Maybe it's Time (a Horse Story)

Chapter One - Story of my Life

"I don't give a damn what you think. You're nothing but a useless spoilt brat that makes herself feel better by putting other people down," the girl spat at us.

"Oh, feisty." Rhiannon giggled. Isabel, Stephanie and I laughed on cue.

"Wow. I never thought anyone could be worse than the girls at my last pony club, but I guess I was wrong." The girl said. She spun around, her long auburn hair hitting Isabel in the face.

"Watch it!" Isabel yelled. The new girl just laughed and continued across the courtyard to the dappled grey mare.

I'd better backtrack a bit. It was rally day at my pony club. I had got up early, grabbed some toast, gotten into my pony club uniform, and got in Mum's car to go to Rhiannon's. We had a system. I'd groom my dun gelding Sweet Sandy Boy (Buzzy) in the paddock outside her house, then when Rhiannon had had her pancakes we'd both groom her 15.2hh Selle Francais, Dancing Wildflower of Paris (Julietta), until lunchtime. Then we'd go into her house, have lunch and we'd tack up the ponies. We kept Buzzy and Julietta, along with Isabel and Stephanie's ponies Sheza Desert Rose (Trixie) and Gold Winter Mist (Willow) in a paddock near my house.

Isabel and Stephanie weren't allowed to join in with our routine. We were all part of the same group, but Rhiannon was my best friend. Just mine. Isabel had prettier clothes and Stephanie had nicer hair, but she liked me best. Of course, no one was prettier or more fashionable than Rhiannon. She had long dark ringlety hair that could be wavy, curly or sleek and straight depending on what she wanted. Her eyes were blue, and they were big, with long, fine lashes and dark defined eyebrows. She wore fashionable clothes and was really rich.

She wasn't wearing anything practical on the morning of the rally. My best friend was sitting on the fence, twirling her hair round her finger, while I brushed Julietta's bay coat until it shone.

"Monica, you missed a bit. Come on, pay attention, I need to practice really well today, so I can win the Show Hunter day that's coming up!" she snapped.

"Yes Rhiannon. But, of course you're gonna win. Come on, it's not like there's anyone better than you." I told her.

"Thanks, Monica. But I'm sure you'll come second! Then Isabel can come third. Stephanie can come fifth, she totally failed with the jumping practice on Monday." she said.

After a lot of grooming on my part, and not a lot on Rhiannon's, we were ready. Rhiannon's mum loaded Julietta onto their super flash horse truck that could fit five horses. Isabel, Stephanie, and I weren't allowed to put our horses on there. We just had to put them in our floats.

Mum picked me up, loaded Buzzy, and drove us to the pony club. Isabel's truck drew up just as I was leading Buzzy off the float ramp. I quickly tied him up and ran over to the float. Isabel jumped out of the front seat and gave me a massive hug. Her sleek black hair felt velvety against my face, and when we pulled back, she smiled happily.

"Nik, I'm so sorry I didn't text you last night! I was at the movies with Steph." she said anxiously.

"Don't worry Iz." I told her.

"Is Rhiannon here?" Isabel asked.

"Yeah, so we'd better stop with the nicknames. She thinks that they're super vulgar." I reply.

Isabel pulled a face.

"But I hate having to say 'Stephanie' and 'Monica' to my best friends." she sighed.

"Oh well. She's Rhiannon. If we want her to like us, we have to do exactly what she says. Should we unload Trixie?"

We took down the ramp and led Trixie out. She really was a beautiful horse. A wonderful chestnut colour with a perfect white star on her head. She was about 15.1hh and Isabel adored her. I started helping tack her up, but then I heard Rhiannon.

"Monica! Tack up Julietta for me!"

I ran over to the gorgeous Selle Francais and quickly put the clean white saddle blanket, the shiny saddle and brand new bridle onto Julietta. I then gave Rhiannon the thumbs up, and tacked up my beautiful Anglo-Arab gelding.

Stephanie arrived, her long sleek blond hair fanning out around her head in the light breeze.

"Isabel! Monica! Rhiannon!" she called. We ran over to her and gave her a hug. She unloaded her grey mare Willow and quickly tacked her up while Rhiannon and Isabel got changed. Then all four of us linked arms and set off around the pony club.

We passed a couple of eight year old girls and their ponies.

"God," Rhiannon said. "When did you last groom your scruffy mutt of a pony?"

The girl she was talking to stopped and looked confused.

"I just groomed Jimmy. And he's not a scruffy mutt. He's a Welsh cross Thoroughbred."

Isabel snorted.

"Respect your elders and betters, little brat."

"And with a uniform as old and scruffy as that", Rhiannon leaned in close to the little girl, "anyone could be better than you, honey."

The girl blinked hard as if she was about to cry, then turned away. Her friend shot us a glare and took her hand.

"Don't worry Jazzy. They just have nothing better to do than be mean."

But instead of confronting us, they walked away. All of them did. No one stood up to us, they just saw us and tried to find an excuse to go away. The little girls would see us coming, and run to their mothers. It was simple. We ruled the pony club, and every weekend, at every rally, we wouldn't let anyone forget it.

Author's Note: Hi guys! This is my horsey story :) I hope you like it. After one vote and one comment I will post Chapter Two. Thanks <3 <3