Palomino Pony On Parade

by Olivia Tuffin

  Melanie was as calm as ever. Placing a hand on Georgia’s shoulder, she smiled. “Ready for this?” she asked kindly, and Georgia nodded, really meaning it. She still couldn’t believe she was competing at the famous Christmas show. Later on, warming up in her allocated time slot she relaxed as Lily paid no attention to the glitzy decorations hanging in the arena, ignoring some of the ponies who sidestepped past, eyes bulging, necks quivering as they took in the huge atmosphere and the echoes of the vast exhibition centre.

  Remembering what Joss had told her, she curiously scanned some of the ponies as she warmed down on a loose rein, trying to guess which one she had bought. There was a pretty Welsh Section A mare and a solid Shetland stallion, both palomino, but Georgia guessed they would be too small, even for the tiny Joss. Then suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a magnificent Welsh Section D cob high-stepping into the arena. The pony was at the top end of its height range and oozed presence and fire. Georgia watched as it pushed into a powerful extended trot. It was obviously strong and the girl riding was struggling to control its enthusiasm. As the pony thundered past Georgia, she practically felt the ground shake, like an earthquake. She recognised the girl on the palomino as a show rider who made a living riding ponies on behalf of professional yards, and she was probably in her early twenties. Even she was struggling with the pony! But there was no time to speculate. After Melanie was satisfied that Lily was happy and confident with her new surroundings, it was time to settle her into her temporary stable, which Sophie had decorated with gold tinsel around the door.

  “Our Olympia tradition.” She winked at Georgia and for the millionth time Georgia thought how lucky she was that Redgrove had become her second home.

  Later, curled up in her bed in the hotel room she was sharing with Sophie, Georgia checked her phone. Good-luck texts from Emma, who was coming on the Pony Club coach early the next morning, and Dan, letting her know he would make it in time for her class. He still had to work in the morning, which was why his dad had agreed to drop him at the train station, so he could get to London as fast as he could. The text had only just been sent, so quickly she replied:

  Can’t wait to see you tomorrow x

  But nothing came back. Sighing, she put her phone on the little table beside her bed and, putting a pillow over her head to block out the sound of the London traffic, drifted into a deep sleep.

  Cantering around the warm-up area at six the next morning, Georgia reflected on just how surreal everything was. Lily was as relaxed as ever as Georgia concentrated on her transitions, running through her individual show under Melanie’s watchful eye. Checking her watch, Georgia hoped that Dan had caught his early train. If he had, he should just make it in time for the class. Unlike at the Horse of the Year Show when he had come into the ring as official groom, Melanie was going to be carrying out that duty, just in case the train was delayed and to stop Georgia fretting. Georgia was just glad Dan was coming to watch, and hoped he would find his seat OK, as he wouldn’t be able to watch from the horse area without an official badge. It would be strange without him by her side.

  “Breakfast?” Sophie grinned as Georgia untacked Lily back in her stable. She wasn’t that nervous now she had ridden Lily in the warm-up, but she felt faintly sick – the kind of sick you feel when you have to get up really early to go on holiday. Sophie was munching her way through an enormous bacon roll, slathered in ketchup. The smell, normally Georgia’s favourite, made her senses reel and she felt a wave of nausea. She shook her head, her mouth clamped together, and Sophie laughed. “For once I can relax and watch!” she said cheerfully. “I’ll buy you loads of food after your class. You’ll need it by then!”

  Sophie was right. Georgia felt her tummy growl as she mounted Lily, ready to take her to the main arena. Oh well, it was too late now. She would just have to wait until after the riding was done. Reaching down, she gave Lily a pat with her gloved hand, remembering her and Melanie’s trip to buy them before the Horse of the Year Show. They had brought her luck then. Could they do the same now? The commentator was whipping the crowd into a frenzy of excitement and the ponies in front of Georgia jigged with pent-up nerves as the stewards called the riders forward.

  The Exmoors, Dartmoors and Shetlands had already been in for their preliminary judging. It was now the turn of the Welsh ponies before the large breeds. Then they would all be back later on for the placing. It was a format that Georgia knew like the back of her hand, having watched Sophie compete in the past.

