A Dream Come True

  For Rosie

  The girl placed a protective hand on the pony’s neck as the men talked in low voices a few steps away. There were always meetings, conversations in corners, hushed voices. She ignored most of it. It was business, he said, nothing to do with the ponies. But she couldn’t ignore this.

  We can get another rider if we need to… The words echoed in her ears, the meaning clear. She was disposable. He owned the pony, he controlled what the two of them did together, where they jumped, how high. What had started as a dream was now a nightmare. She knew the pony was being pushed too soon but she didn’t dare speak up. There were rumours, of course. Everyone had heard them. About the girl and the pony that had gone before her.

  Sighing, she leaned into the pony, closing her eyes as she let his conker-and-white mane brush over her cheeks. She’d read an article recently about the other competitors in her big class, other pony club members. She’d studied their delighted smiles in the photos as they collected their qualifier’s rosette: a boy on a lovely bay, a girl on a chestnut, another girl on the sweetest roan pony with the cheekiest face. All so happy, all so free. If he was my very own pony… she thought wistfully for the hundredth time. But he wasn’t, and she would do all she could to keep riding him. And if that meant staying silent when everything felt wrong, then she had no choice. He was all she had.

  Pulling the elaborate rosette down from the display in the kitchen, Alice Smalley let the silken tails run through her fingers. It transported her back to the moment the red rosette had been pinned to Secret’s bridle, almost eclipsing his whole face! He’d stood so proudly, lapping up the attention. Alice could still hear the ring of applause in her ears, and she bathed in the wonderful memory of the lap of honour on the green, springy turf of the South of England showjumping arena. Of course, Secret had tried to eat one of the fabulous flower displays while the prizes were handed out, but that had only seemed to make the crowd love the cheeky red gelding even more.

  Closing her eyes for a minute, Alice took a deep breath. The warm sunshine and bright summer days spent hacking out and attending pony club lessons had given way to swirling leaves, frosty mornings and muddy New Zealand rugs as winter closed in. It all meant Olympia, and Alice’s class, the Pony Club Christmas Tree Stakes, was just around the corner.

  Crossing out another day on the calendar, Alice studied it for a moment. The time between now and the Christmas show seemed impossibly short all of a sudden.

  Alice had been to Olympia before with her mum’s ponies, including showing the late, great Lachlan in the Mountain and Moorland show class, but she couldn’t wait to jump there on her very own pony, a pony she’d trained. Secret.

  Alice had owned the cheeky gelding since he was just six months old. He had been destined for the show ring, like her mum’s other ponies. But despite his impeccable looks and movement, Secret really hadn’t been cut out for showing. His – and Alice’s – great love was showjumping, and it had taken a while for Alice to convince her mum they should switch paths. But Secret had come further than anyone had thought possible, and Alice had even started to believe they might have a real future.

  She turned to the photos of her showjumping heroes, the Whitakers, Nick Skelton and top girl showjumper Devon Jenkins, who was a nation-wide pony club heroine. Alice hoped she’d meet some of them at Olympia, maybe even get an autograph or two! Deep in thought, she jumped as the stable door of the kitchen swung open and a blast of icy air brought in a familiar face, one Alice hadn’t seen in a while. It was her friend Finn, cowboy boots as ever on his feet and a big smile on his face. Alice’s tummy instantly flipped upside down.

  “Hi, stranger!” Crossing the room, Alice hugged him. She hadn’t expected to see him until she got to London. Finn had been training with a famous pony stunt team, the Rebel Riders, who were in England for Olympia and had asked Finn to join them. Finn, who disliked school, had even been pulled out of his studies to home school while he concentrated on the training. But because of this, Alice had barely seen him since the end of the summer, since that amazing day at the pony club championships. But they’d kept in touch with phone calls that lasted for hours, Alice filling him in on life at home, Secret’s latest escapades, and Finn telling Alice how his training was going.

  “Hey.” Finn smiled, looking down at the huge rosette still clutched in Alice’s hand. “So close now!”

