Palomino Pony On Parade

by Olivia Tuffin

  “Yes,” said Dan. “But they’re only talking about walking with her, and no stunt work.”

  “Well, Lily’s not officially mine,” Georgia said. “She’s only mine on loan. Melanie’s her real owner. I’d need to get permission from her. And I just feel a bit funny about anyone else riding Lily…”

  It was clear that Dan could not see her point at all. “Don’t be silly!” he exclaimed, still bursting with excitement. “Lily will be fine, and you’ll get paid! Think of the things you can buy for Lily. Plus, she’ll be in an actual film!”

  Georgia nodded silently, before agreeing that she would ask Melanie.

  “Well, come on then!” Dan said. “Let’s go to the yard now! You need to get the horses in, right?”

  Georgia nodded again, feeling a little dazed; she still couldn’t quite take in what she had read. Jumping up, Dan grabbed her hand and they ran out into the freezing air. The sky was starting to look dusky, even though it was only mid-afternoon. Dan was right, the ponies did need to come back in for the evening, as more snow was forecast.

  Georgia and Dan ran down the lane from the farm and along the main road. Turning the corner to Redgrove, they headed up the driveway. As they trudged over the top meadow, Pip and Hattie running and sniffing ahead, Georgia still couldn’t quite believe it. Lily – her Lily – had been selected to star in a film!

  Passing Wilson’s and Callie’s head collars to Dan, Georgia and Dan set off for the paddock to get the ponies in. All four were waiting by the gate. Callie was furiously pawing at the snow, impatient to get back to her warm stable and big hay net. Lily, next to Santa, whickered softly when she saw Georgia. She did the same every day, and Georgia‘s heart melted each and every time. The little palomino was so beautiful that she didn’t quite seem real. No wonder she had been star-spotted by the film company!

  Soon the ponies were settled in their stables and Georgia saw Melanie striding across the yard, wrapped up in a black wool cape. Sophie, her daughter, trotted behind her, wearing furry earmuffs over her pink-streaked hair and looking as stylish as ever! She had broken up for the Christmas holidays from university.

  “Melanie!” Dan waved her over. “Georgia’s got something exciting to tell you!”

  “Oh, really?” Melanie looked intrigued. Georgia handed over the letter. It took just a few moments for Melanie to scan through it, and then she handed it back to Georgia with a smile.

  “Well,” she said. “It certainly is exciting. How do you feel about it though?”

  Georgia smiled. Melanie knew her so well. She could see how she wasn’t sharing Dan’s enthusiasm. Sophie, on the other hand, had read the letter too and was squealing with excitement!

  “I don’t know,” Georgia said quietly, tracing an “O” in the snow with her yard boots. “I just feel a bit funny about the thought of someone else riding her, that’s all.”

  Melanie nodded. Taking Georgia’s arm, she led her a little way away from the others so they could talk on their own.

  “You’ve worked so hard at regaining Lily’s trust,” said Melanie. “But Lily is tougher than she looks. She behaved impeccably at the Horse of the Year Show – even with the overwhelming atmosphere – and she’s generally happy for me, Dan, Sophie or Will to handle her. You know, I think Lily will be fine – as long as you’re there.”

  “I guess,” said Georgia. “So you’d be happy for her to do it?”

  “I would,” said Melanie. “And by the way – in case you’re wondering – the two-thousand-pound fee would be yours. I might be her official owner, but you are in every other way. Just think about it, Georgia,” she said kindly. “I’m happy as long as you are.”

  Georgia nodded.

  “Would it make you feel better,” Sophie chipped in, “if you met the actress first, before you decide? Then you can see if you think she would be right for Lily.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Georgia agreed. She knew she was being precious about the palomino mare, but Sophie’s idea made sense. The girl could be a horse lover, just like her. She couldn’t write off the offer just yet. Especially as the money would come in very useful!

  Once Georgia had agreed to meet the actress who would ride Lily, things progressed quickly. Melanie took charge and emailed back and forth with the production company. The actress, whose identity was top secret, was going to come to the yard the following weekend to see Lily and meet everyone at the stables.

  And there was good news on the weather front – the snow had stopped for a while and was gradually starting to melt, which meant that Georgia was able to ride out again. That morning, instead of turning Lily out, Georgia spent ages brushing her golden coat and combing out her creamy mane and tail.

