Pony Surprise (2 page)

Chapter Two

I
just love, love,
love
when we get to go on a hack! Sophie's riding me today and she's such a pretty little thing. She loves these leisurely strolls in the countryside just as much as I do – taking it easy, not rushing, breathing in the fresh air. Sophie's so lovely with her long, honey-coloured hair always fixed neatly into a plait, and she wears all the best riding gear too. Her new body protector is bright pink and blue, just like my browband.
Gorgeous
!

‘Your browband looks so good with your chestnut mane, Parsley,
and
it matches my gear! You look so pretty today, girl. Kate looks after you all so well. She says I can come and help the beginners when I'm a little bit older. Won't that be so cool?'

Sophie reaches down and pats me gently. She says that I'm just her cup of tea. I think that means she likes me.

‘Some of the other ponies are just way too frisky, Parsley – not like you. A lady like you would never misbehave! Oh, did I tell you that Mum arranged for some of my friends to come over to my house to watch a movie later? We're going to order pizza too. We'll have so much fun! I just hope they don't mess around with my things. Mum hates it when my room's untidy,' she says.

I like to listen to her just chatting away. She tells me all about her life and school and things, but she never seems to mention friends, so I'm glad to hear that she's got pals coming over.

Her mum's riding ahead on Olga. I'm
always
at the back of the ride. A ladylike mare like me doesn't want anyone hanging around at her rear end! We pull out of the lane and turn right on to Monlough Road. There's never much traffic along here, but all the ponies keep well in to the side of the road, just in case. Kate's assistant, Jenny, is at the front of the hack leading the way. I hope she'll take us up past the lake because it always smells really nice and fresh up there. At this time of year the leaves are just changing colour and the countryside is a kaleidoscope of colours; browns, reds, coppers. It's beautiful!

Kate brought me to the Pony Palace just over a year ago and I really love it around here. Of course it's not really a palace – just lots of stables and a riding school – but Kate says it's a really unique, special place. There's a little village nearby called Saintfield where she buys all our food and tack and things. Sophie lives in the village, and she's always telling me about her favourite shop on the main street that sells dresses and hair bands and shoes in lots of shiny colours. I'd love to see them – horseshoes are so boring compared to human shoes. We're not allowed into the village because of all the traffic, but if I could, I'd sneak into Saintfield and get myself the sparkliest, most colourful shoes I could possibly find!

We head in the direction of the lake, just as I'd hoped. Rupert's right in front of me, plodding along as usual like he just couldn't be bothered. The rest of us ponies are keeping a very special secret from Rupert, though, and when he finds out it just
might
put a smile on his face. Jenny tells the children and adults to dismount and tie us to the fence around the little car park. Mums and dads and kids take out picnic bags and baskets, but not before giving us a few treats first. Sophie's mum is talking on her mobile phone as soon as she gets off her horse. I can see Sophie rolling her eyes.

‘You wait here, Parsley. I won't be long,' she says. And she isn't. Her mum has to make another important phone call, so Sophie sits down on the ground beside me and has her picnic. Mrs Walker is a very important person, apparently. She's in charge of some big business in Belfast, so she doesn't have a lot of free time to spend with Sophie.

‘Look at the lake today, Parsley. It's so clear I can see my own reflection.' She's right – the lake is crystal clear, but the face I can see reflected in the water is not a happy one. I see a lonely little girl, and I wish I could do something to make her feel better. Maybe having friends over will cheer her up. Maybe Sophie's mum will get off her mobile phone long enough to spend some time with her daughter. Just maybe.

Chapter Three

H
ere they come, running and squealing with my saddle and bridle. The kids around here are so noisy sometimes it makes my ears hurt, and they can't seem to do anything right. Honestly – it takes at least three of them to get my bit into my mouth. And when it comes to tying my girth – please! I have to squeeze my tummy in until I can hardly breathe!

It must be nearly time for me to retire. I've been working here at the Pony Palace for longer than I can remember and if I have to listen to one more ‘Trot on, Rupert' I think I'll … well, neigh my head off! And I hate the way they get me mixed up with Parsley just because we're both chestnut with white-striped faces. Haven't they noticed her pink and blue browband? The white sock on her hind leg?
My
funky forelock? Plus there is the little matter of me being a boy!

‘Come on, Rupert. Squeeze that belly in,' Jamie tells me.

He's underneath me reaching for the girth strap. That boy never stops smiling and joking around – he really should try being a bit more serious every so often. And that hair of his needs a good cut. It looks so goofy, flopping all over the place like that.

‘That's it, Rupert. We're ready to rock and roll. You going to do some jumps for me today?'

‘Do I have a choice?' I think to myself with a snort.

Jamie is in the older ride. He's been coming here for about two years so Kate moved him up to the third level. He's really keen on showjumping and keeps going on about something called the Olympics and ‘going for gold.' Honestly, the boy's head is in the clouds!

He leads me towards the outdoor arena where Kate has laid out six sets of jumps. Barney, Tonto and Biscuit are the other ponies joining us today. I make sure to steer well clear of Barney – he's a right kicker, that one.

‘Hi Jamie. All set?' Kate asks.

Jamie beams at her the way he does at everyone.

‘You might need to up your tempo a bit today, Jamie,' she tells him. ‘You know how Rupert can be stubborn and likes to take things easy – just be firm with him and he'll do what he's told. You don't want to lose time going around the school.'

‘Great,' I think to myself. ‘Just when I was looking for an easy ride!'

‘How's your granddad, Jamie?' Kate asks him gently.

‘Not so good today. Sometimes he feels a little better and he can sit up in bed and have a chat, but over the past few days he's been very weak. Mum says I should leave him to rest. It's a pity though – he loves to hear about my lessons.'

‘Your mum's probably right, Jamie. But let's do a really good round today without cutting any corners, and then you'll be able to tell him all about it when he picks up again.'

She pats him on the arm and goes to sort out one of the other riders. Kate's nice like that – she always tries to cheer the kids up when they're down. Jamie's granddad used to ride apparently, but now he's got some kind of sickness that makes him feel really tired. I sort of feel sorry for Jamie when he talks about it, and I'm glad that our rides make him feel better, but I'd still rather be in my stable having a nice rest.

‘Come on, Rupert. Walk on,' he says and squeezes his heels into my side – I stroll forward.

‘No, Rupert, faster. Into trot. Come on!'

He's kicking me gently now, but I just can't summon up the energy.

‘You have to show him who's boss, Jamie,' Kate calls out. ‘Give him a couple of good, hard kicks – that should get him going.'

‘
Okay
, okay!' I think, ‘I'll pick up the pace!'

I gather speed and begin to canter around the arena. I clear the first jump easily and steady myself for the next one. I race towards the cross jump but I'm feeling so fed up and tired that I dip my head as I glide over the bars. Jamie flies right over my head and onto the ground with a thud. I feel guilty straight away.

‘Jamie.
Jamie
!' Kate shouts.

But Jamie doesn't move. What on earth have I done?