Poppy and Prince Read Free

when no one knew the different nosebands and I kept pretending to have to adjust my left boot so I didn’t catch her eye. She knew I was holding back, but she’s so nice she didn’t say anything.

    It was great tacking Prince up all by myself – it felt as if he was my very own pony. Then Jody asked me to give Tess a hand with Tiny and I helped her do the thumb-in-the -corner-of-the-pony’s-mouth thing to get the bit in, because she was quite scared about it. (Tiny’s a cheeky little monkey!) I said, “You’ll get it with practice, there’s just a knack.” And then I remembered that they think I’m a beginner and quickly added, “That’s what I read, anyway.”
    When I went back to get Prince and lead him out to the mounting block he was giving me a look, like he thought I should have told Tess and Sophie the truth about my level of riding.

    â€œIt isn’t lying, Prince,” I whispered to him. “I just don’t want people to expect too much from me – not while I’m getting my confidence back!”
    He snorted and pushed my hand with his nose, so I knew he understood after all.
    For the afternoon lesson I was put into Group A, which I knew straight away was the beginner group, because Millie and Amita are in Group B (and so is Jennifer). “You’ll all still go on hacks and trips together,” Sally explained, “but having two groups for lessons makes it easier for each rider to get the level of attention they need, and to make the most progress possible.”
    In the lesson I tried to relax and keep my head up and my hands down. I really wanted to ask for a leader, but instead I took some deep breaths and kept Prince moving with my legs, and soon I felt much better. When we were going into trot I couldn’t help lifting my hands and tensing up, though. Sally called out, “Just trust Prince, Poppy.”

    That made me relax a bit and I found my rhythm and went rising. We did some circles and bending work around cones in walk and trot and then Sally said we’d try a canter to the back of the ride for those who wanted to. I felt really panicky and didn’t think I could – after all, I was cantering when I came off! Sophie wasn’t too sure either, as she really is a beginner and has only just got the hang of rising trot.
    â€œHands up if you want a go!” called Sally, but me and Sophie kept our hands firmly down. Sally smiled at us and said that was absolutely fine and got us to turn our ponies into the middle so we could watch. Lucinda cantered Lovely round the track and they looked really good, apart from a little wobble when she went back to trot. And then Tiny cantered Tess round the track! Tess flopped forward and only justmanaged to hang on, but Sally still said she’d done brilliantly! Sophie looked at me with this big grin on her face and said, “I’m definitely trying next time. Aren’t you, Poppy?”

    â€œErm, yes,” I said. “Definitely.” But to be honest it looked so fast and scary, I can’t imagine ever cantering again. I feel so cross with myself for being such a scaredy-cat – it’s not like me at all, but I just can’t seem to help it.
    On the way out of the manège, Sally gave Prince a big pat and told me how well I was doing. “But I didn’t even canter,” I said glumly.
    Sally smiled. “Poppy, it’s only the first day,” she cried. “You’re off the leader and you’ve got a nice trot going, when you didn’t even expect to get ON! It won’t be long before you’re back up to speed. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
    I nodded and smiled, then rode Prince into the yard feeling much better. But not for long,because a moment later Jennifer’s group came in. “We cantered without stirrups!” she announced. “What did you lot do?”
    Lucinda and Tess were excitedly telling