Too Many Ponies

by Wilkinson, Sheena;

  ‘What?’ Aidan asked. He put his blue pencil back in the box and took out a green one.

  Lucy handed the pages to him. He glanced at them, still colouring in.

  ‘So?’

  ‘We could win five thousand pounds for Rosevale!’

  ‘What do you mean we?’

  Lucy jabbed a finger at the print-out. ‘It has to be teams from yards. Four in a team. It can be a mix of adults and kids. There’s big jumps and wee jumps beside each other and it’s up to you which you pick. You can mix and match. There’s more points for the big ones.’ Lucy hoped she and Puzzle would be able to do the big jumps. She wasn’t so sure about Aidan. ‘Anyway, I’ve worked it out. The Rosevale team can be your dad, me, you and Kitty. I mean, you’ll need to practise your jumping, but Firefly could do it OK.’

  ‘Dad’ll say there isn’t time.’

  ‘Aidan, it’s for five thousand pounds. Think what that could do at Rosevale! You could get a whole new barn, never mind patching up the roof! You could buy hay for the whole winter. You could –’

  ‘We wouldn’t have a chance.’

  Aidan went back to colouring in his stupid map.

  He’d mixed up Belarus and Ukraine, but Lucy wasn’t going to tell him.

  She flounced. ‘You’re pathetic, Aidan Kelly! Well, I’ve texted Kitty and she’s up for it. And if you aren’t, we’ll get someone else.’

  Though she didn’t know who. If only Rosevale were a normal yard, with lots of competitive teenagers. Like Sunnyside. Still, Declan was a brilliant rider – in his teens he had won some big competitions on a horse called Flight. And Kitty was as good as Lucy. Aidan would be the weak link – she hadn’t seen him jump for ages – but the three of them would be so good they’d make up for it.

  The competition was at Hallowe’en. That gave them about six weeks. Was that long enough to get the horses fit and trained? It would have to be. In her imagination Lucy and Puzzle soared over solid timber fences, and below them a crowd roared and clapped. She saw the cheque for five thousand pounds. She saw a brand new barn, hay piled to the roof, enough for ten winters.

  And surely there might be enough left over for a few new jumps.

  Somewhere in the middle of the dream she saw Jade and Miranda looking on with envy as the lottery winner put the winner’s sash over Puzzle’s head.

  Declan would have to say yes.

  Chapter 6

  It’s Only Jumping

  AIDAN didn’t think for a moment that his dad would agree. The chances of winning were so remote. But Kitty got home from school first. And by the time Aidan saw his dad she’d obviously got round him.

  ‘Sure, it’ll be a day out,’ he said. He was filling hay-nets in the barn. Automatically Aidan started helping. ‘I saw Cam at the feed shop,’ his dad went on. Cam ran a small riding stables about six miles away. She had been his dad’s first boss and was still one of his best friends. ‘Seemingly everybody’s talking about it. It’s ridiculous – five thousand pounds! But if this Dermie Doyle wants the horsey crowd galloping all over his land then he’s going to have it. Though Cam can’t enter – not enough people are keen at her yard.’

  There aren’t enough people keen at this yard, Aidan thought. ‘But you always say we haven’t time for that kind of thing.’

  His dad sighed and tightened the string on the net he had just filled. ‘I know. But your mum’s always saying you and Kitty have all work and no play with the horses. You’d enjoy it, wouldn’t you? And Firefly’s a great jumper.’

  Aidan bit his lip and pushed hay down into the net. He knew Firefly could do it – it was himself he wasn’t so sure of. And cross-country – those big solid fences. It had been different when Midge was his pony. He’d grown up on Midge.

  ‘I don’t mind the work,’ he said.

  ‘You can have a practice tonight,’ his dad said, straightening up. ‘Just in the school.’ He made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal at all.

  While Aidan brought the ponies in, Kitty and Lucy set up a course in the sand-school. The jumps looked huge. When Firefly saw them he pranced and pulled.

  ‘Steady, boy,’ Aidan said, and ran his hand over Firefly’s neck. His pony flicked his red ears as if he remembered his show-jumping past.

  ‘Ah, look at Firefly. He can’t wait,’ Kitty said to Lucy.

  Lucy played with Puzzle’s thick mane. ‘Thought your dad was meant to be coming?’

