Chapter 7
Lesson Letdown

Finally, it was time for Judy Schumacher’s visit. The ponies’ saddle pads had been freshly washed. The ponies gleamed from hours of grooming. But something was missing….

“Where’s my helmet?” Dot wailed. She was scouring her locker. “I can’t ride without my helmet!”

“Can’t you borrow one of Miss Sophie’s?” Bess asked.

“No!” Dot said. “Nobody else wears my size. I had it specially fitted to work with my hair.”

Dot and Bess frantically look for Dot's helmet on shelves. Lily stands nervously nearby with sweat running down her face.

“Girls?” Miss Sophie poked her head in the barn. “It’s almost time for your lesson.”

“I can’t find my helmet!” Dot said. She was near tears.

“You seem to be more forgetful than usual this week,” Miss Sophie said, putting her arm around Dot’s shoulder. “Or… maybe something else is going on.” Lily looked away, but she could feel Miss Sophie’s eye on her.

“I’m going to be late for the lesson,” Dot sniffled. “I’m going to miss it.”

“Let’s go in the tack room to see if I have a spare that will fit you,” Miss Sophie said. “If not, we’ll take one more look around. Maybe your helmet will mysteriously show itself.”

Miss Sophie turned Dot toward the tack room. Then she looked back at Bess and Lily.

“You girls, get your ponies and head to the arena,” Miss Sophie said. “Please tell Judy we’ll be there shortly.”

The second they were out of view, Lily ran to the hay room. She came back with Dot’s helmet.

Lily walks toward Bess with Dot's helmet that is full of hay.

“Lily. You didn’t,” Bess said, jaw dropped. “You’ve gone too far.”

“I know,” Lily whispered, ashamed. “Help me get all the hay out.”

The girls left Dot’s helmet hanging on a stall door. They dashed out and took their ponies to the arena.

A few minutes later, Dot joined them. Her eyes were puffy and red.

Dot leads Mojo into the arena. Lily and Bess sit on their horses watching her worriedly.

Mojo could tell his rider was upset. He pranced the entire ride.

“I’ve never seen him like this,” Judy frowned.

“I’m so sorry,” Dot said, looking down. “I can ride him better, I promise.”

“Everyone has bad days. That goes for girls and ponies,” Judy said kindly.

“But I won’t get the chance to show you my good days,” Dot said. She jumped off Mojo and ran to the barn.

Lily felt her heart jump to her throat. She knew she hadn’t done the right thing.