Chessy the Welsh Pony Read online

  DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH … WILL THESE UNWANTED PONIES FIND LOVE?

  Seven-year-old Amanda Wilson dreams of training her own wild pony, just as her big sisters have done. Then comes the chance — a muster of beautiful Welsh ponies that have run wild in the hills.

  Among them is Chessy, a striking stallion, and just the right size for Amanda. But small doesn’t equal easy, and first Amanda must prove she has what it takes by training Magic, a stroppy mare from Pony Club. Will Magic and Chessy ever be safe enough to join Amanda on her crazy adventures?

  Vicki and Kelly must help Amanda to win her ponies’ trust in this engaging story of perseverance and reward, which is inspired by the Wilson Sisters’ early years.

  The Wilson Sisters are leading figures on the equestrian scene, show jumping to Grand Prix and World Cup level. They have become widely known for their work with wild horses, making Kaimanawas a household name in New Zealand and raising awareness of the plight of the American Mustangs and Australian Brumbies.

  Contents

  1. The Cutest Pair

  2. Champion Prize

  3. Pony Swap

  4. A New Kind of Skating

  5. The Wild Welshies

  6. Making a Plan

  7. Muster Madness

  8. Challenge Set

  9. Patience and Perseverance

  10. A Tricky Question

  11. Moustache Pete

  12. Vicki’s Turn

  13. Show Day

  14. Just Like Charlie

  15. More Animals

  16. Off the Beaten Track

  17. Digging for Treasure

  18. The Ultimate Kids’ Pony

  19. Safe and Steady

  20. It’s Official

  Characters

  How-tos

  Glossary

  Follow Penguin Random House

  This book is dedicated to all our friends who have joined my sisters and me on our horsey adventures over the years. We have so many great memories growing up alongside all of you and sharing our mutual love of horses.

  Also in this series:

  Growing up, we Wilson sisters — Vicki, Amanda and me (I’m Kelly) — were three ordinary girls with a love of horses and dreams of Grand Prix show jumping, taming wild horses and becoming world champions.

  In Showtym Adventures, we want to share stories based on our early years with ponies, to inspire you to have big dreams, too! I hope you enjoy reading about the special ponies that started us on our journey …

  Love,

  Kelly

  Chapter 1

  The Cutest Pair

  “CHARLIE BROWN, YOU’RE AS SILLY as a clown,” Amanda sang to her little grey pony as she sat on the yard rails at the showgrounds. When Charlie raised his head and walked over to her, Amanda slid off the fence and onto his bare back.

  Although she had no gear to control her pony, seven-year-old Amanda wasn’t fazed. Charlie had been in their family for almost six years now, and he’d been her pony for three. She trusted him absolutely.

  She leaned back on Charlie’s rump, tilted her face to the sky and closed her eyes to enjoy the last rays of the warm, late-summer sun before it slipped behind the line of trees which bordered the showgrounds.

  “Tomorrow’s our big day, show jumping will be OK,” Amanda continued, making up lyrics to amuse herself.

  In truth, she was a little nervous about her first show-jumping competition, but there was no way she was going to let Charlie know that — or her older sisters, Vicki and Kelly. She’d been begging to show jump all season, and Mum and Dad had finally let her enter the 80-centimetre class, which was the lowest height of the day.

  “Aren’t you just the cutest pair!”

  Mid-song, Amanda was jolted into silence by a voice. Swivelling around on Charlie’s back, she saw there was an older lady standing by the fence. Amanda blushed, wondering just how long she had been there listening.

  “He likes it when I spend time with him,” Amanda explained, as she again rested her hands on Charlie’s rump. “Charlie’s my best friend.”

  “He looks like he loves you very much,” the lady said with a smile. “Did you compete today?”

  “We rode in the Junior ring and I won both my rider classes.” A delighted smile spread across Amanda’s face, as she remembered being awarded the red ribbons.

  “Well done — you must be very proud.”

