Free Lauren and Lucky by Kelly McKain Page A

were nervous and excited as we mounted up and made our way to the manège. But we didn’t suddenly start doing really hard dressage movements or anything – it was just a normal lesson for Sally to see what we can do.
    It was brilliant riding Lucky. He’s really chilled out, which is great, but he’s not exactly quick off the leg! I’ll have to get him to perk up for the dressage test, somehow.
    While we were walking round on a long rein to warm down, Sally told us she’s got a surprise in store, but she’s not going to reveal it until this afternoon. Of course, we were all begging her to tell us straight away, but she just did a zipping her lips sign and looked mysterious.
    When the lesson finished we all dismounted and ran up our stirrups, and Sally asked Leonie to lead the way back to the barn to untack. Then when we reached the yard, Arabella tried to hand Gracie’s reins to Lydia.
    Lydia laughed and said, “Nice try, but we all look after our own ponies here, that’s the point!”
    Arabella laughed too and said, “’Course. Only joking!” But I didn’t really know if she was or not. How strange! I’d be desperate to do everything I could for my pony if I had one. Especially if it was my gorgeous Lucky! I’d do anything for him !
    Lucky was so funny in the barn. Like, when I was grooming him he kept turning his head and trying to eat the body brush. He also nudged the tack box over with his nose, to see if there were any Polos at the bottom, probably! I love him so much already, and when I gave him a bigpat and stroke he did a happy snort and nuzzled into my shoulder, so I think he loves me, too.

    Arabella was waiting by the barn door for me so we could go in for lunch together, but I had to keep popping back to see Lucky! She just stood there, going, “Hurry up, I’m hungry!” so I gave him a last hug and then I gave Gracie one too, so she didn’t feel left out.
    For lunch we had chicken and salad and—
    Oh, we’re all off to the yard now. Sally’s going to reveal her surprise! Well, fast writing worked, ’cos I got down nearly everything we’ve done so far!

What a brilliant surprise!
    We’re about to have our workshop and I’m just quickly scribbling this while Sally’s gone to find the pens for the whiteboard. The surprise is:
We’re going to create our own dressage tests, set to MUSIC!
    I know from watching the Winter Dressage Championships on Horse and Country TV that this is called freestyle. It’s my fave type of dressage and it’s so cool to see the horses moving in time to the music. We even get to pick what movements we want to do and choose our own tunes, too! It’ll be just like doing dance routines, but on our ponies!
    Well, obviously everyone was really excited about it and instantly started chatting about what music they might pick. Arabella did geta bit worried that we won’t be doing “proper” dressage tests like the official ones at comps, but Sally promised her that we’ll be taking the technical side very seriously and the movements will have to be absolutely spot on. Plus, there are going to be some things in it we all have to do (called the compulsory movements) so she can compare us more easily. We were all a bit nervous, but Sally said not to worry as we’ll build up our routines step by step. Phew!
    Marie had the idea of doing the comp in fancy dress then, and started saying how she wanted to do Mischief up as a pop star and dye his mane with different colour hair mascaras and put purple legwarmers on him!
    We all laughed when Sally said, “I don’t think Mischief would be too happy about that, seeing as he’s a boy!” But she did agree that some kind of themed dress to go with our music might be fun.

    Arabella said she’s just bought a brand-new regulation dressage competition jacket and jodhs and she’s wearing them , so there! Sally smiled and said that’s fine,