  “Good luck!”

  Turning round, Georgia grinned as she heard a familiar voice. Will and his brother Jasper were waving at her, thumbs aloft. She had no idea how they had managed to sneak into the horse area but guessed it was because Jasper had been a famous rider. However they had done it, Georgia was delighted to see them.

  The actual show part was much the same as every other show Georgia had done – a go-round with the other ponies, an individual show and a trot-up in front of the confirmation judge. The same as every show bar the enormous crowds and Christmas decorations everywhere, and the fact they were cantering around one of the most famous equestrian arenas in the world! Georgia tried not to think too hard about that, instead concentrating on showing Lily off perfectly. Her now-trademark extended trot got a huge cheer, much to Georgia’s delight, and the rest of the show went perfectly, even her weak spot, the right canter lead. Lily simply shone under the arena lights. It seemed the bigger the crowd, the better her performance. Georgia crossed her fingers and hoped that Dan had managed to find his seat and was watching, knowing she had just ridden the best show she had ever performed. Melanie obviously felt the same and was grinning from ear to ear as the pair rode out of the arena, taking hold of Lily’s bridle, tears of happiness threatening to spill over. Mel loved the little palomino as much as Georgia did!

  “Wonderful, super, perfect,” she enthused tearfully, patting her over and over. Then, as Georgia dismounted, Mel took one look at her pale face and ordered her towards the food stalls to grab some breakfast before the mounted prize-giving.

  Protesting, Georgia tried to assure her that she was fine, but Melanie insisted that she and Sophie would look after Lily. Georgia decided to see if Dan had arrived, and if she could sneak him into the horse area somehow, like Jasper and Will. It didn’t feel the same without him there. She decided to go and find his seat, which she knew was one of the lower-priced tickets near the food hall. Weaving in and out of the bustling crowds, heading towards the shopping village, she was just about to turn into the section where his seat was located when her eye was drawn to a familiar figure sitting in one of the many cafes on the ringside. He was laughing, head close to a strikingly pretty girl. She had her hand on his arm, throwing her head back in a fit of giggles as they shared a joke. Joss and Dan.

  Georgia felt her heart sink to the bottom of her boots, and suddenly decided she didn’t want to be anywhere near them. Maybe they wouldn’t notice her go. Turning back, she was ready to disappear into the crowds and slink back to the comfort of Lily when she heard her name being called. It was Joss and she was waving madly at Georgia. Her cheeks flushing, Georgia had no choice but to head over. Dan looked a little sheepish, pulling his arm away from Joss’s grasp. “Hey, G,” he smiled at his friend. “How did it go?”

  “Good.” Georgia looked questioningly at Dan, and he held his hands up.

  “Sorry, Georgia, my train got delayed. I couldn’t work out the tube and I couldn’t exactly ring you, but luckily Joss came to my rescue.”

  Joss beamed at this. “London’s easy for me,” she said in her tinkly voice. “It was so funny seeing you trying to work that ticket barrier, Dan!”

  The two collapsed into laughter again, chatting about some earlier shared experience, as Georgia sat awkwardly, feeling like a third wheel. She suddenly found she had totally lost her appetite. Smiling weakly, she stood up.

  “Well,” she said turning back. “I’d better get on with things; the prize-giv
ing is soon.”

  “I’ll be watching,” Dan said loyally. “And, Georgia … I’m really sorry I missed your show.”

  He did sound sincere, and Georgia was just about to answer when Joss beamed. “I’ll come and find you at the stables later; I’d like to see my new horse. Also, I’ve got something exciting to tell you!”

  Scurrying back to the stables, all thoughts of food forgotten, Georgia wondered what she meant. Try as she might, she couldn’t get the image of Joss and Dan giggling together out of her mind.

