Meet the ponies and get a sneak peek of the new Pony Friends Forever book, featuring Gizmo, Daisy and Tonto, at
www.PonyFriendsForever.com
First published in 2014
by Blackstaff Press
4D Weavers Court
Linfield Road
Belfast BT12 5GH
With the assistance of The Arts Council of Northern Ireland
© Text, Pauline Burgess, 2014
© Illustrations, Karen Harbinson, 2014
All rights reserved
Cover design by Anne Glenn Design
Cover and internal photographs by www.prime-photography.com
Pauline Burgess has asserted her right under the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act to be identified as the author of this work.
Produced by Blackstaff Press
A cip catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
EPUB ISBN 978-0-85640-662-1
MOBI ISBN 978-0-85640-680-5
www.blackstaffpress.com
www.ponyfriendsforever.com
For Shane, Conor and Mark, my very first readers.
Welcome to the Pony Palace and the second book in the Pony Friends Forever series. I have loved ponies since I was a little girl and now my daughter Emma loves them too. Though the people in my stories are fictional, all the horses and ponies in this series are real and living at Lessans’ Riding Stables near Saintfield, County Down, where Emma and her pals ride every week.
In Pony Surprise you’ll meet three of my favourite ponies – Skippy, Parsley and Rupert. I hope you enjoy reading their tales of fun, friendship and special surprises. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll find your new PFFs – Pony Friends Forever!
Chapter One
Okay, so I know I go too fast from time to time, but the kids love it – I know they do! Our owner, Kate, is cross with me again, though, so I suppose I’ll have to take it easy for a while. She gave me one of her talks last night after all the kids left.
‘Skippy, you know you can’t just go into a canter like that. Some of the children haven’t got full control over a pony like you yet. Slow down and follow instructions, or you won’t be allowed out on any more rides!’
She was brushing my grey coat down and tutting at me at the same time.
‘You’re not a racehorse, Skippy! Gentle walks and trots, that’s all you need to do in the beginners’ ride. Okay?’
She gave me a pat on the shoulder to show that she wasn’t being mean. Kate never likes to leave our stables without letting us know that she’s still our friend. She took one last look at me before she left and I knew she was melting already.
I love it here at the Pony Palace, but I’m a horse – I’m supposed to run like the wind! I don’t need a grown-up to steer me around the arena fifty times a day, and I really don’t like those handlers pulling at my bridle. Just let me get on with it, that’s what I say! Well, I don’t actually say it, obviously. I just whinny and snort a bit and shake my head a lot when I’m not happy.
Saturdays are good though – that’s when Ben comes for his lesson. He knows a thing or two about pushing me into a fast trot. There’s no hanging around with Ben!
‘Come on, girl,’ he always says. ‘Let’s go faster. Faster!’
His mum lets him ride on his own, too. She’s not pushing me and pulling me like some of the other parents, no way! Mrs Corrigan goes up to the Nosebag Café, drinks her coffee and watches and waves through the big window overlooking the arena.
‘Come on, Skippy, let’s show them!’ Ben shouts today at the beginning of our ride. We trot past the other ponies and he screams with delight. We usually manage to get one clear round before Kate shouts out and scolds us both. She’s told Ben that he won’t be allowed back if he doesn’t do as he’s asked, but when Kate’s not looking Ben lowers his head towards my ear and has a good giggle. I saw Kate talking to his mum about it at the end of his last lesson.
‘He needs to listen to what I say, or he’ll fall off and hurt himself. He’s unsettling the other riders too,’ she told Mrs Corrigan.
Ben’s mum didn’t know what to say. She just mumbled something about Ben’s dad not being around and how much he looks forward to his riding lesson and how she doesn’t want to spoil it for him.
‘I understand that,’ Kate answered.‘I’m sorry that things are hard for Ben at the minute. Horses can be really healing for children when they’re going through something difficult, and I’d hate for Ben not to come back. But I have to think of his safety and the safety of the other riders.’
But when his mum tried to talk to him about it, Ben just rolled his eyes and gave me a hug.
