‘Come on, Ben, time to do some balance exercises,’ says Kate.
Ben’s in the same group as Sophie today and we’re going around in the usual slow circles.
‘Okay everybody – arms out like an aeroplane,’ shouts Kate. ‘Great! Now, reach out and touch your pony’s poll. And now its tail – that’s right, reach right back!’
Ben’s still really glum. I just know he’s fed up with warm ups and wants to take off into a canter.
‘Now, stand up in your stirrups and hold the front of your saddle for the count of five.’
Oh please! Ben could do this in his sleep. Is this really necessary, Kate?
‘Okay. Now we’re going to practise some of those balancing exercises in trot. Ready everyone?’ Kate calls. ‘Whole ride in trot, please.’
So we go into trot and she makes the kids wave to the left and wave to the right, but I can hear Ben sighing above me and I decide it’s time to take action. I can’t just let him be down in the dumps all day! Ben’s kicking me into a faster trot, and I decide there and then to take off. I go into a canter, and pretty soon I’m galloping around the indoor arena and Ben is squealing at the top of his voice. I hear Kate shouting, but I don’t listen. I ride like I’m the fastest race horse in the world and I won’t stop for anybody. Faster and faster I go – this is the life! The parents are standing still, staring, and I hear some of the kids panicking and backing out of the way but I don’t care. I feel as light as a feather and I never want to stop!
‘Skippy, stop! Now!’
Kate is running after me, trying to slow me down. Begging me.
‘Come on, Skippy, slow down. That’s a good girl. Take it easy,’ she says, breathing hard.
Gradually, I slow my pace. ‘That’s my girl, come to Kate.’
She’s holding on to my bridle now, hushing me, patting me on the shoulder. Finally, I stop. Ben jumps off and Kate catches him. I expect him to tell me that he had fun, that he enjoyed the ride, but he looks confused and there’s fear in his eyes. Parsley shoots me the most disapproving look ever and Sophie dismounts and gives Ben a big hug. Mrs Corrigan puts her arm around him and leads him out of the arena, and he doesn’t look back at me. Not even once.
Kate leads me back to the stables in silence. I don’t understand. Ben needed cheering up and that’s all I was trying to do. The big day is tomorrow and I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll even be allowed to attend. I’m so confused and ashamed. I blow hard through my nostrils and snort like a hungry hippo with a toothache!
Chapter Eleven
We’re lined up together in the big stable; Skippy, Rupert and me. Skippy has her head hung low and she has none of her usual energy. She probably thinks Ben doesn’t like her anymore. Well, it’s about time she learned her lesson – Kate’s been warning her about her speed for ages after all. Rupert, on the other hand, is looking unusually cheerful. I’m beginning to think he’s got a softer side after all – I noticed him nuzzling Jamie earlier after his granddad left.
‘Hi Parsley, I just popped in to say goodbye. What an afternoon. Did you see my dad? I can’t believe he came!’
Sophie seems really excited.
‘Kate’s invited all our parents to the special ceremony tomorrow so I hope, hope, hope Mum and Dad can both make it. It would be so cool to have everyone together for the big day.’
I’m busy wondering if Rupert has figured out that it’s his big day when Jamie walks in. Rupert reaches his head out towards him and nuzzles him.
‘Hi Sophie. Today was a bit of a turn up, wasn’t it?’ Jamie says.
‘It sure was,’ Sophie answers. ‘First my dad and then your granddad! It’s just a pity Ben’s dad couldn’t be there.’
‘He seemed really down in the dumps today, didn’t he? And then when Skippy took off like that, he looked so frightened.’
Poor Skippy flinches beside me.
‘I really hope he’s okay. I was so worried,’ she says quietly, and all of a sudden I’m very proud of my little Sophie. I just knew there was a big well of kindness in there somewhere.
‘Do you think your granddad will make it to the ceremony tomorrow?’ Sophie asks Jamie.
‘I don’t know. Today really tired him out, so we’ll have to wait and see. Kate says she’ll light the big heater in the viewing gallery and help make him as comfortable as possible, so who knows?’
‘I hope he can come. It’s going to be brilliant! The arena looks so beautiful now with all the decorations, and Kate said there’ll be pony prizes too,’ Sophie says excitedly. ‘I’m going to make sure Parsley’s shining like a new conker!’
‘You really love her don’t you?’ Jamie says.
‘She’s my favourite horse in the whole world. Mum and Dad actually offered to buy her for me, but what’s the point in that? I’d miss the fun of coming here!’
