Free Pony Surprise by Pauline Burgess Page A

me today and she’s such a pretty little thing. She loves these leisurely strolls in the countryside just as much as I do – taking it easy, not rushing, breathing in the fresh air. Sophie’s so lovely with her long, honey-coloured hair always fixed neatly into a plait, and she wears all the best riding gear too. Her new body protector is bright pink and blue, just like my browband. Gorgeous !
    â€˜Your browband looks so good with your chestnut mane, Parsley, and it matches my gear! You look so pretty today, girl. Kate looks after you all so well. She says I can come and help the beginners when I’m a little bit older. Won’t that be so cool?’
    Sophie reaches down and pats me gently. She says that I’m just her cup of tea. I think that means she likes me.
    â€˜Some of the other ponies are just way too frisky, Parsley – not like you. A lady like you would never misbehave! Oh, did I tell you that Mum arranged for some of my friends to come over to my house to watch a movie later? We’re going to order pizza too. We’ll have so much fun! I just hope they don’t mess around with my things. Mum hates it when my room’s untidy,’ she says.
    I like to listen to her just chatting away. She tells me all about her life and school and things, but she never seems to mention friends, so I’m glad to hear that she’s got pals coming over.
    Her mum’s riding ahead on Olga. I’m always at the back of the ride. A ladylike mare like me doesn’t want anyone hanging around at her rear end! We pull out of the lane and turn right on to Monlough Road. There’s never much traffic along here, but all the ponies keep well in to the side of the road, just in case. Kate’s assistant, Jenny, is at the front of the hack leading the way. I hope she’ll take us up past the lake because it always smells really nice and fresh up there. At this time of year the leaves are just changing colour and the countryside is a kaleidoscope of colours; browns, reds, coppers. It’s beautiful!
    Kate brought me to the Pony Palace just over a year ago and I really love it around here. Of course it’s not really a palace – just lots of stables and a riding school – but Kate says it’s a really unique, special place. There’s a little village nearby called Saintfield where she buys all our food and tack and things. Sophie lives in the village, and she’s always telling me about her favourite shop on the main street that sells dresses and hair bands and shoes in lots of shiny colours. I’d love to see them – horseshoes are so boring compared to human shoes. We’re not allowed into the village because of all the traffic, but if I could, I’d sneak into Saintfield and get myself the sparkliest, most colourful shoes I could possibly find!

    We head in the direction of the lake, just as I’d hoped. Rupert’s right in front of me, plodding along as usual like he just couldn’t be bothered. The rest of us ponies are keeping a very special secret from Rupert, though, and when he finds out it just might put a smile on his face. Jenny tells the children and adults to dismount and tie us to the fence around the little car park. Mums and dads and kids take out picnic bags and baskets, but not before giving us a few treats first. Sophie’s mum is talking on her mobile phone as soon as she gets off her horse. I can see Sophie rolling her eyes.
    â€˜You wait here, Parsley. I won’t be long,’ she says. And she isn’t. Her mum has to make another important phone call, so Sophie sits down on the ground beside me and has her picnic. Mrs Walker is a very important person, apparently. She’s in charge of some big business in Belfast, so she doesn’t have a lot of free time to spend with Sophie.
    â€˜Look at the lake today, Parsley. It’s so clear I can see my own reflection.’ She’s right – the lake is