Chloe and Cracker (7 page)

…how gorgeous Cracker is looking! I've done some lovely little mane plaits, all I've got to do now is wind them up into neat knots. I've given his coat a really good brush and even put some bright blue ribbons in his tail. Now I've just got to get into my jodhs and sort my hair out and we're ready.

Oh, I've just looked out of the bedroom window and our car has pulled up. Mum and Dad are both getting out!

Well, even though I’m not at Sunnyside Stables any more (boo!), I wanted to finish off my Pony Camp Diary by writing about what happened in the jumping comp.

It was so exciting riding into Group A’s manège, which was set up as a practice area with just one jump in. We warmed up and had a couple of goes over the upright, then Sally explained that in the comp we would have two turns each, and as they wouldn’t be timing us the aim was to get a clear round. We all wished each luck, and then one by one we were called into the arena, where we had to bow to the judges (who were Lydia and Johnny).

Cracker and I started off okay. We were very close on the gate, but I couldn’t look back to
see whether it was down. I needed all my focus to get the turn right. We came through the middle of the arena and over the upright without a hitch, and I changed my canter lead. We approached the water jump straight and in a nice rhythm, but Cracker still ran out!

I was really disappointed because I thought we’d got that sorted out this morning, but I tried to keep calm and turned him round. We’d only had one refusal. We still had another chance. I was a bit nervous though, and Cracker picked up on it, because he rushed at the jump, then swerved out again at the last minute. I managed to stay on but I felt my heart sink – we hadn’t gone clear. We weren’t alone though – no one had managed a clear round except for Georgia.

After I dismounted I stood fiddling with Cracker’s girth for no reason, to avoid having to go over to my parents. When I saw Dad coming
towards me, I was going to pretend I had something urgent to do in the tack room. But in the end I stayed put because I didn’t want to miss any of my time with Cracker.

As Dad reached us, I stiffened and Cracker gave me an inquisitive look and nuzzled my arm. He could tell something was wrong. I looked up at Dad and decided to get the first word in. “Okay, so I didn’t get a clear round, but so what? It’s really hard, you know,” I mumbled.

But instead of being cross, Dad just held his hands in the air. “Chloe, calm down!” he cried. “I think you’re doing really well and so does Mum.”

“But I promised I’d get a clear round, that’s why you came…” I began.

“It’s you who kept talking about getting a clear round,” said Dad, “not me. Honestly, I just want you to enjoy yourself. We all think you’re doing brilliantly.”

“Really?” I mumbled.

Dad put his arm round my shoulder. “Maybe I don’t say it often enough, but I’m so proud of you, Chloe,” he said. I looked up at him and his eyes were twinkling. I could tell he really was.

Sally called over to us that it was time to begin round two and I got Dad to hold my other stirrup while I remounted.

“Good luck, we’ll be rooting for you,” he said, with a big smile on his face.

I looked over at Mum, who waved and gave me a thumbs up.

Georgia went first this time, and she had that horrid spread down, but at least she’d gone clear in the first round, so she didn’t mind too much.

Bella got a clear and I expected a little bit of my old jealousy to come back, but none did. I just felt really happy for her and Charm. Millie looked very determined in this round and we were all cheering for her, but Tally picked up too much speed on the first corner, did a handbrake turn to the bounce and ended up jumping quite
long and knocking the second pole. We all gave them a big clap, though, for a good try. Millie didn’t look remotely bothered about not going clear. But she’s lucky, she’ll probably get another chance next week!

Then it was my turn.

Everyone was cheering and clapping as I rode by, but when I got into the arena I didn’t hear a thing. All there was in the world were me and Cracker and the jumps. I remembered to look up and ahead and concentrate on where we were going this time, and I just let Cracker get on with jumping.

We started off a bit messy over the cross pole and spread, but everything stayed up (phew!) and we got into a good rhythm round the nice wide arc at the top of the arena, which set us up much better for the bounce and brush. We got over the middle jump without a hitch but I only let myself be pleased for a split second, then refocussed and
asked Cracker to trot to change our canter lead. Then we were off round the tight bend and over the dreaded gate. This time Cracker seemed to know it was a danger zone and did a huge leap over, more than clearing it. He started getting really excited after that, but I kept him nice and steady round the bend and over the upright. Then we were setting ourselves up for the water jump. I consciously breathed out and sank into the saddle. I had to let Cracker know I was relaxed, and then he would be too. I looked up and ahead at the finish, as if the jump wasn’t even there, and before I knew it we were over!

We’d done it – a clear round!

Mum and Dad were cheering like crazy and I rode out of the arena grinning from ear to ear.

In the practice area I leaped off and made a huge fuss of Cracker – what a total star pony! And what a fab team we’d made!

All us Group B girls said a big well done to each other and as I was walking Cracker back into the yard, my parents came up to meet me. Mum gave me a hug and Dad said, “Well done, Chloe, that was excellent.”

When we’d put our ponies back in their stables for a rest, us Group B girls got our drinks and biscuits from the kitchen, then we all sat at the edge of the other manège together to watch the younger girls play some gymkhana games. It was great fun and we cheered wildly for all of them.

Then later there was a prize-giving and we brought our ponies out again and collected our rosettes. I felt so proud of the clear round. And I felt even prouder that me and Cracker did it as a team – together.
I tied the rosette on to his bridle and Dad took some pictures of our group and our ponies all together, and then we asked Lydia to take one of my whole family with Cracker in the middle. Cracker nuzzled Mum’s arm and she looked a bit nervous in case he nibbled her sleeve!

When it was all over, I led Cracker to the barn. I gave him a carrot I’d scrounged from Jody and spent ages fussing and stroking him while I brushed him down.

I felt upset about leaving him, but I’m planning to go back next year – I’m already trying to persuade Mum to book it! It was really sad saying goodbye to Bella and Georgia. Dad took loads of photos of us three though, and I’m going to send some to them tomorrow, with my first letter.
We’ve all promised to write to each other using the pony paper and envelopes!

Just as we were heading to the car with all our bags we remembered the thank-you letters we’d written, which were in my bag. I heaped all my stuff on to Dad and ran back over to the yard. Sally was there in the office so I gave her the letters.

As she opened hers, her face lit up. “Oh thanks so much, Chloe, that’s very kind of you!” she said. “Thank the other girls for me, won’t you?”

I nodded and made for the door. “Chloe,” she said then, and I whirled round in the doorway. “You’ve really turned it around this week,” she told me. “I’m so proud of you, well done.”

I couldn’t help beaming. “Thanks, but it was all down to Cracker!” I said, and I skipped out and across the yard.

I really learnt a lot at Pony Camp, and not
just about jumping! I’ve made some wonderful new friends, met some fab ponies and found out what a true partnership is – all thanks to Cracker!

Hey, I’ve just realized that Sally was right – when she warned me not to be so desperate to achieve my goals that it actually stopped me succeeding I didn’t really understand what she meant. But I do now. As soon as I started to relax and work as a team with Cracker, we did so much better – and I had a lot more fun, too! How funny that nearly all week I thought I had to teach
him
, but actually he’s taught
me
loads! Now, I wonder which pony I’ll get next year?!