Free Millie and Magic by Kelly McKain

8.30 on Monday morning
    Hi, Millie here! It feels strange to be starting a Pony Camp Diary of my own. The reason I’m writing one is that, for this week only, I’m going to be a Pony Camp girl! As well as taking part in the lessons and gymkhana, I’m joining in all the lectures and yard work. It was Mum’s idea. She’s arranged for me to try out a new pony, and if it works out they’ll buy him for me. She thinks if I take part in all the activities, we’ll get a chance to really bond .
    Yeah, right!
    As if I could bond with anyone but my lovely Tally! We’re a team, him and me.

    The problem is, Mum’s convinced that my gorgeous cheeky chops is too small for me. I’ve tried and tried to tell her he isn’t, but she won’t change her mind. She kept going on about it until she somehow persuaded me to give another pony a try.
    The new pony’s called Magic and he belonged to the daughter of a friend of hers. He arrived yesterday evening and we turned him out into a field with the others. He fitted in really well, making friends with Charm and Jewel straight away – after five minutes they were all grazing happily together.

    But when Tally trotted up to say hello to me as usual I felt SO guilty. I know I agreed to try out Magic (in the end!), but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it. Magic is lovely and all that – he’s an elegant bay thoroughbred cross. And youcan tell he has a good temperament. Mum says his paces are perfect, too.
    But no pony could replace Tally. He’s not perfect, but he’s got, what’s the word –

    Us two have had some amazing adventures – razzing round the cross-country course, galloping on hacks and doing loads of jumping. True, I have been dragged through a hedge or two when he gets a little – ahem – “over-enthusiastic”, but I don’t mind that.
    Anyway, Mum’s wrong about Tally. I’m not that big for him. I’m sure we could have another year together; well, six months at least – and after that we could get into driving. But Mum doesn’t agree, so I’m going to have to put Operation Keep Tally into action. Not that I’ve got an actual plan yet, not really, not a decent one.
    This is all I’ve come up with so far: 

    PLAN C
    Run away together Probably not a good idea ’cos:

    1. We’d have to sleep in hay barns and fields, and what if a farmer let out an angry bull?
    2. I’d miss out on Mum’s roasts with Dad’s Yorkshire puddings and

    3. I suppose Mum and Dad would miss me a bit (and my big bro James might too, even if he is a smelly-pants who gives me dead arms for no reason).
    See, rubbish or what?!
    Oh, hang on, I’ve thought of another one.
    PLAN D
    Maybe me and Tally could chain ourselves together as a protest.
    But what if I need the loo, or even worse, what if Tally does?!

    Mum’s just walked past and given me a big smile. She thinks I’m getting into the spirit of things, writing in here already (I’m not into writing, normally). But she doesn’t know what I’m really using this diary for – which is to report on Operation Keep Tally – hee hee!
    Oh, gotta go, this week’s girls are starting to arrive. They’re all loud and lively and chattering away as usual. I SO love living here – it’s like being on holiday all the time. And James has gone to an outdoor adventure camp, which makes it even better. I wonder who I’m sharing my room with this week? I hope they don’t snore!

Monday after lunch, outside on the picnic tables

    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