by Jenny Dale
“Just ignore them, Charlie!” Darren said, protectively. “Jumping isn’t the only thing that’s important!”
But Charlie couldn’t help wishing he could swap places with Lady, just for one jump, because the way she had soared over that hedge looked so exciting. Not that he would ever swap Darren for Tania under any circumstances.
“Come on, Charlie,” said Darren, shortening the reins and giving a little squeeze with his legs. “Let’s go for a canter!”
Just as Charlie moved off, a roll of thunder boomed out over the field. The sky had turned very black. Darren turned Charlie round to look behind them. The field where Tania and Lady were riding sloped upwards behind the common, and Darren had a clear view of the girl and pony as a second clap of thunder sounded.
“Oh, no!” Darren gasped, as he saw Lady rearing up in fright. He watched, horrified, as Tania was thrown to the ground.
“Tania!” he gasped, as Lady bolted down the hill. Tania’s foot had to be caught in the stirrup, because the terrified pony was dragging Tania across the ground behind her!
Charlie neighed in alarm as Lady galloped towards them. Lady had to stop before Tania was seriously hurt! But Charlie knew that Lady was too frightened. With all this lightning and thunder, she wanted to get out of that field, fast.
“Come on, Charlie!” Darren shouted. “We’ve got to help them!” They had to reach Lady before she jumped the hedge!
But as Darren pressed Charlie forwards, he remembered that Charlie couldn’t jump. Desperately he looked out for a gate but there wasn’t one. He would have to dismount and try and climb the hedge himself!
A streak of lightning flashed across the sky and Lady neighed in terror.
Just then Charlie started to gallop! He wasn’t scared any more. All he could think about was his friend, Lady, and how frightened she must be and how he had to help, no matter what.
“Charlie! Stop!” Darren yelled, pulling on the reins.
But Charlie ignored him. The hedge was right in front of them now and there was no going back!
Chapter Four
Darren caught his breath as they landed on the other side of the hedge with a jolt. “Charlie, that was brilliant!” he cried.
But Charlie was too busy heading Lady off to hear Darren’s praise. Neighing to Lady, he was trying to tell her what to do. Lady seemed to understand because she veered slightly to the right, which meant that Charlie could gallop alongside her.
“Tania!” Darren called out. “It’s going to be all right.”
But Tania didn’t reply. Darren was frightened. What if she was badly hurt? What if—?
Charlie knew he couldn’t stop Lady on his own. Darren would have to grab the reins. He galloped as close as possible to Lady. Now was their only chance!
Darren knew what to do. He reached forward and snatched at the flying leather straps. “Whoa!” he called out, pulling as hard as he could on the reins. “Whoa there, Lady!”
Just before they reached the hedge, Lady stopped.
Darren jumped down immediately and ran over to release Tania from the stirrup.
Charlie nuzzled Lady and whinnied soothingly to let her know that she was safe now. Lady was sweating and stomping her feet. Charlie knew he had to get her to stay still while Darren helped Tania.
Tania cried out in pain as Darren gently released her foot. It was starting to rain heavily now and Darren knew he had to act quickly.
“Can you walk if I help you?” he asked Tania, knowing as he spoke that she couldn’t. Darren knew that he had to call an ambulance so Tania could get some proper help. The nearest phone box was right across the other side of the common. It would take him ages to walk there.
Darren looked at Charlie. The quickest thing to do would be to ride there but that would mean Charlie having to jump the hedge again. Clearing it the first time had seemed like a miracle. Could he do it again?
Charlie must have read Darren’s mind because he started to trot towards the hedge.
“Hold on, Charlie!” Darren called out. He took off his coat and placed it over Tania. “I’m going to get help,” he told her. “We’ll be as quick as we can!”
He climbed up into the saddle and again he and Charlie flew over the hedge.
“You’re the bravest pony in the world, Charlie!” Darren shouted as they galloped across the common.
