Starlight Stables: Bush Bolts

by Soraya Nicholas

  ‘Have you been talking to Missy?’ Poppy asked Sarah when she crossed over to the stall Sarah was standing outside of. She’d wanted to show Sarah how to do everything but her friend had decided to stand outside Missy’s stable and get to know her pony instead.

  Missy was one of Poppy’s all-time favourite ponies at Starlight. She’d learnt to ride on Missy as a complete beginner when she was seven years old, and even though she was too tall to ride her now, she sometimes still took the little grey out for a short ride. Sarah was lucky she wasn’t tall, otherwise she’d have had to go onto a bigger horse, which would have been way more scary.

  ‘No.’ Sarah looked confused. ‘What am I supposed to say to a horse, anyway?’

  Poppy found it hard to explain, because everything about horses and being around them felt so natural to her. She always talked to Crystal when she groomed her or saddled her up. It just seemed normal.

  ‘I don’t know … tell her how pretty she is, or tell her the truth – that you’re a little scared and you want her to go easy on you.’

  Sarah gave her a half-smile. ‘You actually talk to them? It wasn’t just something you told me to do for my nerves?’

  Poppy shook her head and let herself into the stall.

  ‘Missy is the kindest, sweetest pony in the world,’ she told Sarah. She stroked Missy’s muzzle, blowing on her nostrils softly. Horses always loved that, and Missy was no exception. ‘I rode her for years, every time I came here, and the only time I ever fell off was riding her bareback. She’s the perfect beginner pony.’ Poppy laughed at the memory. ‘We were trotting and I tried to jump her with her cover on, just holding the lead rope as makeshift reins. She stopped and put her head down to eat grass, and I sailed straight over the jump without her!’

  Poppy was still laughing when she realised Sarah was squirming nervously on the spot and had wrapped her arms around herself tightly.

  ‘I don’t think I can do it,’ Sarah whispered. ‘I know it will sound crazy to you, but I’m kind of scared!’

  ‘Do what?’ Milly suddenly appeared, her trademark big smile planted on her face. She had her helmet sandwiched between her legs while she tried to tame her dark curls into a low ponytail.

  ‘Sarah hasn’t ridden before,’ Poppy explained.

  ‘Oh,’ said Milly, rolling her eyes. ‘You’ll be fine. Just get on and we’ll help you.’

  Sarah gave Poppy a desperate look, and Poppy felt like thumping Milly on the arm. She was so rude sometimes!

  ‘How about we lead Missy out, and then you can stand with her and watch us have a lesson,’ Poppy quickly suggested.

  Sarah nodded. ‘Okay.’

  Poppy gave Milly a stern look, hoping she’d realise that she didn’t want to scare off Sarah by pushing her too hard on the first day. ‘Just let me go and get her saddle. I’ll be right back,’ Poppy said.

  Milly followed her and Poppy moved in close. ‘She’s not that keen.’

  ‘I know, weird huh?’

  Poppy sighed. ‘I guess not everybody loves horses as much as we do. You need to be a bit more sensitive.’

  ‘Yeah, I can tell she doesn’t love them,’ Milly said with a giggle, head bent close to Poppy’s. ‘I just don’t know why you bothered to bring her here?’

  Poppy gave her a soft play punch in the arm and Milly howled like it really hurt. Then she looked past Milly and went bright red.

  Poppy spun around. Sarah was standing in the door and she looked upset. Poppy’s heart sunk. How much had she heard? Before she could say anything there was a thump-thump of boots on concrete and Katie was suddenly right behind them.

  ‘Hey, I’ve been thinking,’ Katie said, breathing heavily and totally unaware of what had just happened. ‘Why don’t we take Sarah for a nice long trail ride, just walking. You could lead her from Crystal if it would make her feel safer? She needs to have a really nice first ride.’

  Katie smiled at Sarah and Sarah smiled weakly back. Poppy wished she could wind back time and yell at Milly for being so insensitive.

  ‘Perfect idea,’ Poppy said, trying to forget what had happened. She was annoyed she hadn’t thought of it herself. The only problem would be getting Sarah into the saddle in the first place. She hadn’t really had a plan for getting Sarah to ride, she’d just hoped that once she spent time with Aunt Sophie instructing her, she’d discover how fun it was. Now she was realising it may not be that easy.

