This pic is from the webs

This pic is from the webs
i downloaded it in Term One

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Mysterious Diamond

The Mysterious Diamond

Louise (Digging hole): C'mon guys, let's keep digging.

Monica: Okay, okay I am digging.

Boudicca: Hey what's this? (Picks up a dirty diamond covered in dirt in between the soil.)

Louise (Pushes Boudicca and snatches diamond): Hey cool. It looks like a real diamond.

Monica: Wait-there is a name on it. It says…Rebecca Winters.

Louise: Hey cool! Double cool! This must be a message from outer space maybe! Hey, we could be famous! We could be on TV and everything! Let's report the diamond! Must be a diamond from a long-time superstar, I bet!

Boudicca (Shivering): I heard a girl called Rebecca Winters died long before the school was built here, in the school grounds hundreds of years ago. Her skeleton must be here, I bet. I don't know how she died, of course.

Louise: How cool!

Monica: What are we going to do now?

Louise: Let's research about Rebecca Winters, eh? Then maybe if she's a famous person and we got her diamond, we could be on TV and stuff! C'mon and we maybe could get rich!

Boudicca (Still shivering): I'm not sure about that, Louise. You're always so into things like this.

Monica: Hey, can I just say something?

Louise (bossily.): No-wait Monica. Listen Boudicca, you are such a wuss! Think about it! We could be famous and all!

Monica (Yelling.): Can I just say something??

Louise (Finally silent and clutching to the diamond.): Silence

Monica: Okay, listen. We are all curious about this Rebecca Winters. How about we all research about her? Like, I could go to the library after school and borrow some books.

Louise: Yes, let's do that first then when we know more about Rebecca Winters about how she died and everything, maybe we could report her diamond that's been buried for years.

Boudicca (Sacredly): I'm not sure…

Monica: Hey, Boudicca. What is the harm? After all, we are just doing a little research first-nothing's going to happen about that!
Boudicca (brightly.): Yeah, I guess so.

Louise: So we are all in it together! I'll keep the diamond for safety. My grandmother has this cute little red jewel box I can keep our diamond in and the box even has a lock, it's bound to be safe!

Monica and Boudicca: Yes!!

End of Part I

Mrs. Smith: Louise, what are you doing on the computer? You're supposed to be doing homework! Pity!

Louise: It's nothing mom. Please, leave me in peace.

Mrs. Smith: Rebecca Winters? The girl who got murdered in the school grounds in 1711?

Louise: What? Murdered? That's horrid.

Mrs. Smith: Yes, as I thought. She was playing with some anthills behind a bush and suddenly, BAM! The unknown murderer came out in strike.

Louise: How did the killer kill her?

Mrs. Smith: I don't know. It's a mystery no one ever solved. Police never found out who the murderer was and how he or she killed Rebecca Winters.

Louise: Oh. But mom-

Mrs. Smith: Oh my goodness, it's almost nine thirty at night! C'mon, Louise. Time to go to bed. Stop daydreaming about Rebecca Winters. It's a mystery never to be solved.

Louise: I'm NOT daydreaming!

End of Part II

Louise (Digging hole): C'mon guys, let's keep digging.

Monica: Okay, okay I am digging.

Boudicca: Hey what's this? (Picks up a dirty diamond covered in dirt in between the soil.)

Louise (Pushes Boudicca and snatches diamond): Hey cool. It looks like a real diamond.

Monica: Wait-there is a name on it. It says…Rebecca Winters.

Louise: Hey cool! Double cool! This must be a message from outer space maybe! Hey, we could be famous! We could be on TV and everything! Let's report the diamond! Must be a diamond from a long-time superstar, I bet!

Boudicca (Shivering): I heard a girl called Rebecca Winters died long before the school was built here, in the school grounds hundreds of years ago. Her skeleton must be here, I bet. I don't know how she died, of course.

Louise: How cool!

Monica: What are we going to do now?

Louise: Let's research about Rebecca Winters, eh? Then maybe if she's a famous person and we got her diamond, we could be on TV and stuff! C'mon and we maybe could get rich!

Boudicca (Still shivering): I'm not sure about that, Louise. You're always so into things like this.

Monica: Hey, can I just say something?

Louise (bossily.): No-wait Monica. Listen Boudicca, you are such a wuss! Think about it! We could be famous and all!

Monica (Yelling.): Can I just say something??

Louise (Finally silent and clutching to the diamond.): Silence

Monica: Okay, listen. We are all curious about this Rebecca Winters. How about we all research about her? Like, I could go to the library after school and borrow some books.

Louise: Yes, let's do that first then when we know more about Rebecca Winters about how she died and everything, maybe we could report her diamond that's been buried for years.

Boudicca (Sacredly): I'm not sure…

Monica: Hey, Boudicca. What is the harm? After all, we are just doing a little research first-nothing's going to happen about that!
Boudicca (brightly.): Yeah, I guess so.

Louise: So we are all in it together! I'll keep the diamond for safety. My grandmother has this cute little red jewel box I can keep our diamond in and the box even has a lock, it's bound to be safe!

Monica and Boudicca: Yes!!

Mrs. Smith: Louise, what are you doing on the computer? You're supposed to be doing homework! Pity!

Louise: It's nothing mom. Please, leave me in peace.

Mrs. Smith: Rebecca Winters? The girl who got murdered in the school grounds in 1711?

Louise: What? Murdered? That's horrid.

Mrs. Smith: Yes, as I thought. She was playing with some anthills behind a bush and suddenly, BAM! The unknown murderer came out in strike.

Louise: How did the killer kill her?

Mrs. Smith: I don't know. It's a mystery no one ever solved. Police never found out who the murderer was and how he or she killed Rebecca Winters.

Louise: Oh. But mom-

Mrs. Smith: Oh my goodness, it's almost nine thirty at night! C'mon, Louise. Time to go to bed. Stop daydreaming about Rebecca Winters. It's a mystery never to be solved.

Louise: I'm NOT daydreaming!

End of Part II

Boudicca: Are you game?
Monica: I'm going to be game if you re game!

Boudicca (Laughing): Ha, ha.

Monica: Hey, I forgot about something…Rebecca Winters. Aren't we supposed to be researching about her?

Louise (Enters the room): Hello?

Boudicca (Coldly): Hi.

Monica: We were supposed to be searching about Rebecca Winters….weren't we, Boudicca?

Boudicca (Gives a death stare at Monica): Louise-we've been thinking about the Rebecca Winters woman.

Louis: Oh yeah, me too.

Boudicca: And, we've been thinking about that-

(Suddenly, a light appears from nowhere with a woman dressed in white, floating)

Monica: Omigod!

Boudicca: What the…

Louis (Scrambling to her feet): Is that…I saw on the Internet…

Monica (Breath-taking): Rebecca Winters…

End of Part III

Rebecca Winters: Hello, girls, alas, I have been able to roam down on Earth.

Monica (Staring with her mouth open): (No speech)

Boudicca (Frowning): Who…who…are you?

Louis (Nudging Boudicca):

Rebecca Winters: I am a ghost. A ghost of my human body, Rebecca Winters and I am here to warn you about the following dangers you will face.

Monica: O—k?

Louis: What dangers?

Rebecca: The dangers you would find by researching about me.

Part IV coming soon…


 


 


 


 


 

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Pony Tales and Secrets

Pony Tales and Secrets

By Christine M. Wang

Naomi has just got a job of a groom at Mount Kept Stables! But then she realizes that being a groom and trying to be an equestrian horse rider are two very difficult things to handle at the same time!

Meanwhile, there is an International Cross-country Course at London! Though, only the best of the best riders can get chosen to get through…could Naomi survive through all the tests?

Chapter One

Naomi hunched her bag over her shoulder and walked through the Willow Hall Riding Center gates. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and Naomi was getting ready to Pony Club.
"Hey! Naomi!" shouted Naomi's best friend, Carrie shouted. Carrie was riding around the paddock with her pretty Friesian horse, Black Jack. Naomi grinned to see that Black Jack was looking over his shoulders, trying to take a nip of his old dressage saddle. Naomi quickly grabbed her riding helmet and waved to Carrie. "You should be really thinking about getting a new dressage saddle," she objected. Carrie shrugged and continued trotting Black Jack up and down the paddock. "Steady, boy," she cooed him as Black Jack started to shake his head furiously.

