Issie and the Christmas Pony Read Online Free PDF Page B

champion rider, Tom Avery made a very good homemade chocolate slice. He served up a plate of it with afternoon tea, and Issie gratefully munched down three big pieces while Mrs Brown filled in all the official ILPH paperwork and Avery explained what would happen to Apache.
    â€œNow that you’ve made a complaint, I’ll visit the horse myself and see what condition the animal is in-to establish whether he’s really been mistreated. After what you’ve told me, I think it’s highly likely this horse will get signed over into our care. We have a strong case here to remove him from the current owner and relocate him. We’ll take him to an ILPHfarm, get him healthy again and they’ll reschool him and find him a new home.”
    â€œWill he be OK?” asked Issie. “He looked so miserable. He was really skinny and covered in mud…”
    Avery nodded. “You’d be amazed at the recovery that some of these horses can make. But it takes time…”
    â€œIs there any chance he’d be OK in time for pony-club camp-it’s in three weeks!” Issie blurted out the words and then instantly regretted it. She sounded so selfish!
    Mrs Brown explained. “Isadora really wanted to go to pony camp and we were trying to buy a pony before the Christmas holidays so she’d be able to ride with her friends…”
    Avery shook his head. “Well, you certainly won’t be going to pony camp on Apache. From what you’ve told me, that horse will need quite a while to recover. He’ll have to be properly fed and retrained. It could take as much as two or three months to get him back in shape. Even then, I doubt he’d be a suitable mount for a young rider like yourself who’s just starting out.”
    Issie tried not to look too disappointed, but inside she could feel her heart breaking. She knew thatApache wasn’t the right horse for her, but she wanted a pony so desperately.
    â€œAre you looking at any other ponies?” Avery asked Mrs Brown.
    Mrs Brown sighed. “Apache was the first one and he was a total disaster! I was just saying to Isadora on the way here that we might have to give up on the whole pony business-for a while at least.” She stood up to leave. “Anyway, we shouldn’t take up any more of your day. Thank you for all your help and for the tea, Tom.”
    â€œYes, thanks,” Issie said. “I’m so glad you’re going to help Apache.”
    Avery looked at the crestfallen expression on Issie’s face. “Listen,” he said, “do you have a bit of time before you go. While you’re here, I think you should meet Bert.”
    Bert turned out to be a stocky strawberry roan with a hogged mane and a short cropped tail that he swished back and forth vigorously whenever he moved.
    â€œI was out the back in the arena behind the stables with Bert when you arrived,” Avery explained. “Bert’san ILPH rescue horse. I’ve been reschooling him for the past few months here and he’s just about to go to a new home.”
    â€œHe’s beautiful,” Issie whispered as she stepped forward to pat Bert’s velvety muzzle.
    â€œBert’s not the best name in the world-but then I didn’t come up with it,” said Avery.
    â€œI think Bert is a lovely name.” Issie felt that she had to stick up for the pony.
    â€œHe’s a good-hearted sort, aren’t you, Bert?” Avery gave the pony a pat, then he turned to Issie. “So how about it? Do you want a ride?”
    Issie felt her heart skip a beat. “Really? Would that be OK?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Avery said. “That is, if it’s OK with your mother.” He looked at Mrs Brown.
    â€œPlease, Mum!” Issie pleaded.
    â€œIs he safe?” Mrs Brown asked. “After that other horse today I’m really not sure…”
    â€œBert is bombproof,” said Avery.
    Mrs Brown looked