The little grey’s step was light and easy. Her ears pricked forward, alert and attentive. They had reached the open fields at the back of the stables and Sarah gathered the ride around her.
“Those who want to can gallop to the end of the field. There are three cross-country fences to jump. Can you see them?”
Jess looked ahead and saw three low tree trunks lying in a row.
At Sarah’s signal the ride began to gallop. Storm Cloud was first and she didn’t need any further encouragement. Jess gathered up her reins and nudged her forward, moving smoothly from a trot to a canter and then into a gallop. Three long strides and a signal from Jess and Storm Cloud had cleared the first tree trunk, then the second and the third.
On Stormy’s back, Jess felt the smoothness of movement and hardly even noticed as they sailed through the air. She brought Storm Cloud to a neat and collected stop at the end of the field. Rosie drew Pepper to a halt beside her, her cheeks were flushed and eyes were glowing. Pepper snorted heartily.
“You looked fantastic!” Rosie cried. “Storm Cloud jumps like a stag.”
“She’s just brilliant, isn’t she?” Jess sighed happily.
9
SOUTHDOWN AT LAST!
The next few days flew by...before Jess knew it, there was only a week to go, and then four days. Then it was the day after tomorrow and now – now it was Friday evening and tomorrow was the Southdown Show!
Jess wandered restlessly around the house, unable to concentrate on anything or settle anywhere. She picked up the TV remote control and flicked from channel to channel but there was nothing she wanted to watch that evening.
Jess padded into the kitchen and opened the fridge door, contemplating the choice inside.
“Close the door, Jess,” said her dad. “You’re letting all the cold air out.”
“What you need is a warm bath and an early night,” her mother sympathized. “Stop worrying, Jess.”
“I’m not worried,” Jess said crossly. “Just excited.”
Her mother smiled at her. Jess had been afraid her parents wouldn’t approve of her riding in a horse show as it meant more time spent with ponies and not on her school work. But they had been surprisingly encouraging.
“We’ll all be there to watch. We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” they had said.
Jess went to bed early that night. She didn’t think she’d sleep at all. She put her head on the pillow and tried to fill her mind with pleasant thoughts of jumping ponies. The next thing she knew, daylight was streaming in through the curtains and it was seven in the morning. Saturday and Southdown!
“We’ll be by the ringside if we don’t see you first,” her mother said at breakfast. “Now, are you sure you don’t want a lift to Sandy Lane?”
But Jess wanted to cycle as she always did.
“It’s probably some sort of mad good luck routine, Mum. I’d leave her to it,” her brother, Jack muttered as they waved her off.
Sandy Lane was a buzz of activity as Jess cycled into the yard with the plastic bag containing her show kit hooked over the handlebars.
The horse boxes stood ready for loading with their precious cargo. Riders were scurrying about grooming, plaiting manes, picking out hooves. Jess went to fling her bicycle down. Then she had second thoughts and leant it carefully against the wall of the tack room. Alex and Kate called out to her. “We’re your cheerleading team today – good luck Jess!”
Charlie was in Napoleon’s stable, madly brushing the horse’s brown coat. “A perfect job,” he said, standing back to admire his work.
“You’ve missed a bit,” Jess grinned, leaving Charlie inspecting every inch of Napoleon’s coat for imaginary specks of dirt.
She walked over to Minstrel, who stood waiting patiently, peering over the stable door. The pony snickered gently when he saw Jess, and his nostrils quivered with quiet excitement.
“You know you’re going to a show, boy, don’t you?” Jess whispered in his ear. “Well, it’s not just any show you see. It’s the Southdown show, and I know you’re going to be brilliant.”
“CLANG!”
Pepper’s stable door swung open and Jess’s peaceful moment was interrupted by a clatter of hooves and a flurry of flying feet as the little pony jogged out of his box, into the yard and off down the lane. Rosie followed close behind.
“He’s spooking like mad,” Rosie called breathlessly over her shoulder.
