Poppy and Prince (2 page)

My new room-mates have gone down to the yard, but I’m hanging around up here to quickly write what’s happened so far.

When everyone came out of the office, Sally spotted me helping out with Phillip and gave me a big smile. “Don’t worry, Poppy, we’ll get you riding again,” she said. So she’s nice too – phew! I asked her not to tell anyone else about the fall or about me being so nervous now, and she promised – thank goodness. I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me.

The other girls all started arriving then so I thanked Lydia for letting me do Phillip’s feet and followed the crowd upstairs. I’m sharing with this girl Jennifer who has a gingery-brown bob with flicky-up ends. Her suitcase is huge – I
think she’s brought everything she owns! Our room is actually Millie’s own bedroom (Millie is Jody’s daughter) and it’s really nice of her to share it with us. Millie has her normal bed by the window and me and Jennifer are in the bunk beds. I said I didn’t mind which I had so Jennifer chose the top one. (I was secretly hoping for that one too but making friends is more important!)

They both seem nice, especially Millie, but I think I might have a BIG problem keeping my fall a secret.

When we were unpacking, I kept glancing at Millie and thinking, “I KNOW that girl.” And then suddenly I worked out where from. We’ve both competed in a local show jumping competition – and I beat her! From the second I realized, I was just desperately hoping she wouldn’t recognize
me
, but she soon said, “Haven’t I met you before, Poppy?”

I wouldn’t usually lie, but I didn’t know what to do, and I found myself saying, “Erm, no, I don’t think so.”

Millie said, “Well, in that case you’ve got a twin out there who beat me and Tally at the Crewkerne show!”

I made myself grin and reply, “Really?

That’s

Luckily we got distracted by Jennifer telling us all about her last show jumping competition and re-enacting her fabulous victory. It sounded amazing (almost too amazing to be true, actually). Then she said she could canter a circle on the spot in dressage and Millie instantly cried, “No way! I don’t believe that’s possible even if you are really, really good unless you’re a grown-up professional with a specially trained horse and everything!”

Jennifer looked kind of surprised and embarrassed at the same time. She mumbled, “Well, I haven’t actually DONE it yet, but I read about it in
Pony
mag and I reckon I could with a bit of practice.”

“Yeah, right!” Millie scoffed. She’s so
pony-mad
she can spot a fib a mile off. Urgh! – I hope she doesn’t spot mine!

Jennifer was a bit sniffity after that. She turned on me and demanded, “What have YOU done, then?” I just completely panicked and blurted out, “Oh, you know, the usual.” Then I added, “Hey, I love your fleece,” to change the subject.

But Jennifer kept on at me, asking, “But like what, though?”

I went all red and flustered then, like I do in maths when I’ve been daydreaming and Mr Raines asks me a question. I carried on unpacking and mumbled, “Erm, walk and trot, obviously, some canter and a bit of jumping.”

“Oh,” she said, “So you’re—”

“But only a tiny bit of jumping – pole work mainly,” I added quickly, in case she started asking about heights and combinations and all that.

Jennifer just gave me an unimpressed look and turned back to her bulging suitcase. Phew! I think I got away with it! Of course, I wanted to reveal the truth and shout, “Actually, I
am
the girl from the Crewkerne show and I’ve even done cross country and a Pony Club team dressage competition – so there!” But I kept quiet.

Oh, Jody’s calling me down to the yard now. Time to meet my pony (hurray!) and see if I dare ride again.

I GOT ON! Thanks to my
amazing
pony! He's called Prince, and I already love him to bits.

When we'd all gathered on the yard, Jody introduced herself together with Sally and Lydia (she's the nice girl I've already met, and we're supposed to ask her if we need help tacking up and things).

Then all us riders got to meet each other too.

There's a beautiful Indian girl called Amita who's about 15, and she's sharing a room with these two friends who've come down from
London together, called April and Amanda – I think they're both about 13.

Then there's me and Millie and Jennifer…

…and lastly some younger girls – Sophie and Tess and this girl Lucinda who's brought her own pony with her, a grey Welsh Section A called Lovely.

Then it was time to meet our ponies! As Lydia led them out there was a lot of squealing and patting and fussing, which made me just feel more and more excited. Then Sally winked at me and said, “We've got the perfect pony for you, Poppy,” and out came my gorgeous Prince, a fairly cobby piebald with a really sweet face.

Sally handed me the reins, saying, “Prince is patient and honest, he'll look after you.”

I made a big fuss of him, patting him and stroking his muzzle. Then I whispered, “I'm very nervous, Prince. I haven't been on a pony since I had a bad fall. You really
will
look after me, won't you?” Prince pushed his nose against my hand and I just knew that meant yes!

Then suddenly Jennifer was shrieking with excitement, and Sally was telling her to calm down or she'd spook the ponies. She'd got this beautiful chestnut mare called Flame, who is about 14hh, with a lovely blaze. She wasn't very keen on standing still, and kept trying to barge past the other ponies.

Sally said to Jennifer, “Flame can be a bit of a handful, but I'm sure you'll be able to manage her with all your experience.”

Jennifer looked really proud and said, “No problem!”

When everyone had got their ponies, Jody explained that they'd been tacked up for us today but from tomorrow we'll be doing it ourselves. April and Amanda were panicking because at their riding school it's all done before they arrive, but Sally told them not to worry as we'll be having a lecture and some practice this afternoon. I offered to help anyone
who was stuck, and Sally said, “That's very kind of you, Poppy.” Then Jennifer offered too, in a very loud voice, and she looked really cross when Sally just gave her a smile instead of answering. Jennifer's nice and everything, but I am starting to think she's one of those people who like to be the centre of attention. Well, that's fine with me, because
I
don't!

As the others queued up for the mounting block, I dithered about and made sure I was at the back of the line. When it was my turn, I found myself fiddling with Prince's numnah even though it was perfectly fine. My heart was pounding like hoof beats and I felt really sick. It seemed as if everyone was staring at me and I had to tell myself firmly that they couldn't be, because only the staff knew about my fall. For a moment I just wanted to drop Prince's reins, bolt back inside and hide under my duvet. But then I thought back to how determined I'd
been earlier on. I'd absolutely promised myself I'd mount. Then Prince lowered his head and nuzzled me and that was all the encouragement I needed – I had a gorgeous, kind pony and I was determined to ride him!

Just then Lydia came over and gave me a big smile. “Up you go, Poppy,” she said cheerfully. “I'm right beside you. I won't let Prince go anywhere.” She took the reins and I climbed on to the mounting block. I still felt sick and trembly, but I knew I had to try. I took a deep breath and put my foot in the stirrup, then I bounced a couple of times, and suddenly I was on! “Well done!” cried Lydia. “Will you be okay now?” I nodded and so she went off to help Tess check her girth.

Then something really embarrassing happened. While I was still adjusting my stirrups, Prince started walking forward, following the group into the manège. It should have been no big deal but I panicked and before I could stop myself I cried out, “Sally!”