Her instructor was on the other side of the practice arena, working with another of her students who would be riding in a class later in the day. Suzanne did not have any classes today, but Dancer had to be exercised just the same. Even if it was lashing rain, horses had to be ridden. Suzanne was glad the sun was shining this morning. The schooling area was growing more and more crowded with horses and riders. Some of the other riders had instructors too. Different voices could be heard making suggestions or giving orders. Some were harsh and demanding.Harsh voices made Dancer flatten his ears against his head. Again and again, Suzanne spoke to him, calming him down. ‘It’s all right, Dancer. I know this is a strange place, but I want you to get used to it. We’re going to show here. You need to know what it’s like.’ She stroked his silken neck and glanced toward Anne.But Anne was still busy with her other student. ‘We’d better begin our serious work anyway,’ Suzanne told her horse, ‘before it’s too crowded in here.’ She noticed an instructor putting up a low fence while a small girl on a fat grey pony waited to practise jumping.