Naomi started to slip her helmet on when her riding instructor, Fiona came to greet with her. "Hello, Naomi. How are you?" she asked cheerfully. You can tell Fiona has been working out with sweat. She came to the stables at exactly six in the morning to train several horses. "I'm great, thanks. What horse shall I ride today?" Naomi thought that Fiona looked glamorous in tea green jodhpurs and buttoned tee-shirt with white laces and her blonde hair tied up in a high pony tail. Fiona went to the service desk near the kiosk. She looked at the list then frowned. "It said you were going to ride Jelly Bean," she started.

"Really?! That's excellent! I like riding Jelly Bean I've ridden him of like two times and I really miss him and-"

At mid-sentence, Fiona stopped her in tracks. "But you have been assisted to work at Mount Kept Stables for a fortnight. You will pack your bags and leave to Mount Kept at exactly eight," Fiona finished with a dramatic hump.

Naomi was more shocked then a magpie finding no blue pieces in their nest! Mount Kept was a famous racing, dressage and showjumping stable in the whole Australia! Naomi have always dreamt of working and riding there but today-just finding out that now when she really wanted to ride Jellybean was a huge surprise. Naomi swallowed the excited lump in her throat. "Really? Cool! Who's taking me?" she asked, excited, hearing the hoof noises and whinnies of the horses nearby the horse floats.

Fiona smiled. "I'm pretty sure your mum knows by now since I got a via. Email from her this morning about letting you go to Mount Kept to work for two weeks. You will get paid your salary which is fifty bucks a day. You will be working as a groom there," Fiona grinned as she saw Naomi jumping up and down. "Omigod this is fabulous news!" Naomi gasped. Then she fell to silence. "But Mount Kept is really far away, isn't it?" she whispered. Fiona nodded. "I'll be driving you there! You'll also get a chance to compete in the International Events which falls at the last day of the fortnight!" Naomi started to laugh. This was so much out of the blue! "That's excellent, Fiona but…The International Cross-Country Events are really…well…competitive and you know I don't really like events like this." Naomi mumbled with joy.

And if she wasn't quite right she saw her instructor flinch. Do instructors flinch like that? Thought Naomi silently. "What time is it?" Naomi opened her mouth before Fiona could.

"It's six thirty. Awfully early, I suppose. You should go have a hack on Jellybean for an hour and thirty minutes then pack your bags and leave Willow Hall Road and make our way to Mount Kept!" Fiona stated. But Naomi was just staring at the blonde-headed trainer with surprise. "But…"

"No buts! No stammers either! Off you go! I'll give you a whistle when it's time to pack!" Fiona gave Naomi a little push. Naomi couldn't believe it. It seemed like luck. No more than luck…happiness…it was…

"Naomi!" Carrie dismounted Black Jack and ran up to Naomi. "What's up?" Carrie asked, flipping her red hair back. Naomi gave Carrie a tiny smile but didn't say anything. She was just too shocked to. She just pushed her way out of Carrie's reach and started walking towards the horse floats to get Jellybean out and start tacking up. She was all in for luck.

Chapter Two

Naomi started trotting Jellybean all the way about the hill. The fine chestnut mare was about 16.1 hands Paint Horse who was excellent in dressage and trot. But Naomi thought that Jellybean needed to excel in a few other things. Once they got top of the hill after a never-ending trot, she patted Jellybeans mane and smiled. "So, boy? Are you ready for a nice cooling canter?" she cooed softly. Then, as if Jellybean could understand what Naomi was saying, the Paint horse started cantering down the hill like mad. When they got to the end of the hill, Naomi dismounted to have a drink from Jellybean's saddle bag. But instead, feeling the red lump in her throat she collapsed into a fit of sobs and hugged Jellybean's mean and started crying. "Jellybean!" she wept. "I'm going to miss you for two weeks!" Jellybean started to nuzzle and nicker in her dark hair as if to say, "Don't worry. We will see eachother again,"

Naomi wiped her eyes with her sleeve then check her watch. It was seven thirty. "We'd better be going boy," she whispered and mounted on the Paint horse and started to walk casually up the hill then down so they can reach the stables in time. During the way Naomi sighed. She wished she could bring Jellybean with her to Mount Kept. It would feel so good as them two will never part again. However, Naomi knew that her career as a professional rider was way more important than worrying about love between her and the horses. So she decided to suck it up and be the fourteen year old she really was! By the time Jellybean and Naomi reached the stables, Fiona was waiting for Naomi by the kiosk. She mouthed to Naomi as she dismounted, Hurry up! Naomi had no choice but to quickly take off her helmet and boots in her bag next to Fiona. And there was no time to say goodbye to Jellybean. Instead, Jellybean was taken aback by one of the head-grooms of Willow Hall Stables. Naomi gave a little wave to Jellybean as he trotted back into his horse float. Then she sighed as she got into Fiona's car. It was going to be a very long week without her precious Paint horse.

Chapter Three

"So, are you ready to start working at Mount Kept stables?" a woman with light ginger hair and a soft spot of freckles came out from the horse floats to greet Fiona. Before Naomi could request Fiona butted in. "Goodmorning Mrs. Jacques," Fiona greeted in a polite and strategic voice. "I'm Fiona Mascot. Remember me, madam? I competed against you in the Badminton trials a few years ago?" Fiona continued but the woman cut her off. "I'm sorry," she snapped briskly. "I'm Vivian Jacques. I suggest you call me Vivian or your 'star-rider' will lose her job once and of all!" then, Vivian Jacques stomped off to go to the stalls to see the horses in a huff. Naomi was surprised that the manager of Mount Kept was so…so…rude.

"Whoa," exclaimed Naomi, watching Vivian Jacques stomp back into the stables. "What's about with her?" Fiona sighed and started to explain quietly. "A few years ago I was competing in the Badminton trials. I was competing against Vivian, for my luck I beat her with my horse, Goldilocks at the water jumps. Vivian was furious! She wouldn't speak to me at all." The story went on about how Vivian was jealous of Fiona's raw talent. But finally they both separated after a few months to work at different stables. Naomi nodded after the story. It made sense. No wonder why Vivian was all in a huff when she saw Fiona. As far as Naomi could see, Vivian was now happily talking to another resident of Mount Kept and stroking a horse, gleefully. "C'mon Naomi," gestured Fiona. "Let's go register you in so you can get your salary,"

Naomi was officially confused and puzzled. "What? My salary? But I haven't even started working!" she stammered as they went to the queue. Fiona nodded, running her slim fingers in her long blonde hair. "It's because at Mount Kept, you get paid when you come to register the salary and then it just becomes normal," Fiona explained patiently. Naomi was shocked. "Whoa! That's really…strange?" she said nervously, just in case Vivian overheard, who was at the service desk, registering everyone in for the job. "There are a lot of people wanting to be a groom here," Naomi shivered. "It's going to be really fussy,"

"Nope," Fiona cut her off. "Some are here to register for a job and salary. But some are coming here to register to compete in the International Cross-country Contest next Friday!" Then, Naomi started goggling at her riding instructor. "So…then…what are we here to register?" she asked, terrified and faintly. Fiona gave Naomi a tiny smile. "We are registering you for your groom job-and your competition. Yes, Naomi-you are ready. Ready to compete in the International Cross-Country Event,"

Chapter Four

"Next!" snapped Vivian, thumping her black inky pen on the bamboo desk. Naomi felt homesick even though they are still in the same country and not overseas. Fiona walked casually up towards Vivian's desk while Naomi just slumped, shifting from foot-to-foot, and hands in her pink jacket pockets.

"Naomi Withers. Gash Number seven, please." Fiona told Vivian the details. Vivian frowned and stared at the computer screen for several minutes.

"He-llo?" Fiona gestured, tapping her foot lightly on the steel ground.

