Princess Ponies 2

by Chloe Ryder

  King Firestar stamped his hoof in agreement. ‘We must put the horseshoe straight back where it belongs,’ he said gravely.

  A look of worry crossed the Queen’s face. ‘But it’s almost time to award the prizes.’

  ‘Stardust and her friends have proved themselves trustworthy and reliable. They could take the horseshoe back,’ King Firestar suggested.

  ‘Yes, please do,’ the Queen replied.

  Pippa was secretly pleased. There was something special about the golden horseshoe. Holding it gave her a tingling feeling that made her think the magic was rubbing off on to her somehow. It gave her courage.

  When they reached Stableside Castle’s courtyard, Pippa stood up on Blossom’s back and carefully hung the horseshoe on the ancient stone wall. The three friends stood back to admire it as it sparkled prettily in the late afternoon sun.

  ‘Two horseshoes are safe,’ Stardust sighed, staring up at them in wonder.

  ‘Our quest isn’t over yet,’ said Pippa. ‘There are still six to find.’

  ‘You’ve done enough for one day, child,’ the King said, striding into the Royal Courtyard, accompanied by two ponies, with gleaming chestnut coats, who Pippa didn’t recognise.

  ‘Mum and Dad!’ said Blossom.

  ‘I thought you were staying to award the prizes?’ Stardust said to her dad.

  ‘When a father is proud of his daughter,’ said the King, ‘he ought to tell her.’

  ‘And that goes for show ponies too,’ boomed Blossom’s dad. ‘You made your mum and me very proud today. We never realised how fast you were. If you want to carry on racing instead of doing dressage then you have our full support.’

  Blossom beamed with delight. ‘Thank you,’ she whinnied.

  ‘Now let’s go back to the Games grounds,’ said the King. ‘You three deserve to have some fun – and we’ve got the evening’s entertainment ahead.’

  ‘A banquet, dancing and a huge firework display to end with,’ Stardust said happily.

  ‘Oh, I love fireworks!’ said Pippa.

  Long troughs had been put up in the main arena of the Royal Games grounds and serving ponies were filling them with crunchy toffee apples, sugar-toasted oats and linseed-dipped carrots. Music was playing, coloured disco lights were flashing and lots of ponies were dancing together.

  The three best friends ducked under the rosette-decked horseshoe arch but as they started for the arena Pippa heard someone shout, ‘They’re back!’

  At once the music stopped and the disco lights went out. The dancers stilled and the crowd fell silent. Pippa flushed as all eyes turned towards her, Stardust and Blossom. The Queen was in the royal box and she beckoned them forward.

  ‘Your determination and courage has resulted in another horseshoe hanging back where it belongs,’ Queen Moonshine said in a clear voice. ‘The Royal Ponies and the ponies of Chevalia thank you. Blossom, you have shown yourself to be a true friend of Chevalia. By putting the island’s needs before your own, you missed out on winning a prize in the Equestriathon. For your courage and true selflessness you deserve a special award. Step forward.’

  Nervously, Blossom did so. The Queen smiled as she placed a glittering tiara on her head. The sparkling gemstones were designed as a blue rosette, like a flower in blossom.

  ‘To Chevalia,’ said the Queen.

  ‘To Chevalia,’ cheered everyone, with Pippa, Stardust and Blossom cheering the loudest.

  Today’s Royal Games were filled with excitement and Blossom was definitely the pony who made the biggest splash.

  Reporter Tulip Inkhoof caught up with Blossom at the Royal Games grounds after Queen Moonshine bestowed a very special award on this very special pony at the evening celebrations. Read on for an exclusive interview with the dressage-competitor-turned-Equestriathon-racer . . .

  TI (Tulip Inkhoof): Blossom, this has been a big day for you. When you woke up this morning in your stable, did you have any idea that you’d become the pony of the Games?

  B (Blossom): To be honest, I just wanted to get through the dressage event – I was so nervous and I get clumsy when I’m nervous.

  TI: Was your dressage performance the low point of your day?

  B: Yes, unfortunately. You see, everyone in my family is an amazing show pony, but I’ve never been very good at dressage.

  TI: Yet you surprised everyone with your incredible performance at the Equestriathon. You’re obviously built for speed!

  B: Well, I’ve always loved galloping. Sometimes after school I just like to go for a long gallop across the Savannah or along the beach. But it wasn’t until my friend Pippa suggested that I enter the Equestriathon that I even considered putting my love of galloping to good use.

  TI: Oh yes, we must talk about Pippa. You’re very lucky to have the human girl as a friend – the island is just buzzing about her! So, what’s she like?

  B: Pippa’s lovely and kind. She has a big heart and is full of courage.

  TI: Speaking of friends, you’ve been best friends with Princess Stardust for a really long time, but I understand that this friendship was put to the test today?

  B: Yes, Stardust has been my best friend for ages so I felt sad when she called Pippa her best friend, but today I learned that having two best friends can be twice as much fun!

  TI: You made a big sacrifice for your friends today – you had the lead position in the Equestriathon and yet you gave it up to race down to the beach. Can you tell our readers about it?

  B: I wanted to win that Equestriathon so badly, but when I saw my two best friends in trouble in the water nothing else mattered. I galloped down to the beach, where Stardust and Pippa were struggling to retrieve a golden horseshoe that was stuck in the rocks. The tide was rising around the rocks so it was very dangerous.