My ears prick up at this. Imagine being with my Sophie every day! I would be so clean I’d sparkle, and I’d have all the best gear. But then again, I’d be away from the other horses, and let’s face it, we do understand each other. I don’t think I could imagine living anywhere other than the Pony Palace.
‘At least when I come here someone has to come with me,’ Sophie explains. ‘That way Mum and Dad have to leave work behind and spend some time with me. And besides …
I get to see you and Ben and all the other riders.’ She smiles. ‘The Pony Palace has taught me a lot about making friends.’
I reach my head out to Sophie and nicker softly to tell her how proud I am. I’m so happy that things are on the up for her. She’s finally made some real friends, and I can see that her parents really love her, even though they don’t always have the time to show it.
Speaking of love, I think we ponies had better cheer Skippy up a bit. Rupert’s really good at that kind of thing, actually. He gives the best advice – probably because he’s been at the Pony Palace longer than anyone else. I hope he’ll have a word with Skippy tonight. We can’t have her down in the dumps with the big day just round the corner!
Chapter Twelve
Usually I hate big, fussy events, but I have to say that the arena looks fantastic today. It’s Sunday and the place is buzzing, and even I can’t help but get into the cheerful spirit that’s swirling around here. The viewing gallery is full of mums and dads and we ride into the arena to a big round of applause.
‘That’s it, Rupert. Walk tall and proud!’ Jamie says, which is a bit difficult when you’ve got ribbons sticking out of your saddle.
Jamie’s granddad’s here again, wrapped up in a warm blanket in his moving chair. He’s got a little more colour in his cheeks today, so I think he must be feeling a bit better.
Jamie’s beaming from ear to ear. Kate has asked all the junior riders to line up here today for some kind of special prize-giving. There are ponies and cobs and riders of all ages.
‘Good afternoon, ladies, gentlemen and children,’ Kate says. She’s speaking into something black and shiny that makes her voice boom out across the crowd.
‘I am really pleased that so many of you could make it here today to see your children on horseback,’ she says. ‘I know that you all have very busy schedules, and the boys and girls and I really appreciate you coming. Today is a very big day in the history of the Pony Palace, but I don’t want to give the surprise away just yet!’
She smiles at the adults and gives the kids a big thumbs-up. Jenny, her assistant, is standing beside her with a box of brightly coloured packages. Jamie waves at his granddad who’s sitting beside Mr and Mrs Walker. His granddad smiles and waves back and although Sophie’s dad is gabbling away in his ear, I can tell that Mr Hall is really just concentrating on Jamie.
‘First of all, I would like to award some prizes,’ Kate goes on. ‘Our riders have worked hard all year. There have been tears and laughter, clear jumps and occasional falls, progress and mistakes – but they’ve come back week after week to try it all again. I’m proud of each and every one of them.’
Kate smiles and there’s a big round of applause from the audience.
‘My first prize today is for dressage,’ she announces and hands out a rosette and one of the packages to one of the older girls. Then she gives out prizes for rising trots, balancing, jumping – all kinds of things. Then she announces Sophie’s name for ‘best care taken with her pony’, and Parsley and Sophie ride forward and get a rosette and a present each. Parsley looks like the cat that’s got the cream. That mare is so vain – though I have to admit, she does look pretty good. Kate gives her a halved apple and she happily gobbles it up.
‘My next prize is for hard work and giving extra help around the Pony Palace. The award goes to … Ben Corrigan!’
The audience claps and Ben rides forward on Skippy to accept his award. Skippy even gets a rosette for being ‘one of the most enthusiastic ponies at the Pony Palace.’ What Kate means is that Skippy goes way too fast, but I suppose she’s trying to be nice – something I’ve actually started to try out myself.
Ben dismounts and receives his prize. He pats Skippy on the shoulder before he gets back on and I’m genuinely glad that they’re friends again. Skippy has been even grumpier than me since they fell out, so I’m glad Ben’s forgiven her. Then, just as Ben climbs back on there’s a loud whistle from the crowd.
‘Thatta boy, Ben!’ someone shouts.
A man in a jacket and jeans is waving from the viewing gallery. Ben waves back and shouts ‘Hi Dad!’ at the top of his voice. Skippy moves closer to the viewing gallery as if to say hello.
‘I’m really proud of you, Ben,’ the man shouts. ‘You look like a real rider!’
‘I am a real rider, Dad!’ Ben shouts back, beaming from ear to ear.
His dad smiles and sits down next to Ben’s mum. Ben rides back into the line, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him.
‘I’m so pleased for Ben,’ Jamie tells me quietly. ‘It looks like everyone’s going to have the best day ever, Rupert.’
