Princess Ellie's Holiday Adventure: Pony-Mad Princess (Book 7) by Diana Kimpton

Author:Diana Kimpton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Published: 2014-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

She managed to place the saddle gently on the horse’s back. She was careful to put it slightly in front of where it should go. Then she slid it back into the right position to make sure all the hairs on his back were lying flat.

She fastened the girth that held the saddle in place. Then she jumped down and carried the chair outside. “You’ll need this,” she told John. “You’ll never get on him without it.”

Kate followed her with Goliath, while John paused for a moment to fasten the note to the stable door.

The huge, black horse really was a gentle giant. He had stood patiently while they struggled to put on his saddle. Now he stood completely still again while John clambered on board from the chair. But as soon as he felt his rider’s weight on his back, Goliath was eager to be on the move. He stamped his feet restlessly while John shortened the stirrups.

Kate held the horse’s head to stop him walking away. She looked at John and giggled. “You look tiny up there. Like a pimple on a mountain.”

John ignored her comments. He shortened the reins and announced, “You can let go now. I’m in control.”

Kate did as she was told and ran into the barn with Ellie to fetch the ponies. When they led them outside, they found Goliath walking round and round in small circles.

“Are you all right?” asked Ellie.

“Of course, I am,” said John. But his voice sounded less confident than it had earlier. “He’s just restless. That’s all. He’ll be fine when we get on the move.”

This time it was Ellie’s turn to ride Fudge while Kate took Toffee. John continued to ride in circles while they mounted. Then he let the big horse lead the way across the drawbridge and out into the grounds.

Goliath didn’t want to walk. He kept snorting through his enormous nostrils and trying to go faster. “Steady, boy,” pleaded John, struggling to keep the horse under control. He sat down firmly in the saddle and kept a tight hold on the reins.

As they left the shelter of the palace, Ellie noticed for the first time that the weather had changed. Thick clouds had blown in from the north, covering the sky with a heavy, grey blanket and hiding the tops of the mountains. A chill wind stung their cheeks and lifted the ponies’ manes. It seemed to make Goliath even more restless.

“Perhaps we should have a trot,” said Ellie. “A good long trot would use up some of his energy.”

John nodded nervously. He lengthened the reins a little and Goliath started to jog. The huge horse was very excited now. He tossed his head from side to side and snorted again. Then he dropped his head down towards his knees.

The movement happened so suddenly that John was nearly pulled over Goliath’s shoulder. To save himself, he had to let the reins slip through his fingers. The enormous horse immediately noticed what had happened. Realizing his rider had lost control, Goliath threw his head up again and bolted into the distance.

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