Mr. Riverton had asked me to meet him at the Jorvik Stables. He said he had something important to discuss.

Mr. Riverton: “I’m restructuring my junior squad. Talent can be found anywhere — character cannot. I need someone who doesn’t just see technique, but attitude, resilience, and that subtle instinct for what’s right for a horse.”

Gillian: “And you’re thinking of Jamie.”

I knew Mr. Riverton’s philosophy about Meadowland. He believed it was exactly the right place for something like this. He had asked Claire first — but she declined. She didn’t have the time. Her father didn’t even know about the new ranch yet, and she was deeply involved in training. Rowan was part of the squad himself, so he was out of the question. Mr. Riverton needed neutrality. Back at Meadowland, I spoke to Jamie immediately.

Gillian: “Mr. Riverton wants three young talents to be evaluated here. Not just in the show ring — but in everyday life. He wants you to assess them.”

Jamie: “Gillian… I left that world behind. And now I’m supposed to decide who stays and who goes? I still owe him something. That’s the only reason I’ll do it.”

The three candidates — Chiara, Leon, and Noah — arrived on time. Jamie greeted them calmly.

Jamie: “Today I’m not judging times. I’m watching how you treat your horse when no one is clapping.”

Chiara: “And if you make mistakes?”

Leon: “Then you fix them.”

Noah: “Or you ask yourself why they happened.”

Chiara went first. Jamie had her ride in front of an audience.

Chiara: “When people watch me, I lose my rhythm. I stop thinking about my horse and start thinking about how it looks.”

Jamie: “You ride for eyes — not for connection. That’s what makes you insecure.”

Later, he had her jump a small course. She had one rail down.

Chiara: “That was my fault. I should’ve prepared it better. I always mess this up.”

Jamie: “Do you also take responsibility for what isn’t yours? His nervousness? Other people’s expectations?”

After the session, she approached him at the stable.

Chiara: “So I’m too weak?”

Jamie: “No. You’re sensitive. But sensitivity needs stability — otherwise it turns into pressure.”

Leon was next. He rode a flawless round — in an impressive time.

Leon: “42.3 seconds. No rails. That’s competitive.”

Jamie: “Yes, Leon. And your horse is breathing like it was chased. Don’t you notice that?”

Leon: “In sport, performance counts. Feelings don’t win medals.”

Jamie: “They do. They decide whether a horse jumps willingly — or simply obeys.”

Later, while unsaddling in the stable—

Leon: “So I’m too harsh?”

Jamie: “No. But your goal is louder than your feeling. And a horse hears that immediately.”

The training sessions for the day were over. And yet, the real evaluation had only just begun.