  Poppy hauled Missy’s saddle down and started to lug it to the stables. Casper’s wagging tail caught her eye. He was frozen in position, staring at a pile of horse rugs.

  ‘Casper, what are you doing?’ she asked.

  He glanced back at her then stared at the rugs again, growling, head bent low.

  ‘Hey guys, Casper thinks he’s found a mouse,’ said Poppy. At least, I hope it’s a mouse and not a snake, she suddenly thought to herself.

  Milly and Katie went dead still. They were obviously thinking the same thing.

  ‘What is it?’ Milly asked, nervously.

  It was Sarah who moved first, shuffling over to Casper and bending low, slinging her arm around the Australian shepherd’s neck. She didn’t seem to be scared at all.

  ‘Be careful,’ Poppy cautioned, just as a streak of something black and furry leapt out. Milly shrieked and Poppy jumped.

  They all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that it was a tiny kitten hissing at them with his back arched, chest puffed up like a little lion.

  Casper let out a loud woof, tail wagging now.

  ‘Shhh,’ Poppy scolded him.

  ‘It’s so cute!’ Sarah exclaimed.

  The kitten hissed loudly in reply and backed further into the corner of the stable.

  ‘Do you think we’ll be able to catch it?’ Sarah asked, standing slowly, one hand still on Casper’s head.

  Poppy rested the saddle on her hip. ‘No way. She’s wild. We can put food out and she might get more relaxed around us eventually, but I doubt she’ll ever be tame.’

  Sarah looked sad. ‘So she just has to live alone?’

  ‘No, she can live here,’ Poppy said. ‘They’ve had a barn cat before, one that Uncle Mark found living in the hay barn.’ Even though she was trying to sound casual, it made her upset to meet another animal without its parents.

  Everyone stood there, staring at the kitten, and Casper kept wagging his tail like he’d just found something exciting to play with and wasn’t about to let it go.

  ‘Casper, leave,’ Poppy instructed. ‘Leave,’ she said in a slightly louder voice this time, making sure he knew she was serious. She watched as he turned and slowly walked away, whining softly.

  ‘What’s going on in here?’ Aunt Sophie’s voice carried through the barn and into the tack room.

  ‘Casper found a kitten,’ called Poppy.

  Aunt Sophie laughed, leaning in the doorway, her black riding boots crossed at the ankle. ‘That’s Ghost. I forgot to tell you about him.’

  ‘He’s yours?’ Sarah asked.

  ‘Well, as ours as a wild cat ever will be,’ Aunt Sophie said, entering the room. ‘We’re a sucker for unloved animals and this one had a burnt paw when we found him, so Mark has built him a nice little nesting box full of hay to sleep in. Don’t worry about him, he’s all hiss and no bite, although he did give Mark a sharp nip when he was tending his leg!’

  Poppy noticed Milly nervously sliding behind Sarah, wide eyes locked on the kitten.

  ‘Don’t tell me that big brave Milly is scared of an itty bitty kitty cat?’ Poppy asked, grinning.

  Sarah giggled, then clamped a hand over her mouth.

  ‘Can we just go ride horses?’ Milly moaned, still hiding behind Sarah. ‘I haven’t been in the saddle for almost two weeks!’

  ‘Go warm up your horses, girls. I’ll take that from you, Poppy, and saddle up Missy. Sarah and I will be out in a bit,’ Aunt Sophie said. ‘Come on, Sarah, I’ll show you what to do. I’ll teach you anything and everything you need to know when yo
u’re ready.’

  ‘Um. I thought I’d just watch for a while,’ said Sarah, hopefully.

  ‘No problem. Let’s get these girls out there riding and you can see what you think. Poppy’s already told me you’re not obsessed with horses like she is, so we’ll just take it slow.’ Aunt Sophie passed Sarah the bridle she’d been carrying, and flashed her a kind smile. ‘How about we start with you watching me put her gear on. If you don’t feel like riding, no one’s going to pressure you. But it’d be nice for the option to be there if you change your mind.’