  ‘He’s had to go and fix one of the fences in the far field. But he’ll be here as soon as he can.’

  Maybe, Aidan thought, if it’s only the girls watching me, not Dad, it won’t be so bad.

  ‘OK. Pretend it’s a competition,’ Kitty bossed. ‘Down the long side, over the bales, then round and –’

  ‘We have to warm up first.’ Aidan spoke for the first time. ‘You can’t just start jumping.’

  ‘I meant after we’d warmed up. I’m not stupid.’

  They rode round the sand-school a few times on each rein, walking and trotting. It was ages since Firefly had been in the school – usually Aidan hacked him round the tracks between the fields. He liked seeing the horses grazing, and checking up on the fences. He liked riding when there was a point to it, when you went somewhere. Not this going round in circles and then –

  It’s only jumping, he told himself firmly.

  Lucy headed off on Puzzle. Aidan thought the first two jumps were at a funny angle but Puzzle didn’t have any bother. He cleared everything with a swish of his tail. Lucy sat balanced and relaxed, moving with her pony, making it look easy. Aidan’s stomach knotted exactly the way it did when he looked out of the bus window and saw Olly and Josh at the bus stop.

  Stupid, he told himself. A few wee jumps in your own school. All you have to do is hold on and steer.

  Kitty went next. She went too fast into the wall and there was a nasty moment when Midge checked and it looked like he might refuse, but Aidan knew Midge never refused. Kitty was left behind, but she landed safely, laughing.

  ‘You pushed on too much there. Lucky for you your pony knows how to get out of trouble,’ said his dad’s voice. He’d just arrived, and sat on Folly with Alfie beside them as usual, watching everything with doggy interest from under his shaggy grey fringe. Folly snatched at her bit, goggled with her big black eyes, and ran backwards, her front legs scrabbling and half-rearing above the ground. Aidan’s dad hardly moved in the saddle. Aidan wouldn’t have sat on Folly for a million pounds.

  ‘Who’s next? Aidan?’

  Aidan shortened his stirrups, checked his girth, trotted Firefly in a circle. The jumps lurked like monsters, mocking him. Firefly tossed his head impatiently. He felt like a raging charger instead of a fourteen-hand pony.

  ‘Get on with it, Aidan,’ his dad said, and Kitty made a noise like a bell ringing.

  The first jump wasn’t so bad. Firefly was over-keen and jumped big, so that Aidan was pushed right up onto Firefly’s neck and landed with a bump in the saddle that must have hurt the horse, but before he had time to worry they were cantering towards the next one, the one Lucy and Kitty insisted on calling ‘the wall’. It’s only a few old boxes, Aidan told himself, his heart pounding. Even if we hit them we won’t do any damage. Except maybe to the boxes.

  But everybody’s watching. Your sister. Your dad. A girl out of your class. What’s the big deal, Ponyboy?

  His hands jerked at the reins and Firefly didn’t know what he was asking.

  ‘For God’s sake, steer, Aidan!’

  At the last minute Firefly swerved and Aidan shot halfway out of the saddle. He lost his stirrups but somehow managed to slither back and regain control. Firefly huffed and danced a bit. Aidan had to walk him round the sand-school before he settled again.

  ‘Aidan!’ his dad said. ‘That was totally your fault! The pony needs you to tell him what to do. You’re in charge.’

  No I’m not, thought Aidan, as, at the insistence of his dad and under the impatient glares of the girls, he went round again
and, this time, managed to clear the jump. I’m not in charge of Firefly. I’m not in charge of whether I want to be in their stupid team or not. I’m not in charge of anything.

  Chapter 7

  The Weakest Link

  ‘CAN I be your partner?’ Erin asked as 1C filed into the computer room.

  Lucy was about to say yes when Jade made a beeline for her.

  ‘I’m working with Lucy,’ she said.

  ‘I think Lucy can speak for herself,’ Erin said.

  ‘Um, well,’ Lucy said, ‘Miranda’s at the orthodontist so …’

  Erin turned away. Lucy sat down beside Jade and logged on. They were in form class, making posters for their charity event – a cake sale and car wash.

  ‘So how’s your cross-country team coming on?’ Jade asked.

  ‘Great,’ Lucy said. She highlighted the title and changed it to a wacky font.

  ‘That looks awful,’ Jade said and changed it back again.

  Lucy didn’t mind. She wasn’t very artistic. The only good thing about making these posters was that you were allowed to chat.