  There wasn’t time for Georgia to think about her wounded feelings. The break between the judging and the prize-giving had flown by, broken up with a display from a horsey stunt team that had the huge Olympia crowds whooping and cheering in excitement. All too soon, Georgia needed to remount for the final results. Given the formality of the occasion, she was wearing Sophie’s old navy jacket and a snow-white stock, rather than her normal tweed and tie. Sophie had pinned her mass of blonde hair into a bun, and her lucky silver stock pin sparkled. Melanie stepped back and looked at Georgia as she pulled her gloves on before mounting.

  “My,” she said proudly. “Aren’t you looking grown up!”

  Georgia smiled, thinking of the first time her mum had taken her over to Redgrove. In those days it had been a dream just to be near ponies, and now here she was, riding in one of the most famous shows in the country. If Dan really did like Joss … at least she still had Lily and the other ponies.

  Sophie pulled out a compact mirror from her handbag and held it up so Georgia could see her reflection. With her blonde waves pinned tightly back and the snow-white stock setting off her pale skin, she hardly dared think it, but she looked sophisticated. With her confidence slightly boosted, she gathered up her reins, her head held high.

  As Georgia trotted Lily into the main arena behind the other Section Bs, the atmosphere was crackling with electricity. The stands were now completely full of spectators, all waiting excitedly for the results. As Georgia trotted down the long side of the arena, concentrating on keeping Lily light between her hands and focused, her eye was drawn to the boxes above the seating area. There was some particularly enthusiastic waving and cheering coming from one box and, looking up, Georgia saw Emma and Dan clapping wildly. Her heart leapt for one moment, before she realised Joss was nestled in beside them, grinning up at Dan and not watching the ponies at all. Georgia gritted her teeth. Concentrate, she told herself sternly. This was possibly the biggest moment of her riding career and she didn’t want to be distracted! Thank goodness for Lily, she thought, giving the little mare a scratch on her withers as she took her place in the line-up.

  The ponies were called out in reverse order from tenth place, with the best of breeds announced as they went. Alice Smalley whooped with delight as she and Lachlan were placed seventh.

  Georgia grinned at her. Alice was so brave to be riding again after her accident, let alone competing at the top level, and the cheers from the crowd reflected that. As the commentator, a man in a tuxedo holding a microphone, neared the final three places, Georgia started to feel her excitement grow as she realised the best of breed for the Welsh Section B still hadn’t been announced. That meant a Section B had to be in the top three. When the name of the third-placed pony – a handsome Dartmoor stallion – was announced, Georgia started to hold her breath. Melanie had told her that Lily had looked the best she had ever looked, but to win at Olympia? Georgia hardly dared breathe. The reserve champion went to the most gorgeous grey Connemara whose rider leaned forward to hug her pony over and over again. There was a dramatic pause before the first place was announced. “And our Olympia champion this year goes to … Carlamu Lily and Miss Georgia Black!”

  Time seemed to stand still. Georgia felt the blood rush to her ears and her heart felt as though it might burst out of her chest. The stands erupted, everyone cheering. The little palomino was a popular winner and it was all Georgia could do to stay mounted as she hugged Lily tightly, tears pouring down her cheeks. She had known Lily was special from the moment she first saw her on the wet hillside in Wales, and now she was proving it to the whole equestrian world. As Georgia walked Lily forward to receive her championship rosette and sash, and to pose for the hundreds of cameras, she didn’t think the moment could ever be topped. It was only after she completed her lap of honour, finishing with a gallop under a spotlight, that she remembered her friends watching. Glancing up at the box where Dan and Joss sat, now joined by Will and Jasper, she felt her stomach flip as she saw Joss had her arms firmly wrapped around Dan.

  An ecstatic, tearful Melanie met her as she trotted back out of the arena. Melanie was so overcome with emotion that she could hardly speak at first. She just hugged both Lily and Georgia over and over. Sophie was equally excited. Georgia could have burst with pride! Putting Dan and Joss firmly out of her mind, she concentrated instead on untacking Lily and rugging her up before she got cold in the chill of the backstage area. People were stopping to congratulate her every minute, and she felt her cheeks might start to ache with all the smiling she was doing. It would be a very happy lorry heading back to Redgrove that evening.

  Georgia’s celebrations were interrupted by Emma, who, squealing with delight, flung her arms around her friend before hugging Lily.