Vivian's frown went deeper. "Naomi Withers? Ha, ha! She's only fourteen-the first youngest rider to compete in the International Cross-Country Events. Are you sure she's ready, Fiona?" Vivian said darkly and coldly.

Fiona smoothed her hair back and gave Vivian a cold smile. "Thanks but maybe we didn't come here for Aunty Jacques Life-For-Time advice." Fiona stated through gritted teeth. For the first time the ginger-hair manager didn't bite back but got to work immendiantly. She gave Fiona the ticket and said, "Well Fiona Mascot. Good luck with Naomi Withers, fourteen eh?"

Fiona ignored Vivian and left the registration room and Naomi followed with discipline.

"So now I'm the youngest rider to compete?" Naomi asked when they went to the horse floats. Fiona nodded and went to a Dutch stall door to unlock it with the keys Vivian gave her.

"But Fiona, that's crazy! I can't compete with people that are, like two times older than me with more experience! This is insane!" Naomi shrieked dramatically. Though Fiona stopped Naomi's squeaks. "Naomi, you have to! The prize to the winner who wins this event gets $100, 000."

"And is that all you care about, Fiona? Money?" Naomi demanded with accusing eyes to her trainer.

"No, Naomi. It's more than that. Look, it's just that if you win this competition and get the prize money, if you were generous enough you probably would donate some money for Willow Hall Stables to make it a better place!" explained Fiona in a tense tone. Naomi scratched her head thoughtfully. "True, very true Fiona," she answered in a light voice. "Um, but we have a serious problem…" stated Naomi.

"I don't have a horse to ride in the competition! You see, without Jellybean I can't even do cross-country! Jellybean's dressage is so good, and his showjumping is getting there and he is so fast and sensible…" Naomi pattered on.

But Fiona had had it. "Hoi, Naomi," she put a hand up. "Enough about Jellybean. And since we are on the subject of horses, you can see that I am opening a stall of a mysterious horse that you might be riding for the event!" finally, she unlocked the Dutch stall and Naomi saw it. Her horse she will be riding for the next couple of weeks.

Chapter Five

The dark bay horse with a white strip down the forehead was about 15.3 hands tall and finely built except there were a few slumps over the shoulders. She had white stockings and she was merely pretty. But, as Naomi saw the way the mare was built, she started to object with Fiona.

"I refuse! I refuse!" yelled Naomi, stomping her foot each time she finished the word, 'refuse'. Fiona stopped stroking the mare's forehead and was shocked about how Naomi acted just then.

"Oh, Naomi-don't be silly! This horse is a strong and fine built mare. She has excelled showjumping and, look she even has white stockings on her legs! She's very fascinating and great with cross-country. She's been rated 3.5 stars when I searched online for the horses-you're lucky Naomi. Some of the other horses were rated 2 or 1 stars." Fiona fought back to the feral girl. Suddenly, Vivian Jacques came running into the stall, looking quite flushed.

"What on Earth is going on? Fiona Mascot?" Vivian glared at Fiona. Oh-o, thought Naomi. This ain't gonna be good. But Fiona wasn't defending by Vivian's rudeness. She was used to it. "Hello, Vivian. We will be in the arena in five minutes. Naomi will tack up and get ready to train before she starts working as a groom," Fiona said to the ginger-hair manager. Vivian shrugged and glared at Naomi. Then, heel first; she slumped away in a puff and huff, as usual. When she was gone, Fiona got quickly to work to console Naomi. "Naomi," she instructed. "Tack up this horse. You have to make sure that you get a cross-country saddle, bridle and bit. You must get the correct tack!" then, as if she never met Naomi, she walked out of the stall and gave Naomi a quick goodbye. "I'm going to get a drink. Promise I'll be back in an hour and by that time; you'll be working as a groom. Good luck in your first cross-country class at Mount Kept Stables!"

Chapter Six

Naomi found her mare's cross-country tack easily. Still, she was pretty pissed off that she didn't get a chance to know her horses' name. But she figured the mare was called Starvia-as it said at the end of the cross-country saddle. She tacked up as quickly as possible and mounted on Starvia and clucked her to the arena where all the other competitors were waiting. Naomi took a deep breath when she found out who the trainer was. It was Vivian Jacques.

"So today we are going to learn the basics of cross-country. Can someone tell me what the two basics of cross-country are?" Vivian asked stiffly. Hands shot up in air, people sitting still on their fidgitive horses, listening to Vivian's long speech about cross-country's "basics". Vivian chose Naomi's hand, since Naomi was the first to put up her hand.

"Dressage, jumping and racing?" Naomi mumbled the answer. Clearly, Vivian had lost it. "Speak up, young lady! Not even a giant could hear you!" Vivian snapped angrily. No one dared to even flinch on their saddles. Not even Naomi, who was the general target. Still, she didn't even dare to clear her throat. So she practically yelled to Vivian, "Dressage, jumping and racing!!" Of course, Vivian took that as a defendant compliment. She scowled at Naomi. "Correct-but incorrect. Racing isn't technically one. You need to have good gallop but it's not necessary. Now, since we are all competing against other riders from all around the world, who are talented, I want to get all of you perfect! So, Katie Plums please take Jimmy in the center of the arena and warm up and start jumping these fences. Now!" Vivian's voice is like a whip crack. Katie was a small, sparrow-like girl. She had pale skin and dark wavy hair and she was wearing cream jods and a shiny white riding helmet. Her hair was tied in a tight ponytail. She was looking nervous. Her horse, Jimmy was a strawberry roan Thoroughbred with fine white markings. Katie started to warm up Jimmy naturally, which Vivian got sick of.

"Hoi, Katie! Don't you dare do your version of warming up Jimmy! I want you to do MY version of the warm up! Don't collect him up! Use the whip!" Vivian screeched. Obediently, Katie lifted up her whip while Jimmy was in a collected trot and wham! The whip hit Jimmy harshly and Naomi could not believe it. As soon as that disaster struck, Jimmy went bonkers. He bolted and bolted and started to whinny. Vivian took hold of Jimmy's bit and thrust it in the thin air. All of the other riders were too terrified to move. Katie had slipped off her saddle.

Chapter Seven

"You foolish girl!" Vivian thwacked Katie's whip against her boot. "You didn't do it properly! You should've hit harder. You're worthless! I'm not sure why Avery let you in this International Cross-Country event when you are completely not ready!! Hmph!"

Katie was on the sandy ground and tears were flowing down her eyes. Vivian stood up against her and started to thwack Katie with a whip. How cruel! How inhumane to whip a girl with a cross-country crop when she has just fallen off a horse! Naomi thought, flinching in her saddle. Vivian was not only a rude trainer but a violent and inhumane one! After a few thwacks of Katie, Vivian started to huff. She helped Katie up and pushed her hard out of the arena with Jimmy. "Out you go! To the office! You know where it is! And take Jimmy back to his stall! Now! Shoo!" Vivian made signals with her hands. Once poor Katie and Jimmy were out, Vivian took her attention back to the rest of the class with five words: "Never disappoint me with that crap again." Everyone remained silence.

"Now, Naomi and Starvia, come in the middle of the arena and start warming Starvia up! Use the cross-country crop! Then, jump these fences! Now! Hurry up!" Vivian scowled. Once Naomi and Starvia were in the middle of the arena, Vivian started to scowl, "Let's see what you got, you teenager!"

At first Naomi was scared to do the warm-up since Vivian was very much bad tempered and had thwacked one of the riders with a crop! But Naomi knew that she had to think and be a good rider. She started to round the dark bay mare with long white stockings in the arena. She made Starvia trot around the arena. Then, after two laps she signaled Starvia to canter a figure eight. Naomi held her breath just in case Vivian started shouting at her to use the crop. But Vivian didn't. That was a good sign, Naomi thought as she finished galloping Starvia in circles. Once she finished the warm-up Vivian still remained silent, watching. The other riders were watching as well. She took a very short brief halt on Starvia then started cantering towards the first three short fences. It was no problem. Naomi had jumped short fences like these three before. Starvia seemed to jump like a complete superstar. It was terrific, as Naomi thought. After the first few fences, Vivian didn't say anything. She just gave a tiny nod at Naomi and clapped her on. "Go put Starvia back into his stall. You'll need a break. Plus, go check out on Katie. I'll call you when you need to come back," said Vivian in a cold tone. Naomi did as she said and rounded Starvia up to put back into her stall.