She bolted after the little pony, but Pepper saw her coming and, with one effortless leap, he had cleared the pond and landed in the grass on the other side. Unconcerned, he trotted lightly toward the overhanging trees and, straining his neck, he began to munch at the leaves. Twigs caught in his mane making a complete mess of the tidy plaits Rosie had spent ages over.
“Bad luck Rosie,” Charlie called as Rosie hurried off to catch him.
When each of the ponies were almost ready, Nick called the team together.
“Horsebox loading,” he said. “You must all be responsible for getting your pony into the horse box as calmly and as swiftly as possible. So here’s the order. Minstrel first, then Pepper in this box. Sarah will drive it. I’ll be driving the other one with Napoleon, Feather and Storm Cloud in it.”
“Storm Cloud?” Jess was immediately alert. “But, I didn’t know she was coming. And Feather as well? Who’ll be riding them, Nick?”
“Not so fast, Jess,” Nick smiled. “Storm Cloud and Feather won’t be entering any competitions today. But they will be competing soon and they need to get used to a show atmosphere.”
Jess squirmed with embarrassment at her eager outburst.
“Everything ready?” Nick was saying now. “Let’s go!”
“Wait for me!” A breathless voice made them all look around. Belinda, dressed in pale beige jodhpurs and a dark jacket, climbed out of her mother’s car and ran towards them.
“You came after all!” Jess cried. Belinda stood in the stable yard and smiled at Jess.
“Well, there didn’t seem much point moping around at home,” Belinda explained. “The least I can do is come and help cheer you lot on.”
“Let’s hope you’ve brought a few miracles with you then,” Jess grinned ruefully. “I’ll need them if I’m going to jump anything today.”
And then they were off at last – to Southdown and the show.
As the Sandy Lane boxes pulled into the Southdown showground, Jess felt a swirling mix of excitement and fear race through her. Everywhere was bustling with activity. Official stewards with tannoys and clipboards ran around, barking out instructions and organizing everyone. Horse boxes of all shapes and sizes were everywhere they looked. Tied to each box were horses and ponies in various states of grooming. A perfectly poised little girl on a tiny roan mare popped backwards and forwards over a practice jump with effortless ease. Riders in smart black jackets and cream jodhpurs strode past confidently, greeting each other.
Over in the main field there were stalls and marquees selling everything from saddle soap to riding hats, hot dogs to smoked salmon. Was it really only last year that she and Rosie had been enthralled spectators here, the chances of them taking part only a dream? And now they were official competitors! They tethered the ponies and gave them a final groom while Nick went off to check everyone in.
“I’ll meet you by the ring,” he called as he left, “and we’ll walk around the course together.”
Jess struggled into her show jacket. She turned to Rosie excitedly.
“Can you believe we’re really here, Rosie?” she breathed.
“I would be excited if I wasn’t feeling so nervous,” Rosie groaned in reply.
Jess looked around for Tom. He had promised he would be here. She hadn’t seen him since the day at the hospital. She hoped he would be well enough to come.
They met up with Nick again at the show ring. He handed out their numbers and then led them around the course. Belinda came too, for moral support, and Alex and Kate followed on behind. The course was
quite tricky and the fences looked big. Jess didn’t like the look of the combination, but Nick had some words of advice.
“Keep the impulsion as you come around the corner and don’t over ride it, Jess,” he warned her before he left for the competitors’ tent.
“Have you jumped a course as hard as this, Belinda?” Jess asked.
“Um, no, actually,” Belinda grinned ruefully. “It looks pretty challenging. You’ll just have to take it steady and, well, enjoy it.”
“Easier said than done,” Jess groaned, but her insides had calmed down a little. She was even almost looking forward to jumping. It was time to go and warm Minstrel up.
“I’ll meet you back at the horse boxes,” Belinda said. “I’m going to have a look at the dressage.”
“And I promised to meet my mum by the stewards’ tent,” Rosie called as Belinda went. “I won’t be long.”
Jess waved goodbye and followed Alex and Kate back to the boxes.
“Is Nick with you?” Sarah asked as they approached.
“No, he had to check something out at the competitors’ tent,” Alex answered.
