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.

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.

Jean decides to deal with the financial troubles of the ranch by selling her engagement ring. Barb, Kris's mother, unexpectedly shows up and the Ritter's extend an invitation for her to stay. Todd Ritter develops a crush on Kris and Dani becomes involved with Bobby. Jean discovers her ring is missing, and Kris blames her mother who has relapsed into substance abuse. Kris pushes her mother to leave, only to later realize that Matt took the ring. Junior helps Kris find Barb at the bus station, and confesses that he understands Kris's pain as his mother left years ago as well. Kris and Barb share a special moment before deciding that Kris should stay with her new family while Barb moves on with her own life.

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.

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.

When Wildfire loses a big race, the Raintree team discovers that he has ingested cattle feed, which is potentially lethal for horses. Matt and Kris think it is most likely Carlos, a former Raintree employee. They later discover it is Ricky, Carlos' son, who is giving Wildfire the harmful feed. Matt is in debt from gambling, and he must sell his motorcycle (which his dad had given him) to make good. Meanwhile, Junior supports Dani when she goes to the hospital for a health issue and she later repays the kindness by reinforcing to Kris that Junior is actually a good guy. Kris and Junior re-kindle their romantic feelings for one another.

One of Kris's old friends shows up on the ranch and actually admits that he was the one who was responsible for Kris getting in trouble for the car theft. Matt decides to throw a party at the ranch while his mom is away at a horse show.

While recovering from her broken arm, Kris tries to earn a chance at riding Wildfire in a upcoming race. Tina gives Kris prescription painkillers to help cope with the pain of riding with a broken arm. Also, Matt asks Tina if he can escort her to a party and Dani meets with a woman who she thinks may be her mother.

When Kris has an opportunity to train with a famous female jockey, she neglects her school and work responsibilities. Matt's gambling problem is discovered by others. Dani renews her search for the truth behind her mother's disappearance.

A television crew comes to Raintree to profile Tina Sharp. Kris has dinner with the Davis family, and Matt discovers that his dad visited the ranch.

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.

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.

Kerry comes to Kris with an opportunity to audition for a hot sauce commercial. She wants to pass, but decides not to when she realizes how much the money will help her and Raintree. When she has no chemistry with the actor she must kiss, the director grabs Junior to play the part, and the kiss reignites their relationship. Junior becomes partners with Pete on his new club, and begins to get acquainted with his mother Isabelle. Dani buys two horses to start her own stable against Davis, and Pete is getting more involved in his family's life to the chagrin of Charlie.

Kris is put in an awkward position by a former inmate friend while she is helping out at a charity event at the prison. Matt and Junior decide to open their club without Pete, who is out of town. Meanwhile, Dani discovers that Isabelle lied to her.

Loyalties are tested, old feelings reignite, and the threat of loss becomes all too real when Kris faces her biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, Pablo receives a call that will rock Raintree.

Matt steps in to train Kris for a race while Pablo is out of town attending to personal matters, but all hell breaks lose on Raintree when Matt is suspected of breaking loyalties to help Dani train for the same race. With Charlie's help, Todd shows Jean that he can stand up for himself. Junior gets some unexpected help repairing damage to his club. Meanwhile, Isabelle shows her true motives.

Pablo's past comes back to haunt him when someone comes to Raintree and tells him he has to train his horse; Meanwhile, Matt takes on a new job, which upsets Jean to no end. Isabelle stirs up more trouble, and does her best to prevent Ken and Junior from reconciling.

Kris gets the chance of a lifetime, and soon finds that fame is taking over. She wonders if she's going to be able to keep her old friends, with all the forces pulling her away. Meanwhile, Rebecca gives Matt a helping hand.

Kris is threatened by a someone from Pablo's past.

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.

During a terrible storm Kris, Matt, Junior and Dani are trapped together and a torrent of secrets and lies are revealed. Ken pits Dani and Junior against each other just to save his skin. Kris takes a chance, but can she regain what she's already lost?

Kris must try to convince an heiress to go give Wildfire a spot in the Breeder's Cup. However, Dani stoops to an all new low to ruin her chances. Tempers flare and a new romance begins to simmer.

Wildfire competes with Dani's horse Ishmael for a Breeders' Cup slot; Kerry rekindles his romance with Gillian.

Kris must decide between staying at Raintree or traveling to Europe to further her career; Baby Wildfire must be sold.