The Palomino Pony Steals the Show

by Olivia Tuffin

  Jodie’s shoulders slumped, and Ellie gave a small groan. If Henry was involved, Georgia realised, Jodie wouldn’t get a chance to shine. She needed to help her!

  Once riding was done for the day, Georgia tried to get Jodie on her own. She knew that tomorrow would be Jodie’s big chance, and she didn’t want her to worry about Serena. Skipping out of Lily’s stable before teatime, she paused, leaning her head against her shavings fork. She could hear hushed, angry voices, and was straining to work out where they were coming from when Jodie appeared in Jackson’s stable next door. Putting her fingers to her lips, Georgia gestured to Jodie to stay quiet, so she could work out what was being said. Jodie stood as still as a statue against Jackson’s neck, her face turning pale. The voices belonged to Serena and Henry. Clearly they had thought everyone would be in the canteen for tea.

  Serena sounded angry and Henry was trying to placate her. “You said she wouldn’t be a problem!” Her flat, polished voice rose slightly as she talked.

  “Don’t worry.” Henry’s clipped tones were instantly recognisable. “I’ll take care of it. There’s no way Jodie will ride if she knows I can sack Amanda.”

  “Then why is she still here?” Serena’s voice was a whine now.

  “Leave it to me.” Henry’s voice was cross. “I said I’d sort it!”

  Jodie remained as still as before, long after Serena and Henry had exited the barn, their footsteps ringing out against the cobbles.

  “Well, that’s it then,” she whispered finally. “I’m not going to let Mum lose her job again.”

  Georgia didn’t know what to say. After all, Henry was in charge while the owners of the centre were thousands of miles away. Why was he so keen to get Serena on the young riders’ squad, even at the expense of an innocent groom’s job? He must know there were other riders more deserving of a place.

  “I’m going to get to the bottom of this,” Georgia said firmly to her friend, who only shrugged her shoulders, biting her lip as she tried not to cry. Seeing Jodie’s crumpled face only strengthened Georgia’s resolve to find out exactly what was going on.

  “Have you heard?” Sebastian clearly couldn’t wait to spill the beans the next morning at breakfast as he wolfed down his cereal. “Ellie’s left!”

  Georgia just gaped at him, and Jodie did the same as Serena sat down next to Sebastian. Georgia could have sworn a look of satisfaction flickered across Serena’s face.

  “Couldn’t hack it; always wondered why she was here,” she said dismissively.

  Georgia felt a bubble of anger grow, thinking of poor Ellie who had been pulled apart by Henry during the very first lesson. “That’s not fair!” she cried. “Ellie was a great rider, and she had as good a chance as any of us at getting a squad place!”

  “Oh, well, one down.” Serena was as cold as ice, and even Sebastian looked slightly shocked as Serena continued. “We’re finding out who can really take the pace, I guess.”

  Georgia was just about to retort when she felt Jodie’s elbow prodding her, and kept her mouth shut. Remembering their overheard conversation in the stables last night, Georgia’s eyes narrowed. Serena was playing dirty, and Henry was helping her. Georgia believed he would quite easily sack the loyal groom if Jodie didn’t give up her place on the course. She had no evidence of this but she didn’t trust Serena or Henry one bit. She had to do something. Finding she had totally lost her appetite, she pushed her chair back and stood up. She wished Melanie or Dan were here – they always knew what to do.

  She remembered what Jodie had told her about Martha and James, the owners of Rosefolly. If only they knew what was going on while they were away. Then she had a brainwave. Rosefolly’s owners may be in Australia but that didn’t mean Georgia couldn’t contact them. She needed Jodie to know she could ride for her chance of glory without worrying about her mum’s job.

  Running back up to her dorm room, she pulled out her old laptop, which she had brought with her to appease her own mum, promising that she would get some coursework done in the evenings. Feeling slightly guilty as she realised she hadn’t done any work at all, she turned it on, drumming her fingers against the keyboard impatiently. She went on to the Rosefolly website, quickly finding the email address for James and Martha Davidson, proprietors of Rosefolly Equestrian Centre. She paused as she thought about what to write.

  Dear Mr and Mrs Davidson.

  Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

  My name is Georgia Black and I am currently training at Rosefolly. I am sorry to contact you while you are so far away, but I hope you can help me. I am worried Henry Winters may be threatening to sack your groom Amanda, to stop her daughter Jodie from trying out for a squad place. I need to let Jodie know that he can’t do that. Thank you, Georgia May Black.

  Pressing ‘Send’, Georgia crossed her fingers before rushing back down to the stable block. As the adrenalin of what she had done wore off, she pressed her face into Lily’s neck, her cheeks crimson. Had she done the right thing? She didn’t even know Rosefolly’s owners, and she had got involved with something she shouldn’t have. They were probably going to be furious at Georgia for contacting them; maybe they would even get Henry to throw her off the course. She felt her whole body tingle hot and cold with shame. As Lily snuffled her hands in slight alarm, picking up on her young mistress’s emotions, Georgia groaned. She could only hope for the best; she couldn’t go back on what she had just done.

  The team selector who arrived at the yard the next day was a kindly-looking older man in cord trousers and a sponsor’s blouson jacket. He looked as though he had been around horses all his life as he strolled up and down the arena, taking in each pony and rider as they stood quietly. Georgia had spent an extra few minutes turning Lily out so that she looked particularly smart, and her neat pale feet were polished and her mane fell in soft creamy waves. She was so pretty, so understated, in her simple snaffle bridle. Georgia still wasn’t sure how she felt about going further with Lily but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try her best, as she had promised Mel.

  She noticed that the team selector spent a couple of extra minutes looking at Jackson and Lily, and her blood ran cold as she noticed the look of rage crossing Henry’s face. He really wanted Serena to make the squad. But why?

  For the rest of the lesson, the team selector stood quietly, occasionally making notes but mostly just leaning on the fence observing the riders. Henry seemed determined that Serena would be noticed, and stood Georgia and Jodie right at the back of the arena as Serena and her chestnut pony ran through a dressage test. Georgia tried to gauge the look on the team selector’s face, but it was totally unreadable. Georgia wondered if the expectation was extra high on Serena due to her famous father, and for the briefest of seconds she felt a smidgen of pity towards her. It couldn’t be easy – especially as she seemed to lack natural talent. But then, remembering the way Serena was trying to shove everyone off the course, she frowned. She didn’t feel that sorry for her!

  “Have you seen enough?” Henry was desperately trying to bring the session to a close, but Georgia and Jodie had barely even ridden a circle. It was deliberate sabotage, Georgia thought angrily.

  “Not quite.” The team selector glanced at his watch as he answered. “Can I just see the palomino and the black pony in action?”

  “Of course,” Henry said through gritted teeth. “But if you ask me,” he said in a stage whisper, “the palomino is all flash, no substance, and the black pony is far too unpredictable, dangerous even.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” the team selector said in a level voice, flicking through his notepad. “The pony’s got a good record at competitions, I see here.”

  Henry snorted. “Only local stuff, nothing to speak of. A Blackpool donkey would win a prize at some of the shows round here.” With that he called Georgia and Jodie forward, his eyes flashing. Georgia nudged Lily forward and the little mare sprang into action. She made sure that she gave Jodie plenty of space, knowing Jackson
was prone to explosions if other ponies got too close, and concentrated on showing off her little mare’s paces – a walk-to-canter transition and a perfect leg yield.

  Glancing over at Jodie and Jackson, she frowned. Something was wrong. Jodie was holding Jackson back, causing him to pin his ears back in frustration and throw in little bunny hops. Silently, Georgia willed Jodie to really show her gelding off. What was going wrong? Then, to her horror, she realised that Jodie must be deliberately sabotaging her chance. She must really believe that Henry would sack her mum if Serena didn’t get the place. Georgia could only watch helplessly as Jodie held her hand up and asked if she could stop riding, much to the team selector’s confusion.

  “I don’t want to ride any more,” Jodie said in a trembling voice, much to Serena’s barely concealed delight and Henry’s satisfaction as he turned back to the team selector.

  “What did I say?” His flat haughty voice carried over the arena to Georgia. “The pony’s too unpredictable and the girl knows it. Not like this one.” He gestured to Serena’s chestnut.