“I’d better go and find him,” said Sarah. “There’s some man...says he knows Nick, who’s keen to buy Storm Cloud. I said she wasn’t for sale but he’s very insistent. He’s just gone off to find his wife. I need Nick to sort this one out. Will you keep an eye on the horses? Watch out for Pepper. He’s been spooking a bit.”
Buy Storm Cloud? Jess shook her head. Surely they would never sell her, but if this man was a friend of Nick’s...
She went over to the grey mare who stood grazing in the shade, ears alert to the sounds around her, her tail twitching nervously. As Jess approached, Storm Cloud lifted her head and snickered. She nuzzled her soft nose into Jess’s shoulder and her tail relaxed.
“Don’t worry, Stormy,” Jess whispered. “Nick and Sarah would never sell you. You’re far too precious to them. And to me,” she added silently.
Suddenly, a small brown dog tore around the corner of the box yapping and snapping. Storm Cloud started but Jess laid a steadying hand on her neck and she was still again.
“Rags! Come back here,” a child cried.
But Rags took no notice as he darted and weaved between the ponies’ hooves.
Pepper shifted nervously and, at the small dog’s shrill barking, he kicked out in a blind panic, hitting Minstrel squarely and sharply on the fetlock. Minstrel whinnied in pain and reared up. When he landed again, he was limping ominously.
Jess held onto Storm Cloud while Alex and Kate did their best to calm Minstrel and Pepper. Rags scampered off and his small owner finally caught up with him. But the damage had been done. Minstrel was limping badly. Nick and Sarah came running up but Jess knew from their faces that they had seen everything. It didn’t look good.
“Oh no,” Nick groaned as he ran a reassuring and calming hand down Minstrel’s foreleg. “I think we’d better get the vet to come and look at this. It doesn’t look like you’ll be riding Minstrel today, I’m afraid.”
As Nick made his way to the secretary’s tent, Jess stared in disbelief. This couldn’t be happening. Poor Minstrel. Poor her! Was this the end of her Southdown dream?
Jess didn’t have time to dwell on it though, for in an instant, her thoughts were disturbed as Belinda came charging up the field.
“Listen, oh listen everyone.”
“Slow down,” Sarah said as Belinda gulped for breath. “Now, what’s the matter?”
“I’ve seen her. She’s here,” Belinda gasped.
“Who’s here?” Sarah asked.
“Golddust,” Belinda cried. “She’s here at Southdown!”
10
STRIKING GOLD
Golddust! In all the excitement preparing for Southdown, Jess had quite forgotten about her. Belinda’s words were greeted with stunned silence. It was all too much to take in. Finally, it was Sarah who spoke.
“Are you sure, Belinda?” she asked.
“Of course I am,” Belinda cried. “I’d recognize Golddust anywhere.” She stopped short as she sensed the subdued atmosphere, the glum faces. “What’s happened here?” she finished.
Jess found her voice and quickly explained about the runaway dog and Minstrel’s accident, but before she had a chance to say more, Sarah had taken charge of the situation.
“I need to stay and wait for Nick, Jess,” she said. “Can you go with Belinda and find out what’s going on? But be very careful what you do and what you say. Come and get us if there are any problems.” And when she saw Jess hesitating, she said urgently, “Go on now – and hurry!”
Jess nodded and the two girls darted off through the crowds. The hustle and bustle around them only added to the confusion in Jess’s head.
“She was over here,” said Belinda as she led the way through the throng to a small copse of trees. At first Jess couldn’t make out where Belinda was pointing. She screwed up her eyes to get a better glimpse of the ponies. Blacks, bays, a roan and a grey. And suddenly she saw her. Standing slightly apart from the others, kicking her heels and dancing on the spot was a beautiful palomino pony with mane and tail the colour of white gold. On her forehead was a small circle of white hair.
“Golddust!” Belinda breathed.
“Wait a minute, Belinda,” Jess said, grabbing her arm. “There’s someone with her. Look!”
A small girl with long plaited hair was hanging desperately onto the end of Golddust’s lead rope with both hands, trying in vain to calm the jumpy pony. But with every tug of the rope and with every yank of her hands, Golddust became even more frantic. Belinda winced.
