing on the jump, while Sarah concentrated on looking through his ears ahead to the trail in the distance. In no time, Prince was rising off the ground, carrying both of them over the downed tree and leaving it behind them. He floated along the trail in a relaxed canter, not hurrying or pulling to go faster. His gait was so smooth, so perfect. Sarah didn’t want to stop! They continued cantering until they passed through the narrow section where the low overstretched limbs had been removed by Gus and Lucas.
    Sarah was in heaven! This is what she had dreamed of for so long, riding such a magnificent horse,
her own horse,
and leaving all her problems behind. Now Prince grabbed the bit as he quickened his pace and extended his stride into a gallop. As they raced by the tall thin grasses where the turkeys had been, he ran even faster. In no time, they were at the base of the ridge and beginning the climb toward the old orchard. Sarah felt the strength generated by Prince’s powerful hindquarters as he galloped up the steep incline. At the same time, almost by instinct, she leaned forward and extended her arms to allow him more rein. The trail whizzed by as his gigantic strides devoured the ground. Horse and rider were moving as one! Higher and higher they climbed, and soon they were galloping through the thick, green grass of the orchard in the midst of the old apple trees.
    Sarah sat back in the saddle and asked her horse to slow his pace. At first Prince resisted pressure from the reins. He shook his head, loving the run that had gotten them there and not wanting to stop. Sarah was insistent, and after a few strides he came back to her, first to trot, and then to a walk. The gallop up the steep ridge had been strenuous, and his breathing was quick, his nostrils red and dilated. She reached down to stroke his neck—it was warm and moist. She turned him to take in the view of the farm below, and in the distance, a few cottages in miniature with a glimmer of the ocean beyond. For several minutes they stood still, catching their breath and taking in the world.
    Sarah felt on top of the clouds, her heart beating fast from the excitement of the ride. But the spell was broken when she checked her watch. She gulped. They needed to get back to the farm before anyone was concerned! She hoped no one was keeping track of how long they’d been gone.
    Sarah turned Prince toward the trail that would take them down the ridge. As on their last visit, she asked him to carry with his hindquarters while she tweaked the reins to keep him light in front. Prince had learned something about negotiating hills on their first ride, and now he moved down the ridge in a more balanced frame, containing his forward movement without attempting to turn sideways.
    As they proceeded slowly down the steep trail, Sarah’s conscience began to bother her. There was no question she had failed to comply with Jack’s wishes. How could she have done that? He had helped her