Millie and Magic (2 page)

Well, what a shock! You won’t believe what our instructor Sally’s done. She’s only gone and given Tally to one of the Pony Camp girls. Yes, as in to be her own pony for the week. OK, so I know I’m riding Magic, but it’s only supposed to be a trial. Now it feels like everything’s already been decided. I can’t believe she’s done that! I bet
Mum’s
behind this!

I suppose I should do the same as my
roommates
, Amy and Zoe, which is write down all this week’s girls and ponies.

I was going to draw Kasia looking like a meanie after stealing MY pony, but I didn’t ’cos:

1. She’s really nice

and

2. It’s not her fault she was given Tally.

Kasia (you say it Ka-sha) is Irenka’s little sister, but she’s sharing with Evie and Elizabeth, the two girls from Devon. That’s because Irenka’s two friends Angelika and Zuzanna have come too, and they’re all sharing. (They’re all Polish but they live in London, not Poland itself.)

I’m sharing with Zoe and Amy, who are sitting here now, writing
their
diaries. They’re both 10, like me. Amy’s really chatty and bubbly and Zoe’s quieter and so smiley. They’d already put their stuff in my room, but we got properly chatting as we had the tour round Sunnyside. I found out that Zoe’s from one bit of London (Ealing) and Amy’s from another bit (North Finchley). They both go to different city riding
stables where they have to stay in the manège, so they can’t wait to hack out in the open countryside.

But my excitement STOPPED when we went back to the yard and Lydia led the ponies out ready for the assessment lesson. I tried to smile when she handed me Magic’s reins, but then
Tally
came out and my stomach lurched. I must have been staring in horror as she gave him to Kasia because Zoe asked me if I was OK. So I had to tell her and Amy he was my pony, but I just whispered it really quietly in case Kasia heard and it upset her. Zoe went, “Oh, that must feel a bit funny. Are you OK about someone else riding him?”

I shrugged. “I guess it’s fine,” I replied. Then I got Amy talking about the ponies at her riding school to change the subject. 

In the assessment lesson, Sally put me at the front, for some annoying reason. That meant I had to keep twisting around to check on Tally, which made Magic think I wanted him to
turn
, so we kept going off the track. I knew Tally was confused and upset, seeing me riding another pony, and that made me feel even worse. When he kept trying to cut the corners off, I called out, “I think he wants to catch up and see me.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but it just came out before I could stop myself.

“Why?” Kasia asked, so then I had to say he was mine in front of everyone. Kasia looked a bit surprised.

“He’s just being lazy, that’s all,” Sally told me. Then she said to Kasia, “Don’t be afraid to kick on and really steer into the corners, so he can’t get away with it.”

Well, that put me in a grump! I mean, I think I know how my own pony feels! But I didn’t say anything – Sally’s a fab instructor and we get on brilliantly (usually!) so I didn’t want to annoy her.

Magic’s a different shape to Tally and I just couldn’t seem to find a comfy position for my legs. While I was busy fiddling with my stirrups, Sally called out, “Off you go with Magic!” about five times. It took me ages to realize she meant
me
, so I held everyone up. And even worse, whenever she said “Tally” I kept thinking she
did
mean me and setting off into trot or whatever.

Then as we were changing rein across the school at E I was trying to explain to Kasia that Tally won’t turn sharply unless you really get your leg on and push him round from behind. Sally called out, “Millie, I am the instructor round here, thank you very much, and Kasia is doing just fine. All the girls have to learn about their new ponies and perhaps you should do
the same with Magic, instead of worrying about other people.” 

 
How embarrassing
!

And anyway, how
could
I think about Magic when poor Tally had no idea what was going on? And he didn’t even get a canter, because when Sally gave us the choice, Kasia decided to stay in trot. I couldn’t help blurting out, “But we’ve been plodding along all lesson. Tally’s desperate for a good razz round.”

“Even more reason for Kasia to stay in trot!” Sally cried. “And stop interfering, Millie!”

She looked
really
annoyed with me then, so I forced myself to zip my lips.

As Tally trotted round behind Prince and Evie, he looked so miserable, and I wished I could explain to him that none of this was my idea!

Zoe decided to stay in trot too, and went round behind Amber and Elizabeth. She’s got a really good seat for someone who hasn’t ridden much, and I’m sure she’ll be whizzing along soon enough.

Amy cantered on Mischief and she was really confident, although he did cut the corner and drop into trot a couple of times, then do a big plunge when she asked for canter again. Typical of him! He’s so cheeky! I think he was hoping to send her flying, but she held on and kept trying till she got him going nicely. Good for her! Me and Zoe said a big well done to Amy after the lesson, and she was really pleased with herself.