  “I wasn’t as good as my oldest sister, though,” Amanda added quickly. “Vicki won Supreme Champion on Dandy, a wild mountain pony she tamed, and Champion Hunter on her Arabian pony, Casper. And my other sister, Kelly, won heaps too.”

  “Wow, that’s impressive. How much older than you are they?”

  “Kelly’s three years older. She’s ten. And Vicki’s twelve.” Amanda sighed as she dismounted and gave Charlie a hug. Sometimes it was hard being the youngest sister. “I want to tame wild ponies and win Champions just like Vicki when I grow up.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ve got plenty of time,” the lady said reassuringly, as she started to walk away. “Sounds like you’re already doing better than most kids your age.”

  Amanda waved goodbye to the lady. She didn’t know why she had been so interested in her and Charlie, but she loved her pony and was always happy to talk about him.

  Amanda woke the next morning feeling determined and excited. Not only was she finally allowed to show jump, but she was also competing against both her sisters.

  “Today’s the day, Charlie,” Amanda declared as she picked out his hooves. “You might be the littlest pony and I might be the youngest rider competing, but we’re going to prove we’re as good as everyone else.”

  “You talk a big game.” Vicki had overheard her. She smiled at Amanda as she adjusted Casper’s jumping boots. “I’ll tell you what — if you win today, I’ll give you a bonus prize.”

  “A prize for what?” Kelly interrupted as she rounded the corner, carrying her saddle and bridle.

  “Amanda’s confident she and Charlie are as good as everyone else competing,” Vicki explained. “So I thought if she won, she would deserve something special to celebrate.”

  Vicki and Kelly turned to Amanda, who was deep in thought, chewing on her lip.

  “Amanda?” Vicki asked. “If you could win anything from me, what would it be?”

  Drawing in a deep breath, Amanda blurted out, “If I win, I get to ride Casper in a class at the next show.”

  Kelly let out a surprised giggle.

  Vicki stared at her little sister. “You can’t be serious. Casper’s not a quiet, safe pony for little kids like Charlie, he’s big and powerful. Not that long ago he wasn’t even safe enough for me to ride, let alone someone half my size. Besides, your legs wouldn’t even reach past the saddle flaps.”

  Amanda held her sister’s gaze, determined to be taken seriously. “I probably won’t win, it’s not like Charlie’s the fastest with his little legs and short stride. But if I do, riding Casper is the prize I want.”

  “But this class isn’t judged on speed. It’s an A1 class, so everyone who jumps clear and within the allocated time wins first equal,” Vicki explained. “Charlie has as good a chance as anyone else.”

  Amanda’s eyes widened. “That’s good! Please agree I can compete Casper if I win!”

  “Oh, alright! Game on,” Vicki grinned as she led Casper over to the ramp and swung up onto his back.

  Chapter 2

  Champion Prize

  AMANDA WAITED AT THE GATE, wracked by nerves. Vicki had jumped two faultless rounds — one on Casper and the other on Dandy, and Kelly had jumped clear on Cameo as well.

  “How are you feeling, kiddo?” Dad asked as Amanda waited for her turn.

  “I’m worried I’ll knock a rail. I don’t want Vicki and Kelly thinking I’m not good enough.”

  “Do you think you’re good enough?” Dad gave her a quizzical glance and rubbed Charlie’s head.

  “I wouldn’t have begged you to let me compete if I didn’t think I was ready,” Amanda said, with a huff of annoyance. Now even Dad seemed to be doubting her abilities.

  But Dad kept looking at her intently. “By ready, did you mean you thought you could get around the course, or that you were good enough to jump clear?”

  “Clear, of course,” Amanda growled.

  “Good,” Dad grinned. “That’s what your mum and I thought, too. Now stop worrying about how well your sisters have done, and go prove you deserve to be in that arena.”

  With renewed determination, Amanda trotted Charlie into the arena. Urging him into a canter, she approached the first fence, a brightly coloured upright. Soon it was behind them. Jump after jump, they navigated the course. As they rode through the flags at the finish, Amanda leaned forward to wrap her arms around Charlie’s neck. His little legs had cleared every jump effortlessly. She’d been sure Charlie could jump the height and now she had proven it!