Chapter Eight

Naomi met Katie Plums at Mount Kept Stables office. Katie was looking quite depressed. Her face was ghostly and paler.

"Hey," Naomi smiled at Katie. The dark brown-hair and pale skinned girl was lying down on an uncomfortable-looking bed with a hospital sheet. The girl did not smile back. Ick, thought Naomi.

"I'm one of the worst riders Vivian has ever known," Katie sighed. She sat up from the bed and placed an ice-pack on her forehead. "Jimmy and I have worked so hard to get into the International Cross-country Events but now we don't have a chance," Katie's clipped English accent had fooled Naomi completely from the start. "Where do you come from?" Naomi sat down next to her on the look-a-like hospital bed with white hospital sheet covers.

"I'm come from England," Katie replied with no tense of change in her voice. Suddenly Naomi all knew where it were coming from…obviously…

"Well," Naomi smiled, standing up from the hospital look-a-like bed. "We'd better be going back to class. Vivian is now selecting the riders who can go through to the International Cross-country Event."

Chapter Nine

Naomi couldn't believe it! She made it in! She was going to compete in the International Cross-Country Event. She saw the list. It went:

Students Who Have Been Chosen to Compete in The International Cross-country Events:

1. Sam Cornfield

2. Elaine Dickinson

3. Kissy Tang

4. Naomi Withers

Naomi had noted proudly that since the list was in alphabetical order, Naomi's name came last. "At least I got in," Naomi was telling Fiona who just came back from the Milkshake Shop down the street. Fiona had brought over a mango, strawberry and banana milkshake for Naomi.

"Yep, and I'm really proud of you," said Fiona, slurping a mango milkshake. They were sitting down at a barbeque area that Mount Kept had bought for the land. "This barbeque area of Mount Kept is amazing. I'm going to stay here all afternoon," Naomi sighed.

"No, remember you have a job as a groom at Mount Kept Stables. If you want to take your career seriously you'd better sharpen up your act, Naomi. No more Disney Land or Barbie World or those pesky My Little Pony stunts." Fiona reminded her. Suddenly Naomi felt a sharp pang down her throat. Of course! She had forgotten all about her job as a groom! "Sorry Fiona, I forgot completely about my job! When do I start?" asked Naomi.

Fiona frowned. "Six o' clock in the morning tomorrow is your first shift to clean the stalls and muck out the horses. Then, you will finish your shift at exactly eight o' clock. You will have fifteen minutes break then at eight fifteen you'd better be ready for Vivian Jacques class." She explained.

Naomi opened her mouth to protest that the timetable she had been given was ridiculous but Fiona cut her off short.

"After Vivian Jacque's cross-country class which takes two hours it will be ten fifteen. You will have a short fifteen minute break which you will get to do whatever you like-take horses out for a hack, a trot etc. etc. then, after that fifteen minutes it will be eleven you'd better get back on the saddle for another Vivian Jacques cross-country class which takes two hours again. After those two hours it will be one o' clock you will have only four minutes of break then get back to mucking, washing, feeding and grooming the horses until five o'clock. After five you get to do anything you like. Get the routine and the math?" Fiona finally finished with a triumph look on her face.

Naomi groaned. The schedule was too much to think about. Maybe getting hired as a groom at Mount Kept was a really, really, really bad idea, thought Naomi. She slammed her milkshake down and protested to Fiona. "I need to go back to the motel," she said.

"Why of course," said Fiona.

Chapter Ten

She shifted through the gate. She had Starvia's stall key safely in her pocket. The first shift had been a disaster. The horses here at Mount Kept not only were feral, but completely insane when a groom is around! A pesky little pony called Pelvin had practically stomped on Naomi's foot with a big fat hoof when she was mucking out the manure Pelvin made. It had been horribly and pretty ugly sight. Now it was her second shift. Through Vivian's class she must say that she had done excellent with her new mare, Starvia. Starvia might look slumpy but she was certainly a good cross-country mare. Though, Katie was struggling. She didn't get in the International Cross-Country Event at all and even Vivian dissed her out at class. It was almost like, thought Naomi as she pushed the Dutch stall door open. That Vivian was talking behind a rider's back. While Naomi was curry-combing Starvia she started to think about the riders who are competing in the International Cross-country Events. Many were from different countries but Naomi tried not to think that. She decided to think about the ones in Vivian Jacques class. Sam Cornfield was a tall boy with red hair and freckles and pale green eyes. His pony, Kittishfifty was an excellent dapple grey Arabian stallion that always stood proud and trotted like a pro and jumped the fences with no mistake.

Elaine Dickinson was a girl that came from Ireland who had brunette hair and lovely blue eyes and tanned skin with her horse, Number Forty Five. It was a pretty strange name for a horse but today after Vivian's lesson Elaine and Naomi got caught up in a conversation.

"Why is your horse called Number Forty Five? It's quite strange if you ask me," Naomi had said briefly.

"I named him it because my lucky number is forty five plus, it just seems to suit him." Protested Elaine. Overall, Number Forty Five was a palomino Quarter Horse that was brilliant at galloping and racing. Though, the elegant dressage just did not seem to fit Number Forty Five. When Naomi was grooming Number Forty Five, he even tried to produce more and more manure even though Naomi just cleaned his stall! He even stamps his hooves on the poo! It was sickening sight and Naomi could've vomited but she had to clean his hooves again for the third time of the day.

Kissy Tang was Vietnamese and an Oxford-trained student. She was born in Australia but her family came from Vietnam. She came to Mount Kept to compete in the International Cross-Country Events. Like Naomi, she didn't have enough money to bring their own horses to Mount Kept so borrowed a school horse from Mount Kept: Mackerel. Mackerel was an 18.1 hands grey shire gelding. His racing was good but his jumps seem heavy and his dressage was far from, 'elegant'. And if Naomi couldn't be more wrong she had sworn that she saw Mackerel pooping in the dressage ring. So guess what? Since Naomi was the groom for that shift she had to clean it. Then Naomi thought Kissy and Mackerel could never win the International Cross-country Events.

Chapter Eleven

"Naomi! Wait up!"

It was a brisk clear morning and Naomi was having a trot with Starvia all over Mount Kept Stables trails. It was five o'clock in the morning and Naomi's shift started at seven. It was usually at six but since it was Saturday, she had to start her first shift at seven so the rest of the hours before Naomi wanted to keep to herself. Naomi spun around in her saddle but she didn't stop trotting. It was Kissy. Kissy Tang.

"Hey, Kissy." Said Naomi as Kissy catched up on her trot. Naomi put her head straight forward and concentrated more on her trot with Starvia than her greetings with Kissy.

"I overheard you yesterday. I mean, you were talking to Katie in the Rider's Lounge. You know Katie, right? Katie? Katie Plums?" Kissy said, making her shire gelding Mackerel keep up with Naomi.

"Yeah I do know Katie," answered Naomi thoughtlessly.

"Yeah? Well I heard you two talking about me in the Rider's Lounge. You said to her that it's okay if she didn't get in the International Cross-country Event since you didn't think I would win it either, since Mackerel is so not good." Exclaimed Kissy, still calm. Naomi made Starvia slow down into a walk and so did Kissy and Mackerel. It's like playing the game 'Copy Cat', thought Naomi. Except the game of Kissy and I's 'Copy Cat' version is on horses.

"Yeah? Well, it's true, you know. I mean, look at Mackerel. Look at his dressage. It stinks. Plus, he's so fat and heavy you don't even know…" explained Naomi confidently, still slowing down the walk on Starvia.