  “Oh my goodness, Georgia, that was amazing!” Emma was jumping up and down in excitement.

  “Thanks,” Georgia mumbled, unable to muster any more than one word in her emotional state. She felt a little overwhelmed all of a sudden – the early morning, lack of food and now the win were catching up with her and making her feel a little unsteady on her feet. Following Emma were Dan and Joss. Dan did look really pleased but Georgia couldn’t help but notice that Joss was by his side, staring adoringly up at Dan.

  She’s clinging to him like a limpet, she thought, and then she stopped herself. She knew she was being unkind.

  “Well done, G,” Dan said warmly, and Georgia thanked him, avoiding his eye.

  “You can meet my new pony now!” Joss trilled. “He was the one who was fifth!”

  Thinking back, Georgia realised the pony Joss meant was indeed the strong-looking Welsh in the warm-up. She frowned. Joss was a novice rider, and the pony, whose name she quickly learned was Topper, looked a real handful. She just hoped Joss would have help on a good yard. However, Joss had further, unexpected news that totally deflated Georgia.

  “Soooo,” she said batting her long eyelashes. “My riding school in Hyde Park can’t take him until the new year. And I’m filming near Redgrove up until Christmas Eve anyway, then going back to London to see my family. So…”

  Georgia stared at her. She had a sudden horrible feeling she knew what Joss was about to say, and braced herself. Joss went on to explain that her new pony was being sent to Redgrove that evening and was to be kept at Seven Birches, an exclusive livery yard, over the Christmas period. It was only five minutes’ walk from Dan’s farm, Georgia thought.

  No wonder Joss looked so pleased with herself. Turning back to Lily so Dan wouldn’t see the hurt that had crossed her face she mumbled a reply, trying to sound happy. Truthfully, she was worried that the pony Joss had bought was far too much for her, and despite being the same colour as Lily, was nothing like her in temperament. But seeing Joss gazing up at Dan, she decided not to say anything. Despite having just won the biggest show of her life, Georgia felt as though the sun had gone behind a cloud. Shaking all thoughts of Dan and Joss from her mind she gave Lily a big hug instead. Today was all about her little mare, and she was the only one that mattered.

  When Lily was finally settled back into her stable, and the stream of well-wishers had drifted away, Georgia remembered Joss’s invitation to watch the rest of the show from her private box. She got the impression that although Sophie was on her side when it came to Joss, she was keen to take full advantage of the offer! Melanie wanted Lily to settle for an hour or so with her feed before driving home, so there was time to spare.

  “Come o
n.” Sophie practically dragged her friend down the aisles to the boxes, passing hundreds of excited pony-mad girls and boys on the way. Georgia soon found herself in a plush box overlooking the whole arena. Sophie had been right; there was something quite magical about watching the show from the highest point. The showjumping was finishing up in the arena below, and the mounted prize-giving was underway to rapturous applause as the prize-winners, including three Whitakers, cantered their big warmbloods around the arena. As the team of helpers scurried around, clearing the vast space ready for the Christmas parade, the lights dimmed and excitement rippled through the crowd. Glancing over, Georgia caught Dan’s eye. She desperately wanted to go and sit next to him, to enjoy the carols and the horses and the arrival of Father Christmas on a sleigh pulled by the most beautiful chestnut, but the presence of Joss hovering right beside him kept her back.

  Joss smiled at her, but Georgia noticed her eyes were cold and her smile completely insincere. Her expression clearly said “back off”. Sitting down beside Sophie, Georgia felt her eyes swim with tears, barely able to concentrate on the happy scene below her.

  As the crowd erupted into the chorus of “The First Noel” she thought her heart might break and, making her excuses, ran out of the box and straight back to the stables where she slumped down next to her beloved pony as the Christmas cheer continued without her. It seemed that no one, not even Emma, had noticed her leave. It had been the happiest day of Georgia’s life, winning at Olympia, but also one of the worst. How was that even possible, she thought, shaking her head in despair. She knew it was partly her own fault – she had always expected Dan to just be there. And now he didn’t know, might not ever know, just how much he meant to her.