‘Grown-ups are always complaining about something, Skippy. That’s why I like you – you understand that I just want to have fun! I wish you were mine, and I could bring you home and ride on you every single day. I wish I could ride off over those big hills and disappear.’
I do too, Ben. But then again, I might miss all my friends here at the Pony Palace. Some of them are grumpy, yes, and some are downright annoying, but they’re still the ponies I wake up with in the mornings and bed down beside at night. Besides, we’re planning a really special event for Rupert which is absolutely TOP SECRET – so I think I’ll just stay exactly where I am for now!
Chapter Two
I just love, love, love when we get to go on a hack! Sophie’s riding me today and she’s such a pretty little thing. She loves these leisurely strolls in the countryside just as much as I do – taking it easy, not rushing, breathing in the fresh air. Sophie’s so lovely with her long, honey-coloured hair always fixed neatly into a plait, and she wears all the best riding gear too. Her new body protector is bright pink and blue, just like my browband. Gorgeous!
‘Your browband looks so good with your chestnut mane, Parsley, and it matches my gear! You look so pretty today, girl. Kate looks after you all so well. She says I can come and help the beginners when I’m a little bit older. Won’t that be so cool?’
Sophie reaches down and pats me gently. She says that I’m just her cup of tea. I think that means she likes me.
‘Some of the other ponies are just way too frisky, Parsley – not like you. A lady like you would never misbehave! Oh, did I tell you that Mum arranged for some of my friends to come over to my house to watch a movie later? We’re going to order pizza too. We’ll have so much fun! I just hope they don’t mess around with my things. Mum hates it when my room’s untidy,’ she says.
I like to listen to her just chatting away. She tells me all about her life and school and things, but she never seems to mention friends, so I’m glad to hear that she’s got pals coming over.
Her mum’s riding ahead on Olga. I’m always at the back of the ride. A ladylike mare like me doesn’t want anyone hanging around at her rear end! We pull out of the lane and turn right on to Monlough Road. There’s never much traffic along here, but all the ponies keep well in to the side of the road, just in case. Kate’s assistant, Jenny, is at the front of the hack leading the way. I hope she’ll take us up past the lake because it always smells really nice and fresh up there. At this time of year the leaves are just changing colour and the countryside is a kaleidoscope of colours; browns, reds, coppers. It’s beautiful!
Kate brought me to the Pony Palace just over a year ago and I really love it around here. Of course it’s not really a palace – just lots of stables and a riding school – but Kate says it’s a really unique, special place. There’s a little village nearby called Saintfield where she buys all our food and tack and things. Sophie lives in the village, and she’s always telling me about her favourite shop on the main street that sells dresses and hair bands and shoes in lots of shiny colours. I’d love to see them – horsesho
es are so boring compared to human shoes. We’re not allowed into the village because of all the traffic, but if I could, I’d sneak into Saintfield and get myself the sparkliest, most colourful shoes I could possibly find!
We head in the direction of the lake, just as I’d hoped. Rupert’s right in front of me, plodding along as usual like he just couldn’t be bothered. The rest of us ponies are keeping a very special secret from Rupert, though, and when he finds out it just might put a smile on his face. Jenny tells the children and adults to dismount and tie us to the fence around the little car park. Mums and dads and kids take out picnic bags and baskets, but not before giving us a few treats first. Sophie’s mum is talking on her mobile phone as soon as she gets off her horse. I can see Sophie rolling her eyes.
‘You wait here, Parsley. I won’t be long,’ she says. And she isn’t. Her mum has to make another important phone call, so Sophie sits down on the ground beside me and has her picnic. Mrs Walker is a very important person, apparently. She’s in charge of some big business in Belfast, so she doesn’t have a lot of free time to spend with Sophie.
‘Look at the lake today, Parsley. It’s so clear I can see my own reflection.’ She’s right – the lake is crystal clear, but the face I can see reflected in the water is not a happy one. I see a lonely little girl, and I wish I could do something to make her feel better. Maybe having friends over will cheer her up. Maybe Sophie’s mum will get off her mobile phone long enough to spend some time with her daughter. Just maybe.