"That I don't even know what?" Kissy pulled Mackerel down into a halt but not Naomi. Kissy was really upset. Though it wasn't Naomi's time to care for her. She kept making Starvia to walk over to the bush-lands. Naomi didn't look back. She just answered stiffly, "You don't even know he is such a loser horse. A fat one. I don't know why Vivian even let you in the International Cross-country Events when you're riding a horse that weighs, like, a hundred pounds. And believe me I know because I'm a groom I took care of Mackerel hundreds of times this week, Kissy. Sorry Kissy you're just no good like your horse." Naomi ended her long paragraph with a triumph kick against Starvia's rib to make her canter over to the grasslands. The sounds only drained down of Kissy's cries.

Chapter Twelve

Back at Mount Kept Stables was a usual busy. There was no time for talk or even gossip. Vivian was a strict trainer and there was no fooling around at all.

"Sam! Make Kittishfifty move faster in his trot! C'mon!"

"Elaina! Watch that bogey-fence over there! The cross-country trials are going to have, it believe me!"

"Kissy, Mackerel's dressage is disgraceful! Shape him up!"

"Naomi! Don't get nervous and don't stress! When you get nervous or stress, the horse will connect with you and you might be flying off the saddle!!"

Days have gone by and finally, it was the day of the International Cross-Country Events.

Chapter Thirteen

"Good luck, Naomi!" whispered Katie and Fiona as they watch Naomi mount on Starvia. The day had finally arrived and Naomi was stressing. She was too scared. The bogey-fence-a two meter fence (It was taller than her!!) blocked with flowers and more was lying after three jumps of easy fences. Naomi never had aced that fence during practice. But she knew she could do it with Starvia to ride. Naomi got in line. She was wearing bright cream jodhpurs and a tea green buttoned collar shirt and a black riding helmet. She had a number pined on the back of her shirt which wrote: 4 because Naomi was the fourth rider to compete! She knew that there were many other riders from different countries so it didn't really matter what number she wore since they would be all riding together. Naomi scanned through the crowd of riders on horses. There were people from Germany, France, England, Ireland, China, Russia and Israel and many more countries came here to compete. To get their hands on the $100, 000 grand slam prize money.

"Ready…" the steward hollered through the noisy quarrel-like through the crowd.

"Set…"

"GO!!"

The crowd cheered and the riders all kicked on their horses, urging them to get to the first few fences. Naomi kicked and kicked on Starvia. She dared not to use the crop. Not until the bogey-fence arrived. Naomi did the first few fences quite well until there was a water-jump. Naomi's stomach tightened. They had never practiced water-jumps in Vivian's classes! There were loads of people ahead of her and behind her. She was surprised that one rider ahead of her was Kissy. She and Mackerel aced all of the water-jumps. Naomi, on the other hand had to stumble and actually whip Starvia to get the water-jumps clear. Now Naomi felt sick with guilt. Not only, but she went through Vivian's routine in her head. Heels down, backs straight, crops high. Don't get nervous! If you stress or get nervous the horse will sense it a go bonkers! More and more jumps were coming through. How long did the showjumping circuit go for? More jumps were coming through!! Naomi dare not to sigh. She was focused. She was so focused she didn't even realized that she was ahead of all the riders! Finally, the showjumping circuit was over and the dressage one came. All the riders pulled their horses into a walk to get some breath. Naomi saw that she was ahead of all of them! Wow! Amazing!

"Naomi Withers first place in the showjumping circuit. Mary Ma second place in the showjumping circuit. Jilling Wang third place in the showjumping circuit." The steward spoke into the microphone. The crowd cheered.

Dressage was next and it started. Naomi thought it was going quite well. Starvia was trotting really excellent. She was glad she had practiced trotting on the trails yesterday and galloping the day before. It had finally brung Starvia to her senses.

"Hayley Thomas first place in the dressage circuit. Kissy Tang second place in the dressage circuit. Lola Dung third place in the dressage circuit," the steward spoke into the microphone.

Naomi took her breath and looked around. She had come 5th in the dressage circuit. She was surprised Kissy came second. Suddenly, remembering how she hurt Kissy's feelings the other day made Naomi feel guilty and terribly wrong. But there was no time to think. The racing circuit was up!

The racing circuit had started and all horses were galloping their hearts out. Naomi wasn't whipping Starvia until they had to technically sprint to the finish line. It kept going. Suddenly, Naomi felt a push on her shoulder. She looked to her right and it was Kissy Tang! Kissy had just tried to push Naomi off Starvia! "Hey!!" Naomi grumbled, still trying to keep her balance. Kissy ignored her and tried to push Naomi again off the saddle. Naomi tried to make Starvia gallop to the other side but another rider was next to her. She was trapped by to horses and riders. Again, Kissy pushed Naomi. But this time hard. Very hard. Naomi started slipping off her saddle. It somehow felt like her stirrup was lose but it wasn't. Lucky it wasn't! Naomi's foot was still secure in the stirrups so she swung back up on the saddle. Kissy and many other riders were ahead of her! Naomi didn't look back if she was the last one. She kicked and kicked Starvia and even whipped her a little. Starvia galloped forward, puffing. After that it was all over.

The results of the International Cross-Country Event was hanging up on the green boards. Everyone was allowed to look at it. Loads of people were pushing to see their names. Naomi saw her name…first!

"Omigod! I won! Fiona! Mum! Katie! Vivian! I won! I won the prize money, didn't I?" shrieked Naomi. She was so happy, she could hardly breathe! She had won! She had won $100, 000 dollars. Looking through the other riders from Vivian Jacque's class, Sam came 16th, Elaine came 13thand Kissy, surprisingly came 7th. Quickly, Naomi pushed through the crowd. Not to find Fiona. Or Mum. Or Katie. Or even Vivian. Kissy.

"Kissy!" called Naomi. Kissy grouched. Kissy was over near the toilets, possibly waiting for someone.

"I'm really, really sorry I hurt your feelings that day! Please, I didn't mean it! I was just….so mean! Please, please forgive me!" she begged Kissy. For a spilt second she even thought about going down on her knees and begging.

Kissy nodded. "I forgive you. Can you forgive me for pushing you off your saddle during the race?" she asked. Naomi nodded. "Yep! So friends?"

Kissy reached out to hug her. "Friends forever!"


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Pony Secrets it’s called No Horsing Around!! :D

Pony Secrets

No Horsing Around!

Heh, heh, heh….

"Gah!"

"Wasn't my fault!"

"Hey! You know it was!"

"Shut up!"

And the fight continues on and on and on…

Edina's mum's friend, Mrs. Dan and her daughter, Sophie Dan is moving in in Edina's family farm for a week. Edina hates Sophie so much… after last times visit. Sophie is just a brat that brags! Even more, when Sophie moves her pony, Shadow to share a field with Edina's pony, Sunset, Edina refuses but Sophie just wants to cause trouble.

Made a horse vomit, kicked out some FRESH hay, gave Sunset eat the wrong grains, AND switched Edina's favorite CD's with the one's she hates… How can Sophie STOP?!

