Poppy and Prince (8 page)

Sally gave me a leg-up and I adjusted the stirrups. I took some deep breaths and tried to sink deep into the saddle. We all set off again and soon picked up trot. Flame seemed to have completely forgotten her stumble and was raring to go. I had to check her with my half halts and focus on keeping a good seat and strong leg contact. I felt a creeping panic in my chest that she might be about to bolt off, so I tucked her in firmly behind Prince, knowing he wouldn’t give her any encouragement! Still,
Flame kept trying to break out, really testing me. I remember thinking that, despite her bragging, Jennifer must be a good rider to have managed Flame so well all week.

After a while she seemed to settle and I really started to relax. “I’m doing it,” I kept thinking. “I’m riding a different pony – and it’s okay!” We came to an uphill bit of the track and Sally asked everyone if we were all right for a canter. She looked especially at me and to my surprise I found myself nodding. I realized that I really wanted to go for it, even though I wasn’t on my trusty Prince.

And then we were off! Flame absolutely bombed up the track, galloping at one point, and overtaking everyone except Lydia on her liver chestnut, Fly.

“You okay?” she called, as we thundered along.

“Yeah!” I called back, and I realized I really truly was!

Back at the yard, Jennifer came over to swap ponies and the most amazing thing happened – she actually said sorry to me! “You didn’t have to lend me Prince,” she added. “Especially after how I acted last night. I’m really grateful, Poppy. Now I understand how you felt after
your
fall. It can be really scary!”

I could have stayed angry with her, but I was feeling great after the amazing canter (well, gallop, more like!) so I just said, “It’s okay.”

So all in one day I’ve made up with Jennifer and ridden a different horse than Prince and been out of the yard on a hack, and had a big canter (and gallop!). And now I’m definitely going to sleep because it’s the gymkhana tomorrow and I want it to come as soon as possible.

It’s so strange to be in my own room again and I’m really missing my new friends – even Jennifer. I’m missing Prince too, of course – but at least I’ve got his photo here, propped up against my lamp. I’m buying a proper frame for it first thing tomorrow. I’m going to write about the absolutely amazing thing that happened in the gymkhana today, so that I never forget it!

When we were getting our ponies ready (there was a tack and turnout class too, so we were all grooming like crazy and cleaning our tack), Jennifer came up to me and said, “You can have Flame for a couple of races if you like, so you’ll be fast enough to win something at least.”

I started feeling annoyed with her again for putting Prince down, but then I reminded myself that she was only trying to help – in her own way. So I gave Prince a big pat and said, “No thanks, I don’t mind if we don’t win anything, I just want to enjoy riding my lovely pony!”

Jennifer shrugged and said, “It’s up to you, but it really is all about winning, you know.”

I just smiled and got to work on Prince’s fetlocks with the dandy brush. I used to think winning was all that counted too, but I don’t any more, not after what Prince and Western Bob have taught me. “Actually I think it’s about being in tune with your pony and having fun,” I told her.

She just laughed. “Okay, Poppy, whatever you say. Can you pass me the hoof oil?”

So I did, and it was good to be friends with her again. It’s funny how she still says annoying things, but they don’t seem to annoy me so much any more – weird!

When we’d finished getting our ponies ready they all looked great, in their different ways. Lovely had about twelve pink ribbons in her tail and Amanda had given Fisher chequer-pattern quarter marks. Amita even did this amazing crochet plait thing on Rupert, but I kept Prince quite plain. He’s a bit cobby for mane plaits, and anyway at heart he’s a wild western boy, not a show pony! So I just gave him a really thorough groom and shined up his coat with a damp cloth and some conditioning spray. I couldn’t resist winding some ribbons round his brow band, but I chose blue and green, so that he looked very smart and not girly at all.

Mum, Dad and Luke came and found me in the yard when we were lining up to use the mounting block. Mum said, “So what’s the news, Poppy? We haven’t heard from you all week! I hope that’s a good sign!”

I laughed and said, “Yep, a very good sign – you wait and see!”

Before we started, Johnny judged the tack and turnout competition, and gave first prize to Sophie and Monsoon. They really deserved it too – Monsoon looked amazing with her mane all plaited up and her tail full of ribbons! Amanda and Fisher scooped second, and Amita won third. I knew Prince didn’t mind about not being placed – getting poshed up just isn’t his thing.

The gymkhana games were brilliant – I even picked up a second in the bending race. Jennifer romped home in the sock race, which is when you go as fast as you can back and forth collecting socks to put in a bucket. With Flame’s speed they were a sure thing to win. Amanda won the agility test, with twelve round-the-worlds in one minute. And Sophie got drenched in the apple bobbing. She just couldn’t get hold of her apple and ended up taking her hat off and sticking her head right in the bucket. Even though everyone had finished and ridden back to the start line, she still wouldn’t give up. She strapped her helmet back on, mounted up and rode back, wet hair all dripping in her face. Lucky for her that the tack and turnout competition was BEFORE that!

Afterwards, we had a break for a drink and biscuits, and I was chatting with Millie when Jennifer came up to us. She said well done for the bending, and I said well done about the sock race. It’s so nice that things are okay between us again. Then Amanda and April came up and asked me whether
Luke
has a girlfriend. While I was busy saying, “Urgh! Gross!” Millie cried, “Hey, I thought you liked
James
!”

They looked at each other and squealed, “We do … AS WELL,” then ran off giggling. Honestly, there’s no way I’ll ever get boy mad like that. I’ll only ever care about ponies!

Soon we remounted for the last competition – the Chase Me Charlie. As we lined up in the arena, I touched my Western pin, which I’d transferred on to my show jacket. I needed all my courage not to bow out. I never thought I’d be jumping this week – but no way was I sitting it out!

The first jump was a tiny cross pole I could have popped with my eyes closed before the fall, but I was just as nervous as the other Group A girls who’d only been over a few poles on the ground. Lydia led them over, then it was my turn. I took it slowly too, approaching in trot and only squeezing Prince into canter on the last few strides. He pretty much stepped over, and it was no big deal to anyone else – but to me it was everything! Mum and Dad looked completely amazed too.