Emily and Emerald (3 page)

Then it was time to get matched up with our ponies. Back in the yard, everyone started to pull on their hats and gloves, chatting excitedly. Sally got her list and read out who was on who, as
Jody and Lydia, the stable girl, led the ponies out.

This is who everyone got:

We all mounted up and rode out into the manège. As we began walking round the track, with Chantelle and Charm leading the way, I sat up nicely on Flame and tried to concentrate on riding really well, to prove to Sally that I'm good enough to handle Emerald.

When we'd walked round on both reins and done a few circles and walk to halt transitions, Sally called out for each of us to trot to the back of the ride in turn. When it was my go, Flame had a little buck and skitter and went sideways, and she wouldn't go into trot. I got a bit flustered in case Sally thought I was rubbish for not making a nice transition, but then I made myself take a deep breath, get down into my seat and steer Flame back on to the track. I took half the long side to get a really forward-going bouncy walk so that when I asked again she trotted on without messing around. And it worked!

“Good girl, Emily!” Sally called out.

“Yeah, go, Ems!” whooped Frankie.

“Erm, excuse me, who's the teacher here?” said Sally sternly, but she wasn't really cross.

Frankie giggled and I couldn't help smiling, too. I think maybe she is a really truly nice girl and not just nice to you when she feels like it.

The rest of the lesson went quite well, although Flame had a bit of a freak-out when I asked for canter. But I kept calm and asked again in the next corner, and then we got it OK.

After the assessment, I was worried about not doing everything perfectly on Flame, but Sally smiled at me on the way back to the yard. She said she was impressed, but she just had to go and speak to Johnny…

Oh, there she is…

Two mins later
— I CAN ride Emerald!!!

I'm writing down Sally's exact words so I can remember them FOR EVER.

She said,

Well, something like that, anyway!

I nearly hugged her, but I didn't because she is the instructor. I couldn't stop beaming, though!

Gotta go – it's time to get down to the yard. I can't wait to see my GORGEOUS pony!

MY pony – hee hee.

I can't believe she's really mine.

I’m so happy that I got to ride Emerald this afternoon! But the lesson didn’t exactly go very well. After lunch, we gathered in the yard and Sally read out which groups everyone would be in. They are:

Sally explained that she’ll see how Emerald gets on in Group B, but that we might have to go into Group A for some lessons – like if my group’s doing jumping, because she doesn’t think Emerald would be able to cope with that. I said that was fine, and it was so lovely how Frankie grabbed my arm and said, “I hope you do come into Group A sometimes, Ems, ’cos then we can ride together!”

Then we had our lecture about tacking up, so we all got our ponies’ stuff out of the tack room to practise on them in the barn. I went straight up to Emerald, staggering under the weight of her saddle, with her bridle jangling on my shoulder, and accidentally gave her a fright. Once I’d calmed her down, Lydia, who was teaching our lecture, called me over to the main pen to join in.

We learnt about the different parts of the bridle and saddle and what types of bit there are, and Lydia demonstrated on Prince how to tack up properly. She also gave us some helpful tips for the difficult parts like getting the bit in, and she was really smiley and nice, even when we got in a muddle.

Then when we had a go for ourselves Sally came and stood in the main pen with the others, while Lydia helped me with Emerald. I’m really glad she did because I didn’t want Emerald to suddenly try and bolt off when I had the bridle half on.

As we led our ponies out into the yard, I could tell that Emerald was getting agitated
about being around the others. She kept throwing her head in the air and startling at any tiny noise. I tried to stay calm and not panic, but it was tricky. I love Emerald so much already, and I didn’t want to let her down by freaking out. Lydia held my reins for me while I mounted up and got my stirrups sorted out.

As soon as I was on, I found it easy to get a good seat because Emerald is so slim and my legs seem to fit round her in just the right place – see, I knew we were meant to be together!

But in the lesson I couldn’t help getting the feeling that she’d rather I was on the floor!

She was just about fine as we walked round the school, although she did keep turning her head too much to the inside. I tried to pull it round, but Sally called out that I should relax
and let Emerald find the bit in her own time. We were OK doing our walk/halt transitions, but as soon as we all trotted on as a ride, Emerald went bucking right across the middle of the manège to the other side of the track! Luckily, Sally called out to me to grab the pommel, otherwise I would’ve gone flying off.

When Emerald finally stopped, Sally said, “Are you OK, Emily? Can you bring her back round past the others and ask for trot again? We mustn’t let her get away with that.”

I nodded, although when I took up the reins again my hands were shaking. I got Emerald to
trot on, but it was a real battle to get her past everyone in a straight line because she wanted to go back over to the other side of the manège. When I finally got to the back of the ride with only one cut corner and two more little bucks, everyone said well done. I felt really embarrassed about them paying so much attention to me, but also quite proud that they thought I’d done OK. Sally said, “Just keep handling Emerald the way you took charge of Flame this morning and you’ll be fine.”

Emerald is much more of a challenge than Flame, though. We’ve got so many things to work on! But I hope that once we get used to each other it’ll improve.

As I walked her back into the barn to untack, I told her how well she’d done in a soft, gentle voice. After all, she’d tried her best. It’s not
her
fault she’s so nervous, poor thing! Sally says she came from this old lady who wasn’t really well
enough to look after her properly and kept her in a little paddock on her own (and everyone knows ponies love company). And also that these kids used to go and tease her, chasing her round and trying to get on her.

How could anyone treat a pony like that?!

At least it can’t happen any more. Thank goodness Sunnyside Stables rescued her from being lonely and frightened. But it’s not surprising she finds it boisterous and a bit scary here. Poor Emerald! I’ll just have to work extra hard at proving to her that she can trust people – starting right now!