  Poppy watched Sarah visibly relax and smiled her thanks at her aunt, then she turned and raced to Crystal’s stable. She was desperate to spend some time with her pony. She only got to be with her every second weekend and holidays, so she didn’t like missing even one minute of grooming her, riding her, or just being around her. But she was definitely going to apologise to Sarah as soon as she got her alone – she didn’t want her to think they’d been laughing about her behind her back.

  ‘You ready?’ Katie called out from her stable as Poppy was slipping the bit into Crystal’s mouth. Poppy quickly secured the leather bridle over Crystal’s ears, checking her mane wasn’t stuck beneath it, and then did the throat lash up.

  ‘Yup. Give me one sec,’ she called back. That was all it took for her to do up the noseband, then she was collecting her helmet from the hook and leading Crystal out.

  They led the horses through the barn and past the other stables. Poppy could hear Aunt Sophie’s soft laughter and reassuring words from Missy’s stable, but she didn’t wait. Instead, she followed her friends out into the bright summer sunshine. She put the reins over Crystal’s head, gathered up her reins and slipped her left foot into the stirrup, swinging up and landing softly in the saddle. She slipped her other foot into the stirrup now she was seated, gave Crystal a pat on the neck and straightened up.

  ‘Ready to roll?’ Milly asked.

  Poppy gave Milly a silly salute. ‘Yes, sir,’ she said, which sent them into peals of laughter. Poppy felt instantly happy when she was sitting in the saddle, riding her own pony. She stopped laughing, but the smile stayed glued to her face.

  The three girls rode side by side towards the arena, knees bumping every now and again as they walked. Crystal had her ears pricked forward, walking fast, eager to get going. Poppy sighed with content. Nothing beat getting back in the saddle again. She gave Crystal another pat on the neck, looking around at the blue gum branches waving softly in the breeze, the parched yellow grass that stretched as far as her eyes could see. Starlight Stables was the most special place in the world to her, and she’d do anything to make Sarah love it, too. But what if she didn’t? And was Milly right? Would Poppy have to choose between them?

  ‘Anyone feel like jumping today?’ Aunt Sophie asked, standing in the centre of the arena.

  ‘Yes!’ Poppy cried, a heartbeat ahead of Milly and Katie. She loved doing the arena work, but jumping was her absolute favourite. She glanced over at Sarah and gave her a quick wave.

  ‘I want you all to exit the arena at a walk and head to the first cross-country jump. Milly, you’re up first since you and Joe did the best canter today during our dressage training, then Poppy and Katie.’

  Poppy gathered up her reins and headed toward the exit after Milly. Once they were out they rode side by side, their horses walking fast because they knew exactly where they were heading. Crystal loved to jump as much as Poppy did, and she always started a little jig-jog that made it hard for Poppy to sit deep in the saddle without bouncing along.

  Aunt Sophie’s cross-country jumping course was amazing, even better than riding in the show-jumping arena. This was where they were allowed to go fast in a gallop across the grass, slowing only as they approached each sturdy jump. The show-jumping rails always fell easily if a horse knocked them, but these cross-country jumps were made from timber and brush and other permanent materials, which meant they always felt more dangerous to train over. But Poppy wanted to be an eventing rider, and that meant she had to master all three phases – dressage, show jumping and cross-country.

  She glanced over her shoulder and saw that Aunt Sophie was leading Missy, and Sarah was walking close beside her rather than on the other side of the sweet little grey. She sighed. It was harder having Sarah here than she’d thought, because it was difficult to concentrate on riding when she was worried about her friend not having a good time.

  ‘I’m ready!’ Milly called out.

  ‘Off you go then,’ Aunt Sophie called back.

  Poppy halted Crystal and Katie rode up beside her. ‘Did you know the water jump actually has some water in it now?’ Poppy said.

  ‘No way.’ Katie giggled and pointed her whip in Milly’s direction. ‘Did you tell Milly that?’

  Poppy bit her lip, feeling guilty.

  Katie traded glances with her. ‘Joe’s always so naughty whenever we ride through water. I hope Milly doesn’t fall off.’

  Poppy watched as Milly’s chestnut pony soared over a jump covered in branches. Joe was so eager, bursting into a gallop the second he landed and heading straight for the next jump. She knew they would disappear from sight now for two jumps, and then the next was the bank, where Milly would go straight down into the water and then have to do a solid log jump back out onto the grass.

