Rainbow walked into Sweet Apple Acres at just past noon, and found Applejack Applebucking. Every fall, the apple trees at Apple Acres grew apples that needed to be harvested (or “Applebucked”). Evidently, a few trees had sprouted early.

“Howdy pardner,” said Applejack, coming over to Rainbow. “Want an apple?”

“Sure,” said Rainbow, and accepted the apple.

“I just finished harvesting them early sprouters,” said Applejack. “Want to play a game of horseshoes?”

Rainbow continued her perfect streak of never turning down a challenge, and accepted.

Applejack led her over to a spot behind the barn with a sand pit, and a rusted stake. She handed Rainbow some horseshoes. “Your throw first.”

Rainbow gave it a shot, and her blue horseshoe stopped only a few inches away from the stake.

“Hoo-wee!” said Applejack. “Not a bad pitch for a pony who works with her head in the clouds.”

“Oh yeah?” snorted Rainbow. “Think you can do better, cowgirl?”

“I know I can.” Applejack tossed her horseshoe at the stake, and it hit, bounced off with a sharp crack, and rolled several feet away. “Oh for Pete’s sake!”

Rainbow laughed. “Heh! Looks like this Pegasus can pitch better than the workhorse. In case you didn’t know, the object of the game is to get the closest to the stake, you know.”

Applejack shrugged. “All right, all right. You got another throw there, pony girl.”

Rainbow threw her second horseshoe at the stake, but shot above and into a bush ten feet away.

“Wow, Rainbow, you couldn't hit a barn door with that kind of a throw!”

“Yeah, yeah. I still have the closest throw, Applesmack. Just try and beat it.” Rainbow went over to the bush to collect her stray horseshoe.

Applejack gave her last horseshoe some consideration, but at last threw it and…

“Yee-haw! It's a ringer! That's how you do it down here on the farm!”

“That wild throw cost me!” Rainbow finished off her apple, and tossed the core at the composter, but missed, and bonked Big Mcintosh in the head. He looked around, confused. Applejack chuckled.

“My throw is usually better than this,” said Rainbow defensively.

“Ah, don't feel bad, Rainbow. It's all in good fun. Besides, you're a mighty good athlete. I’m just better. Heh heh.”

“Ha!” snorted Rainbow. “You think you're the top athlete in all of Ponyville?”

“Well, I was gonna say in all of Equestria, but that might be gildin' the lily.”

“I think I’m the top athlete,” said Rainbow, back to her cocky self.

“Prove it.”

“What do you have in mind?”

Applejack said: “an Iron Pony competition, which is a series of–”

“– challenging contests to decide who's the most athletic, once and for all.” Rainbow interrupted. “And you know what? You're on!” She spat into her hoof, as did Applejack, and they put their hooves together sealing the compact.

Author's Note

Aw, back to copied text.