Sophie and Shine Read Free Page B

lending things out.”
    I came out of Shine’s stable and put my arm round her, and Millie, Daisy, Grace and Beth hurried over to find out what was wrong (the older girls were busy helping Lydia in the topbarn). As Shanice explained, I gave Millie a meaningful look. She frowned and said, “Okay, it does look like something funny is going on. Let’s go to Mum.”
    So we all marched off to the kitchen and told Jody about the brush. We also mentioned the silk not turning up, and about Daisy’s ribbons going missing. I felt so sorry for Shanice and I really wanted to tell Jody what I suspected about Courtney, too, but Millie gave me a sharp look and mouthed the words “no proof”. She’s right, there isn’t any, so I’ll just have to find a way to get some. I really think Courtney is stealing things now and I can’t let her get away with it.
    I felt loads better when Jody took charge. She sent Millie to ask the yard staff if anyone had borrowed the brush in the evening without putting it back (they hadn’t). And she asked Beth to go up to the top barn to bringback the older girls, and then got us to check all the Sunnyside tack boxes in case it had somehow been put back in the wrong one. We also looked in every stable, the office, the barns and the house. When none of the things were found, Jody just stood frowning for a moment, thinking. Then she snapped out of it. “Right, girls, I’m sure we’ll sort this out,” she said briskly. “On a brighter note, Sophie, you’re moving into Group B this morning. Well done for improving so much.”
    I couldn’t believe it! I’ve done it! I’ve been moved up!

    Everyone gave me a clap, which was so cool, and I couldn’t help beaming. Then we had to hurry up and finish tacking up for our lessons, because we were running a bit late after hunting for the brush.
    My first lesson in Group B didn’t go that well, actually. I was a bit nervous that I wouldn’tbe able to do what the others could, and of letting Sally down, and I think Shine picked up on that. She was really skittish, and after she knocked down a pole on the jump we were popping, she kept spooking and running out at the last minute. Sally told me to try again and again, so Shine wouldn’t think that being naughty was going to get her out of jumping. I didn’t really want to because I felt like it wasn’t Shine’s fault she didn’t want to pop the jump, and that she was honestly scared. I wouldn’t even give her a tap with the crop before going over, as Sally had asked me to.

    Instead, I just kept failing and I got more and more flustered until Sally told me to come into the middle and take a break. I did have another go and I got Shine over in the end, but I felt so annoyed with myself. Sally must think I’m a rubbish rider!

    At least it wasn’t as if everyone in Group B was riding perfectly (which is what I’d imagined!). When we did some sitting trot, Izzy lost her hold on the reins and Mischief took advantage, cutting the corner off, and Aneela was bobbling around clutching Charm’s mane. Courtney called out, “Ow, my bum!” and everyone else laughed, but I didn’t feel like joining in, I couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d done.
    Anyway, after a while in sitting trot I remembered to let my legs and seat bones go soft. Once I’d stopped trying to grip on I got into a good rhythm and it was like my bum was glued to the seat – for a few strides anyway! I was hoping Sally would notice and she did, saying, “Well done, Sophie, lovely!” I’m glad she’s seen me do one thing well, anyway. I can’t wait to show Mum and Dad how much I’ve improved this week!
    And the lecture was the best one we’ve had yet! It was called ‘All About Ponies’ and covered everything from points of the horse to colour and markings, conformation