  When it was time to announce the winners, Amanda waited nervously outside the ring. She knew she’d jumped clear, now she just needed to know if she’d been within the time.

  “The winners of the 80-centimetre class are Vicki Wilson on Just Fine ’n’ Dandy and Casper,” the judge announced. Amanda’s heart plummeted as several more names were announced, including Kelly and Cameo. “And … Amanda Wilson on Charlie Brown.”

  Amanda’s face lit up as the judge called her name. Her first show-jumping ribbon! Gathering her reins she trotted into the ring to join the line-up of winners.

  As t
he judge approached, Amanda recognised her. It was the same lady who had overheard her singing to Charlie the day before!

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you in this class — you’re even better at riding than you let on.”

  “Beginner’s luck,” Amanda said, with a shy smile. “It’s our very first show-jumping class,” she added, as the lady reached out to tie a red ribbon around Charlie’s neck.

  “Congratulations!” the judge said as she patted Charlie’s neck. Pulling out more red ribbons, she continued down the line. Amanda stared down at her winning ribbon, dumbfounded.

  “Congratulations, riders,” the judge said, as she stepped back and acknowledged the winning riders. “You did a marvellous job jumping clear and are all deserving winners, but one rider in particular caught my eye today. Could Amanda Wilson and Charlie Brown please ride forward?”

  Amanda gazed at the judge in shock, then turned and glanced at her sisters. Kelly nodded her head, encouraging her. Gathering her reins, Amanda rode Charlie up to the judge.

  “Never in all my forty years of judging have I felt the need to hand out a champion ribbon in show jumping, but while I was watching this young lady jump today I realised I was witnessing a champion in the making. It’s something very rare in a rider so young, and I’d like to recognise her exceptional talent.”

  Amanda’s eyes danced as the judge bent and pulled a purple sash out from her box. Speechless, she watched as the ribbon was tied around Charlie’s neck, blinking rapidly to stop the tears, which were pricking at her eyes, from falling.

  “You’ve got your Champion,” the judge whispered. “Now you just need to find a wild pony to tame.”

  Amanda grinned as she remembered the conversation they’d had at the yards the day before. Maybe she didn’t have to wait years to ride as well as her sisters. In fact, neither Vicki nor Kelly had even competed when they were seven years old, so technically she was already better than they’d been at the same age!

  As she cantered out on her lap of honour Amanda couldn’t help but dream about her riding goals. First, she had to make sure Vicki honoured her promise to let her jump Casper. Then she had to figure out a way to train a wild pony.

  Chapter 3

  Pony Swap

  A FEW DAYS LATER, at Pony Club, Amanda watched in sympathy as her friend Laura struggled with her new pony. Miss Magic, a pretty bay mare, was a bit bigger and much younger than the pony Laura had learnt to ride on, and she was having lots of trouble.

  Amanda watched as her friend’s young mare darted forward and pulled on the reins. She could see that Laura was near tears, and needed a break. Amanda took a deep breath, rode Charlie over and halted beside her.

  “Laura, would you like to swap ponies and ride Charlie for a little while? I can have a turn on Magic, if you like.”

  Laura glanced at Amanda in surprise.

  “Do you really want to ride her?” she asked, as Magic tugged on the reins and darted forward. “She’s terrifying me!”

  Amanda nodded — and then winced as Magic shied sideways at a bare patch in the grass, nearly causing Laura to fall off. The two girls quickly dismounted and, before either of them could change their mind, led their ponies over to the instructor.

  “Do you mind if Laura and I swap ponies for a while?” Amanda asked.

  “Of course not, but are you sure you’re up for it?”

  “I guess we’ll find out,” Amanda grinned, as the instructor legged her up onto Magic’s back.

  Within a few minutes, Amanda was regretting her decision. Controlling Magic took all of her strength. She glanced longingly over at Charlie, but when she saw how much her best friend was enjoying herself, she steeled her nerves and kept trying her best with the skittish mare. If she wanted to break in a wild pony one day, she would need to learn to deal with much worse than this.

