Home for Christmas by Jessica Burkhart Page B

like many similar groups, is a nonprofit organization that rescues ex-racehorses who are in danger of being euthanized. Sadly, we cannot save every horse. Even some that we do rescue have to be put down because their injuries are so severe. We don’t want to keep a horse alive if there’s no chance of recovering and if the quality of life is not pleasant for that animal.”
    Lyssa shifted on the block. She looked down, almost as if composing herself, then glanced back up at us.
    â€œBut for the horses we save,” Lyssa said, a smile on her face, “we are lucky enough to get to know them, care for them, and rehabilitate them for a new life. Their new purpose could vary from a light pleasure horse, to a stable horse for lessons, a therapy horse used for children and adults with disabilities, or a companion that cannot be ridden but can be loved by an adopter.”
    Lyssa nodded at an older girl who had her hand raised.
    â€œAre all the horses up for adoption?” the girl asked.
    â€œNo,” Lyssa said. “Some horses have been through toomuch trauma for us to feel comfortable placing them in a new home. Some of the horses who are up for adoption have been with us for months or years and haven’t found the right match yet.”
    I frowned. It made me sad to think of a horse waiting to be chosen for a new home.
    â€œWe do not euthanize those horses,” Lyssa continued. “Through donations, we are able to provide them with a place to live out the rest of their natural lives.”
    Mom and Dad were in trouble. Now I wanted to adopt a stable full of ex-racehorses! Somehow, I didn’t think that was a Christmas present they would go for. I thought back to my birthday party, when I’d asked for donations to SHT. It wasn’t the same as actually adopting a horse, but raising money to help the cause was something I was going to keep doing.
    â€œThe details of jobs we need completed are listed in the information packet that I’ll pass out now,” Lyssa said. “Please make sure everyone gets one, and read through the entire packet. Many of you signed up with friends, and the coordinators did their best to keep those groups together during specific time slots. The times and days we’re expecting you vary. If you have more time to spare, you’re obviously more than welcome to come whenever you’d like.”
    A stack of packets reached me. I took one of the thick packets and handed the rest to Brielle. She did the same and passed it to Zack, who was shoulder to shoulder with Khloe. The two weren’t officially boyfriend and girlfriend, but they had been on enough dates that I bet Zack was going to ask KK the big question soon. They complemented each other perfectly. Zack was funny and animated like Khloe. He was also très cute, with dark-blond hair—something Khloe especially liked.
    â€œEach task is labeled with the required experience needed from you,” Lyssa said. “For example, you’ll see on page five that ‘Advertising’ has a label of ‘No experience.’ The task of ‘Exercising’ has a label of ‘Advanced’ beside it. Each task is color coordinated to match the name tag you should have picked up when you signed in this morning.”
    I looked down at the laminated card that hung from my neck. My name was highlighted in green. Advanced tasks were green. All of my friends’ tags matched mine in color. Taylor’s name on his tag was in red—no experience. I wondered if he felt uncomfortable with a red tag, but as I looked around the crowd, I saw more red tags than I’d expected. Hopefully, that would make Tay feel like he fit in.
    â€œThere are lockers for you to store water bottles,snacks—whatever you’d like,” Lyssa said. “You’ll find the lockers just outside the arena near the tack room. Since it’s the first day, your only task today was to attend