The medal season at Saddle Creek riding school is heating up... and so are the rivalries. When a new boy rider arrives at the barn and immediately stirs drama, Emma and her friends find themselves caught in the middle of jealous whispers, rising tensions, and fractured friendships. Willow is jumping better than ever, but Emma's confidence wobbles as rumors spread and tempers flare. Then everything explodes: Knightfall refuses a jump without warning, the warm-up ring turns chaotic, and someone mysteriously raises a fence on the course. With trust crumbling and the medal final approaching, Emma must choose between fear and courage... before someone gets seriously hurt. Rival Riders Rising is an unputdownable teen horse adventure filled with barn drama, high-stakes competition, and the emotional friendships young riders love. Perfect for fans of Heartland, Saddle Club, and Canterwood Crest, this book delivers the perfect mix of mystery, horse-show tension, and coming-of-age heart. If you love... Riding school stories Fierce but loyal barn friendships Horse show nerves and big competition moments Slow-burn rivalries and real emotional growth Equestrian teamwork, courage, and heart ...then you will fall in love with the Saddle Creek Riders series. Join Emma, Willow, Riley, Zoey, Harper, Cade, and their horses as they learn that real bravery is not winning the blue ribbon... it is standing together when everything goes wrong. Book 3 leads directly into the winter storm challenges of Book 4 - Winter at Saddle Creek. A perfect gift for horse-loving teens, tweens, and young riders everywhere.