  The team selector frowned. “Very well,” he replied as he turned to go. “But I want to watch some more before making a choice. We’ve still got the rest of the week, haven’t we?” And without a backward glance he turned on his heel and strode away from the yard.

  “What was that all about?” Georgia tried to talk to Jodie as they untacked their ponies next to each other in the huge stone stables. But from the way Jodie hunched her shoulders over Jackson, her hat pulled down low, it was clear she wasn’t in a talking mood. Georgia knew she had ridden badly on purpose, and felt a growing bubble of anger rise against Henry and Serena. Georgia was so wrapped up in Jodie and Jackson that she hadn’t even stopped to wonder if the team selector had been impressed with her and Lily, although Lily had felt as good as ever. She scratched the little mare on her withers and Lily lowered her lovely pale eyelashes. She still wasn’t sure what her aim was for the week, but one thing was for sure – she was going to stick it out, if only to make sure Jodie was OK.

  “I’m going home for the rest of the day,” Jodie muttered, concentrating hard on Jackson’s saddle as she undid his girth. Before Georgia could make any further attempt at conversation, she heard her name being called. It was Daisy. Looking round her stable door, she saw the assistant instructor standing in the doorway to the barn. She had her arms folded and looked very serious. Georgia felt her cheeks flush. It had to be about the email she had sent Rosefolly’s owners. She had a feeling she was in deep trouble.

  Giving Lily a pat, she let herself out of the stable and walked towards the instructor with trepidation, her legs trembling.

  “Follow me,” Daisy said grimly, and Georgia meekly trotted behind her to the instructor’s office. Thankfully there was no sign of Henry. Georgia couldn’t bear it if he was witness to her telling-off – it was bad enough she had let the friendly and knowledgeable Daisy down. Imagining what she was going to tell Melanie and Janey, Georgia felt her hands grow sweaty.

  Daisy shut the door and sat down behind the desk, and Georgia stood awkwardly, one ankle behind the other, awaiting her fate.

  “Did you contact James and Martha Davidson?” Daisy looked straight at Georgia, unblinking, and Georgia lowered her head.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “I wanted to let them know how badly Henry and Serena were behaving.” She may as well tell the truth if she was going to get kicked off the course.

  There was a long silence, only broken by the ticking of a clock on the huge antique desk.

  “I’m glad,” Daisy said finally, to Georgia’s surprise, and she looked up at Daisy, who smiled at her kindly. “You’re not in trouble, Georgia. Don’t look so worried.” Daisy explained that she had also suspected something was going on between Serena and Henry, and had done some digging of her own. She knew the groom at the Van der Hawks’ yard, who had taken over from Amanda when she had left. The groom had confirmed Henry was heavily involved with Serena’s father’s horse-dealing business. Daisy could only presume Henry was being bribed in order to get Serena a squad place, either by forcing everyone else off the course, or by threatening Jodie’s mum with the sack if Jodie didn’t pull out.

  When James, the owner of Rosefolly, had called Daisy just after today’s lesson to discuss Georgia’s email, Daisy had filled him in on what was happening.

  “I’ve told James everything,” said Daisy. “And this is what he wants us to do. We’ve got to persuade Jodie to carry on. James has given his word that Amanda’s job is safe, and he will investigate Henry as soon as he’s back in the UK.”

  “But will Jodie believe that?” Georgia asked.

  “Let’s hope so,” Daisy said grimly. “I’ll have a word with her.” Then, smiling, she opened the door for Georgia. “Tell you what,” she said, her face sunny again. “The team selector isn’t back until tomorrow. We could have a lesson, but what do you say to a hack around the estate, just you, me and Jodie? I can bring my horse; he’s stabled on the main yard.”

  “Brilliant!” Georgia grinned. She couldn’t think of a better idea. After all the pressure of the first part of the course, a relaxed hack would do her and Lily the world of good.

  “Great, then meet me at two under the archway. I’ll take care of Henry.” Daisy smiled. Then she looked straight at Georgia. “Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you, what with everything going on,” she said. “Alongside Jodie and Jackson, you and Lily have the most potential I have seen in a long, long time. The partnership between you is amazing. That pony could take you right to the top, Georgia.”

