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asked.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous, James!” Bean yelled, pushing herself back in the saddle after landing on Tiffany’s neck over the last jump.
    â€œHow’s Dolly doing?” I asked Dee.
    â€œGreat!” she said. “And it’s so fantastic to be doing something fun for a change, instead of never-ending circles around a show ring. It’s terrific!”
    â€œYou’re amazing leaders, you and Pia,” I heard Katy tell Cat. “I’d hate to be the ones who have to think about where to go. I’d much rather follow.”
    Hmmmm , I thought. That’s what I’d hoped to do.
    â€œBambi’s got a great rhythm once she gets going,” Cat said. “I just put her into gear and off she goes.”
    That is weird , I thought. For once, Cat hadn’t said anything hateful about me. It couldn’t last.
    â€œOK, team,” said Sophie, “let’s try something else while you’re all on a high. I want us to end the ride in a spectacular way. Dee, bring Dolly over here and I’ll get you to show everyone. It’s only fair I try it out on my own offspring before anyone else tries it.”
    Dee steered Dolly to the middle of the school and Sophie held on to the dappled gray mare’s bridle.
    â€œOK, now swing your left leg over Dolly’s neck so that both legs are on the off side.” Dee did as she was instructed, pulling a face of mock terror at us all.
    â€œNow grab hold of the pommel and cantle, front and back of your saddle…that’s right…now lean back and bring your legs up and over…”
    I watched in amazement as Dee’s head went down toward her empty left stirrup and her legs folded up over the saddle, over her head and down to the ground in a backward somersault on Dolly’s left-hand side. Dolly never flinched.
    â€œAnd let go of the saddle when you’re almost there…great! One perfect backward roll, well done! Now who wants to try next?”
    â€œOof,” said Dee, clutching her head. “That makes you sort of dizzy.”
    â€œWhat’s it like, Dee?” asked Bean, looking doubtful.
    â€œOK, actually!” Dee grinned and patted Dolly’s dappled neck.
    Sophie held each pony in turn and helped us with our backward roll. It was the weirdest sensation as I got my legs to go up and over—and Drummer just sighed and looked bored.
    â€œIf you’re going to be dismounting like this in the future, perhaps you’d let me know,” he said.
    â€œDon’t forget to let go of the saddle, Pia, before your legs hit the ground,” Sophie reminded me a bit too late. My arms got pulled almost out of their sockets.
    â€œRight, now we have all the basics sorted out, we need to put together a routine. We need some helpers on the ground…” She turned to our audience. “Would you consider helping us?” she asked.
    â€œOh, I’d love to help!” cried Mrs. Bradley, her eyes lighting up.
    Nah, I told myself, no way could that be my mom in disguise. She’d have had a fit if she’d seen me attempt a backward roll off Drummer. Either that or she was very, very good at being a spy.
    â€œEr, OK, if you like,” agreed Leanne, almost keeping the boredom out of her voice. I told you Sophie was impossible to say no to. Leanne never wanted to do anything with any of us.
    â€œWe really need two more helpers—do any of you know anyone?”
    â€œI bet Dec will do it—won’t he, Cat?” said James.
    â€œYeah, he’ll be up for it,” Cat agreed, nodding. Declan was one of her brothers and one of James’s friends.
    â€œWhat would we have to do, exactly?” asked Mrs. Bradley.
    â€œOh, just move the jumps around as the ride develops and hold on to a broom handle or two,” Sophie said airily.
    â€œBroom handles?” asked James. “Explain!”
    Sophie laughed. “All in good time,” she said