  “I know,” Alice said with a gulp. “Come and see Secret!” And taking Finn’s hand she practically dragged him out into the yard. The light was fading, and the ponies looked out from their stable doors with hopeful interest as they waited for their evening feeds. A sharp bang on the door told them where Secret was! He would bang his stable door as soon as he saw a light go on in the house in the mornings, making sure no one slept in, much to the annoyance of Alice’s mum and dad. Adding a shrill whinny to his bangs, his delight at seeing his two favourite people only too clear, Secret nodded his head up and down. He’d been out in the field all day, a special hood and rug on to keep his coat – newly clipped for Olympia – sleek and shiny.

  “Hello, boy,” Finn said warmly, reaching up to stroke Secret. Alice knew Finn had a huge amount of affection for her pony. It had been partly because of Secret that Finn was now so closely involved with the Rebel Riders, the pony stunt team from Spain. After a chance meeting with a fashion magazine team in France, Alice had suggested Finn’s family home, Rookham Manor, as a possible shoot location and this had saved the family from financial ruin. The Rebel Riders had taken part in the photo shoot and after that, Celia, the head of the stunt team, had taken Finn under her wing and asked him to join the riders at Olympia.

  Actually, Alice thought with a smile, it was because of Secret that she and Finn were even friends in the first place! Secret had thrown Alice at his very first ridden show and bolted out across a fairground, and Finn had caught him. Alice and Secret had come so far since that day, and she knew Finn was very proud of them both. She was proud of them both, but it was all going to be put to the test soon, at Olympia, in front of thousands of people. She shivered, and Finn turned to her, as if reading her thoughts.

  “Come on then,” he grinned. “Let’s see you ride!”

  A short while later and Alice was mounted on Secret, pulling her coat up higher around her neck. The cold air was heavy with the tang of woodsmoke, and Secret’s breath was like a dragon’s plume as they halted next to Finn, who was perched on a jump pole in the centre of the arena. Secret’s rich red mane was now a contrast to the creamy pink of his clipped coat. Alice missed his fluffy coat and burying her hands into the warmth of his woolly neck, but she knew clipped was better for Secret with their rigorous training schedule and jumping under the hot, bright lights of Olympia. Once they were home from the big show, Secret was going to have a good rest and be allowed to get as hairy and muddy as he liked!

  “He’s looking the best I’ve ever seen,” Finn said admiringly. “Dad was saying how hard you’ve worked.”

  “Thanks.” Alice glowed with pride. Secret had matured into a gorgeous-looking pony. He’d always been handsome, but the gangly baby stage was long behind him now and he was strong and well muscled. His elegant head and curved neck added class.

  It was only a year ago that Alice had started her training with Angus, Finn’s dad, when he took over the junior showjumping team at Hilltops pony club. They’d got off to a tough start! Secret had unlimited talent and Alice had had to adapt to his bounding enthusiasm. But as the year progressed they’d started to make a name for themselves locally, doing well on the circuit, before landing second place and highest-placed UK rider at the prestigious Festival of the Horse in France. It had been during that class that Secret had been talent-spotted and invited to try out for
the Olympia qualifiers.

  From that moment on it had been a whirlwind summer as Alice had trained and prepared Secret alongside helping her mum ride the yard ponies at the big county shows. It had meant the world to Alice when Finn had come down to the pony club summer championships from the Midlands, where the Flying Fillies, his family’s pony display team, were giving a demo, just so he could support Alice and Secret on their big day. She smiled, reliving the moment she’d won the class. Someone had once said qualifying for Olympia was almost more exciting than the event itself, but Alice was still off-the-scale excited about the next couple of weeks!

  “So what’s the plan?” Finn asked, once Alice had popped over the grid and slowed Secret to a springy trot.

  “Just as your dad said,” she called breathlessly. Secret’s jumping power still caught her by surprise. “A couple more jumping sessions and then just hacking until the day itself.”

  “Sounds great,” Finn nodded.

  “Are you all set?” Alice asked him as they headed back up to the yard. Angus had advised her to keep schooling sessions short and sweet, and the little Welsh still felt fresh as he jogged back to the stables, where the yard lights were throwing orange shadows over the cobbles in the dusk. It was early December but it already felt really Christmassy, and fairy lights – Alice’s yearly tradition – twinkled in the trees next to the gate.

