Story 12

So, this was the world. Well, on first impressions, it was big, cold and very scary. Still, at least I had my mum to feed me.

I stayed with my mother in the New Forest for about six months, and then one day havoc came upon me. It was the sales. After being dragged around for a few minutes, much to my disgust, a rather big and fierce looking man came up and took me. Giving a terrified whinny to my mother, I was dragged away and I've not seen her since.

Anyway, the man who looked rather fierce was rather fierce and I hated him. I didn't co-operate, so he beat me with what ever he could. l still wouldn't behave so he put me up for sale. It was then that l met Alison.

Smiling at me kindly, she patted me and took an overall look at my conformation. I noticed she frowned a little when she tried to get a look at my star which is hidden by my forelock in vain, and for a moment l thought she was going to hit me. But she didn't, and before I could understand what was happening, I was called 'Philby Dream Come True' and belonged to Alison.

At first, I was very scared of my new owner, and wouldn't let her do a lot with me. Gradually though, I came to see that this woman wasn't too bad after all, in fact, when I was talking to all of my friends, I sometimes even called her 'my best friend Alison'. She taught me how to do everything from walking to galloping and jumping to dressage.

It was about two years after she bought me that I realised that she was someone to trust and have fun with. Still, as I grew up, I never quite grew up enough, reaching thirteen-two hands, not the fourteen hands that she had hoped for. This left Alison no choice but to put me out on loan - she was far too in love with me to sell me!!

I went to my first loan home and took the girl who rode me far. She qualified events and it was all down to me (or so I like to tell my friends anyway!). Still, once again, I became too small for her, so I returned to Alison again.

Then I was taken to Pony Club camp twice, helping my riders to scoop 'Most Improved' both times. The best thing about camp was that it was held at the racecourse and we got to go on the gallops! Then l showed that snotty little Arab-cross who was the best racehorse!!

Anyway, next l went to my second loan home - another little girl, but a less confident one. She had had her nerves shattered by her last pony, and I was meant to be treatment. Sadly, I couldn't control my excitement and bucked with her. This really scared her, and we only stayed together for a few months.

Then along came another little girl, this one called Amanda. She was small for her age of thirteen, but fell in love with me. A few rides later, I appeared at her house, upset because l was in the trailer which l hate! Amanda has spoiled me something rotten, and I like it that way. She has a friend called Pip, who I need to appologise to because I kicked her when she got behind me with a whip when I was trying to be put in the trailer. As I said earlier, I hate going in the trailer because I'm so scared.

So, determined that she would cure me of my fear, Amanda called up Alison to give her some help in loading me. Ah hah! I thought to myself. This is my chance to show that I'm sorry. So, plucking up all my courage and with a little bit of help from the pony nuts, I took my bravest step I had and walked into the trailer. By the end of that session, I was dragging Amanda in and out of the now very inviting box, thoroughly pleased with myself.

Now I am tucked up in bed, waiting for all of those shows my little friend Amanda keeps on chatting about. I just know I'm going to win every class I'm entered into now I know that the trailer is just a big friendly box which sometimes contains food!