Poppy and Prince (7 page)

This morning we’ve been having a Road Safety Lecture and getting our ponies ready to go on a hack out. It’s a lovely hot day and I really want to enjoy it, but I’m very nervous as well, because it’ll be the first time I’ve ridden out since my fall.

When I was tacking up just now I whispered my worries to Prince and I could feel him promising not to go galloping off with me, or dump me in a bush or anything. But still, I’m planning to stay close to Sally and Millie so they can help me out if I get panicky. I am also going to stay away from Jennifer because I am NOT her friend after what she said last night!

I’ve been trying to write in here all evening, but I’ve been on washing up duty and then we had a video night and now it’s bedtime! I can’t believe it’s my last night here, or what happened out on the hack today!

When we left the yard, I was tucked in behind Amanda on Fisher near the front of the ride. Sally was leading and Lydia was bringing up the rear. Jennifer was behind me in the line somewhere but I was trying not to think about her and just concentrate on the ride instead.

I felt quite scared riding on the road, but we had our fluorescent bibs on and we kept in single file. I tried to think about what Western Bob had said about relaxing and being in tune with your horse and I sat deeply in the saddle and calmed down. Still, I felt really relieved when we signalled and turned up a track.

Prince felt ever so springy when we were trotting along the bridle path, and I could tell he was enjoying himself. We even had a canter up one of the hills and it was great because I went with his rhythm and trusted him. I wasn’t even thinking,
Hands down, sit up
or anything – it just sort of happened on its own.

As we were going along this lovely part of the track next to a wood, Sally trotted up beside me and said, “You’ve done so well this week, Poppy. You’ve really given it your all and you’re back on track. I’m very proud of you, and your family will be too.”

I thought of Mum and Dad and Luke seeing me in the gymkhana and it really made me grin. “Thanks, but it’s all down to Prince really,” I told her. “There’s no way I could have done it without him.” I’m sure he heard because he did a big snort and shook his head and Sally and me both laughed!

“Let’s just say you make a great team,” she chuckled.

But, typical – Jennifer was listening in on our conversation and when I was telling Sally how great Prince was, she called out, “Yeah, if you like going steady.”

“Well I do,” I said firmly, forgetting that I still wasn’t talking to her after last night.

Jennifer said, “Well, fine, but if you want to carry on improving, Poppy, you need more of a challenge. And so do I. In fact I think I’ve outgrown Flame.”

Sally laughed and said, “Excuse me, who’s the instructor round here? Poppy is doing just fine and there’s still a lot Flame can teach you.”

“But everything’s easy for me,” Jennifer whined. “Like, I bet I could even jump that log pile.” She gestured towards a stack of logs by the edge of the wood. I thought it was just another brag – until she kicked on and took off towards the pile!

“Don’t even think about it,” Sally shouted. “You don’t know what’s—”

But Jennifer just picked up canter and started turning Flame towards the pile.

“Come back here!” Sally ordered.

Jennifer still didn’t take any notice. She was heading straight for the logs, kicking on. Flame rushed at them and as she jumped, Jennifer threw herself forward really dramatically, much more than she needed to. Flame clipped the top log and it rolled off the pile, pulling others with it. The poor pony was totally spooked and stumbled on her landing, sending Jennifer tumbling down her neck and on to the floor. We all watched in horror as Flame cantered off into the woods, her reins trailing along the ground.

Millie leaped off Tally and held Lydia’s horse while she ran into the woods after Flame. Sally was over by Jennifer in a flash but Jennifer didn’t move or even moan and groan when Sally checked her over. I realized from my own fall that it was the shock. Then she suddenly got up and brushed herself down, trying to smile.

We all sighed with relief.

But Sally was furious. “You didn’t even check what was on the other side, or whether the pile was stable, did you?” she shouted. “You deliberately disobeyed me! You were extremely lucky to get away with just bruises, Jennifer. You could have broken your neck!”

“I knew what I was doing,” Jennifer began. “I just—”

“You put your horse in serious danger, and now she’s loose in the woods with her reins dangling!” Sally shouted.

It all sunk in then and Jennifer started to sob hysterically.

Sally just stood with her arms folded, furious.

But – thank goodness! – Lydia came out of the trees leading Flame! Seeing that she was okay, Sally softened a little. “Right, well, I hope you’ve learnt a valuable lesson,” she told Jennifer sternly. “Now on you get and we’ll head back to the yard.”

Lydia led Flame up to Jennifer and offered her the reins, but Jennifer backed away. “I can’t!”

Sally sighed. “Jennifer, that fall was your fault, not your pony’s. Now please get back on.”

But Jennifer just snivelled and sobbed and shook her head. “I can’t,” she repeated, “not on
her
, anyway!”

Then the most awful thing happened. Jennifer whirled round and stared hard at me. “I want to go on Prince!” she whined.

I dropped forward and clung to Prince’s mane. “No way,” I said. “He’s mine!”

Next thing, I heard Millie telling Jennifer, “You can have Tally, I’ll ride Flame.” I caught her eye and smiled my thanks. I knew she was saying it so I wouldn’t have to give up Prince. But it didn’t work because Sally just said, “Thanks, Millie, but I don’t think your lovable thug would do Jennifer much good right now.”

Sally looked at me hopefully, but I shook my head. How could she even ask?

Jennifer started sobbing again and I hugged Prince’s neck fiercely. I couldn’t give him up – I just couldn’t! But there was real fear in Jennifer’s eyes – she was terrified of Flame. Despite how horrible she’d been to me, I knew how important it was to get back on as soon as you can. I wiggled my hand up under my body protector and felt my Western ribbon, pinned to my fleece – somehow it made me feel braver. The next thing I knew, I was saying, “Okay, you can have Prince, but only for the ride home.”

“Thanks,” sniffled Jennifer. I dismounted and handed the reins to Sally, who mouthed “Thanks” at me. Then came the hardest part – riding Flame! After all, she was a whole hand higher than my Prince. And she’s not just called Flame for her glossy chestnut coat – she has a fiery nature too! How would I control her? Would I dissolve into panic again? My head was spinning with scary thoughts.