Carole is excited that she is visiting her family in Florida, even if she misses her horse and her friends in the Saddle Club. Her cousin Shelia plans a ride along the beach with her pony, Maverick, which turns into an adventure.
The girls in the Saddle Club volunteer to baby-sit for their friends on New Years Eve, and they never thought baby-sitting would be hard until they have to deal with an insomniac baby, frigid weather, and a collapsed stable.
When Veronica diAngleo discovers her stirrup leathers cut, she and everyone else at Pine Hollow Stables assume that Stevie Lake, the practical joker, has done it, but Stevie says she is innocent.
When Lisa, Carole, and Stevie head west to help their friend Kate with a Halloween party, they come across a herd of wild horses, including one that almost looks like a ghost.
Southwood is the most glorious horse the Saddle Club has ever seen and they are sure he could win a gold medal, but his owner doesn't want to push him that hard. The club also rescues a battered horse that needs a home.