  Lily had been carefully clipped by Melanie a few weeks ago and her pale coat felt like brushed velvet. Will joined Georgia to finish tacking up his dark-brown mare Santa in the yard, a cheerful jade and white silk on his skullcap brightening up the winter day. Georgia smoothed Lily’s dark-blue wool exercise sheet over her muscled hindquarters and, fastening her chinstrap, led the little mare out into the cobbled yard and swung lightly into the saddle. They were only going to ride around the quiet lanes of Redgrove, as there was still snow lying in the frozen fields and on the downs, but it felt amazing to be back in the saddle. Lily obviously agreed – her ears were pricked as she walked out in perfect stride with Santa, both jigging slightly sideways with eagerness, the cold air making them both a little fresh.

  Will and Georgia chatted easily as they hacked through the centre of the village, passing the old thatched pub and the driveway up to Dan’s farm. The high street looked really pretty in the early December sunshine and several people stopped to admire the ponies. When Lily had been at the Horse of the Year Show, the local paper had run a story on the palomino’s rescue and journey to the Championships, so she was a bit of a celebrity now. Jasper had organised for the Round Barrow Pony Club members to come along to watch Lily’s performance at Olympia. So it felt as though all eyes were on the little palomino pony!

  “She’ll be even more famous when she’s a film star!” Will chuckled, reins in one hand like a cowboy, Santa’s head low and relaxed. Like Dan, he had found the news really exciting.

  “Hmmm,” Georgia said, reaching forward to pat Lily. She was still unconvinced.

  Emma was waiting in the yard when the two ponies clattered up the drive. Wrapped in a quilted scarlet coat, a white bobble hat over her shiny dark-brown hair, she blushed a bit when she saw Will, who grinned back at her as he untacked Santa. It was so obvious Emma liked him – she even helped him muck out sometimes, and Emma only mucked out when she really had to! She was also brimming with excitement about the filming and had been down that morning watching the proceedings with her mum.

  “You’ve got to let Lily be in the film,” she bubbled enthusiastically. “Do you know the name of the actress yet?”

  Georgia shook her head. Everyone wanted Lily to be the star of the show. Everyone except her! Lily rubbed Georgia’s arm with her golden head before resting her nose on Georgia’s shoulder, leaving a trail of white foam and blowing out through her nostrils. Georgia hated to admit it, but she really wanted to keep the little pony all to herself. What if Lily became really famous? Then Melanie might want to sell her.

  Georgia sighed. She knew she was being irrational, but the little pony meant the absolute world to her and there was always a fear at the back of her mind that one day she would be taken away. With a second place at the Horse of the Year Show and a qualification for Olympia, Georgia didn’t like to think how much the little pony must be worth. Thousands and thousands of pounds, probably. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she sighed. She had never imagined when she stumbled across Lily on a school trip that things would work out like this!

  Georgia had thought about what the actress would be like, but as it turned out Jocelyn McCall-Jones was nothing like she had imagined. It was early on Saturday morning when the actress arrived at Redgrove.
Over the last few days, Georgia had built up the meeting in her head and was half expecting a white limo to purr up the drive and a fur-coated glamorous blonde to sweep out, wearing dark sunglasses. So she was slightly taken aback to walk into the large farmhouse kitchen of Melanie’s house and be greeted by a small fair-haired girl, dressed quite normally in jeans and a white shirt.

  Jocelyn was undeniably pretty – Sophie was gaping at her from her position perched on top of the Aga, hands curled around a cup of tea. Georgia wasn’t really that up to date with who was who in the celebrity world so she didn’t recognise her. Georgia guessed she was a couple of years older than her – maybe sixteen or seventeen.

  Jocelyn leapt to her feet as Georgia arrived, and the two girls shook hands. It felt very strange to have the actress right here in Melanie’s kitchen, among the terriers, and the rosettes, and the saddle soap on the table! Jocelyn had two assistants with her, who were hovering around the kitchen; one seemed to be flicking through emails on an expensive-looking phone.

  “I’m Joss,” Jocelyn said finally in a cut-glass accent, so refined and polished it rang around the huge farmhouse kitchen like a bell.

  “And I’m Georgia.” Georgia smiled back, silently thankful that Joss wasn’t as tall as she had imagined. Lily only stood at just over thirteen hands and was very slightly built, so it was better if someone light would be riding her.