  ‘You should see Folly – that’s Aidan’s dad’s horse,’ she went on. ‘She’s about sixteen now, but she’s a brilliant jumper. But then Declan’s won at Balmoral and everything.’

  She didn’t add that this had been before Aidan was born.

  She didn’t add that they hadn’t even done any cross-country jumps yet, that they couldn’t because they didn’t have any.

  She didn’t add – partly because she didn’t want to think about it, but also because it would have been mean, especially with him sitting two rows behind, working with Erin as they had both been the odd ones out – that Aidan was definitely the weak link in their team. Which put a lot of pressure on Lucy and Declan to clear the bigger jumps. Kitty, though she was a tight rider and brave, was only nine, and her pony only twelve-two.

  She didn’t ask Jade how the Sunnyside team was getting on because she’d been hearing about it every day – the flatwork lessons in the indoor school, the weekend practices over the purpose-built cross-country jumps, the special competition diet for the ponies and the brand-new matching purple tops with Sunnyside Farm embroidered on them.

  ‘We’re going up to Cam Brooke’s yard tonight,’ Lucy said. ‘To practise round her cross-country jumps.’

  ‘Why?’ Jade asked. ‘Do you not even have your own cross-country course at Rosevale?’ She changed the lettering to blue.

  ‘Um,’ said Lucy. ‘Just for a change.’

  But Jade had lost interest and wanted to talk about her birthday instead. ‘Josh and I always have a joint party,’ she said, ‘so I don’t know how many people I’m allowed to invite. I mean I want to invite you, of course. But not everyone.’ She made her eyes big and spoke in a loud, obvious whisper, which Lucy felt was meant for Erin.

  ‘Jade and Lucy, less chat, more work,’ called out Miss Connor.

  ‘It’s this cross-country competition, miss,’ Jade said. She flashed Miss Connor the wide smile that teachers loved. ‘We’re just so excited.’ She gave her shoulders a little wriggle.

  ‘Yeah, we can’t wait, miss,’ Olly said unexpectedly from his seat beside Josh.

  ‘I wouldn’t have put you down as an equestrian enthusiast, Oliver,’ Miss Connor said.

  ‘Well, I have to support my twin, of course,’ Josh replied.

  ‘And I have to support my mate,’ Olly added, and they high-fived.

  ‘Isn’t that lovely,’ Miss Connor said.

  Olly turned round to Aidan. ‘We really can’t wait to see you perform, Ponyboy,’ he said. And smiled.

  IN Cam’s yard the ponies came off the lorry calmly, unlike Folly, who had sweated up during the short journey and barged off the ramp with her head in the air, neighing shrilly. Alfie slunk behind Declan. Lucy, Aidan and Kitty led their ponies round a bit. They looked about them with interest, and Midge nickered loudly.

  ‘Steady, you silly old sausage.’ Cam came forward to give Declan a hand with Folly. She looked at the ponies. ‘Looking fit,’ she said. ‘Get tacked up and we’ll head out. I’m coming too. Got a youngster who needs the experience. Ex-racer. Probably have kittens when he sees he’s going out in a crowd.’

  Lucy had met Cam a few times – she came to Rosevale now and again – but this was the first time she’d been to her yard. It was old-fashioned, like Rosevale, but very spruce and painted. A girl was brushing the yard, and horses and ponies looked out from over their half doors, pausing in their hay-munching to check out these strangers. Declan had started his career here, working at weekends since he was sixteen and then full-time before he took over Rosevale. Cam was about the same age as Lucy’s mum, with short, greying red hair.

  ‘See you in a minute,’ she called over her shoulder.

  Declan, busy calming Folly down, didn’t reply.

  ‘Midge came from here,’ Kitty said. ‘Cam gave him to Dad when Aidan was born, only he’s mine now.’

  ‘Only till you outgrow him,’ Aidan said quickly. ‘Then he becomes mine again.’

  He sat on Firefly, looking perfectly at ease. At ordinary riding, Lucy had to admit, he was as good as Kitty – maybe better because Kitty could be a bit rough and ready. It was only when they jumped that he turned into such a wuss.

  ‘Yeah, what are you going to do with a twelve-two,’ Kitty asked, ‘when we’ve got too many ponies anyway?’

