Riding Friends

Chapter One

Hi guys, this is my first published piece so any comments for improvement are definitely welcome ;) Plus this story is based on two toys I have from Crafty Pony TM (my profile pic) and I will try to upload a chapter every one/two weeks. Hopefully I will write more 'Harriet-Charlie' books after this. I am also not sure what to name this book - whether I should keep 'Harriet-Charlie goes horse riding', or not, but any suggestions when I am done, or nearly done are very welcome! Xox Meppy

Harriet-Charlie shuffled nervously in her riding boots. It was her first day at Crafty riding school and, although she already knew the basics of riding, she couldn't help worrying.
"You'll be fine," Mum reassured her, stepping out of the car behind Harriet. "Remember, you asked for lessons for your birthday; it's meant to be fun, not a punishment, relax, ok?"
Harriet took a deep breath.
"Ready?" Mum asked.
"Ready." Harriet took a couple of steps forwards towards a rickety metal fence, slid back the bolt and pushed it open. It bounced slightly on its unstable hinges as it swung forwards, admitting Harriet and Mum into a small but well-swept yard. A few kids, in messy jodhpurs smeared with horse poo, were brandishing pitchforks and mucking out, and the riding school ponies looked about to doze off, tied up in their stables. Harriet shyly turned to Mum, who nudged her in the direction of a small shed that seemed to serve as an office. She opened the door and Harriet stepped in. A few plastic chairs and a short wooden bench lined the walls, and it only took Harriet about four steps to reach the high wooden desk at the other end. Random laminated signs were stapled to the front of the chipped and cluttered desk; 'Pony Club on Wednesday', 'Riding vouchers; the perfect present', 'Loan Ponies available'. Harriet peered over the edge of the desk; there didn't seem to be anyone there. "Um, hello?" She called. Just then, a head popped up from behind the desk, accompanied by a small dog, who yapped loudly as it scuttled around the desk and sniffed at Harriet's legs. Harriet giggled and bent down to scratch it behind the ears. It rolled over appreciatively.
"Sorry, I didn't notice you coming in, I was just sorting out the helmets, they're getting a bit cluttered on the bottom shelves." said the lady. She pointed to a rack stuffed with riding hats in the corner of the room, which was mostly behind the desk as the room was so narrow. "That's Lily," she explained, nodding at the dog,"and I'm Katherine. You're... Harriet-Charlie, I'm guessing? Or do you prefer just Harriet?"
"Harriet's fine, thanks," Harriet replied, giving Lily one last pat before standing up next to Mum. Katherine bustled round the desk and examined Harriet. Then she grabbed a couple of riding hats from the rack and handed her one.
"Try this."
Harriet took the hat and jammed it on her head, squashing down her sticky-out, ear-length brown hair. She wiggled it about; it fitted so snugly that half the skin on her forehead moved too.
"Perfect!" Katherine announced. Mum beamed at Harriet proudly.
"I suppose we'll have to get you your own helmet if you enjoy it today," she sighed. Then she added, more to herself; "That won't be cheap."
Katherine nodded. "I'm sure you will enjoy it. But first we need to get your pony." She turned to the journal, where she seemed to have scribbled a list of ponies. "As it's your first lesson, we'll put you on... let's see... how about Blueberry?" Harriet felt a spark of excitement mingled with nerves shoot through her body as Katherine called to a girl of around thirteen named Ellen to help her get Blueberry. Ellen led Harriet to what she referred to as the 'strip stable', a long thin stable, with seven or eight horses tied up in it. Harriet hovered at the gate as Ellen unbolted it and told her to come in, but to make sure not to stand behind any horse's bottom.
"Which one's Blueberry?" Harriet asked curiously, as Ellen ducked under two horses' lead ropes and she copied. Ellen stopped at the third pony.
"This one."

Blueberry turned out to be a small, and in Harriet's opinion chubby, pony. He was chocolate brown, with a once thick but now thinning black mane. He had obviously been in the riding school for a long time, as he didn't even notice when Ellen unclipped his lead rope and started to manoeuvre him around the other horses. Harriet stepped back as Ellen passed, and then followed her out of the stable, taking care to take Ellen's advice and stay a good distance from Blueberry's bottom. Ellen and Blueberry paused at the stack of hay and straw bales and Blueberry tried to take a mouthful of hay.
"Here," Ellen said, tossing Harriet Blueberry's lead rope. "He's your pony for the lesson so you better learn how to lead him!" She smiled, then noticed Harriet's tensed up face. "Hey, Blueberry's the safest pony on this yard, if anyone's the perfect beginners' pony, it's him! Okay? So relax, yes that's it, fold the lead rein in half in your left hand and slide the other one up slightly... perfect."
Harriet grinned; it seemed she had already learnt something and her lesson hadn't even started yet. She lead him past the office and, with Ellen guiding her, along a wide passage opening up into a large, sandy arena. Mum shot her a thumbs up from a viewing gallery at the front of the arena.There were other people sat on the gallery; not many, but enough to make Harriet tremble slightly. She didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of everyone. A few horses and riders were already standing in the arena, facing the gallery, altering stirrup lengths and doing up girths, and a woman with curly blonde hair and cream jodhpurs was already busy giving people leg-ups and helping them onto their ponies.
Ellen bent towards Harriet; "That's Kelly," she said, pointing at the woman, "She's the riding instructor here and, trust me, she's amazing."
Dodging the other riders, Ellen guided Harriet and Blueberry into the middle of the arena, and helped to 'park' them in between a huge gelding and a more Blueberry-sized mare.
"Okay, can you manage Blueberry by yourself? I've got to go now. Good luck - have fun!" Ellen climbed up onto a ramp on the front of the gallery and disappeared down the passageway. Harriet watched her, feeling the nerves beginning to seep back into her brain.
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Chapter Two coming soon...