Kate’s talking to the audience again.
‘My last prizes today go to a very special team. Here at the Pony Palace, we have a rider and a horse who’ve stuck with each other through thick and thin. This prize is for Jamie Hall, who never gives up and never gives in.’
There’s another big round of applause as Jamie squeezes and I walk forward. I’m really glad for him. He deserves this.
‘And last, but definitely not least,’ Kate adds, ‘is my award to Jamie’s partner, Rupert. Rupert, this prize is for you.’
She stops for a moment and it looks like there are tears in her eyes.
‘Please accept this special award for long service to the riders of the Pony Palace,’ she says. ‘I know that you’ve been feeling tired for some time now, so today, Rupert, I am officially announcing your retirement.’
It takes a few moments for Kate’s words to sink in. The adults are all standing now, clapping and cheering for me. I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad. All the other ponies are snorting and whinnying and congratulating me and I realise they’ve all been in on this all along. Kate places a ribbon around my neck and gives me a gentle kiss on the nose.
‘I know you can be a bit grumpy sometimes,’ she says. ‘But you’ve always come out to ride, rain, hail or snow – even when you didn’t want to.’
She turns to the audience. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, Rupert will be retiring from all riding lessons, but he’ll still be living here at the Pony Palace and you’re all welcome to come and visit him.’
Kate smiles at me and scratches me softly behind the ear.
‘Jamie insisted that we celebrate your retirement like this, Rupert. He’s your biggest fan and he’s really going to miss riding with you. But you’ll still be here and you’ll still be loved and surrounded by all your friends. We’re very lucky to have you, Rupert – and I hope you know how lucky you are to have had so many wonderful riders over the years.’
And do you know what? I absolutely do. Jamie parades me around the arena and the noise of applause and congratulations is deafening. I can see grown-ups who rode me when they were boys and girls many years ago, back when I was as young and spirited as Skippy. For some of them I was their very first pony.
I see Barney and Biscuit and Kaz and Tonto and Daisy and lots of the other horses who have shared this arena with me over the years. And as Jenny pulls the big door of the arena back, we all look outside and see the sun setting over the Pony Palace and I really have a lump in my throat. The stables and the arena are all bathed in a soft, pale light that twinkles on our coats. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Our riders dismount and walk us to our stables. Parsley is nickering softly to me and Skippy is telling me she hopes she will serve the Pony Palace for as long as I did. They tell me they’ve been keeping this a secret for weeks. I can’t believe how lucky I am. I may be getting old and tired and grumpy, but I still have lots of wonderful friends here. Our riders are brimming with excitement about their own lives, too.
‘I can’t believe Dad came to see me! I’m so happy he’s home!’ Ben is saying.
Sophie seems to be on cloud nine too, telling the boys how her mum and dad are both going to come to lessons with her every week from now on.
Jamie is the quietest, and I know he’s still a bit worried about his granddad. I think he’s going to really miss me – and I know I’m going to miss him. I think he’s been my favourite rider of all time at the Pony Palace.
We can smell the sweet, clean straw as we walk into the stables and as our bodies warm up, we whinny across to each other – Parsley, Skippy and me. We look out over the half door and watch the happy families leaving the Pony Palace together. I think about the lovely, long future ahead of me; relaxing and grazing and taking each day at my own pace, watching new kids and old kids come and go, keeping an eye on Kate and keeping the other ponies in line, and I know I couldn’t be happier. Long live retirement and long live the Pony Palace!
The End
Fact Files
Name: Skippy
Colour: Grey
Height: 13 hh
Loves: Cantering
Hates: Staying still
Name: Parsley
Colour: Chestnut
Height: 12 hh
Loves: Looking pretty
Hates: Other ponies being too close to her bottom!
Name: Rupert
Colour: Chestnut
Height: 12 hh
Loves: Relaxing in his stable
Hates: Working too hard
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Philippa, all the instructors, volunteers, parents and children at Lessans’ for your fun and friendship over the past few years, and thank you to my family and friends for their support.
A special thank you to Mia Lewis for appearing on our front cover.
I am grateful to Ann and Tom at the Nosebag Cafe for their faith, food and friendship. Finally, a very, very big thank you to Damian Smyth and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their belief in me.
Also in the Pony Friends Forever series
eBook
EPUB ISBN 978-0-85640-580-8
KINDLE ISBN 978-0-85640-598-3
Paperback
ISBN 978-0-85640-923-3
www.blackstaffpress.com
Pony Surprise Page 3