  Georgia could only gape in astonishment as she followed Daisy into the sunlit yard. And here she was, wanting to get back to Redgrove and Pony Club rallies. Should she really be aiming higher? Lily was a one-in-a-million pony, that was certain. But Georgia had to think carefully about the path she chose. As she walked out of the office, she nearly bumped headlong into Jodie.

  “What was that about?” her friend asked her.

  “I’ll explain later,” Georgia said. “But, Jodie, you mustn’t leave! Daisy knows what Henry is up to and she’s spoken to the owner of Rosefolly. Just promise me you’ll come out for a hack with Daisy and me, and we’ll tell you everything.”

  “OK.” Jodie looked intrigued. “I’ve half packed my trunk, but Mum’s working all afternoon anyway so I can’t move Jackson back to his livery yard until tomorrow. A ride out sounds just what I need – it has to be better than seeing the look of smug satisfaction on Serena’s face for the rest of the day.”

  “Great,” Georgia grinned. “Two o’clock, under the archway!”

  There was something quite pleasing about riding out through the gates of Rosefolly later that afternoon. Serena was clearly convinced that Jodie was giving up and that Georgia would follow. The look of satisfaction on her face as she led her chestnut pony out of his stable was almost too much to bear. Luckily, Daisy distracted Georgia, leading out the most beautiful grey thoroughbred from one of Rosefolly’s plush boxes.

  “Thanks, Amanda,” Georgia heard her say to Jodie’s mum, who held her stirrup on one side so that Daisy could lightly swing into the saddle. “She always does such a good job, your mum.” She smiled at Jodie, who looked pleased.

  Daisy’s horse, Louis, was an ex-racehorse. Daisy had bought the gelding and slowly nursed him back to health after an injury, and he had rewarded her by winning major dressage titles and showing classes for ex-racehorses. He had even been to the Horse of the Year Show. Riding little Lily next to the big handsome grey, Georgia decided Daisy could be added to her list of horsey heroes!

  The trio laughed and chatted easily as the path soon gave way to the rolling parkland surrounding Rosefolly, dotted with grazing sheep and, to Georgia’s immense surprise, tame deer that looked up in mild interest as the horses passed by. Lily was completely on her toes, spooking slightly at the deer, making Georgia laugh, her lovely ears pricked forward. Georgia realised it was the happiest she had been all week.

/>   As they rode, Daisy explained clearly to Jodie about what she suspected was going on between Serena and Henry. Jodie was completely quiet, absorbing Daisy’s words. Georgia stayed slightly behind, but was still able to hear what was being said.

  “So Mum’s job is safe?” Jodie kept asking.

  Daisy told her that she knew there had to be a reason why Henry was so desperate for Serena to get the coveted place. It still wasn’t exactly clear, but all Jodie was interested in was that Henry wouldn’t be able to sack her mum, and that Jodie could still ride.

  Daisy nodded. “Absolutely,” she said firmly. “You need to get back on the horse, as it were, and show the selectors what you’re made of!”

  Jodie nodded back. “OK,” she agreed. “If you’re sure.”

  Georgia smiled, still slightly behind the two riders, and patted Lily’s glossy neck. She was thrilled; Jodie deserved her chance to ride without being intimidated. She wondered what reason there could be for Henry trying to push her off, but she didn’t really care, as long as Daisy was sure Jodie could still ride and that Amanda’s job was safe.

  Daisy turned round in the saddle, reins in one hand, and grinned at Georgia. “There’s the most perfect piece of flat ground just up ahead,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “It’s where I often school Louis, for a change of scene. What do you say to a bit of a practice, before tomorrow?”

  Both girls smiled in agreement.

  Away from the confines of the arena, Lily felt so free and responsive, and with Daisy sitting in the middle of the circle on a relaxed Louis, the two young teenagers flourished under her instruction, both Jackson and Lily trotting perfect serpentines and a balanced counter canter. Georgia laughed in delight as Lily flew into the most amazing extended canter. She never knew she could ride like this, and marvelled once again at how the smallest changes could make the biggest difference.