THE EVENT FIRST Aider rushed to her side, closely followed by Poppy and the rest of the family. Daisy’s eyes were shut tight and her breathing was ragged.
“Daisy, wake up!” wailed Poppy. “I couldn’t have done this without you! Now you need to win your event. I know you can do it. Please wake up, Daisy! You’ve got to win!”
The First Aider checked Daisy over, examining her very thoroughly, especially for neck and back injuries. As she did so, Daisy opened her eyes and smiled. After another few moments she was helped to her feet. Soon she looked quite normal and the colour slowly came back into her cheeks. Lilac came over to see how her rival was doing.
“Let’s cancel the jump-off – we’ll call it a draw,” she suggested. “Your health comes first, Daisy, and that was quite a fall.”
“Yes, you must take care, darling,” said Aunt Delphi. “You don’t have to do this, you know. We think you’re the best already!”
Daisy smiled, but she was determined to mount up again. “I don’t really care about anything except Parsley, but the best thing after a spook is to carry right on, otherwise we’ll both go on being nervous,” she said bravely.
Fortunately, after she’s rested for ten minutes, the First Aider declared her fit to ride.
Everyone was full of admiration as she pluckily gathered herself together.
“Good luck!” Poppy called as her cousin remounted Parsley. “You’re the best!”
Daisy smiled back at Poppy. She wanted to perform well for her little cousin, who had ridden so amazingly and had listened to every word of advice, even if she didn’t always keep her promises!
Daisy cantered round the ring to loud cheers. She motioned to everyone to keep the noise down. “Sshh! We don’t want to scare the pony!” she called.
“Well,” said the commentator some moments later, “I’m sure you were all thinking that this jump-off was never going ahead, but we have been assured that Daisy and Parsley are quite well enough to take part. So, you’re off at the bell, Daisy. Here we go!”
The bell rang, Daisy spoke softly to Parsley and off they went at a nice steady pace. Parsley had never jumped so well, clearing each fence with room to spare. As he approached the final fence, everyone held their breath. Daisy kept him steady and leaned forward in the saddle, helping him as much as she could. He flew across it, neatly tucking in his hind legs. It was a perfect round with an excellent time of 42 seconds.
Now it was Lilac’s turn. She entered the ring looking beautifully poised on her perfect pony. His coat shone inkyblack in the sunlight, his hooves gleaming and his mane and tail neatly groomed. And Lilac was equally immaculate: she wore a black riding jacket with a velvet collar, and a black velvet hat. Her jodhpurs were almost pure white and her leather boots looked handmade. They made an impressive sight. But although Poppy was impressed, she thought they seemed almost too perfect, for show rather than a fun-loving and devoted team.
As the bell rang, they set off steadily, popping over the fences nicely, when suddenly, the balloons that had so alarmed Parsley, freed themselves from the bush and started drifting towards the course. Black Beauty froze like a statue in the middle of the ring. Lilac didn’t know her new pony well and was terrified that he might buck and rear. She held on for dear life as time seemed to stand still while Black Beauty decided what to do.
Poppy watched openmouthed: she didn’t want Lilac to be thrown, but she also desperately wanted Daisy to beat the girl who had caused them so much heartache in the past. Eventually the wind blew the balloons away and out of Black Beauty’s view. The pony settled down again and carried on to the next fence. But he was less steady and focused, looking for the balloons out of the corner of his eye. He clipped the last two fences with his heels and ended up with eight faults.
It was all over at last. Daisy had won the jump-off fair and square, and everyone agreed she deserved first prize. It had been so exciting.
Lilac jumped down from Black Beauty and ran over to congratulate Daisy, who dismounted and offered her congratulations to Lilac as well.
With all the excitement of the last two hours, Poppy realized that she still didn’t know if she had won her competition or not. She began to tidy herself up, putting her riding boots back on, then brushing her hair and replacing her riding hat. The commentator announced that all competitors should meet in the main ring for the grand prize-giving.
All of Poppy and Daisy’s family and friends stood at the ringside to watch the ceremony. Poppy was surprised to see that the lady handing out the rosettes and silver cups was dear Mrs Meadowsweet. She was wearing a lovely big straw hat and a pretty summer tea dress in pansy colours of pink, yellow and purple.
It turned out that Poppy had narrowly beaten Pollyanna. They both had four faults, but Poppy’s time was quite a bit faster. She was named as the winner of the Novice Class. Poppy was ecstatic. A red rosette after all! And presented by Mrs Meadowsweet – what could be more perfect?
Poppy stood proudly on the boxes in the middle of the ring for the prizegiving. She and her cousin Daisy couldn’t believe that after all the disasters, bad luck and dramas they’d encountered, they were each sporting a red first-place rosette.
“Daisy, you are the official Pony Club Princess, because you taught me everything I know!” said Poppy, smiling.
Daisy beamed. She wasn’t too old to be a princess. And being a Pony Club Princess was just perfect.
