Ashley looked alarmed, and her expression hardened. "Well, maybe you want to think about it," she said hastily. "Could I have my crop now, please?"

Amy went to get it, still reeling in surprise. She didn't know whether to feel indignant or flattered by such an unexpected suggestion. She gave Ashley the crop and said good-bye without saying anything more about the proposition.

She was still mulling it over the next day when she and Soraya rode up toward Clairdale Ridge on Storm and Jasmine. Her friend was just as astonished at the news.

"Amazing," she exclaimed. "Ashley Grant eating humble pie. I never thought I'd live to see the day."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say it was humble pie," Amy said uncertainly. "She might have asked me for help, but she was still pretty snarky about it."

"So, what are you going to do?" demanded Soraya. "You're not going to help her, are you?"

Amy thought about it. More than anything, she thought about Bright Magic. She was sure that Ashley couldn't have had a personality transplant. But Bright Magic was a talented, sensitive horse, and Val Grant's harsh training was stifling him. And at the very least, Ashley had seemed genuinely concerned about him. She might now have completely changed her colors, but Bright Magic's refusal on Saturday had at least made her acknowledge that she wasn't always right.

Amy shrugged. "Ashley was pretty shaken up by her fall," she said. "I think it's made her realize she doesn't know everything."

"I guess," said Soraya doubtfully. "But Ashley's so selfish Amy. And you'll be competing against her on Storm, remember."

"Oh, that," said Amy. "That doesn't worry me. Storm's going like a dream at the moment. Anyway, it's not really the point. Bright Magic is a talented horse that's being ridden the wrong way. I could make his life a whole lot easier."

Soraya looked hard at her, and Amy realized that her friend was reading her thoughts. "Amy," said Soraya. "You're already trying to figure out what's wrong with him, aren't you? You can't help yourself."

Amy grinned. They had reached an open stretch, and she pushed Storm into a canter. "I'm only thinking about it," she called back to Soraya. "That's all."