  An hour later, she dismounted from Magic with shaking legs. It had been one of the most challenging rides she’d ever had. She was just thankful that she’d managed to stay on the pony.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” Amanda told Laura as they led their ponies back to the truck. “That wasn’t fun at all. Why did you buy her?”

  Laura sighed deeply. “Her previous owners said she was perfectly suited to me, but she’s been like this from the day she arrived. I’m wondering if I should just give up riding.”

  “But you love riding!” Amanda replied.

  Laura looked down and scuffed her boots in the dirt. “I loved riding. But it’s no fun at all anymore. Riding Charlie today was the best time I’ve had since we bought Magic.”

  “You can’t give up riding,” Amanda said forcefully. “We just have to think of a plan so you can start enjoying it again.”

  “Well, unless you have another lovely pony like Charlie hidden away for me to borrow, I don’t know what to do. The thought of riding Magic again just makes me too scared.”

  Amanda’s mind whirled, and before she had time to think too hard about it, she said, “How about we swap ponies for the week? You take Charlie home and have some fun, and I’ll take Magic and ride her for you.”

  As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Amanda was filled with panic. One ride on Magic had been bad enough — now she’d offered to ride the feisty pony for a whole week!

  But when she saw Laura’s grateful face she couldn’t take it back. It was only a week — how bad could that be?

  “You did what?” Mum said sharply after hearing her youngest daughter’s plan.

  “I was trying to be a good friend,” Amanda muttered as she hung up her bridle in the truck.

  “You poor, poor kid. I watched you riding Magic during the lesson and she looked like a handful,” Mum laughed, with a rueful shake of her head. “Maybe this week will teach you not to make promises before you’ve had time to think them through.”

  With hunched shoulders, Amanda untied Charlie and led him over to Laura’s horse trailer. “Make sure you give him a carrot from me every night,” Amanda said to her friend.

  “I will. But you have to promise me you’ll ride Magic every day. I don’t want her coming back to me even naughtier,” Laura replied.

  “I’m sure I can do that,” Amanda assured her, with more confidence than she felt.

  Once Charlie was safely loaded into Laura’s trailer, Amanda walked back to their truck with Magic. She was dragged in every direction as the pony pulled on her lead, then refused to go into the truck.

  “You’re not even nice to handle,” Amanda moaned.

  Amanda’s sisters walked over to the truck and ogled the new pony in astonishment.

  “Why did you trade your perfect pony for the naughtiest one at Pony Club?” Vicki asked. “What could have possessed you?”

  “Argh, it was stupid, I know,” Amanda replied sheepishly. “Charlie’s only been gone for two minutes and I miss him already.”

  “You often joke that he’s too small and too slow,” Kelly said encouragingly as Magic finally walked up the ramp. “Maybe she will be just the challenge you need. And if not, at least you’ll appreciate how lucky you are to have Charlie. I bet you’ll be counting down the days until he comes home.”

  “It’s only for a week,” Amanda told herself again, her normally cheerful expression replaced by a look of deep misery. “We’ll be swapping back at the next Pony Club rally.”

  Chapter 4

  A New Kind of Skating

  THE NEXT AFTERNOON AFTER SCHOOL, Amanda and her sisters decided to ride up the road to visit their friends the Bennett family, who lived about a kilometre away. Amanda quickly discovered that Magic was even naughtier on the roads than she’d been at Pony Club, as they ventured past cars and crossed over side streets.

  Although they were only walking, the skittish mare pranced and danced up the hill. Then, just when Amanda thought things couldn’t get any worse, a barking dog rushed out of a driveway and Magic took fright, bolting up the grass verge. Unprepared for the sudden burst of speed, Amanda tumbled to the ground and lay there, winded. Kelly jumped off Cameo and checked her over.

  “No wonder Laura wants to give up on Magic,” Amanda grouched. She sat up and glanced around. Luckily, Vicki had already caught up to the fleeing pony and was leading her back.