Charlie didn’t think he was the bravest pony, but he reckoned he had to be the happiest. With Darren on his back he felt like he could jump over a double-decker bus!
Chapter Five
“OK, lad. We’ve got her now,” one of the ambulance men said as they lifted a white-faced Tania onto the stretcher. “You and that pony have done a grand job!”
Darren and Charlie were both soaked through with rain. Darren had positioned Charlie to stand in front of Tania in order to protect her as best he could.
As soon as Tania was safely onto the stretcher, Charlie turned to look for Lady. He spotted her cowering against the hedge further along, too cold and miserable to try and gallop away.
The ambulance men had managed to contact Tania’s parents and the riding school. Mr and Mrs King were on their way to the hospital, and Mrs Thomas had offered to come and fetch Lady.
“It wasn’t your fault, Lady,” Charlie nuzzled her, reassuringly.
Lady snorted, but it wasn’t a very confident snort. She was still very shocked. Charlie hoped she hadn’t heard the ambulance men making a big fuss of him and calling him a hero.
Lady blinked and tossed her sopping wet mane so that it splashed all over Charlie. “I thought you were too scared to jump,” she snorted.
“I really was scared!” Charlie snorted back. “But you were in trouble and all I could think about was rescuing you!”
Lady gave another toss of her wet mane. “Really?”
“Well, you two have had quite a day,” said Mrs Thomas when she arrived to collect Lady. She stroked Lady’s nose. “Well, well . . . So you don’t like thunder . . . I wish we’d known about that.”
“Will you be able to help her?” Darren asked.
“Well, we can try. With Tania’s help, once she gets better.” She took hold of Lady’s reins. “Come on, girl. Let’s get you home for a hot bran mash.”
Darren gave Charlie a hug.
“How about hot bran mash with extra molasses and carrots for you, too?”
Charlie whinnied his approval.
“That’s Darren Drew!” Tania whispered to her best friend from school. Tania’s ankle and right arm were in plaster and she wouldn’t be riding for a while.
When Darren had come to see her in the hospital she had given him her entry form for the show-jumping ring as a thank you gift. Now she had brought all her friends to watch and cheer Charlie on. “Didn’t I tell you Charlie was a wonderful pony? Today’s his first gymkhana with Darren so he’s probably a bit nervous.”
But Charlie wasn’t the only one who was nervous. Darren was, too.
“Just do your best,” his mum had said, just before they’d left home. “And remember – the main thing is to enjoy it!”
That was all very well for his mum to say, Darren thought as he rode into the ring. Right now he was so scared that he felt like turning round and going home again.
But Charlie had other ideas. Now that he had got over his fear of jumping he couldn’t wait to get out there!
By the end of his round he had knocked down one pole but Tania and her friends cheered just as loudly as if he’d completed a clear round.
When it came to the gymkhana races there was no one who could beat Charlie. He and Darren made a wonderful team, racing through the events with incredible speed and accuracy.
What a day it had been! Darren had won two rosettes and he was really happy. As he and Charlie received their second rosette, Tania hobbled forward to whisper something to the judge.
The judge asked for everyone’s attention once more. “This year we want to give a special award to a remarkable pony and rider.” The judg
e told the crowd how Darren and Charlie had rescued Tania and Lady.
Everyone applauded louder than ever as the judge asked the special pair to do a lap of honour round the main ring and presented them with a third rosette.
Darren was so happy. “I always knew you were a champion pony,” he told Charlie, proudly.
“And I always knew you were a champion rider,” Charlie neighed back.
Sam
the School Pony
Special thanks to Ann Ruffell
Chapter One
“Hey, Sam! Look what I’ve brought you!” Becky Brown called. She scrambled over the gate and dropped down into the muddy field on the other side.
The little pony who lived in the field trotted over to Becky. “So you’re here at last!” he whinnied. “I thought you’d forgotten.”
Usually Becky got to Sam’s field very early in the morning, before all the other children even thought of leaving for school. She always had something special for the pony to eat – a crunchy carrot or a crisp apple. She was so early that there was always plenty of time to play with him before school started.