  “You’re so lucky to have such a lovely pony!” Joss gushed. “Lily’s so beautiful!” she continued dreamily, her eyes sparkling. “You know, I was watching you at the Horse of the Year Show?”

  Georgia shook her head, the situation feeling more and more surreal.

  “I was in one of the private boxes,” Joss explained. “And as soon as I saw Lily I knew she was the pony for me. Well, for the film anyway,” she added. “I mean, I knew that I didn’t want any other pony, so my assistant sorted it all out.” She grinned.

  “Well, er, that’s great,” Georgia said, prickling already.

  “Well now,” Melanie said, pulling on a coat. “Why don’t we go and meet the little star?”

  “Great!” Joss smiled. She whirled around the kitchen, reminding Georgia of a pixie, or a fairy – she didn’t just walk, she sort of danced and pirouetted everywhere. Georgia felt positively clumsy as she pulled on her ancient wellies and followed Joss and Melanie out into the garden where snow still lay in the shade. Despite the recent thaw it was still freezing and the cold air made Georgia’s eyes sting. Lily was waiting in her stable next to Santa, and both ponies hung their heads over their doors gazing in interest as Melanie opened the gates on to the yard from the garden.

  Lily gave a whicker when she caught sight of Georgia, and Joss gasped in appreciation as they neared the palomino. Georgia knew she looked good from a distance, just as she must have done from Joss’s box at the Horse of the Year Show. But close up, Lily was exquisite, like a china figurine. It was little wonder that at eleven years old she was one of the country’s top Welsh Section Bs.

  “Have you heard of her?” Georgia whispered to Sophie as soon as Joss was out of earshot.

  “Of course I’ve heard of her!” Sophie raised her eyebrows. “She was in that film Just Waiting for You, and lots of other TV stuff, though I can’t think what off the top of my head. But she’s definitely an up-and-coming actress.”

  “Oh,” said Georgia quietly. She could see why. Joss certainly had presence!

  “So, Joss,” Melanie said as the actress reached up to pat Lily on her neck. “How much horsey experience do you have?”

  “Well, I love horses more than anything,” Joss said vaguely, with a huge smile.

  “OK,” Melanie said slowly. “But I mean, do you have lessons? Have you got a horse?” she questioned further. Georgia knew that Melanie wouldn’t mind if Joss was a novice, but she needed to know so that they could correctly prepare Lily.

  Joss nodded. “I’ve had lessons,” she said confidently. “My instructor says I could be really good.”

  Georgia didn’t doubt Joss loved horses – it was clear the way she gazed at Lily and softly stroked her muzzle, but could she actually ride a horse? There was only one way to find out. Reaching for Lily’s head collar, Georgia slipped it on over her nose and led the little pony out on to the yard. Handing Joss a bridle, she quickly put the saddle on, did up the girth and gave Lily a quick pat before turning back to Joss, who was still holding the bridle, now upside down, looking hesitant.

  Feeling a bit awkward, Georgia took the bridle from her and quickly slipped it over the little mare’s head. Perhaps Joss just hadn’t been taught to tack up when she had lessons, which was understandable.

  Melanie was going to assess Joss and Lily together in the small outdoor arena. Georgia led Lily out of the yard and through the gates into the sand school. Joss was wearing expensive-looking jeans and long patent-leather riding boots over the top of them. Georgia didn’t like to think how much they cost. Hundreds of pounds, she imagined, looking down at her wellingtons.

  Still, she had to admit, Joss was nice, much nicer than she’d imagined her to be. And she didn’t seem to be snobby or stuck up at all, although she did seem to rely on her assistants for everything. One was now holding on to her bobble hat like it was a precious diamond, as Joss adjusted her skullcap.

  Using the mounting block, Joss reached a leg over the saddle and was soon sitting on Lily. She picked up the reins and sat up straight. Her position was pretty good, but very stiff. Still, Georgia was relieved to see that she didn’t haul Lily in the mouth or kick her to move forward. She just sat there.

  A bit hesitant, Lily looked almost bemused at the lack of direction from her rider. Thinking fast, Georgia stepped forward and clucked lightly under her tongue, and Lily, used to groundwork with Georgia, walked politely forward. Now that she had met Joss, and thought about the chance for Lily to star in the film, Georgia thought that she would quite like it to happen, even though it was obvious that Joss was a complete beginner. Joss squealed with delight as Lily completed a twenty-metre circle, with Georgia walking ahead, encouraging the little mare forward.