Chapter 1

A truck arrived and slid down the road as I heard it. This is it, I thought coldly. Time to meet Missy Bratty Brag… I was peacefully doing her school projects in my room and on my desks when the doorbell rang. I sighed and cut out some blue paper into star shapes. Mum had invited her friend, Mrs. Dan over to come over for a week. Worst of all, she was taking Sophie, her daughter with her. Footsteps came in. I heard mum say, "Well, hello Mrs. Dan and oh, lovely Sophie. Come, come in. I'll show you your rooms. I hope you remember everything from two years ago…" My mum's voice trailed off. I put her scissors down, closed my eyes and pressed my lips together. It wasn't long before mum broke the bombshell… "EDINA! Why don't you say hello to Mrs. Dan and Sophie?! Don't you remember them?!" mum yelled, as she got some tea bags. I groaned and threw my pencil on the ground. That was the LAST thing I needed! I trotted downstairs and found Mrs. Dan, dressed up in a sunhat, a big flowery dress with sunglasses and her hair was all curled up. When she saw me, she snickered and pushed her curly blonde hair back. "Well, nice to see you again…I think. By the way, was that your pony in the paddock?" she asked brainily. I sighed quietly. She must have meant Sunset; my beloved Palomino pony was out in my family's farm paddock, obviously. I nodded. I hated Mrs. Dan as much as Sophie, but you never know. Mrs. Dan's face dropped and patted Sophie on the back. Sophie, the brat was dressed in a lovely dress, matching Mrs. Dan's, her dark blonde hair in pigtails and mild curls. When I caught her eye, Sophie gave me a harsh stare or glower. I flinched. I needed rescue. But mum was making tea when it was like 8:30pm in THE NIGHT and dad was upstairs worrying about some things that I don't officially worry about. There was no escape. But Mrs. Dan continued her talk. "Well, I think it was Sunset? Oh yes, it was. Sophie told me or reminded me on the plane that Sunset was a very, ur, um ugly horsey as you see and he definitely is. Who'd bought me for you?" she asked evilly. I felt like gasping but I didn't. did she just say that Sunset was ugly? I'm sure she did. I looked around cautiously to see if mum was there to defend me. But she wasn't. So, I glared in defend at Mrs. Dan and Sophie. "Sunset isn't ugly! In fact, he is a very good race horse! Get it? Thoroughbreds are BORN to be RACE HORSES! Try him out in a Melbourne Cup and keep calling him ugly! Go ON!" I screamed at them. Especially Sophie. Mum had heard and came charging in the lounge. She looked very cross. "Edina! You're so RUDE! Go to your room and think about respecting our guests!"

Chapter 2

I hate them. Every bit of them. No, it's Sophie that I loathe. Every bit of her. So here I am, in my room on my bed, loathing Sophie so much and how just then, mum came into my room and asked me what was going on. I explained that they called Sunset ugly. She said that now she wasn't mad at me but I really have to watch my temper. And I mean REALLY have to. And, oh, gosh, Sophie is sharing a room with ME! She is sleeping on the bottom bunk and I am in the top. I LOVE the bottom but she just begs people and gives puppy eye things. Suddenly, the door swung open and Sophie was there, carrying her suitcase and her teddy bear. She sat on the bottom bunk while I was lying on the top. "You really hurt my mum's feelings, you know," she said, every word pitching higher and rising higher and higher. I shrugged and sat up. "Oh yeah? I have feelings too. I bet you if you tell your mum that it'll be new news for her. it was horrid to say that Sunset, MY pony was ugly." I shot back at her firmly. I twirled my wavy brown hair which was in a side-ways pony tail. Sophie started throwing her night gowns on her bed. They were all flower patterns, of course. "But, you didn't have to be so mean! You… look, I'm going to get you one day and who knows when?" she said, still going higher, but calmly. I shrugged once more. "Oh, bother. Who cares anyway?" I said and climbed off the ladder when… Stuck-up Sophie blocked the ladder half-way so I fell on the ground, flat on my back. That gave Sophie the fit giggles. "I'm SO sorry!" she laughed. I groaned and grabbed my pj's and went to the bath. It was going to be a very long week.

Sophie has brought her pony, Shadow over to my family's farm. She told me just now and said that she's going to put Shadow in my paddock which has Sunset in it. No way. No way. No way am I accepting it. Her family's horse truck is arriving tomorrow morning. My mum came in to say goodnight and said to go to sleep early because I have school tomorrow. "Um, kiddies, Sophie, Shadow are going to arrive sooner tomorrow. Where shall you like to put him? In the paddock, box or meadow?" asked mum soothingly. Sophie beamed and said, "Paddock." I grimaced. "NO! she is NOT sharing a paddock with Sunset! NO, NO, NO!! It's not fair-Sunset gets his own paddock, so does Dad's horse, Cowboy gets the meadow all himself and mum, you horse, who hasn't been named in years gets to go in the barn alone! She can put Shadow in the box!" I said this all too quickly but Sophie and mum did understand. Sophie did a small pout and mum gave me a trouble stare which meant: You are being rude… I didn't care. Thank goodness. Mum had just left the room and said we can talk about it tomorrow morning. Mrs. Dan came in our room, in her oh-so-lovely flower gown. "Goodnight, Sophie poppet!" she greeted and turned up to me. "Oh, Edina." And left. I was glad.

Chapter 3

Today is a Wednesday morning. I feel unfresh from last night. Sophie had been snoring all night long so I couldn't get to sleep properly, especially in the top bunk. The alarm was set at 7:30am. Suddenly, Sophie got up slowly and yawned. "I'm going to check on Shadow. Maybe he's here. I'm going to put him in the paddock, OK?" Sophie was saying. I gaped at her and quickly climbed down the ladder. "You can't! put him in the box… please?" I say quickly. Sophie smirked and shook her head. "No can do. Shadow is better than stupid Sunset. And guess what? Mummy said that to prove better that Shadow is the best pony ever, me and you; Edina can do a simple cross-country course this morning. Mum has already set it up." She said smartly. I grumbled and went to brush my teeth. I didn't need Sophie mocking me all day.

After school, I saw Mrs. Dan coming to pick me up. Oh God, I thought. She was with Sophie in cool neat, flowery pattern clothes. Oh, and matching sunhats. It was embarrassing enough. I got told of twice in school. In English by Ms. Brunettes. "Edina Loth, sit up straight please. We are at school in learning time, not for a holiday!"… And once in science class… I wasn't really listening to what Ms. Smith was saying so I got caught up in a lovely daydream about me pushing Sophie and Mrs. Dan down a muddy sludge hill, then them sinking in mud and… "Miss. Loth! Since you are not listening and busy daydreaming and think you know everything, will you answer this? What becomes when the acid in liquid is finished?" growled Ms. Smith suddenly. I flinched and didn't know what to say. If only Sunset were here… suddenly, my best friend Arden nudged me in the ribs during math. She was sitting next to me so it was easy to cooperate. "Sleepover at mine on Friday? Bring Sunset in the horse truck!" she hissed. I nodded and smiled to myself. At least there was one thing that cheered me up.

Chapter 5

As I said, Sophie and her mum asked me to race after school and I refused. I am so not going to do it. Mum and I argued about Shadow and if she should share a paddock with Sunset or not. "It's NOT FAIR!" I yelled while I was tacking Sunset up for a trail ride with mum, Sophie and Mrs. Dan. "Totally! Each horse or pony gets its own stall or private place! Surely it wouldn't hurt for Shadow to be placed in a box!" I continued as I placed on the saddle. Mum shot back that it was a NEW guest we were talking about. Soon, we were out on the trail and hills, me riding Sunset, mum riding Cowboy, (Dad's horse.), Mrs. Dan riding on Shadow with Sophie at the back, Sophie's arms firmly wrapped around her mum's. Mum and I were still arguing loads. I tried not to scream too loud or the horses might jolt. Soon, Mrs. Dan got into the argument, too. Clearly, she was on mum's side. "Yes, my sweet Sophie and her horse, Shadow should be in a paddock. You don't won't to be mean don't you?" said Mrs. Dan in a mocking voice as we trotted on the trail path. We turned back as soon as we reached the lake. It was getting dark.

"Edina, did you feed Cowboy?!" dad shouted from the study. I froze as the theme of The Simpsons trailed off. "Oh, Sophie fed him!" I yelled back. Suddenly, the back door opened. Sophie was back from 'feeding' and 'nursing' the horses and ponies. "You have better not touched Sunset!" I warned as I squirmed in the sofa. Sophie stopped walking and looked at me with these big, innocent eyes. "No, course not. But you better check on Cowboy." She smirked and headed off upstairs. I grumbled and headed to the meadow. What HAD she down with my parent's horse? Well, it wasn't actually my parents. It was just an extra horse if anyone wants to ride one. Cowboy was in the meadow, same as always, bay colored and petite but… he vomited. He threw up.

