Poppy and Prince Read Online Free PDF Page B

sort of happened on its own.
    As we were going along this lovely part of the track next to a wood, Sally trotted up beside me and said, “You’ve done so well this week, Poppy. You’ve really given it your all and you’re back on track. I’m very proud of you, and your family will be too.”

    I thought of Mum and Dad and Luke seeing me in the gymkhana and it really made me grin. “Thanks, but it’s all down to Prince really,” I told her. “There’s no way I could have done it without him.” I’m sure he heard because he did a big snort and shook his head and Sally and me both laughed!
    “Let’s just say you make a great team,” she chuckled.
    But, typical – Jennifer was listening in on our conversation and when I was telling Sally how great Prince was, she called out, “Yeah, if you like going steady.”
    “Well I do,” I said firmly, forgetting that I still wasn’t talking to her after last night.

    Jennifer said, “Well, fine, but if you want to carry on improving, Poppy, you need more of a challenge. And so do I. In fact I think I’ve outgrown Flame.”
    Sally laughed and said, “Excuse me, who’s the instructor round here? Poppy is doing just fine and there’s still a lot Flame can teach you.”
    “But everything’s easy for me,” Jennifer whined. “Like, I bet I could even jump that log pile.” She gestured towards a stack of logs by the edge of the wood. I thought it was just another brag – until she kicked on and took off towards the pile!
    “Don’t even think about it,” Sally shouted. “You don’t know what’s—”
    But Jennifer just picked up canter and started turning Flame towards the pile.
    “Come back here!” Sally ordered.

    Jennifer still didn’t take any notice. She was heading straight for the logs, kicking on. Flame rushed at them and as she jumped, Jennifer threw herself forward really dramatically, much more than she needed to. Flame clipped the top log and it rolled off the pile, pulling others with it. The poor pony was totally spooked and stumbled on her landing, sending Jennifer tumbling down her neck and on to the floor. We all watched in horror as Flame cantered off into the woods, her reins trailing along the ground.
    Millie leaped off Tally and held Lydia’s horse while she ran into the woods after Flame. Sally was over by Jennifer in a flash but Jennifer didn’t move or even moan and groan when Sally checked her over. I realized from my own fall that it was the shock. Then she suddenly got up and brushed herself down, trying to smile.
    We all sighed with relief.
    But Sally was furious. “You didn’t even check what was on the other side, or whether the pile was stable, did you?” she shouted. “You deliberately disobeyed me! You were extremely lucky to get away with just bruises, Jennifer. You could have broken your neck!”
    “I knew what I was doing,” Jennifer began. “I just—”

    “You put your horse in serious danger, and now she’s loose in the woods with her reins dangling!” Sally shouted.
    It all sunk in then and Jennifer started to sob hysterically.
    Sally just stood with her arms folded, furious.
    But – thank goodness! – Lydia came out of the trees leading Flame! Seeing that she was okay, Sally softened a little. “Right, well, I hope you’ve learnt a valuable lesson,” she told Jennifer sternly. “Now on you get and we’ll head back to the yard.”
    Lydia led Flame up to Jennifer and offered her the reins, but Jennifer backed away. “I can’t!”
    Sally sighed. “Jennifer, that fall was your fault, not your pony’s. Now please get back on.”

    But Jennifer just snivelled and sobbed and shook her head. “I can’t,” she repeated, “not on her , anyway!”
    Then the most awful thing happened. Jennifer whirled round and stared hard at me. “I want to go on Prince!” she whined.
    I dropped forward and clung to Prince’s mane. “No way,” I said. “He’s mine!”
    Next thing, I heard Millie telling