  Halting next to Melanie, Joss reached forward and hugged Lily tightly around her neck. “She’s definitely the perfect pony!” she enthused. “Thank you so much!”

  Georgia grinned. If all Lily had to do was walk on set and if all Joss had to do was sit there, Georgia could cope with that! “No problem,” she said, and

  she meant it. Running her hands lightly over Lily’s small ears, she felt a thrill of excitement. Her pony, who Georgia had rescued, was going to be a film star. She couldn’t quite believe it!

  Joss didn’t seem in any particular hurry to leave Redgrove Farm, even when Lily had been untacked and Georgia had put her back in her stable. Joss’s assistants were still in the kitchen, talking into their mobile phones and emailing furiously at the big farmhouse table. First, Joss wanted to meet Wilson and Callie and Santa, and then she wanted to watch Georgia fill the afternoon’s hay nets. She seemed fascinated by everything, asking loads of questions. Will then joined them in the yard, ready to school Santa while the weather was better. Joss’s eyes lit up when she saw him, and soon Will was cantering Santa in a relaxed circle in the school, reins in one hand as always.

  “Oh,” said Joss suddenly. “He’s nice!”

  Then Georgia heard the sound of the gate being pulled back and Dan walked into the yard, for once not in his boiler suit but wearing an old tweed jacket and jeans. Immediately Joss’s attention was drawn to him. Flashing a megawatt smile, Joss stuck out her hand to greet him with a handshake and Georgia noted the perfectly manicured nails and sparkly watch. Looking down at her own bitten nails and hands rough from so many years of gripping reins and mucking out, she quickly stuck them in her pockets.

  “I’m Joss,” the actress purred at Dan, who looked bemused. A slight smile lifted at the corner of Georgia’s mouth as she realised Dan had no idea who Joss was.

  “Dan, this is Jocelyn – Joss – McCall-Jo
nes. She’s come to try Lily out for the film,” said Georgia.

  “Ah,” Dan said politely. “So you’re the actress? Well, hi, Joss. So what did you think of our little pony?”

  “She’s perfect,” Joss trilled. “I’m so pleased Georgia is letting me have her! She’s the only pony I wanted.”

  Georgia frowned slightly at this. Lily was only going to be Joss’s for one day; she certainly wasn’t having her!

  Dan must have picked up on this because he winked at Georgia and immediately she felt embarrassed, knowing she was just being silly.

  “Soooo, tell me all about it!” Emma was beside herself with excitement when she joined Dan and Georgia at the yard later that afternoon, as they finished the mucking out. Reluctantly, Joss had finally left with her assistants, as she had some scenes to film that afternoon. Georgia couldn’t decide if it was Lily or Dan that had caused her to hang around the yard for hours. She had asked loads of questions about keeping a horse, some really silly ones! Remembering that she had also been a novice not so long ago, Georgia had done her best to answer her without sounding patronising.

  “So what’s she like in real life?” Em asked now. “Did she like Lily? Could she ride?” Emma was completely overexcited, firing questions at Georgia.

  “Nice, yes and no, not really,” she answered as truthfully as possible. While Dan was out of earshot she thought about telling Emma how Joss had immediately latched on to Dan, but decided not to, knowing it made her sound jealous. Dan was handsome and always nice to people when he met them, so girls normally liked him. She sighed. She was probably worrying unnecessarily.

  If Georgia had been in any doubt about Joss’s crush on Dan, it was soon made very clear indeed! A few days later, when Joss returned to Redgrove with the film’s producer to discuss Lily’s scenes, Dan was the first person she asked to see. She had already been back earlier that week to check out the bottom meadow to see if it was suitable for filming Lily’s scene. Dan had been there then as well, and Joss had ended up alone with him in the barn as he filled the hay nets. Georgia had been going back and forth bringing the ponies in. Typically it was the night she was wearing an old boiler suit of Dan’s, with straw tangled in her hair. In contrast, Joss had looked so polished in her tight white jeans and black parka with fur trim, her hair piled loosely on top of her head. There had been a lot of laughter between Dan and Joss that night. Now, standing in the yard, Georgia noticed Joss’s eyes darting around, looking for Dan. “Where’s your friend?” she asked in a casual way.