Issie and the Christmas Pony by Stacy Gregg Read Free Book Online Page B

back again she found that her position was greatly improved and she was much more secure in the saddle.
    â€œYou should take your stirrups away for five minutes or so at the start of every lesson,” Avery told her. “You’ll be amazed at how good it is for developing an independent seat.”
    On the second day Avery gave Issie a short, round wooden stick which she had to hold in both hands as she rode, bridging across the mane so that she would learn how to keep her hands even and steady when she held the reins.
    On day three Avery turned up with a book tucked under his arm. “What’s that for?” Issie asked nervously.
    â€œOh, this?” said Avery casually. “I want you to ride around the arena with it balanced on top of your helmet to make sure that you’re keeping your eyes up and straight ahead.”
    Issie boggled at this. “Really?”
    Avery grinned. “No! Of course not. I’m just joking.” He held up the book so that she could see the cover. “This is my old pony-club manual,” he said. “It’s essential reading for riders who are ready tosit their first club certificate.” He passed the book to her. “I thought you might like to have it.”
    Issie didn’t know what to say. Finally, she managed an embarrassed “thank you” and took the book.
    â€œSo,” Avery said briskly, “you can take it home with you. You won’t have time to read it now. Today we’re practising our transitions from walk to trot and we’re going to learn how to change the rein in trot!”
    Issie loved Avery’s lessons, but they always left her utterly exhausted. “You’re quite fit,” Avery would say, “but riding uses different muscles to any other sport, and you have to become horse-fit.”
    He was right, Issie realised. When she got off the horse at the end of the lesson her legs and arms would ache from using muscles that she never knew she had. Avery would make her do the same things over and over again until she got it right, and after a couple of weeks of Avery’s tuition, Issie realised she had actually become quite confident in the saddle-and in the stable. Avery insisted that Issie learn how to do all the grooming and tacking up as well, so that she was quite capable of looking after Bert all by herself, as if he were her own pony.
    The only problem was, Bert wasn’t hers. Hebelonged to the ILPH which meant that one day soon he would have to go to the new guardians who had been chosen to care for him.
    â€œNext week!” Issie was shocked when she arrived at Winterflood Farm one day after school for her regular ride and Avery broke the news. “But that’s so soon!”
    â€œIssie,” Avery reasoned, “you always knew this was going to happen.”
    Issie sighed. “I know, I know, it’s just that Bert and I were just starting to click-you said so yourself!”
    Avery looked thoughtful. “I can’t change the fact that Bert is leaving,” he said, “but how would you like to do something really special with him before he goes?”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œI thought you might want to take him to pony club. There’s a rally this Sunday,” said Avery.
    Issie was stunned. “Really? But that’s only a couple of days away. Do you think I’m ready?”
    Avery nodded. “Absolutely. I was planning to go along myself anyway. Chevalier Point’s head instructor has just left the club so I’m going to be taking over as of this season.” Avery had been keeping very quiet about this development so this was all news to Issie.
    â€œMy best friends Stella and Kate both go to that club!” she said excitedly.
    â€œExcellent!” Avery said. “Well, no doubt I’ll be meeting them this Sunday.” He smiled at Issie. “So, how about it? Are you keen to come along? Bert floats well, so it would be