Victory and the All-Stars Academy by Stacy Gregg

resident expert on Australian wildlife. “And wombats are big and furry, and dark grey.”
    â€œDo snakes attack horses?” Charlotte asked nervously. No one answered, and a silence momentarily fell over the group as they all peered anxiously at the grass beneath them.
    It was crazy, Issie realised. A few moments ago they had been galloping at breakneck speed down a dirt road, totally fearless. And now they were wigging out about walking through the grass to get home!
    They had reached the border of the property, the line of trees that Tara had pointed out that ran like a tall, leafy spine between Havenfields and Digger Murphy’s farm.
    Stella was still talking loudly about snake bites, and at first the girls didn’t notice the howling noise that was coming from the blackberry bushes up ahead. In fact, the horses were the ones who alerted the girls to it. Arista and Kanga began snorting and shying back, their ears flattened against their heads.
    â€œHoi! Arista!” Morgan growled as the grey geldingspun around and tried to bolt. She pulled on the reins hard, bringing the horse to a halt. Kanga had done a half-rear and Charlotte was doing her best to settle him.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Issie rode forward on Victory and the brown horse began to dance about anxiously too, the whites of his eyes showing with fear as he fought Issie’s hands, trying to back away.
    â€œSomething’s making them freak out!” Morgan said. “It’s up ahead in those blackberries. It sounds like a baby crying. Arista is totally spooked.”
    â€œGet up, Kanga!” Charlotte growled. But it was no use. The horses were terrified. They weren’t going to move. Meanwhile, the howling in the bushes was getting louder.
    â€œWhat on earth’s in there?” Kate asked.
    â€œI’m going to take a look,” said Issie. She jumped down and passed her reins to Kate, who seemed to be managing the best of all of them to maintain control of her horse. “Hold Victory for me.”
    â€œWhat? You’re going to look on foot?” Stella couldn’t believe it. “Issie! What if it’s a snake?”
    â€œSnakes don’t howl,” Issie replied. She wasn’t feeling nearly as brave as that sounded. The howlingwas truly awful. Whatever the animal was, it was in pain and that meant it was probably defensive and ready to attack.
    â€œIt’s coming from in here.” Issie crept slowly forward into the blackberries, parting the thorny branches with her gloved hands. She could feel her heart thumping like mad.
    â€œCan you see anything?”
    â€œNo! The brambles are too thick.”
    â€œHere!” Kate said. She reached down from Costa’s back and passed Issie a riding crop. “Try this.”
    Issie grabbed the whip and used it to lever the branches apart. “Wait a minute. I can see it! Ohmygod!”
    â€œWhat is it? What is it?” Stella, on Woody’s back, was craning her neck to try and see.
    â€œI need a blanket,” Issie said.
    â€œWe don’t have a blanket.”
    â€œWell, a sweatshirt then.”
    â€œHere.” Charlotte untied her jersey from around her waist. “You can use mine.”
    â€œThanks.” Issie took the jersey and ducked back down into the bushes.
    â€œIssie? What are you doing? Be careful!”
    Issie was up to her waist in the blackberry bushes now. As she bent back down, she was grateful she was wearing her riding helmet to keep the branches from scratching her face. With quivering hands, she reached out and then jumped back as the creature in the bushes began to growl.
    â€œIt’s OK,” Issie said gently. “I won’t hurt you.” She stepped forward again, this time with the jersey out ready to grab the animal. There was a whimper and then Issie stood up with something large and furry in her arms. “I’ve got him!”
    â€œOhmygod!” Stella squealed