  TI: How did you feel?

  B: I was scared, but mostly I was scared that if I didn’t do something then my friends would be in even greater danger. I realised that a lot of responsibility comes with being a best friend – you have to look out for one another. I may not have won the race, but I think I won something much more special – true friendship.

  TI: What’s next for you?

  B: Right now I’m looking forward to dancing the night away with Pippa, Stardust and all the ponies who are celebrating the Royal Games. After the closing entertainment tonight, I’m going to start training for next year’s Equestriathon. With the help of my friends, I might just win it!

  TI: I wish you the best of luck, Blossom, and enjoy your evening!

  B: Thank you, Tulip. By the way have you tried the toffee apples here? They’re delicious!

  BRINGING IN THE HARVEST

  By Tulip Inkhoof

  Tomorrow is Harvest Day on Chevalia! Harvest Day, famous for its mud and muck, is a long-standing tradition where everyone helps to bring in the harvest. All year long, the farm ponies have been hard at work, tending the Grasslands and vegetable plots. Harvest Day is their time to shine!

  I spoke to hunky farmer pony Mucker and his older brother, Trojan, about their lives on the farm.

  TI (Tulip Inkhoof): Trojan, what’s the best part of being a farm pony?

  T (Trojan): Well, Tulip, for me it’s the sense of accomplishment when you see – and eventually eat! – the fruits of your labour.

  M (Mucker): You mean, the fruits, vegetables, grass and hay of your labour!

  T: Good one, Mucker!

  TI: What about you then, Mucker? As the youngest pony on the farm, what do you like best?

  M: My favourite thing is sharing the work with my friends, like Princess Stardust.

  TI: A Princess Pony on the farm? Surely you’re joking!

  M: Not at all, Tulip. Stardust and I have been friends since we were foals and she loves to help out on the farm. We always have a lot of fun together.

  TI: Doesn’t Stardust worry about her hoof polish getting chipped?

  M: Stardust may seem prim and proper in the Royal Court, but she’s actually very adventurous and l
oves getting stuck in on the farm.

  Well, readers, you learn something new every day! I can’t wait to see the Royal Ponies get mucky on Harvest Day.

  Be sure to check back tomorrow for my report on all the gossip from the farm!

  Don’t miss Pippa and Princess Stardust’s

  next adventure as they search for the

  missing golden horseshoes on

  Harvest Day!

  Can they uncover another magical

  horseshoe to save Chevalia?

  Find out! In . . .

  Turn over to read a taster

  With Stardust’s help Pippa had already found two horseshoes but now there were just four days until Midsummer and six horseshoes were still missing.

  Putting the comb down, Pippa stood back to admire her work.

  ‘Can we search the Horseshoe Hills today?’ she asked.

  ‘But it’s Harvest Day,’ Stardust said, studying her reflection in a long mirror. ‘Everyone who attends Canter’s Prep School of Fine Equine is expected to go to the Grasslands to bring the harvest home. That includes me.’

  ‘Oh!’ Pippa’s heart sank.

  Even though Chevalia was under threat, Stardust’s parents, Queen Moonshine and King Firestar, were determined that the Royal Family continued their many traditions and kept up appearances so as not to worry everyone.

  ‘Harvest Day is fun,’ Stardust assured her. ‘And it’s not all work. The best bit is the picnic lunch – it’s rather like a party with all our favourite things to eat, like carrots dipped in linseed oil.’

  ‘I suppose we haven’t searched the Grasslands yet,’ mused Pippa.

  ‘Then we’ll do it today while we’re helping with the harvest,’ Stardust said decisively.

  Pippa wasn’t sure how much searching they would have time for if they were expected to work but it was better than nothing.

  ‘Let’s go then,’ she said, eager to get started.

  After a hurried breakfast in the Castle’s huge dining room Pippa, Stardust and the four of her brothers and sisters who still attended Canter’s Prep School followed their nanny, Mrs Steeplechase, down to the Grasslands.

  ‘Stop it,’ Pippa whispered, trying not to giggle as Stardust imitated the way her teacher waddled.

  ‘No talking!’ Mrs Steeplechase said, spinning round to glare at them.

  ‘Sorry,’ said Pippa. She turned her attention to the lines of ponies who were approaching the Grasslands from every direction. They were lots of foals, their manes and tails braided with purple ribbons, trotting beside their parents.

  ‘They’re from Canter’s Nursery School,’ Stardust explained. ‘The infants wear purple ribbons, while the juniors wear red ribbons like me, and the seniors wear blue ones. We should have plaited red ribbons in your hair too. When we get to the Grasslands I’ll ask if anyone has any spare so you’re not left out.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Pippa said absently, her mind on the missing horseshoes. She really hoped that they would find at least one today . . .

  Bloomsbury Publishing, London, New Delhi, New York and Sydney

  First published in Great Britain in March 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

  50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP

  This electronic edition published in March 2013 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

  Text copyright © Awesome Media and Entertainment Ltd 2013

  Illustrations copyright © Jennifer Miles 2013

  The moral rights of the author and illustrator have been asserted

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  A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  eISBN 978 1 4088 3332 2

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