Chapter Three
Here they come, running and squealing with my saddle and bridle. The kids around here are so noisy sometimes it makes my ears hurt, and they can’t seem to do anything right. Honestly – it takes at least three of them to get my bit into my mouth. And when it comes to tying my girth – please! I have to squeeze my tummy in until I can hardly breathe!
It must be nearly time for me to retire. I’ve been working here at the Pony Palace for longer than I can remember and if I have to listen to one more ‘Trot on, Rupert’ I think I’ll … well, neigh my head off! And I hate the way they get me mixed up with Parsley just because we’re both chestnut with white-striped faces. Haven’t they noticed her pink and blue browband? The white sock on her hind leg? My funky forelock? Plus there is the little matter of me being a boy!
‘Come on, Rupert. Squeeze that belly in,’ Jamie tells me.
He’s underneath me reaching for the girth strap. That boy never stops smiling and joking around – he really should try being a bit more serious every so often. And that hair of his needs a good cut. It looks so goofy, flopping all over the place like that.
‘That’s it, Rupert. We’re ready to rock and roll. You going to do some jumps for me today?’
‘Do I have a choice?’ I think to myself with a snort.
Jamie is in the older ride. He’s been coming here for about two years so Kate moved him up to the third level. He’s really keen on showjumping and keeps going on about something called the Olympics and ‘going for gold.’ Honestly, the boy’s head is in the clouds!
He leads me towards the outdoor arena where Kate has laid out six sets of jumps. Barney, Tonto and Biscuit are the other ponies joining us today. I make sure to steer well clear of Barney – he’s a right kicker, that one.
‘Hi Jamie. All set?’ Kate asks.
Jamie beams at her the way he does at everyone.
‘You might need to up your tempo a bit today, Jamie,’ she tells him. ‘You know how Rupert can be stubborn and likes to take things easy – just be firm with him and he’ll do what he’s told. You don’t want to lose time going around the school.’
‘Great,’ I think to myself. ‘Just when I was looking for an easy ride!’
‘How’s your granddad, Jamie?’ Kate asks him gently.
‘Not so good today. Sometimes he feels a little better and he can sit up in bed and have a chat, but over the past few days he’s been very weak. Mum says I should leave him to rest. It’s a pity though – he loves to hear about my lessons.’
‘Your mum’s probably right, Jamie. But let’s do a really good round today without cutting any corners, and then you’ll be able to tell him all about it when he picks up again.’
She pats him on the arm and goes to sort out one of the other riders. Kate’s nice like that – she always tries to cheer the kids up when they’re down. Jamie’s granddad used to ride apparently, but now he’s got some kind of sickness that makes him feel really tired. I sort of feel sorry for Jamie when he talks about it, and I’m glad that our rides make him feel better, but I’d still rather be in my stable having a nice rest.
‘Come on, Rupert. Walk on,’ he says and squeezes his heels into my side – I stroll forward.
‘No, Rupert, faster. Into trot. Come on!’
He’s kicking me gently now, but I just can’t summon up the energy.
‘You have to show him who’s boss, Jamie,’ Kate calls out. ‘Give him a couple of good, hard kicks – that should get him going.’
‘Okay, okay!’ I think, ‘I’ll pick up the pace!’
I gather speed and begin to canter around the arena. I clear the first jump easily and steady myself for the next one. I race towards the cross jump but I’m feeling so fed up and tired that I dip my head as I glide over the bars. Jamie flies right over my head and onto the ground with a thud. I feel guilty straight away.
‘Jamie. Jamie!’ Kate shouts.
But Jamie doesn’t move. What on earth have I done?
Chapter Four
‘I’m so glad I could see you today, Skippy. Mum wasn’t sure if she could afford my lesson today – she doesn’t get paid until the end of the month.’
