Raintree is a thoroughbred horse-farm. Pete, its owner, left the Ritter family and serious debt, but Jean Ritter is determined to keep it in the family, rather then sell control to the wealthy and well-connected Ken Davis. Her invaluable horse trainer, Pablo Betart, who once has a record too, convinces her to hire a new ranch hand- it's Kris(ten) Furillo, who needs the job to convince the judge to end her detention term for car theft and resisting arrest. Her horse-skills impress everyone, from old Henry and young but extremely astute Todd Ritter to the young men on the ranch, good friends Todd Ritter and Kenny 'Junior' Davis. After their best horse comes only fourth is a high-prized race, Jean doubts whether she can hold out financially

Junior's wedding day is put at risk after he kisses Kris.

Tina Sharp leaves the Raintree Farm and rides for the Davis family, and Kris feels betrayed by Junior because their relationship is getting serious. Pablo and Jean finally decide that Kris should be the one to ride Wildfire. Tina dumps Matt, and his gambling becomes a major problem again, Jean then calls his father to talk to Matt. Dani meets the woman, Isabelle, who she thinks is her mother.

Just as she is getting her life back on track, Kris is faced with two unanticipated proposals.

Junior faces a tough decision regarding the wind-tunnel project, while things take a positive turn for Kris.

After Kris Furillo's trailer burns down, her sense of independence is tested when she has to move in with the Ritter family.

As Kris and Matt are get to know one another better, Kris gets a surprise visit from Jace, her half-brother. Junior purchases Avatar, and makes his first order of business as new owner to fire Kris.

Kris considers a lucrative offer from Sheik Omar with the fate of Raintree hanging in the balance.

Flame races in a graded stakes race; Kris appeals to the racing board to get her license reinstated; Pablo is offered a partnership at Davis Farms.

When horses get loose from Raintree, Kris, Matt, Junior, and Dani go on a trek together to find them. Jean is surprised when Pete, her ex-husband, shows up at the ranch.

Despite Pablo and Kris protests, Matt and Jean consider selling Wildfire to help Raintree stay afloat. Meanwhile, Gillian and Junior end up bonding at Bobby's club one night while Matt and Kris are busy.

Against the wishes of Pablo and Jean, Kris makes the decision to remain with Wildfire to care for his injury.

Wildfire, who has been cared for by Kris and Dr. Noah, makes a speedy recovery. Meanwhile Matt desires for Raintree to re-enter the world of horse racing.

As Junior's wedding day draws closer, he begins to focus his attention towards his wind-tunnel project and Kris.

Kris and Junior face resentment after announcing their plans to marry each other.

After barely losing the Sandpiper, due to a dirty trick by Tina, Kris and Wildfire attract attention in the media and from a sports agent. Dani has a hard time coming to terms with the truth about her mother and Junior's departure. Meanwhile, Matt and Kris search for Junior.

Kris and Matt's relationship heats up and they dont know how to tell Junior, especially after the death of a close friend. Dani is having trouble with grief and it is affecting her work. Jean visits Davis farm for the first time since Pablo joined their staff.

The rivalry between Matt and Junior heats up; Gillian returns to town and finds solace with Junior.

Kris’s return to the Ritter Ranch is filled with drama. Matt decides to pursue his feelings for Kris. Dani is jealous and becomes intent on getting Kris in trouble, first by tipping off a cop that Kris is participating in an illegal drag race. Dani also spreads rumors at the track about Kris’s past, and Kris punches her. Jean encourages Kris to trust her and to come to the Ritters with any problems. Kris ignores the romantic advances of both Junior and Matt, and instead reestablishes her bond with Wildfire who is distant since her return to the ranch.

Kris has to ride for Dani Davis and is actually riding against Wildfire. Junior bets everything he has [the club] against Wildfire, with Bobby who claims he has turned over a new leaf. it turns out there is a major accident where both wildfire and dani's horse are hurt. Kris starts to beleive the accident is her fault.

Kris learns what happened to Kerry while Raintree deals with the unexpected fallout of the Breeders' Cup win. Meanwhile, Dani takes over the Davis ranch, but that doesn't stop her father from calling the shots; and Jean welcomes home a familiar face after a death in the family. Also, Matt rethinks his destiny on the farm.

Kris resorts to desperate measures to ease Raintree's financial crisis; Matt tries to beat Dani at her own game in a battle for an important client's business; and Junior finds old habits hard to break.

Dani faces a tough decision: Noah or horse racing, and Matt and Kris find running the dude ranch difficult. Later, while searching for two missing children, Matt and Junior argue.

Wildfire gets out of control and injures another horse during a practice race. The vet bills and impending IRS audit further alarm Jean about the future of the ranch. Kris feels responsible and gets a waitress job at the local diner. Matt begins to get more involved in gambling and Dani is again disappointed by her father when he cancels their plans. Dani meets up with Bobby at the diner and taunts Kris at work, but Kris sees Bobby pushing Dani and punches him in Dani's defense. The diner owner oversees the altercation and fires Kris on the spot. More bad news comes when Jean informs Kris that they may need to sell Wildfire to say afloat.

Tensions are high as Wildfire prepares for the claim race. Kris makes a deal with Junior – she will go on a date with him if he puts a competitive claim on Wildfire for the impending race. Junior acts like a gentleman throughout the date, and Kris begins to appreciate his friendship. Jean and Charlie also go on a date and run into Matt out at a club. Matt is not happy about Jean or Kris’s respective dates. Dani discovers that Bobby is married, and her friendship with Amber becomes strained after Amber misjudges Dani’s intentions. When Wildfire wins the big race, the two claims on him are revealed to be from Junior and Pablo. Pablo is awarded the horse and strikes a deal with Jean to own Wildfire 50/50.