Poppy and Prince

Jody’s just given me this special diary to write down all my adventures at Sunnyside Stables. I’m so glad to be here, it looks like such a great place – and I’m really excited about riding for the first time in weeks. On the way in I saw a field full of lovely ponies and I couldn’t help trying to guess which one will be mine! But I’m also feeling very nervous because I don’t know if I’ll even dare get on her (or him!).

That’s because two months ago I had a fall at my local riding school. They were holding a show jumping competition and I’d entered the novice class on my fave pony, Pepper. I went clear in the first round, and I really wanted to win, but in round two I got my strides wrong and jumped the combination a bit long. Pepper clipped the second set of poles and nearly fell over – and I came flying off and smacked right
into the wing, then landed strangely on my arm. When I got up, it was hanging at a funny angle – turns out it was broken! It should have really hurt but at the time I couldn’t feel anything. Mum said later it was probably because of the shock. When the pain did come on, it was terrible. Two first-aiders made me a sling and helped me out of the manège, and then Mum took me to casualty. I didn’t get back on Pepper that day, of course. And my arm took six weeks to heal.

But the fall isn’t really the problem (my arm’s fine now) – it’s what it has done to my confidence. I did try to have a lesson at my stables last week, to get used to things again, but I didn’t even manage to get on. I just couldn’t make myself do it. It was awful because all the helpers, Hayley (my instructor) and Mum were standing there saying encouraging things, but I
was really dizzy and trembly. In the end I ran off to the loo, pretending I wanted to be sick. And then I stayed in there for ages just feeling so silly and weedy, until Mum banged on the door and took me home.

Right now, I’m sitting on a bench outside the office, which is next to the tack room. There are stables round all three sides of the yard and a gorgeous (and massive) carthorse is peering out at me! It’s really cool here because there’s a swimming pool (I love swimming) and also these sweet black labs called Viola and Cello, who gave me a big licky cuddle when I arrived! So even if I don’t dare to ride this week, I’m sure I can help out on the yard and play with the dogs and do swimming and stuff – so I’ll still have fun. Just hanging around here will be fantastic, and maybe the pony I’m given for the week will help me get back in the saddle again!

I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop but I’m desperately trying to hear what’s going on in the office, because Mum said she would have a word with Sally and Jody about me losing my confidence. I feel squirmy with embarrassment about her telling them, but I’m also relieved because if they know, they can help me get back to riding. But – urgh! – I’ve just had a horrible thought. What if they say, “Oh yes, yes, we understand” to Mum, and then when she’s gone they get cross with me if I get scared and don’t want to do things? And what if I
can’t
get back on and the other girls all laugh?

Oh, it’s just so annoying that this has happened! I wish I could

but I can’t.

But maybe it will be easier here because no one knows what I was like before the fall. It’s weird to think that I’ve got a stack of rosettes at home, for show jumping comps and dressage tests and one-day events. Nothing scared me!

But there’s no way I’m telling anyone here that, because then they’ll expect me to be really good. And just now I’ll be happy if I can even
sit
on a pony!

This lovely girl Lydia has just now asked me if I want to help her pick out Phillip the carthorse’s giant feet. If everyone here is as nice as her I should be fine. Right, no more being scared – I’ve decided that Sunnyside
is
the perfect place for me to get back in the saddle. I’m going to get on – today!