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Doobs backed up, then relaxed, perfectly stacked on all four hooves. He was such a good boy. I had no idea how I managed to bring along this talented youngster in a year’s time.

“I did it,” she said.

Someone hooted from the stands and others clapped. Looking back, I spied a few students along with Piper and Jerry. Chloe did a little bow before picking up an easy walk again. She patted Doobs’ shoulder.

“I cannot believe he’s three,” Chloe scoffed. “He really is world class. A pleasure to ride.”

“He’s the best,” I said. “And you did a good job.”

“When is she up to do western riding?” Piper called. “Opal—at the October open show!”

“You would lend her your horse for that?” I snickered.

“It would be amazing for content,” Chloe said. “If she would, I mean.”

“You’d have what? Like a week to prepare after you get back from Europe?” Riley joked. “Chloe, be serious!”

“Dude, you gotta!” Piper pleaded. “Bro, it’s my birthday weekend. Dad is showing all his babies. Opal won’t get riding time otherwise. She’d love to.”

“Is it even fair to take that type of horse to an open show?” Chloe asked.

“Given that it’s rider is clueless and has never ridden western before, I’d say it won’t really ruffle too many feathers,” I agreed. “Plus, this show is pretty big. We get a lot of Congress horses. It’s up to you. I’ve got to go anyway. I was planning to bring Piper, but she decided to do that clinic with Jerry.”

“Sorry, babes,” Jerry said. “I really didn’t know. She can go⁠—”

“Nah,” I shook my head. “She wants to ride with that fancy German guy. I’d rather her have the opportunity.”

Piper smiled. “I’m going. Look, western riding comes last in the day—just before contesting—so honestly, I’d be able to do my morning clinic and make it back to play videographer.”

Chloe shrugged. “It could be fun. I’d be willing to try something new. Why the hell not? I have no idea what any of it requires, but if I could borrow some clothes, I’m into it. And don’t worry about the videography, kiddo. I have someone.”

Of course you do.

“You can search Piper’s closet.” I noted that they’d probably be fine to share for such an event.

It was wild to think Piper was so grown she could share clothes with an adult woman. I tried not thinking about it.

“Then we’re doing it!” Chloe said, happy.

Chloe was a horse-show addict and I couldn’t blame her. If she wanted to put some ride time into Opal, it was less for me to do. Since Piper declared she was more interested in riding dressage and wanted to be done showing paints after this season, Opal needed a new home. We’d agreed that Opal’s sale price would go towards Piper’s dressage budget. Having an amateur on Opal’s back who was completely out-of-sorts in a western saddle displayed how well the mare handled a weird catch ride. If she could perform like a pushbutton, bombproof pony for Chloe, she’d prove perfect for a fifty-something re-rider. After all, that was my bread-and-butter for sales.

Adult amateurs and parents were quick to hand over cash for something that wouldn’t kill them and would be pretty in a pasture. Opal had loud color and would sell easily if Chloe didn’t take a spill. Given that she could sit a buck like a pro, I didn’t see her coming off.

“Now, if you do this,” I said, “I expect you to put in ride time with me whenever you’re back here. Opal deserves that much.”

“I can do that. It’s fun!” Chloe announced, hopping off Doobs in the arena.

“Now, you get to untack him and turn him out as a thank you,” I said.

Chloe probably hadn’t turned her own horse out in years.

I expected pushback. Instead, she just nodded sweetly and gave his nose a kiss. “Of course.”

I resisted the sudden urge to tell her she was being a good girl—an impulse I didn’t see coming—and straightened myself. In riding breeches—hell anything—the woman tempted me. Now, that I had an open invitation to hook up with her whenever I could get away, I only wanted her more. Still, we were in public, my kid was thirty feet away, and I had three more horses to ride.

Chloe led Doobs out while I handed Mack to a groom. The gelding had his first real workout, and I was impressed with how far he'd come. Yes, it was easier to make a well-bred prospect with potential look good, but he hadn't had much under-saddle time thanks to Chloe's insistence that he learn on the ground first. She didn’t want to push him too hard—something we did too much as an industry.

In stock horses, it was common to start horses as young as barely-two or before their second birthday. I only backed Doobs at the end of his second year. I didn’t show him as a two-year-old, which got some eye rolls. When he won every winter futurity this year, I proved myself right. I preferred to let my horse have time to grow into himself and prioritize his soundness.