For Neve and Huey,
reading on the other side of the world!
O.T.
The blonde-haired girl sat astride the palomino mare, laughing with delight as they cleared fence after fence – logs, tyres, gates; all of them disappeared under the pony’s hooves. It was Christmas Eve, and the girl couldn’t think of anywhere she would rather be than out riding.
“She’s going so well,” she called to her best friend, who was cantering near her on a dun Highland. “I think I might try the bigger course.”
“You sure?” her friend called back over the thunder of the ponies’ hooves. “You know what your mum said…”
“Yeah!” The girl rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry – it’ll be fine.”
“OK then. I’ll follow you,” her friend agreed.
The girl nudged her pony into a canter and sat quietly in the saddle, a feather-light contact on the reins, as they headed over to the bigger fences. “Go on, my beauty,” she whispered as they stretched forward towards the gate.
The pony locked on to the jump, and her stride lengthened. But something immediately felt wrong. The girl tried to pull up but it was too late, and she wasn’t strong enough to prevent the pony’s forward momentum.
“Stop!” her friend called.
The words carried over on the wind. But it was no good. In horror, the girl saw what was about to happen, like a film in slow-motion. Like a ship steering off course, the pony lurched to the side, her body twisting and her nostrils flaring. Rider and pony hit the ground together with a sickening crunch. Then, after that, there was nothing, just darkness, as the wingbeat of a startled pheasant cut through the icy December air.
“France?!” Georgia Black cried in dismay, seeing the next few weeks at Redgrove Farm disappearing rapidly before her eyes. Her heart sank. “Do you have to go?”
“I’m afraid we do,” replied Melanie Hayden, the owner of the yard where Georgia rode out. “It’s only for three weeks. Just until Simon’s parents have found their feet. Isn’t that right, Simon?” Melanie looked at her husband, who was busy on the laptop booking ferry crossings.
“It sure is,” Simon responded, running a hand wearily through his dark hair, which was peppered with grey. “My parents are getting on a bit so they could do with a hand. They’re moving from Paris to the South of France,” he explained. “It will suit them. Sunnier climes and all that.” He smiled as he closed the lid of his laptop.
“Lucky them,” Georgia said gloomily, looking out of the window. They were all sitting around the kitchen table, having a cup of tea after a busy day of riding and mucking out.
It was supposed to be spring, but it didn’t feel much like it. It had been a blustery, squally day and the evening was overcast and dark. Georgia could just make out the part-thoroughbred, Wilson, grazing in the paddock that bordered the Haydens’ garden. He was nose-to-nose with the palomino pony, Lily. Secret, Lily’s foal, was desperately trying to get the elderly Exmoor, Callie, to play with him but the little pony was having none of it. Pinning her ears back, she swished her head. Callie adored the young roan colt, but she clearly wanted to graze in peace this time!
“So, what about the ponies?” Georgia asked. “Who’ll look after them when you’re away?”
“Well…” Melanie took a deep breath. “I haven’t had a chance to organise it yet, but we’re hoping we’ll get someone to come and live in to take care of them.”
“I could do that!” Georgia immediately offered.
Melanie laughed. “I’m sure you could, but I don’t think your mum would be keen on that idea!”
This was true. Georgia adored horses and knew a lot about them, but she was only fourteen and her mum would never let her look after them on her own. And as her mum was a busy artist and in her studio all hours of the day and night, it wasn’t like she could come and stay at Redgrove with her.
“I know that you’ll be a huge help to whoever we get in, Georgia,” Melanie went on. “After all, we’ll be away during the Easter holidays.”
Georgia nodded and gave a small smile. During the school holidays – any holidays! – she spent as much time as she could at Redgrove Farm. She loved the stables and the red-brick house that adjoined them, where the Haydens lived with their daughter, Sophie. The farm was like a second home to her. As she didn’t have her own pony, Georgia knew how lucky she was to have been loaned Lily, and to be able to ride Wilson while Sophie was away at university.
