Lizzie and Jessy were best of friends. In fact, they'd been friends for so long they couldn't remember how long. There was one thing that really held them together- they loved horses. For as long as they had been friends, they'd walked the long way to school, if only to goggle at the three Thouroughbreds in the field next to the path. Apart from the Thouroughbreds , there were no other horses or riding schools within a twenty mile radius, further than any parent was willing to drive.

Liz and Jessy lived in hope, someday, someday, a riding school HAD to open nearby. But none did. Finally they began to harbour plans of even starting one themselves! By the time that they reached Year Nine and had careers talks, they'd already decided the job they wanted. Despite the protestations of the careers teacher, both of them decided to start a riding school. The small Hertfordshire town was right on the hills, providing perfect hacking and all was arranged by the time that GCSE papers began slowly filtering in through the letterboxes of Feldenchurch.

Both sets of parents insisted apon A levels being taken, but after that, the girls would be free to realise their dream. Obviously, they had managed to learn how to actually ride, due to three wonderful weeks at a Holiday centre in Wales, but now the time was coming to pass Riding Instructor BHS exams. Stable care was not a problem, thanks to the holiday, but neither were firm about the points of the horse, or how to tell the difference between Exmoors and Dartmoors.

Finally the day came when the bank manager allowed them to start searching for a suitable farm or established centre to take over. Few were available, though both girls searched everywhere. The nearest place was in Norfolk, far away, but it was in their price range and looked gorgeous. It had an American Barn, Stable Block, Indoor and Outdoor arenas and 14 acres, as well as a small cottage near the barn. It seemed too good to be true when a small swimming pool was also found behind the house. Both girls reached for their wallets and realised that their dream was coming true! The largest amount of money that either had ever spent was gone, and the place was theirs.

The next problem was naming the wonderful centre. Both girls thought it should be something that reminded them of home, but couldn't agree. In the end it was named Felden House Equestrian Centre, but it was an empty Equestrian Centre.

TO BE CONTINUED………

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