  She had a busy evening ahead. Fergus, her mum’s head groom, was taking a long-overdue holiday to see his family in Scotland, and it meant Alice was helping her mum more than ever. It was relentless and hard work, but Alice was at her happiest out in the yard, and she knew her mum was grateful. Josephine took in ponies for clients to school and take to shows, and although December was a quiet month, they still had plenty of ponies to look after.

  “Yep,” Finn nodded. “I think so. Horatio and I head off to London tomorrow.”

  Horatio was Finn’s own pony, a gorgeous snowy-white Highland with a thick mane and a wise face. He’d been close to being put down due to his dangerous behaviour before Angus had saved him and rehabilitated him. He’d gone with Finn to train and had done so well, he was even going to join the Olympia team ponies.

  “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Alice paused as she fastened Secret’s stable rug after untacking him. “How France changed everything so much. First my Olympia qualifier, and your chance to ride with the Rebel Riders.”

  “I know,” Finn smiled. “And Secret had a good part to play as well!”

  “How’s Sasha with it all?” Alice asked.

  Sasha was Finn’s older sister. She and Finn had continued with the Flying Fillies after their mum’s death and made a real triumph of it, despite lots of trials along the way. After the success of the photo shoot, Angus had had regular bookings for the yard and the fees ensured they could keep their ponies. But Alice knew that riding with the Rebel Riders had given Finn a taste of something different, and perhaps life beyond home.

  “Sash is fine,” he said. “Actually, I meant to tell you. She’s just been offered a job working with young horses in the Middle East. It’s a six-month gig, a bit longer if she wants. I think she’s going to take it. If I’m riding with Celia and the Rebel Riders then we don’t need to advertise the Flying Fillies and the ponies can stay at home.”

  “Oh, wow,” Alice said, thinking of Sasha, who was just as fearless on a horse as Finn. “That’s big news!”

  Finn nodded. “Yep,” he replied. “It’s a huge opportunity, and I know she was wanting to leave home at some point. I hope she’ll be back…” He hesitated. “Still, I guess everything changes at some point.”

  Then he glanced at his watch and gave Alice an apologetic look.

  “Sorry, Al,” he said. “I need to get the bus home. I’ve got loads to do before I go back to training.”

  “It’s no problem,” Alice replied. She secretly thought how amazing it was that Finn had bothered to come all the way over just to check in with her and see Secret. She knew he was living a totally different life to her right now. Alice was at school for a couple more weeks, and Finn would soon be in London with the Rebel Riders.

  “I’ll see you soon?” Alice asked, a little shyly.

  “Of course,” Finn grinned. “Two weeks is nothing. See you, Al. In the big city!”

  And then with one final hug he was gone. Alice watched him go, her feelings mixed, before she drew herself up straight. Two weeks, that was all that was left now! It was no time at all. And the most important thing of all was Secret.

  Later, Alice reflected on Finn’s earlier words as she skipped Secret’s stable out. Everything changes at some point. What would change for her and her mischievous, loyal red pony?

  Since the death of her beloved pony, Lachlan, at the start of the year, Alice’s mum had stepped back a little from showing. The sweet Highland pony had been killed in an accident on a snow-covered road, saving the life of both Alice’s mum, and Ella, another pony, and it had been devastating for the whole yard.

  Despite this, they still qualified two ponies for the Horse of the Year Show, including Archie, the pony Finn regularly rode. This year, unlike before, Finn actually rode at the big show, earning second place and firmly cementing him in Josephine’s good books. She’d taken a while to come round to Finn, and it had been even harder when it had come to light that Finn’s dad and Josephine had a rocky history involving an injured pony. But since then, Josephine had taken on Ella, a little grey mare, the pony Lachlan had saved. Finn and Angus had originally rescued her from Spain, and she had been instrumental in binding the two families together. She could now be ridden, and Alice’s mum enjoyed long meandering hacks over the downs with Alice on Secret, and dressage lessons, which they both adored.

  Today they were all going to take part in a prelim dressage test at Hilltops, the local equestrian centre where Alice had spent a lot of time training with the pony club.