Ben’s lesson is over and we’re in the stable together. Kate said he could stay after the ride and groom me, as a reward for being well behaved today. I love being body brushed and cleaned when my skin is warm, and Ben seems to really like doing this. He spends ages sponging me down nice and gently.
‘I had to take it easy on you today, Skippy. Mum said she wouldn’t let me come back if I tried to canter again. Sorry, girl.’
A little girl in fancy riding gear and a plait comes in. She looks Ben up and down and frowns.
‘I can’t find Parsley’s dandy brush. Have you taken it?’ she asks haughtily.
‘No, I haven’t!’ Ben replies. ‘This one’s Skippy’s. I don’t go around stealing, you know.’
She stares at him. Poor Ben – he’s wearing torn jeans and an old T-shirt while Little Miss stands there with her arms folded in her striped designer polo shirt and body protector.
‘I didn’t say you stole it,’ she says, and her bottom lip seems to quiver a bit. ‘I just wondered if you’d seen it.’
‘Well, I haven’t. And I’m busy.’
Ben turns his back on her and starts untangling my mane. The girl marches out of the stables and goes straight up to Kate. Telling tales, no doubt!
‘Stupid girl,’ Ben mumbles under his breath. ‘Who does she think she is?’
He starts combing my mane as if he’s sandpapering a wall, not gently like he did before. The girl has obviously annoyed him.
‘I’m a better rider than she is anyway. She’s way too scared to even break into a trot. Proper scaredy custard.’
‘Ouch! Go easy there,’ I whinny.
‘Rich kids!’ Ben mutters.
I wish I could tell him to forget about it. Ben’s much more fun when he’s happy. I’ve never seen him this grumpy before, not even when his dad left to go and live in England.
‘Ben, could I have a word?’
It’s Kate. Her flame-red hair is pinned up under a riding hat and she looks tired.
‘Everything okay, Ben?’ she asks.
‘Yeah, why?’
‘Sophie appears to have lost a dandy brush. Have you seen it?’
‘No, I haven’t and I’ve already told her I haven’t taken her stupid brush. She thinks I’m a thief!’
‘I’m sure she doesn’t, Ben. She was
just wondering if you’d seen it – she wasn’t accusing you of anything.’
‘You wanna bet?’ Ben mumbles.
Kate says nothing for a few minutes. She just watches Ben groom me for a bit and strokes me gently, which I can’t say I object to.
‘Really, Ben, Sophie’s not what you think,’ she says softly. ‘Her mum and dad do spoil her, but she’s a lonely little thing. I’m sure she’d like to make friends.’
‘She shouldn’t be such a snob then,’ Ben huffs.
‘I’m going to ask her to come back in here and sort things out,’ Kate says. ‘How about you give her a chance to apologise?’
Ben looks up at me, his eyes clouded with tears, and I realise this isn’t just about a dandy brush. When Sophie comes back in and apologises he says nothing. He doesn’t look at her and he doesn’t speak, and when she leaves, she looks miserable, too. Ben is so upset he doesn’t even stay to finish brushing me. I feel sorry for both of them.
As soon as the coast is clear and it’s just us ponies, we start planning Rupert’s TOP SECRET big day. Parsley and I neigh about all the treats that will be on offer, and Biscuit and Barney join in, but I have to remind them that Rupert is not to know about any of this. Kate told us about the big event that she’s got planned for Rupert and swore us all to secrecy. Old Rupert can be a bit of a grump sometimes, but we all agree that no one deserves the special day more than he does.
Chapter Five
Skippy is going on about Rupert’s big day again, but I’m too busy worrying about Sophie to listen. She cried for the rest of the afternoon after her argument with Ben, and I hate to see her like that. Her mum didn’t notice anything was wrong when she picked her up, of course, and as usual Sophie kept it to herself.
Her movie night didn’t go so well either, the poor thing – only one girl turned up. The girls in her class don’t seem to like her very much. They’re probably just jealous of all her nice things. The truth is that Sophie is the sweetest little girl when you get the chance to know her. She’s just not very good at making friends, and I do wish she’d learn not to frown so much.
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