“Anyway, I’ll get it sorted this week,” Melanie promised, picking up a saddler’s catalogue. “Now, are you all packed and ready for tomorrow?”
“Yup,” Georgia said proudly. It was the Show Pony Society’s Spring Show and Georgia was taking Lily and Secret for the in-hand mare class. She’d only just started riding Lily again, as the little palomino pony had given birth to Secret in October, and had needed time to get her strength back.
Georgia mostly rode Lily around the meadow at the moment, so she was never too far away from Secret. He was a pretty independent little foal, and didn’t seem to really notice when his mother was gone, but you could never tell when he might get upset! It was so amazing riding Lily again that Georgia didn’t mind if they weren’t going far, for the time being.
“I’ll give you a lift home if you like, Georgia,” Melanie said, picking up her car keys. “It’s a bit too wet for walking.”
“Thanks, Mel.” Georgia smiled gratefully. She had got the bus up to the yard after school that day, but a lift back was always welcome!
Lily and Secret looked up with interest as Melanie and Georgia stepped out of the house. They were both rugged up, as there was a nip in the air, and they looked very cosy.
Georgia waved to the ponies and then jumped into the passenger seat of the four-by-four, and Melanie quickly drove the mile or so down the road to the Blacks’ cottage.
“See you in the morning!” she said as she dropped Georgia outside the gate. “And, Gee, don’t worry about things when we go away. I’ll figure something out…”
“Hey, Georgia! How’s it going?”
Georgia looked up to see Dan Coleman, her friend from school, running up the drive to Redgrove.
“Hey, Dan!” Georgia grinned. It was early the following morning and the fields were still wet with dew. Dan lived on a neighbouring farm and he’d promised Georgia he’d come over to help her out at the show. She loved early mornings on show days. Her best friend, Emma, thought she was mad. Most teenagers loved lie-ins, but Georgia was happiest preparing the ponies in the crisp early morning, a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
“This is far too early to be up on a Saturday,” Dan groaned, rousing Georgia from her thoughts as he pretended to fall asleep against the stable block.
“Whatever,” Georgia laughed, flicking him with the stable rubber she was holding. “You’re used to being up with the cows! Now, give me a hand with Secret, would you? The little fella knows he’s on show today. He’s already giving poor Lily the runaround!”
As if on cue, Secret trotted across the yard, full of life. Lily followed close behind, gently nudging him along. Lily, clad in new travelling boots, was wearing a white cotton sheet embroidered with her name. It had been a Christmas present from Georgia’s mum and the palomino looked fantastic in it.
Melanie had already hitched up the trailer to the four-by-four. They were taking it instead of the horse lorry as it was a safer way to transport the mare and foal. Lily calmly walked into the trailer and, once Georgia had tied her up, Dan led Secret in, and slipped off his halter. Melanie pushed up the ramp, and Dan and Georgia gave the horses a pat before slipping out of the small jockey’s door and climbing into the car.
“Come on then.
” Georgia grinned. “Let’s go!”
The showground was already hustling and bustling as the four-by-four pulled into the car park later that morning. Everywhere you looked, there were ponies – from Shetlands in the first-ridden classes to the magnificent Dales, Fells and Highlands ridden by the more experienced teenagers, who cantered effortlessly around the warm-up area, laughing and gossiping with one another. They were all wearing tweed jackets with brightly coloured ties – pink, red, navy and gold – and their boots were polished and gleaming.
Georgia nudged Dan. “See!” she said as he struggled to do up his tie in the car mirror. “You’ll fit in just fine. It’s what everyone wears!”
“If you say so.” Dan grinned good-naturedly. “Although I still feel trussed up like a turkey!”
Georgia stifled a giggle as Melanie returned from putting in their entries.
Lily stood quietly outside, taking it all in, with Secret nestled in beside her, wanting to stay close to his mother in the busy showground.
“Easy, boy.” Dan had his hand on the little foal’s neck, gently soothing and chatting to him, but the foal’s natural boldness meant he wasn’t frightened, only curious.
