More than anything, 15-year-old Kim Marshall loves to ride and be around horses. Every day she works at a nearby stable in Portland, Oregon, saving her earnings for the purchase of her own horse. This leads to constant conflict with her divorced working mother. Struggling financially, her mother can't afford a babysitter for Kim's 8-year-old sister Ashley, and wants Kim to stay home to do the job. Meanwhile, Kim develops a crush on Kevin, the stable's handsome new resident trainer. To Kim's dismay, Kevin is engaged to the beautiful but nasty Michelle, who creates discord with everyone at the stable. Kevin recognizes Kim's riding talent and gives her jumping lessons in exchange for exercising his horses and teaching his beginning students. This agreeable arrangement lasts throughout summer vacation. But when Kevin accepts another position in California, Kim's world is shattered. On top of that, Walt, the kindly barn manager who has been like a father to Kim, announces his plan to retire and move to Arizona. Devastated, Kim feels abandoned by the people she has loved-first by her father six years ago, and now by Kevin and Walt. Horses remain her only consolation. One day at home, the unsupervised Ashley gets into big trouble. Kim's mother now insists that Kim be there to babysit. But refusing to give up her precious barn time, Kim comes up with an ingenious plan that will solve the problem.