I zipped up my coat and coaxed at Cowboy. "Hey, boy. Are you alright? Why were you vomiting? Ehg!" there was a patch of vomit on the grass. I tried not to step on it. It was at least 6:00pm so if should be fine. I checked Cowboy's food and water when I realized… Sophie had fed Cowboy 6 pounds of oats! Typical! He's stomach was fat and he looked pregnant but obvious he wasn't. I felt anger rush through me head to toe like thunder. I quickly ran back to the house and told mum and dad everything. Mrs. Dan was there, looking proud about what Sophie had done. "Really? We should get a vet tomorrow then. I heard the local vet doesn't do night shifts," said mum. Dad nodded and looked white as sheet. He usually uses Cowboy to round up cattle in the nearby working ranch. Mrs. Dan and Sophie looked as if they were trying not to giggle. I stormed out of the room and headed for the bathroom. How dare Sophie? I bet Mrs. Dan had been up all night to make up these horrid plans!

Chapter 6

I got dressed up for Thursday, but guess what? No school because school holidays are catching up! Sophie got up during the middle of the night for some reason. I heard the door close softly last night. She must have checked on Shadow but then I remembered what she'd done with Cowboy last night. Mum and dad didn't blame her because Sophie said that it was an accident. It WASN'T! Luckily, Dad called a vet to check on Cowboy this morning. I couldn't attend Arden's sleepover, exactly. I had to see Cowboy. In fact, I wish Sophie wasn't here. Life would be so much better without her. I am not speaking to her or her mother because she done something that really annoyed me. Today, when I was listening to one of my Taylor Swift CD's, Mum barged into the room and started to flap her arms everywhere saying that we need to shut down the barns because the news weather said that there was a due storm coming soon. So, I left my bedroom to help my close the barn and load up the horses before we have a big flood. And guess what? I should've known Sophie came in the room and started arranging my GOOD CD's with some heavy metal music her brother Josh had in his heavy metal rock bands. When I came back, I went to listen to the stereo but I guess the earphones were turned up the volume REALLY high so I ended up hearing LOUD, VERY LOUD HEAVY ROCK METAL music coming into my ears. It took a while to for my ears to stop hurting. I went into the kitchen and started yelling at Sophie. "HOW DARE YOU?!" I yelled. "You brat! You are going to pay soon!"

All Sophie did was a simple shrug and kept chewing on her alfalfa. I grumbled and went to the barn to check on the horses before the drought comes and something really ALSO BUGGED ME!!! I wanted to feed Sunset but I couldn't find any fresh hay. I called dad to come. He pulled out the leftovers hay. "Mm. I can only find moldy hay. I wonder where the fresh one is?" he said to himself. I gasped. Who would throw out some expensive, FRESH hay? Who would be eager to feed their own pony out-of-date, unfresh and moldy hay? My head clicked and anger flushed through me. Sophie! She must have thrown out the hay. I got so furious that I marched into the living room, where Sophie was watching 'Play-School'. I glared at her. "You are getting on my ruddy well nerves!" I scream at her. "You watch Play School which is technically for stupid babies with their stupid appetite when Shadow is STRAVING and so is the rest of the horses for hay and all you can do is mop around being an annoying baby bug?! Honestly, Sophie, how exactly OLD ARE YOU?" I added loudly. Her mother was with her and glowered at me. Mum came in as well and chewed me out for yelling at Sophie. I told mum what she had did. "Alright, but I think it was an accident!" mum snapped. "Wasn't it, Sophie?"

Sophie nodded and Mrs. Dan told my mum to leave with Sophie so she can talk privately with me. She closed the door and glowered at me.

Chapter 7

You ridiculous girl!" Mrs. Dan was saying. I made a run for it. I eyed an apple juice on the table. It was in a glass. Mrs. Dan taunted me some more when I had enough. I pounced on her like a panther ready to attack and pulled her curly fair hair. She screamed and tried to pull me off. When she did, I slumbered to the ground and hit my butt so hard that I felt like crying. Lots of screaming was happening and Mrs. Dan going wild. That's when I totally had it. I grabbed the glass of juice from the table and splashed it all over Mrs. Dan. Even of her face. Mum, dad and Sophie came storming in and said what the heck was going on? Mrs. Dan got furious then. "Sophie and I are leaving tomorrow, no excuses! Come on Sophie, I'll call the horse truckers to take Shadow home. But for now, Soph, please go and pack up!" Mrs. Dan hollered. Sophie gave me a dangerous glare which meant: When I see you again, I will pay you back the price!

As if I care. But if I want to do anything at all about it, I think I'd better do something fast. Because, Mom just came in the room and told me that Mrs. Dan and Sophie are coming around for next ~No Horsing Around! ~

Tony is facing very, very bad challenges in life. In fact, she has very much that she thinks that she wanted to DIE! Backstabbing friends, angry smiling-troubled teachers, horrible exams, and even the little stuff like overdue libaray books, lost theory, face-making troubles and genetic fixes, Tony will have to live it up for the rest of the year…

Chapter One

I face the mirror and stare. The girl in the mirror. The one that is rude, intense and mean. I stare very deeply into the girl in the mirror. Then, I flop back on my bed. I hate my life, myself. Mrs. Rain has made me not participate in pointe yesterday in ballet classes. I kick a crack in the mirror. I'm so angry! I mean, the whole class gets to do pointe when I'm stuck working on the barre. It's not fair. In hip-hop, things did go a little better, but not a lot. I didn't get said anything. In tap, things got worse. Mrs. Rain said I got 'strong' ankles which is bad for my shuffles. Exam is like, next month. I'm doomed. I don't even really know half the steps. What could I possible do?

"You should learn to do piaffes' properly." I hear Brooke, my horse riding instructor call out from the arena. I pull on Matilda's reins and sighed quietly. I hate dressage. Period. I'm trying, I'm trying, and I'm trying. It's all I think. I am trying. But I guess not hard enough. Matilda's piaffes' are floppy and yucky. Her hoofs are like going all over the place. (Just to let you know, Matilda is my horse I ride at Willow Hall Riding Stables, where I go riding. Matilda is this 16.2 hands light gray German Warmblood. Yes, I know. GERMAN Warmblood. Dressage's origin is from German. Matilda sucks at dressage.) "Tony, Tony. Stop…" Brooke's voice sounds sad and disappointing. I kick Matilda over to Brooke. "I'm sorry," I say. My voice is shivering.

"Your dressage is a disgrace," Brooke says and leans over the paddock fence over the arena. "How's Matilda?"

"Okay. She's-"

"Brooke! I need your help! I can't tie up Jimmy's girth!" Wendy, a junior rider with her pony, Jimmy was having trouble. Brooke sighed and shook her head in disgrace, and then she went to help Wendy and Jimmy. Disgrace because of me, I think. I dismount Matilda and untack her. Then, I take my riding hat off. It was really hot. I see my mum and my dad and my brother all come out of their car. Though, mum wasn't there. I spin around and see Brooke and Shelly (Shelly is the manager of Willow Hall Riding Stables.) talking to mum. Mum has a frown on her face. I didn't bother to give Matilda a little stroke or pat. I feel a little bad…like I was abandoning my own horse. Matilda…my first light gray (White.) 16.2 hands horse. I glance one glance at my horse. Matilda's eye's looks actually kind of sad…she was like telling me that we didn't pass dressage piaffes' and we didn't fail, either. I see my mum and brother walking up to me. Uh-oh. Trouble.


 

Chapter 2

I was in a low mood this afternoon. After a hell of a morning this morning at riding dressage lessons, I was looking for some decent rest. But no.

At about three thirty in the afternoon, I was lying on my bed, my arm dangling to the ground. I was still in my riding clothes, and a pair of jodhpurs. Suddenly, my brother rushes in and throws my ballet theory book in my face. "Lazy bones!" He yells and runs off.

"Hey!" I holler back at him! I throw my theory book across the room. As I hate my whole life, my brother, my family and myself, I was feeling more moody than ever. "Tony, you should start learning your theory!" mum called up from downstairs. I grunt and went and picked up my theory book. It was school holidays but I had lessons going on. As I read through my theory book I have an idea. I opened up my computer and went to Google. I started searching 'Ballet and tap theory'. I hit search. Loads of suggestions came up. There were really, really random ones as well, like a ballerina falling off from the stage. I could feel my heart fall with her. I had enough so I closed to computer and went back to reading my theory questions. Life is going downhill fast!

