Millie and Magic (8 page)

It was so much fun after tea, because we ended up having a big karaoke disco party in the games room. Me, Zoe and Amy sang together really loudly and got everyone dancing.

Then after lights out, us three were whispering and messing around so much that I managed to forget about Dad's challenge for a while. I remembered the second I woke up this morning, though, and thinking about it made me feel really sick. On the yard I made loads of fuss
of Magic (after all, it's probably our last day together). In the end, Lydia said, “Millie, could you please stop
hugging
that pony and get him tacked up!”

In our lesson this morning I was hoping for more jumping practice, but instead we went over the lateral work we'd done on Tuesday. Everyone had really got the hang of it this time (even naughty Mischief, with Amy to guide him). Sally said how well we'd done this week, and we all gave her a clap for being such a fab instructor. Luckily, she noticed my pleading looks and she set up a jump to finish off with. Me and Magic are jumping as well as Amy and Angelika, but Zuzanna and Irenka are still better than us. We'll really need a lot of luck to win this afternoon. But we
have
to, somehow. I can't even bear to
think
about losing Magic now.

It's always kind of nice to have my room back to myself, but it feels lonely as well, too big and empty. I just want to finish off my diary before bed – I'd never have guessed this week would be so amazing, exciting and scary!

Did I get to keep Magic? Well… Here's the whole story…

I was getting more and more nervous as we got the ponies ready for the gymkhana. Zoe was plaiting ribbons into Fisher's lovely long mane, and Amy was busy with the glitter hoof gel on Mischief, but my fingers were trembling so much I could barely brush Magic down.

As the parents began to arrive, there was lots of excitement and chatter. We played
some other gymkhana games before the Chase Me Charlie, and everyone gathered by the fence to cheer us on. When Zoe won the ball and bucket race, and Amy came first in the stepping stones, I gave them both an extra-big cheer. Magic and I didn't win anything, though – I couldn't really concentrate properly and I don't think he could either. After what felt like for ever it was time for the Chase Me Charlie. Our future was about to be decided.

As Sally was setting up the jump, my mates rode up beside me. “Good luck, Mil,” said Zoe.

“Yeah, go for it,” Amy added. “You
can
win this.”

“Thanks,” I said, trying to think positive too.

The first pole was barely off the ground and we all jumped it, no problem. The next couple of rounds were fine too. Then Evie and Elizabeth bowed out, seeing as they only started jumping this week. We all gave them a big clap
and cheer for having a go, and they looked really pleased with themselves.

After two more rounds, Zoe had the pole down. Everyone went, “Oooh!” and “Never mind,” but she was just grinning at me! 

Then, well, I don't know what happened, but seconds after Amy set off, there was a big crash and the pole and one of the jump stands were on the floor. Amy insisted later that cheeky Mischief had ploughed straight through the jump and got them knocked out – but I'm not so sure. I reckon she did it on purpose to give me more chance of winning. She swears she didn't, but… Well, I guess I'll never find out!

I had a lucky break in the next round when Jewel rushed at the jump and had the pole down. Everyone gasped – they couldn't believe
Angelika was out so early in the competition. And then Tally typically (and helpfully!) did a huge leap over, knocked the pole off, and nearly sent Kasia flying. Luckily, she managed to grab his mane and hang on, but what a little monkey!

So there we were – me, Irenka and Zuzanna – and I felt like bowing out, running up here to my room, sticking my head under the covers and having a big cry about losing Magic. But I didn't, of course. Helping him to be brave has made me remember how brave
I
am too, and I knew we had to keep going. I took a deep breath and made myself think extra positive as Sally put the top pole up another notch.

Zuzanna and Charm sailed over. It was like they weren't even trying. Then it was our turn. I gave Magic a pat. “Come on, boy, I know we can do this,” I told him. We trotted a circle, went into canter on the straight and…

We were over!

“Whoopee!” I cried, then leaned forward to give Magic a big hug. 

When Irenka and Flame went over I held my breath, willing them to knock the pole off, but they cleared it.

And up it went.

I don't really know what happened next. Maybe Zuzanna and Charm were too relaxed. In a flash Charm had whacked the pole with a foreleg and down it came. Everyone went, “Ohhhh!” in sympathy, while I tried to stop myself from
cheering
!

So in the end it was between me and Irenka. She grinned at me, and I forced myself to smile back. Her friends and family all started cheering her on, and Mum, Dad, Zoe and Amy began chanting for me.

My heart pounding, I nudged Magic into trot then canter, focused past the jump and over we went … with a CLUNK.

My heart sank – Magic had nudged the pole with a hind leg. I glanced behind us, expecting to see it on the ground, but no – it was still up! Wobbling, but still up! I stared hard at it, willing it to stay put. After what felt like for ever it came to a stop!

Zoe, Amy, Mum and Dad were going wild, cheering for us. Then Irenka's family started chanting her name as she set off and picked up trot, then canter. Flame seemed to speed up very suddenly, then they were up, and CLUNK, one of her hind hooves hit the pole too, exactly
as Magic's had. Irenka looked back anxiously and I stared hard at the pole. Wobble. Still up. Wobble. Still up. It felt like for ever. Then … THUD.

The pole was down.

I could hardly take it in, but … we'd won!

All I could do was hug Magic's neck, as tears of relief ran down my cheeks. “I'm so proud of you!” I cried. Magic, MY pony Magic, snorted and shook his head, and I knew he was proud of himself, too. Yes, we'd shown a lot of determination and tried hard. But in the end it was that little bit of luck that clinched it for us.

We all stood in a line with our ponies, and Sally handed out the rosettes as everyone clapped and cheered. Zoe and Amy tied theirs to Fisher and Mischief's bridles, and their parents took about a million photos.

“And for the Chase Me Charlie, Millie and Magic!” Sally announced. I was beaming as I shook her hand and accepted our red rosette. Winning something in the end of week gymkhana isn't exactly a big deal for me usually, but this time I was just as excited as the other girls. I tied the rosette to Magic's bridle with pride and gave him a big pat. And suddenly Dad was there, clicking away, taking pictures of
us
!

 

Everyone gave us a big clap, and Mum came over and wrapped me up in a huge hug. Then she announced that there was tea and juice on offer in the kitchen. The grown-ups began to head over to the house, and Lydia led us girls and ponies off to the barn.

As I came back out, Dad strode up to me. “Well done, sweetheart,” he said, “I'm so proud
of you, of both of you! When I saw how stiff the competition was out there I did get a bit worried, I have to admit. But I always believed you could win if you really set your mind to it.”

“Thanks,” I said, then I added, “I can't believe you were going to take Magic away from me if I hadn't won!”

He looked thoughtful. “Hmm, well, I'm not sure I would have done, in the end.”

“What?!” I shrieked. “So I went through all that for nothing?!” I nudged him hard with my elbow. “Well, thanks very much!”

“It wasn't for nothing,” he said firmly. “I wanted to make sure you were serious about Magic, and the competition gave you the chance to prove you were. You've earned him now, and I know you really want him.”