“I can’t stand it, Jess,” she cried. “That girl is scaring Golddust half to death. I have to go.” She raced towards them.
“Wait for me!” Jess called, and ran after her.
Belinda slowed down as she neared Golddust, and began to talk in low soothing tones. “It’s all right girl, here I am,” she said.
At the sound of her voice, Golddust’s ears twitched forward.
As Belinda drew up alongside her and laid a soothing hand across her pony’s neck, Golddust whinnied again, and this time the sound wasn’t of fear, but one of sheer pleasure. Belinda buried her head in Golddust’s mane.
“It’s all right my beauty,” Jess could hear her saying, “I’m here. I’ve found you at last!”
The girl hanging onto Golddust looked relieved.
“Thank you, oh thank you for calming her down!” she cried. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along.”
Jess looked at the small upturned face streaked with sweat and tears and felt sorry for her. She looked very young and bewildered.
“Are your parents here?” she asked.
“They were, but they’ve gone to look at a pony they want to buy for my sister.”
“Is this your pony, then?” Jess asked, pointing to Golddust.
“No, she’s my sister’s. I’m not into riding. We haven’t had her long and she’s a bit of a handful. Daddy’s gone to look at another pony that might be more manageable. Oh–” she stopped abruptly. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers. Who are you?”
Jess smiled. “I’m Jess,” she said. “And this is Belinda.”
“My name’s Sally,” the girl replied. “My sister’s meant to be riding in the junior jumping today. Rather her than me – this pony’s practically wild.”
“She isn’t wild, she’s just frightened,” Belinda said lifting her head and tuning into Sally’s stream of chatter. “Wait a minute – where did you get this pony?”
“Daddy bought her,” Sally replied. “Why?”
“Sally,” Jess said as softly as she could. “This pony is called Golddust. She belongs to Belinda. She was stolen from her a few weeks ago.”
“Stolen! But that’s impossible.” Sally’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Daddy paid for her...he did.”
“I’m sure he did,” Belinda said quickly. “But she had already been stolen f
rom me.”
“Oh.” Sally fell into a stunned silence.
Jess shifted uncomfortably. This was the last thing she had expected...to find Golddust in the hands of someone else.
“I think we ought to find your parents,” Jess said quickly. However nice Sally was, the fact remained that her dad had bought a stolen pony, and would have to give it back.
“Oh good.” A look of relief spread across Sally’s face. “Here they are now. And my sister’s with them too.”
Jess turned to follow Sally’s eager gaze. Sure enough, a girl was striding purposefully towards them, closely followed by two grown-ups. The girl was dressed in an immaculate black riding jacket, cream jodphurs and shiny black boots. She was horribly familiar.
“Petronella Slater!” Jess cried.
“You!” Petronella sneered.
Behind her, talking in loud voices, strode Mr. Slater and a woman with the same disdainful expression as Petronella, so that Jess could only imagine she was her mother.
“What a shame Nick Brooks wouldn’t sell that lovely grey pony. And after you rode her so well at Sandy Lane, Pet,” the woman trilled.
“I didn’t want that pony anyway,” Petronella hissed.
Jess couldn’t believe her ears. They must be talking about Storm Cloud. But Petronella hadn’t ridden her well. She had been arrogant and reckless and had frightened poor Stormy half to death. What a cheek – if only Petronella’s mother knew the truth. Jess’s thoughts were interrupted by Sally’s anxious voice.
“Dad, come quick. Petronella’s pony’s been stolen!” she cried.
“What are you talking about, Sal?” Petronella said quickly. “She’s right here. Look.”
“No,” Sally cried. “I mean she’s a stolen pony!”
“What rubbish,” Mr. Slater boomed. “Of course she’s not stolen. I bought her fair and square.”
“Look, I’m sure you did,” Belinda burst out. “But she is my pony and I can prove it. She’s freezemarked right here.” She pointed to a number on the little palomino’s neck. “And I have all the documents at home.”
Runaway Pony Page 6