  By the time they were all tacked up Cam had come back, mounted on a long-legged bay thoroughbred, which neighed at the new arrivals.

  They followed Cam out of the yard, twenty hooves making a great clatter on the path. Lucy went at the back and watched the rest of her team critically as they crossed the road and went through the gate into the farm trail on the other side of the road. She imagined them riding up to the start of the cross-country course at Greenlands. If she didn’t know them, how would she rate them as a team?

  Folly jogged and snatched at her bit, her silvery mane floating in the breeze. She was, as Lucy had told Jade, a brilliant jumper, but she needed a lot of jollying along. Midge bustled along, reliable but small. Firefly, at least on paper, was probably the best of the three, though Lucy felt bad thinking that when she was riding Puzzle. Firefly was an elegant, leggy pony whose bright chestnut coat gleamed in the autumn sunshine, the same colour as the leaves that were just starting to fall. He had powerful hindquarters and a long, raking stride. Unfortunately, as they got closer to the jumps set out at intervals in the fields, Aidan was starting to look tense and the pony was picking up on it. Lucy could tell from the way Firefly tossed his head and arched his neck that he was becoming unhappy. She pushed Puzzle on to catch up.

  ‘Relax,’ she said.

  Aidan frowned at her. ‘I’m perfectly relaxed,’ he said through gritted teeth.

  Lucy decided to catch up with Cam instead.

  Cam smiled at her over her shoulder. ‘Just watch his back end,’ she warned. ‘I don’t think he kicks.’

  ‘He doesn’t look like he’s going to kick,’ Lucy said, but she kept a good distance from the bay thoroughbred’s back legs as she brought Puzzle alongside him.

  Cam halted her horse, Tyrone, at the entrance to a big field, and called out, ‘OK, this is probably the best place to start. You can see the jumps. Most of them are only logs, nothing to worry about. We’ll canter round the field and let the horses see the lie of the land and then take the jumps in turn.’ She surveyed the team critically. ‘Who’s going to lead?’ she asked. ‘No point asking my eejit.’

  ‘I’ll lead,’ Declan suggested.

  Folly pawed the ground and put her ears back at Tyrone, who backed away in terror.

  Cam widened her eyes. ‘Are you kidding?’ she said.

  ‘Well, maybe not.’ It was funny to see Declan being bossed around for a change. Next minute Lucy’s heart danced when Declan said, ‘Lucy can lead. Her pony’s a hundred per cent. He won’t stop.’

  ‘Fine.’ Cam smiled at Lucy. ‘Take yo
ur time. You’ll find the ground a bit soft at that first log – but don’t let that put you off. The others are fine. Only do the downhill if you feel ready for it – that goes for all of you. I’ll keep an eye out here to make sure everybody gets home safely. Which you all will,’ she said quickly to Aidan, who hadn’t uttered a word since the jumps had come into sight.

  Lucy nodded and they all set off in a line round the outside of the big field – first trotting, then, at Cam’s order, breaking into a canter. Puzzle gave a snort of pleasure and lunged into a fast, ground-eating gallop.

  ‘Steady!’ Cam called.

  Lucy sat down and steadied Puzzle, and he settled into a lovely rocking canter. Lucy felt her face break into a huge grin. This was wonderful, feeling her pony keen but obedient, sensing his eagerness to tackle the half-dozen jumps set in a trail round the field, hearing the hoof-beats of the others behind her and seeing nothing ahead but the short grass and the welcoming jumps.

  She turned Puzzle into the first jump – a small log. The take-off was muddy, as Cam had said, but Puzzle never minded getting his hooves wet. He popped over it in a business-like manner and they were soon cantering up the hill to the next one, which wasn’t much higher but had quite a spread. She felt Puzzle reach and stretch and land confidently.

  ‘Good boy,’ she breathed, looking for the next jump. She was aware of the others behind, but only dimly. The world had shrunk to her and her pony and the wonderful jumps.

  We can do it, she thought, sitting back slightly as they headed down the hill again. Lucy hadn’t much experience jumping downhill, but Puzzle cantered on steadily and she knew he wouldn’t refuse. The jump flew at them, sooner than she expected. For a terrible moment she thought she was going to get left behind, but she let the reins slip through her fingers to avoid jagging Puzzle in the mouth, and, through a mixture of luck, timing and balance, managed to get back in the saddle in time to steer him for the last jump, another easy log.