Becky ran up to Sam and gave him a hug. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she said. “I dropped cereal on my school shirt and Mum made me change it.”
Sam nuzzled at the school bag. He could smell something delicious in there.
“You know just where I’ve put your snack, don’t you?” laughed Becky. She took the bag off her shoulder and opened it.
Sam shoved his muzzle into the bag and rummaged about in between books and pencils until he found what he wanted. “Ah! That’s what I’m looking for,” he whinnied. “A big juicy carrot. Ooh, great – there’s an apple here too!”
He munched the carrot, dribbling orange-coloured juice.
“Be careful!” scolded Becky. “I’ll get into real trouble if my shirt gets dirty again.” She stroked the pony’s muzzle.
He whickered, “I love being scratched on my nose!”
“Who do you belong to?” asked Becky thoughtfully. “I’ve seen your owner ride you sometimes. I wonder if she comes over again when we’ve gone home from school.”
Sam threw up his head and neighed. “Of course she does.” He turned and trotted round in a circle, just to show off.
Becky laughed. “And does she take you to gymkhanas and canter with you over the fields?”
Sam blew down his nose. “I’ve done it all,” he whickered to Becky.
The pony had arrived at the field next to the school two weeks ago. In a corner was a new shelter and over the top was a sign saying ‘SAM’.
Quite near the gate was a tub full of water. Some days when Becky was looking out of her classroom window she saw an old Land Rover drive up to the field. A tall lady jumped out and filled the trough with water from a large can. Becky watched Sam try to snatch mouthfuls of hay from the bales the lady carried to the shelter. Sometimes a girl came in the Land Rover too. They put a saddle and bridle on the pony, and the girl rode him around the field.
Sam nudged Becky to see if she had anything else to eat.
“I wish you were mine,” said Becky wistfully, “even though you’re so cheeky. I’ve always wanted a pony, but Mum says we haven’t got enough money.”
She gave Sam another pat. “Come on. Let’s play.”
She pretended she was on a pony and trotted round in a circle, as if she was in the arena of a riding school. Then she turned, and trotted the other way. She sloshed through the wet field, mud spattering the backs of her legs.
Sam followed her. This was a good game! Then he decided to canter to the other side of the field and back, just to show Becky that he could go fast if he wanted to.
Suddenly Sam wheeled around and cantered back to the gate.
Becky looked round. Perhaps it was the tall lady, coming to fill up the pony’s water trough.
But it was someone else – the girl Becky had seen from the school window. She looked a bit older than Becky. She was wearing jodphurs and a riding hat. Sam was nuzzling her hand.
Becky ran over to the gate. “Is he your pony?” she asked. “He’s so lovely!” Suddenly Becky felt very shy. Perhaps the girl wouldn’t like her being in the field with Sam. “Oh, I’m sorry, I hope you don’t mind me being here,” she added quickly.
“I don’t mind,” said the girl. “Sam loves to be with people. He’s been friendly since he was a foal.”
“Thank you. I love coming to see him,” smiled Becky.
“I’m Joanne Bates, by the way,” said the girl. “What’s your name?”
“Becky. Becky Brown,” replied Becky. “Are you new here?”
“We’ve just moved,” said Joanne. Then she stopped.
Sam whickered softly. Becky looked up and saw huge tears rolling down the girl’s face.
“What’s the matter?” Becky blurted out.
Joanne rubbed her eyes. “I’m going away to boarding school tomorrow,” she sniffed.
“I’m sorry,” said Becky. How awful it would be to have to leave home to go to school.
“Oh, I don’t mind about school,” said Joanne. “Lots of my friends will be there too.”
“So what’s the matter?” asked Becky.
“It’s Sam,” explained Joanne. She threw her arms around the pony’s neck and hugged him. “I love him to bits, but I can’t take him to school and he’s going to be so miserable.” She gulped a little then went on. “But that’s not the worst thing. By the time I get back at Christmas I’ll be too big for him. I’ve grown a bit over the summer already. I won’t be able to ride him any more. Mum says we might have to sell him!”