  “Alice!”

  A familiar voice welcomed Alice as she pushed open the door to Hilltops’ café. Her mum was warming Ella up in the outdoor school and Alice had headed in to get a warm drink to thaw out her frozen hands. There was still fifteen minutes until Ella’s class, enough time for a quick catch-up with her pony club friends.

  “Hey, Amy,” Alice smiled. Amy had been one of the first people to welcome her into the pony club branch, and they’d remained friends. Although Amy was also good friends with Hannah, whose dad owned the centre. Hannah and Alice’s relationship was fragile at best, but at least they could be polite and civil now.

  “Is that your mum’s Spanish pony?” Amy linked arms with Alice as she headed to the counter.

  Alice nodded. “Yep,” she replied. “They’re doing great, aren’t they?”

  “I’ll say,” Amy said in an admiring voice. Then she changed the subject, her eyes sparkling. “How’s it going?”

  She didn’t even have to name the event. Olympia now consumed Alice’s every thought, every minute that ticked by taking her closer to the huge international arena. She wasn’t scared yet, but her excitement bordered on a slight hysteria that mingled with nerves. The kind of nerves that meant eating could be difficult if she thought too much about it, and her dreams were occupied by huge showjumps. But she was trying to go with it. Angus had told her that nerves were a good thing, that they would keep her focused and sharp. She hoped so!

  “Have you heard June’s organised a bus?” Amy continued with a grin, and Alice blinked at her. June was the district commissioner of the Hilltops branch.

  “A what?” she frowned, and Amy chuckled.

  “A bus! And it’s fully booked!” she said. “The whole branch is coming to London to cheer you on!” Seeing Alice’s face as she swallowed hard, Amy nudged her. “Hey,” she said kindly. “We’re all so proud. No one from Hilltops has qualified for Olympia before!”

  “Thanks,” Alice said nervously. “Pile on the pressure more, why don’t you!” But she couldn’t help feel a certain amount of pride as well.


  “Do you know any of the other riders?” Amy continued, and Alice shook her head.

  “No,” she said. “It’s all new to me.”

  “Well, I know for a fact Leah Edwards is in your class!” Amy said, and Alice looked at her blankly. The name rang a bell. “Leah’s the one who’s riding for Hadley Feeds,” Amy continued. “On that amazing pony Kite B? She was in Pony mag last month, did you see? A massive feature.”

  Suddenly Alice remembered. “Oh, yes!” she said. “I did read about her.” She gulped. “She’s going to be tough competition!”

  Leah Edwards was a bit of a hero among the pony club. She’d had a job working at a riding stables before being star-spotted at a show and offered a huge sponsorship deal, including the chance to ride an amazing pony who had been imported from the Netherlands. Alice knew she was very lucky owning her own pony, especially one like Secret, but she couldn’t help but feel slightly envious of Leah. Sponsorship had to mean you were worth investing in. Leah must be seriously good, and Alice wondered if there was any way she might get to talk to her, to get some tips. Now she and Secret had had a taste of the big arenas, she wanted to get as far as she could!

  Then, glancing at her watch, she realised her mum was going into the arena in just a couple of minutes. Grabbing her hot chocolate, she gave Amy a quick hug.

  “Good luck if I don’t see you before Olympia!” Amy grinned. “You’ll know where the Hilltops branch are sitting – we’ll be cheering the loudest!”

  And Alice didn’t doubt it. Joining the local pony club branch really had been the best decision ever!

  Ella excelled herself. Although Alice’s mum had trained countless ponies over the years, qualifying many of them for the big shows such as Horse of the Year and indeed Olympia, the pride on her face as she rode Ella out of the arena on a loose rein made Alice feel a bit teary. Ella was very special to her mum. She had taken over the mare’s care after it was clear to everyone they’d struck up a strong bond, and since then Ella had flourished. It might have only been a prelim test, but it was far, far more than anyone ever thought she’d be capable of. When she’d first arrived at Park Farm, she’d been too nervous to even set foot out of her stable, but Secret had helped with that. In fact, Alice mused, her little red gelding had opened so many doors, for people and ponies alike!