Netball practice tonight. It's Monday today. I usually hate Netball practice but today I'm actually looking FORWARD to it. First of all, no games! Yay! Today we are going to choose our teams AND our team names! Though, the only downside is that I'm afraid that no one will want to be in my team. I suck at netball. Dad makes me do it every year so I can be 'well-rounded'. Though he doesn't get the point that I hate it.

Chapter 3

When I arrived at Netball practice, all the girls in my class were sitting around in a big circle. They were all gossiping, in their netball uniforms. (Which were green and gold, for Australia?) I didn't know what to do. Instead, I plumped my bag onto the ground, where all the bags were and quickly skipped into the toilets. I stayed there till class started. I could hardly wait.

"Okay, this is how it goes," Jessica, our coach was saying. She had a cap on and a hot pink whistle. Her brown hair was in a tight ponytail. Her tanned face looked seriously strict. "I will give you exactly ten seconds for you to find your team of six netballers! Only six netballers in four teams! Go!"

There was an exciting chatter as girls of all kinds push their way through to find their friends. I, Tony was standing like a complete moron.

Hoot! Jessica blows the whistle. Looks like everyone was in teams of six netballers, while I'm just standing alone in the middle of the court play area. How embarrassing! I flushed. My legs were like jelly. The whole court was quiet. I pulled on my brunette hair and looked around. Finally, Jessica sent me to the loser group-with Sarah McDonald, Jamie Rose and Tammy Sands.

Chapter 4

I'm dead meat! There is dressage, showjumping AND racing tests next month! Right in dancing exams! What do you think I should do? I'm in the car, ready to go to my riding lessons in showjumping and dressage but I'm worried sick! There are two choices we get to choose dressage or showjumping. I love showjumping horses but my mum says it's too dangerous and I could hurt myself! Fancy that! Even though my horse, Matilda is a German Warmblood, her showjumping is way better than her dressage. Even though I have to admit, dressage is safer than jumping. I get out of the car and the smell of horse dung drifted in the air. "Uh…disgusting creatures!" Mum wrinkled her nose in disgusted. I grin. You should've seen that look in her face! I walk up to the register and my grin disappears. I have to sign up. Sign up for either dressage or showjumping lessons for next term and I got to. What should I choose? Both? Dressage? Or jumping?

My stomach tightens. As I reach the register door, I spin around and hug mum. Lots of people were lining up with money so they can enroll classes. Mum gave me the money for the lessons. I hoped it wasn't enough. I walk up to the end of line and wait. As I wait, my eyes were meeting through the forums.

***Welcome Back! ***

Showjumping:

Monday: 5:00pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 1#

Tuesday: 4:15pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 5#

Wednesday: 3:30pm-4:15pm in Open Arena 2#

Thursday: 4:15pm-5:00pm in Open Arena 4#

Saturday: 10:00pm-3:00pm (Including breaks.) in Open Arena 3#

Sunday: Not yet!

Dressage:

Monday: 5:00pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 6#

Tuesday: 4:15pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 8#\

***We hope to See You Soon! ***

I sigh as the line went on and on and on. I wish I could die. I love horse riding. It was the best. Better than dancing and netball. I search my eyes everywhere to find Matilda. Her full name is Waltzing Matilda. Though we call her Matilda for short. I guess she was put up in the shed stalls, behind the trails or probably in the pasture. As it went on, finally it was my turn to register. I look up the forums to check out showjumping and dressage times and stuff. Brooke was next to Shelly, burrowing an eyebrow. She thinks I'm a loser but looks like next term, I won't care. "Um, showjumping please," I say and hand over the money. Brooke nods and Shelly starts to use a calculator for the cost. "Can I please talk to you?" Brooke says as Shelly finished the calculation. I nod.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture.

Chapter 4

I'm dead meat! There is dressage, showjumping AND racing tests next month! Right in dancing exams! What do you think I should do? I'm in the car, ready to go to my riding lessons in showjumping and dressage but I'm worried sick! There are two choices we get to choose dressage or showjumping. I love showjumping horses but my mum says it's too dangerous and I could hurt myself! Fancy that! Even though my horse, Matilda is a German Warmblood, her showjumping is way better than her dressage. Even though I have to admit, dressage is safer than jumping. I get out of the car and the smell of horse dung drifted in the air. "Uh…disgusting creatures!" Mum wrinkled her nose in disgusted. I grin. You should've seen that look in her face! I walk up to the register and my grin disappears. I have to sign up. Sign up for either dressage or showjumping lessons for next term and I got to. What should I choose? Both? Dressage? Or jumping?

My stomach tightens. As I reach the register door, I spin around and hug mum. Lots of people were lining up with money so they can enroll classes. Mum gave me the money for the lessons. I hoped it wasn't enough. I walk up to the end of line and wait. As I wait, my eyes were meeting through the forums.

***Welcome Back! ***

Showjumping:

Monday: 5:00pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 1#

Tuesday: 4:15pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 5#

Wednesday: 3:30pm-4:15pm in Open Arena 2#

Thursday: 4:15pm-5:00pm in Open Arena 4#

Saturday: 10:00pm-3:00pm (Including breaks.) in Open Arena 3#

Sunday: Not yet!

Dressage:

Monday: 5:00pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 6#

Tuesday: 4:15pm-5:45pm in Open Arena 8#\

***We hope to See You Soon! ***

I sigh as the line went on and on and on. I wish I could die. I love horse riding. It was the best. Better than dancing and netball. I search my eyes everywhere to find Matilda. Her full name is Waltzing Matilda. Though we call her Matilda for short. I guess she was put up in the shed stalls, behind the trails or probably in the pasture. As it went on, finally it was my turn to register. I look up the forums to check out showjumping and dressage times and stuff. Brooke was next to Shelly, burrowing an eyebrow. She thinks I'm a loser but looks like next term, I won't care. "Um, showjumping please," I say and hand over the money. Brooke nods and Shelly starts to use a calculator for the cost. "Can I please talk to you?" Brooke says as Shelly finished the calculation. I nod.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture.

I sigh as the line went on and on and on. I wish I could die. I love horse riding. It was the best. Better than dancing and netball. I search my eyes everywhere to find Matilda. Her full name is Waltzing Matilda. Though we call her Matilda for short. I guess she was put up in the shed stalls, behind the trails or probably in the pasture. As it went on, finally it was my turn to register. I look up the forums to check out showjumping and dressage times and stuff. Brooke was next to Shelly, burrowing an eyebrow. She thinks I'm a loser but looks like next term, I won't care. "Um, showjumping please," I say and hand over the money. Brooke nods and Shelly starts to use a calculator for the cost. "Can I please talk to you?" Brooke says as Shelly finished the calculation. I nod.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass.

I follow her as she leads me into the paddock pasture

Then, as she followed Brooke she saw something quite cool in the pasture paddock-Matilda! "Matilda!" I scream and then I sprinted across the opened paddock pastures and hug Matilda's neck. Brooke smiled than called me over.

"Tony," she looked at my in the eye.

"Yes?"

"Your dressage,"
"I know. It's horrible,"

"But-"

"But-"

"Listen to me, Tony. Your dressage is okay. It just has a little trouble on technical things,"

I cringed and glanced over at Matilda, who was grazing on grass. And after that, I have to admit that I flinched. I mean, dressage was really boring. For Matilda, that is should be more than grateful to be so more mature to get the most of everything. And why, oh why would Matilda have to do this to her? It seemed so unfair! Why would Matilda be more than consented to be more than "it" in dressage? It didn't seem very unfair since I could never find a way to get out. And most of all it was totally unfair! And what was worse was that the dressage teacher had to let Milly to make to her the best horse in the stables. Anyway, I just felt like kicking the walls. Then I knew it. I knew what I wanted. I wanted a new pony! Yes, it should help. I turn to Janine. "Listen…" I stammered. "I want a new pony!" There were so many times that Matilda had reached so far near them. After all, Matilda was a fine and constipated horse. Who could've wished for more?! And as that, the story ends here.