Chapter Two
At dinner break Becky told her friends all about Joanne and Sam.
There was a gate between Sam’s field and the school playing field. The children sat on it and watched Sam show off.
“What a shame Joanne’s got to lose her pony just because she’s getting too big,” said Julie Grey.
“If they sell him we won’t have a pony next to our school any more,” said Tom Dymond.
“Let’s kidnap him!” cried Julie.
“Where could we take him?” asked Becky. “There isn’t room in my garden.”
“Join a circus!” said Gary Taylor. “We can all go with him and be acrobats.” Gary liked swinging upside down on the wall bars at school.
But there wasn’t a circus anywhere nearby.
“Take him to the horse sanctuary,” suggested Tom.
“That’s daft!” said Julie. “Sanctuaries only take horses and ponies that are hurt or not wanted. Anybody can see that Sam is very well looked after!”
Sam cantered over for a pat. He nuzzled at Becky, and she rubbed his nose. “Mmm – that feels good!” he whinnied. “Are there any carrots around, or even a very small apple?” Swishing his tail, he moved along the fence so that Tom could reach his neck. “Or how about a crunchy peppermint? I can smell peppermints. I know one of you has got some!”
Sam nosed at Tom’s pocket, curious to know what was inside, but there was only the smell of peppermints left.
Julie ran to the corner of the playing field where there was some juicy grass. She pulled up a handful and ran back to Sam. “Here, Sam. Have some of this.”
Sam snorted. “I’ve had rather a lot of that already. But thank you anyway.”
Tom had some salad in his sandwich box. He didn’t like salad very much. He hoped Sam might.
“Interesting!” blew Sam. He took the salad delicately from Tom’s hand and accidentally left green dribble on his arm.
It was a beautiful autumn day, and Sam felt very frisky. “Why don’t you all have a ride?” he whinnied. “I like people riding me. It’s good fun!”
He circled round and galloped off to show what good fun it could be.
“Bye, Sam, I’ve got some painting to finish,” said Julie, climbing over the gate again. “I’m going back to school.”
“Me too,” said Tom. “Come on, Gary, we’re supposed to be playing foo
tball.”
But Becky stayed with Sam. There wasn’t anything else she would rather do.
Sam came back to keep her company, leaping over some grassy tussocks on the way.
“They ought to put up some jumps for you,” said Becky. She scratched him in just the right place on his nose. “You’re really good at jumping.”
“Thanks,” whinnied Sam. “But right now I need a good roll. I’ll come back soon.”
“Don’t go away, Sam!” cried Becky. But the pony trotted off to a nice flat part of his field, lay down and rolled from side to side.
“You look as if you’re really enjoying that!” Becky called. While she was waiting for him to come back, she thought hard. Poor Joanne! It would be awful if Sam was sold. Especially if he was sold to someone who wouldn’t love him as much as Joanne did.
Sam suddenly stopped rolling and stood up. He gave a loud whinny and cantered across the field.
But he wasn’t going to see Becky this time. He made for the gate that opened onto the lane.
“Hello, Sam!” It was the lady Becky had seen before. She had come in her Land Rover to feed Sam. Becky realised the woman must be Joanne’s mum, Mrs Bates.
She went over to say hello.
Sam pushed his head over the fence and nuzzled at Mrs Bates’s pocket.
“You’re so greedy!” said Mrs Bates, laughing. “You know just where to find your treats, don’t you?”
“He can find them at the bottom of my school bag as well,” Becky agreed. “I bring him something every day.” And then she stopped. “Is that all right?” she asked.
“I’m sure Sam loves it,” said Mrs Bates. “He’s going to miss Joanne riding him. Are you Becky? She told me about you.”
“Yes, I am – couldn’t you ride him?” suggested Becky, without thinking.