“OK, everyone!” The lady in charge of the gate smiled at the waiting competitors, who were mingling in the warm-up area.
“Ready, Georgia?” Dan grinned, holding on to Secret’s halter.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Georgia nodded, trying to steady her nerves. Secret was well handled and confident, but even so it could be a bit risky in the arena with other foals around, some of whom looked pretty jumpy.
She led Lily in. The palomino mare walked beside her in perfect sync, fluid and graceful. She was a real showstopper! Dan followed with Secret bouncing along beside him. The little colt had his mum’s grace and the wow factor of his roan sire, and Georgia was thrilled to see both judges turn to him and smile as he entered the ring.
There weren’t many in the class, but Melanie had pointed out that the standard was always high at the Spring Show, with everyone keen to put out their best ponies. A particularly lovely dark-bay mare with her pretty chestnut foal caught Georgia’s eye. It looked as though the judges were equally torn between her and Lily. After much deliberation the bay mare was called in first and Lily second.
“Never mind, Georgia,” Dan said. “Second’s still really good!”
“It’s not over yet!” Georgia said. “We have to trot up in front of the judge before they make their final decision.”
“I’d better get my running shoes on then,” Dan said, patting Secret. “I have a feeling it could be hard to keep up with this one!”
Dan ran alongside Secret while Georgia led Lily around the arena. They were both puffing slightly as they finished and came back to the line to await the other ponies’ shows. Some of the foals were really naughty, throwing all sorts of tantrums, whereas others just seemed a little overwhelmed. Georgia was glad that Secret was confident – he could be boisterous at times, but it was better than being nervy, and he was behaving really well for Dan!
Georgia looked across the ring. It felt like the two judges had been standing and chatting for ages, before they finally produced a basket of rosettes.
“Entry number six,” one of them nodded across to Georgia and Dan.
Lily and Secret were put up the line and placed first, with the pretty dark bay and chestnut foal in second!
Her owner smiled at Georgia. “Well deserved. What lovely ponies you have,” she said, giving her own mare a pat.
“Thank you!” grinned Georgia. “Your ponies are very beautiful too!”
Leaving the ring to applause, Georgia had a huge smile on her face. She was met by Melanie, who was cheering wildly.
“Georgia, Dan, that was amazing!” she cried, hugging them and Lily and Secret all at the same time. “Now, Georgia, come with me. There’s someone who wants to meet you!”
Georgia handed Lily’s lead rope to Dan and followed Melanie towards the other side of the ring. She wondered who wanted to meet her!
Melanie’s eyes were shining. “Honestly, Georgia, this is super exciting!” she whispered, before tapping the shoulder of a small blonde lady wearing a tweed outfit. The lady looked a bit intimidating – immaculately turned out and businesslike. Turning round, she smiled at Melanie.
“This is Georgia,” Melanie said, putting her arm around her. Georgia still had no idea what was going on!
“Georgia, hi.” The lady extended her hand, her voice cool and professional. “I’m Josephine Smalley.”
Georgia gasped. The Josephine Smalley? She recognised the name instantly. The Smalley yard and their horses were very well known in the world of showing.
“I’ve had my eye on you for a while,” Josephine started, looking at Georgia with a small smile. “You’ve been making quite a name for yourself on the circuit.”
Georgia looked at Melanie, who was smiling proudly, nudging her forwards.
Georgia didn’t know what to say, but before she could try to reply, Josephine was starting to talk again.
“I could do with a rider your size and age,” she continued. “My regular girl is out of action and I need someone to ride a few of the ponies at the upcoming shows. Just to get them out, and get the early qualifiers. What do you say?”
“Well … I …” Georgia sucked in her breath and looked at Melanie. She couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing. She, Georgia Black, was being asked to ride some of the best ponies in the country!
Josephine Smalley smiled, and instantly her face softened. But then Georgia had a thought. If she rode out at the Smalley yard, what would happen to Wilson and Lily? Who would ride them?