  Joe appeared again, slowing down in preparation for the bank and the water drop. Poppy cringed, expecting to hear a cry from Milly when they dropped into actual water, but was surprised when Joe only hesitated for a few seconds before leaping back out of the water on the other side. He had two more jumps to go, and it was only a minute or so later that they were slowing to a canter, then a trot, and halting nearby.

  ‘What’s the big deal about jumping through water?’ Sarah asked.

  Poppy spun in her saddle to look down at Sarah, who was standing beside her. She felt bad for not explaining it to her before. ‘Lots of horses freak when they see the water and they don’t want to jump down into it. It’s pretty cool though if they do.’

  ‘Fantastic work, Milly!’ Aunt Sophie enthused, putting Missy’s reins over the pony’s neck and leaving her standing beside Sarah as she walked over to Milly.

  ‘Ah, a little warning about the water would have been nice, Mrs D!’ cried Milly.

  ‘Milly, if I didn’t keep you on your toes, who would? And I do want you girls to approach every course as if it’s your first time riding it, because you never know what has changed or what might surprise your horse.’

  They all laughed at Milly when she made an upset-sounding snort. But she didn’t look cross for long, soon laughing along with them. Poppy quickly lifted her right leg forward and shortened her right stirrup by two holes, then did the same with her left, to get them the correct length for jumping.

  ‘Milly, walk Joe until he stops blowing. Maybe you girls could all go for a trail ride once we’re finished up here.’

  ‘Can I go now?’ Poppy asked as Crystal started to dance on the spot, as if she knew instinctively that it was her turn.

  ‘Go for it,’ Aunt Sophie replied.

  Poppy nudged Crystal with her heels, wanting her to walk on, but instead she burst into a trot, and less than three strides later they were cantering. She rose in the saddle, heels planted firmly down as they covered the ground fast. Poppy kept her hands steady, reins short, as Crystal fought for her head, wanting to gallop. They approached the first jump and Poppy checked Crystal, asked her to slow down a few strides out, then they were soaring, flying over the first solid fence.

  ‘Good girl!’ Poppy praised, rising out of the saddle again, balancing steadily as they cantered fast.

  Crystal loved the encouragement and they raced fast toward the next jump. Poppy’s heart was beating quickly and she was breathing hard, excited and eager. They soared over the next one, then the next, heading out of sight past some low-lying trees. Once they’d cleared the double she headed back towards the water jump.

  ‘Come on, girl,
we can do it,’ she said, taking her fingers off the reins on one side and giving Crystal a quick pat on the neck. She slowed her down as they approached the bank, asking her to trot. When they reached the top, Poppy put her legs firmly against Crystal’s sides, pushing her on, and Crystal only hesitated for a second before dropping down. Poppy leaned back and loosened her reins so Crystal could use her neck properly, and they landed with a splash into the water. Four strides later they were making a clean jump over the log and heading towards home.

  Poppy couldn’t wipe the smile off her face when her friends came into view, but it was Aunt Sophie she was watching. Her aunt grinned proudly back at her and Poppy felt amazing

  ‘Great round, Pops!’ Aunt Sophie called out as she slowed to a walk.

  ‘Good luck, Katie,’ Poppy said as her friend cantered past. Poppy kept moving, knowing her aunt would want Crystal to be cooled down properly. Besides, Poppy wasn’t ready to get off just yet. She loved jumping and every time she practised cross-country on Crystal it filled her with hope that she wasn’t just dreaming about being on the Australian Young Rider Squad one day. If she trained hard enough and listened to Aunt Sophie every step of the way . . .she gulped and let the reins through her fingers until she was only holding the buckle.

  Maybe she would get there. Maybe she could actually be the next Lucinda Fredericks or Megan Jones, or her all-time idol from New Zealand, five-time Burghley Horse Trials winner Andrew Nicholson.

  She jumped off Crystal and threw her arms around her neck, hugging her tight. She had the best pony in the world to start on, and as far as she was concerned nothing could stop her.

  Poppy looked over and saw Sarah waving, a big smile on her face.

  ‘Hey!’ Poppy called out, leading Crystal over to her.