Chloe and Cracker Read Free Page A

start and then the bounce and brush in the middle. We had to practise going round the trotting pole (which was marking where the filler will be) to get a good approach to the bounce. I can see now why Sally was being so strict about me not letting Cracker cut the corner off in the flat work. It’s a tricky turn and I’ll need every inch I can get to line him up properly over these middle jumps. The thing is, you really have to hit the bounce properly because if you’re too long you’ll end up knocking the second bit of the fence down.
    Sally said me and Millie were both still cutting the corner and she put a block there for us to go round. Tally got the message quickly, but Cracker went inside it twice and Sally made me keep doing it till I got it right. By then I had so much inside leg on I thought my calf might explode!
    After ages of trying, me and Cracker finally got over the brush and back to trot in time to change canter lead (on to the correct leg at last!). We made it round the corner and over the centre of the trotting pole that marked where the gate would be.
    â€œHonestly, Cracker,” I said, as we all walked round on a long rein to let our ponies cool down, “why couldn’t you just get it right in the first place? We’ve got so much to do before the comp – and I’ve had to spend an hour teaching you not to cut a corner. You’re such a pest!”
    â€œOh, Chloe, he’s not,” I heard someone say. I looked up and was really embarrassed to find that Sally had heard me telling Cracker off. I went red and tried to explain. “It’s just, my dad’s coming on Friday and I’ve promised him I’ll get a clear round, but Cracker won’t listen to me round the corners and I’m sure he’s going to knock the gate and I don’t know how I’ll get himback into trot in time after the brush to change canter lead and…”
    I trailed off. Sally looked annoyed. “Chloe, honestly!” she cried. “Poor Cracker’s doing his best! You need to work on the communication between you, and to be firmer when you ask for something. If you looked up and ahead more round the tight corner he’d understand what you wanted better. It’s true he’s not a very experienced jumper, but he tries hard and he’s getting there.”

    â€œI know, but it doesn’t seem fair that I have to work so hard when some of the other ponies just get it right first time and…” I began, but Sally cut me off.
    We both knew who I meant by some of the other ponies.
    â€œBut you’re not on the other ponies,” she said firmly. “I gave Cracker to you because I thought you could bring out the best in him. I still think you can, Chloe, but you need to work together as a team and build up a partnership, like Bella has with Charm.”
    That really stung me.
    â€œJust be careful that you’re not so desperate to achieve a clear round in the competition that you actually stop yourself from doing it,” Sally said then.
    As she gave Cracker a pat and walked off I stared after her. Even thinking about it now, I still don’t understand what she meant. How can I stop myself from getting something by really wanting it? That doesn’t make sense.

    Oh, Millie’s just come up to say the table tennis tournament’s about to start. I’d better go! 

Tuesday night
    When we got into our beds, Bella was going on and on about how great Charm is so I pretended to fall asleep, and after a while she and Georgia fell asleep too so now I can write in here by the light of my key-ring torch.
    While Bella and Georgia were playing against each other in the table tennis tournament I slipped off to the yard to visit Charm. I spent ages leaning over his stable door, stroking him and telling him how much I wish he was my pony.

    I felt a bit bad then, because Cracker hadn’t been turned out yet, and I could see him in