“Look, I, er…” Georgia glanced across at Melanie for guidance before taking a deep breath. “Well, thank you so much, Mrs Smalley,” she said finally. “But, as lovely as your offer is, I don’t think I can take you up on it. You see, I have two brilliant ponies to ride at Redgrove.”
Josephine laughed. “Oh, I know that,” she said. “But Melanie tells me she’s away for three weeks over the Easter holidays, so she and I had an idea. What do you say to coming to ride for me during that time? You could bring the ponies with you.”
“Really? Even Secret?” Georgia looked startled. She couldn’t believe her ears. This sounded like the offer of a lifetime!
“Even Secret,” Melanie said, smiling. “All of the ponies. To be honest, it would really help me out, Georgia, if you agreed to it. I’ve been racking my brains as to who to ask to look after everything while we’re away. At least I’d know that the ponies would be well homed at Josephine’s.”
Georgia tried to take it all in. It would be an amazing opportunity to see how a big showing yard worked, but Josephine Smalley was just a little bit intimidating. But then nothing ventured, nothing gained – right?
“It sounds brilliant!” she smiled finally. “As long as my mum agrees, you can count me in!”
“What?” Dan sighed in dismay as Georgia filled him in on the plan later that day, as they sat in his kitchen. She hadn’t mentioned anything at the show as she’d wanted to chat to her mum about it all first. “You mean you won’t be up at Redgrove for the Easter holidays?”
“It’s only for three weeks, Dan,” Georgia replied. “And it’s not even that far away.”
“It’s miles,” Dan said gloomily. “I won’t be able to pop in to see you after my shift on the farm, like I always do. And how are you going to get there every day?”
“Mum’s agreed to drop me off,” said Georgia. “Melanie called her as soon as we got back from the show. She was over the moon about it. She’s happy I’ve got a holiday job.”
“Holiday job?” Dan looked puzzled.
“Yes, I’m being paid!” smiled Georgia. “Can you believe it? Someone is actually paying me to be around horses!”
But Dan just gave a small frown and started tearing his toast up into small pieces.
Georgia tried to swallow a feeling of appr
ehension. She had never ridden anywhere other than Redgrove before, but she was sure it would be all right.
“There’s a bus that goes there from the end of the road, so you can come and see me?” said Georgia, trying to make him feel better.
“Yeah, yeah,” Dan replied, finally looking up. “It’s just that, well, the holidays, and…”
“And?” Georgia prompted.
“Well, I thought, you know, we…” A blush spread over his face and Georgia felt a flutter of nerves flood through her. She looked away, embarrassed. “I had thought that maybe we could go to the cinema or something, that was all,” Dan finished. “But you’re going to be too busy…”
Georgia opened her mouth to respond but then stopped, blushing furiously.
It was the first time they’d come anywhere close to talking about what had happened at the end-of-summer dance last year when they’d shared a moment together. What with all the drama of the autumn, they hadn’t mentioned it since, and things had more or less gone back to normal after that – they were just good friends…
But was that really all they were? Georgia did think Dan was very handsome, and when he was sitting next to her she sometimes felt a funny tingly feeling in her tummy. And she often caught Dan looking at her when he thought she wouldn’t notice.
“Look, don’t worry,” said Dan. “Forget it.”
“But I don’t want to forget—”
At that moment, Dan’s brother Ben came into the kitchen, breaking up the conversation. “All good?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he took in the slightly awkward atmosphere in the room.
“Perfect,” Dan said through gritted teeth.
Georgia turned to catch Dan’s eye but already he had looked away. She could kick herself. She liked Dan and he liked her, but it was too late – the moment had passed.
“I guess I’d better get going then,” she said.
“Sure,” said Dan, taking her to the front door. “I’ll see you at school.”
“Yeah.” Georgia hesitated. “Tomorrow then, at school.”
The Palomino Pony Wins Through Page 1