Pony Club Challenge (Woodbury Pony Club Book 2)
Page 21
“I’d like to go too,” James told David, “but I’ll have to ask my mother first. I’m not sure if she’ll trust me with Ferdie. He’s hers really, and she does all the stablework and grooming—I’m only allowed to look after him if she doesn’t feel well.”
“I’m putting my name down. What about you, Tina?” asked Seb.
“Three days beginning when? It would be awful if we went away the minute the parents came back,” answered Tina.
“I want to go like anything, but if Netti’s taking over Hob I haven’t anything to ride,” moaned Oliver.
“Yes, you have. You swop Hobbit for Tristram, you dope.” Rupert told him briskly.
“Oh, we don’t want him, he’s too young,” complained Lesley, who had been fetched by Lynne.
“You don’t mean that you’re coming?” asked Rupert, gazing at her with a shocked expression. “Do you really think you should? I mean, I know we all drive you mad with our horrible habits and general incompetence; you’ll be worn out with scolding me all day long. I don’t think I’d advise it, Lesley.”
“Anything would be better than staying at home and hearing about potato scrambles and flag races from morning to night,” snapped Lesley.
“And I’ll look after Ollie, so he’ll be all right,” said Lizzie.
David had limped across the paddock to watch a final run through of the flag race.
“Those four aren’t half bad,” he said, joining Janet and Mrs Rooke as the race ended.
“But there are only four of them,” Janet complained peevishly. “Where are we going to find the other two?”
“I’ll talk to Derek Roberts again about getting a suitable pony for Lynne. She’s good enough to train a pony on now and they could make a lot of money when she outgrows it. I’m told the richer pony clubs pay a fortune for their Prince Philip ponies. Ironic, since the whole idea when the Prince started the games was to give the poorer children on cheap ponies a chance.”
“That’s five, we still need six,” snapped Mrs Rooke, looking round the pony club members with a dissatisfied expression.
“Bowie’s too nervous and Tristram’s going to hot up if we keep racing him; he hasn’t the right temperament for mounted games,” explained Janet.
“What about that little grey fatty?” asked David pointing his good hand at Twilight.
“Useless. It won’t move,” snapped Mrs Rooke.
“She was moving just now when Tina was riding her. I’m sure if she had a couple of weeks with an experienced kid like your Sarah she’d be a different pony,” David told Mrs Rooke. “Give it a try. Janet, even if she doesn’t make the team you’ll have done the Clarks a good turn.”
The group of pony club members by the gate came to a sudden conclusion and walked over to meet David.
“Yes please, David,” said Alice
“We think it’s a great idea,” added Seb.
“There are ten of us who’d like to go, but Ollie and I have to ask our mothers,” explained James.
“You all have to ask your parents’ permission. You do that, and I’ll find out about fields; then we’ll discuss dates and equipment.”
“It looks as though there’ll only be two mares,” said Lesley.
“But five boys and five girls, which is going to make it awkward over tents; most of them hold two,” observed James.
“What is all this about tents?” asked Mrs Rooke, bustling up.
“We’re going on a trek. We’re going to camp on our own, without any grown-ups. Much more fun than boring old mounted games,” exulted Oliver.
“It’s only for people who aren’t in the Prince Philip team,” Lesley told her mother.
“Nothing’s definite until you’ve asked your parents,” said David. “If they say ‘yes’, give me a ring.”
“Our parents are in Venice,” Tina’s freckled face looked worried. “Seb’s grandparents are looking after us. If they say yes, will that do?”
“Of course. Tell them that you will be inspected night and morning by a pony club official, but otherwise you’ll be on your own,” said David.
“Come on, let’s go home and start working on Mum,” shouted Oliver as he struggled to mount Tristram. “We don’t need to wait for Netti.”
All the would-be-trekkers were suddenly galvanized into action. There was a great packing up of half-eaten lunches and a general tightening of girths. Waving and shouting their thanks to David they clattered down the lane, talking excitedly. Only Hanif seemed silent and unenthusiastic.
“What’s up?” asked Alice, when they had parted from the main body of riders. “Do you think your parents will mind? Will they object to us camping on our own?”
“No, quite the opposite. My stepfather will be all too keen, he’ll be buying me the latest in camping equipment and teaching me how to cook a four-course meal in one billy can,” complained Hanif. “I want to be left alone and allowed to make mistakes and do things badly like everyone else.”
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Jane Badger Books
Jane Badger Books is dedicated to bringing back classic pony fiction, some of which has been out of print for over 50 years. Authors available so far include:
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Victoria Eveleigh
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Josephine Pullein-Thompson
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Published by Jane Badger Books 2020
First published by Armada, London, 1984
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