Authors: Kelly McKain
Emily and Emerald
For Austen, with thanks xx
With special thanks to our cover stars, Maddie and Rusail, pony guru Janet Rising and our fab photographer, Zoe Cannon.
www.kellymckain.co.uk
Entry One: Monday â I can't believe I'm really here at Pony Camp!
Entry Two: Monday 1.45p.m. â well, I still can't believe what happened this morning!
Entry Three: Two mins later â I CAN ride Emerald!!!
Entry Four: Monday, after our second lesson
Entry Five: It's nearly my turn in the shower, but I said I'd go last so I can quickly write this
Entry Six: Tuesday â I'm quickly writing this after lunch
Entry Seven: Tuesday before tea, but after our yard duties
Entry Eight: Wednesday, early in the morning before the others are awake
Entry Nine: Wednesday, after the most amazing time!
Entry Ten: Wednesday, after swimming
Entry Thirteen: Thursday, just before lights out
Entry Fourteen: Friday â back in my new room in our new house. I've got the most AMAZING news!
THIS DIARY BELONGS TO
Dear Riders,
A warm welcome to Sunnyside Stables!
Sunnyside is our home and for the next week it will be yours, too! My husband Johnny and I have two children, Millie and James, plus two dogs … and all the ponies, of course!
We have friendly yard staff and a very talented instructor, Sally, to help you get the most out of your week. If you have any worries or questions about anything at all, just ask. We’re here to help, and we want your holiday to be as enjoyable as possible – so don’t be shy!
As you know, you will have a pony to look after as your own for the week. Your pony can’t wait to meet you and start having fun! During your stay, you’ll be caring for your pony, improving your riding, learning new skills and making new friends. Add swimming, games, films, nature trails and a gymkhana and you’re in for a fun-filled holiday to remember!
This special Pony Camp Diary is for you to fill with your holiday memories. We hope you’ll write all about your adventures here at Sunnyside Stables – because we know you’re going to have lots!
Wishing you a wonderful time with us!
Jody xx
I feel EXCITED about being here, but NERVOUS at the same time!
I'm EXCITED 'cos I haven't ridden since we moved down here from London three weeks ago â I can't wait to get back in the saddle! And I'm NERVOUS because at the stables where I used to ride and help out at weekends there were these older girls and ⦠well, I don't really want to write all about what happened with them in my lovely new Pony Camp Diary. And, anyway, this is meant to be a new beginning.
Actually, me and Mum are both having a fresh start down here in Dorset. As it's the summer holidays I haven't started my new school yet, so it's been a bit boring 'cos I've just been helping Mum unpack boxes and paint the living room.
I felt extra NERVOUS when Jody showed us up here to my room. I wanted Mum to stay for a while, but she had to go back to the new house and wait for the gasman, so I ended up on my own. There are three beds in here, and Jody said the one by the window was her daughter Millie's, so I had the choice out of the bunk beds. I went for the bottom one, and as I started unpacking my stuff, I could hear all this noise and laughter coming from the room next door.Â
The two girls in there were really loud and confident â the exact opposite of ME! Then I heard all these footsteps on the stairs and someone yelling, “Hey, Harry!” at the top of their voice. For about one second I thought there was a BOY at Pony Camp, but then I heard this girl's voice yelling back and I realized that Harry must be short for Harriet.
And that was when Frankie bustled in with her mum, who is also really loud and who kept on calling her Francesca. I felt really shy and I wished I could shrink into a corner and disappear. But when Frankie rolled her eyes at me, I couldn't help smiling. She shooed her mum out and said hello, and after a few seconds of me blushing shyly with no words coming out I finally managed to mumble, “Hi, I'm Emily.”
Frankie said, “Hi, Ems. Call me Frankie, everyone does. Well, apart from
her
, of course!”
She waved towards the door, obviously meaning her mum. “And my big sister Harry when she's trying to annoy me! That's her loud voice you can hear, by the way â she's got such a big mouth!”
I smiled as she threw her stuff on the top bunk. No one's ever called me Ems before â I quite like it. I was trying to think of something to say when Harry put her head round the door and shouted, “Come on, Frog Face, we're all going down to the yard!” She grabbed
Frankie's arm and started pulling her out of the room. Frankie giggled and cried, “Don't call me Frog Face, Monkey Breath!” Then Frankie tried to grab my arm, and I wanted to go with them, but my feet stayed stuck to the spot. For some reason, I don't seem to be that good at joining in.
“I'll be down in a sec!” I told them, as brightly as I could. “I just want to start off my diary first.”Â
So that's what I've been doing!
Oh, hang on, even the other room with the younger girls in has gone quiet so everyone must be outside. Right, I'm going to take a deep breath and put on my hat and body protector (and a big smile), and go down to the yard.