When Emma Dean's parents buy a plain sorrel mare with slightly crooked
knees at a prestigious horse sale, Emma isn't sure whether to be elated
or disappointed. Cranky and irascible, the mare refuses to warm up to
people or other horses. After she dumps Emma in the dirt on her first
ride, Emma's dad loads the mare in a trailer and takes her to a trainer
to protect his daughter from the bumps, bruises and broken bones that
can result from riding a cantankerous 2 year-old. At first the mare
seems like an outlaw, but beneath her plain red coat and independent
attitude, the trainer slowly uncovers a surprising streak of hidden
talent and an unexpected natural balance and athletic ability. When a
well-known cutting horse trainer approaches Emma's parents about
training the mare for the NCHA Futurity, the family must make a
difficult decision. Should they stretch their already strained budget to
pay for training and futurity nomination fees? Could such a hardheaded
little mare become a champion cutting horse?