A favorite trail near Pine Hollow is closed off by Desi’s father, but the Saddle Club are forced to trespass on it when miniature donkey, Trouble lives up to his name.
The District Interclub Competition is about to take place at Pine Hollow. Stevie is dared by the boys to rough ride. They are so impressed at her zip they invite her to be the third rider on their team in the Willow Creek Time Trial.
When Stevie gets injured, Carole and Lisa offer to stop riding, out of solidarity. Stevie thinks this is a silly idea, but Veronica realizes she can work the angle when she sees a magnificent racehorse brought to Pine Hollow.
The Saddle Club happen upon a disused gold mine and hear its history from Jess' grandfather, an ex-circus strongman called Orlando. Veronica heaps scorn on the old timer, so the Saddle Club resolves to teach her some manners...but things come unstuck.
