Princess Ponies 7: A Special Surprise

By Chloe Ryder

Enter a land of magical ponies in this chapter book series that features illustrations throughout!

On an enchanted island far, far away, princess ponies can talk and play. Eight golden horseshoes give the ponies their magic--thanks to Pippa and Princess Stardust's efforts to find them all. Her task complete, Pippa has returned to the human world . . . but her friends in Chevalia are never far away.

Princess Stardust has come all the way from Chevalia to cheer Pippa on in her first big competition. But when Pippa arrives at the stables, her riding school pony friends are nowhere to be found. Stardust has an idea who is responsible . . . but for the show to go on, Pippa and Stardust must return to Chevalia!

Don't miss all of the books in the Princess Ponies series:
A Magical Friend
A Dream Come True
The Special Secret
A Unicorn Adventure!
An Amazing Rescue
Best Friends Forever!
A Special Surprise
A Singing Star
The Lucky Horseshoe
The Pumpkin Ghost
Season's Galloping
An Enchanted Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Sep 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781619635661

Chloe Ryder

Chloe Ryder lives on a farm for thoroughbred and rescue horses. When she's not caring for the horses, she rides them across the hills surrounding her house. Chloe is one of very few to know the true location of magical island Chevalia. She is also the alter ego of Julie Sykes, award-winning author of over 60 books for children. Julie lives in Hampshire with her family and their pet wolf.

Book preview

Now!

The castle was lit by torches. Their flickering flames cast long shadows as the girl and the pony rode into the courtyard. The girl wore a long striped T-shirt and leggings. Her hair was a thick mass of chestnut curls. The pony was snow-white, with a long mane and tail that brushed the floor. Her hooves were oiled and sparkled with gold dust. She carried her head proudly, her pink diamond-studded tiara glittering in the torchlight.

The castle walls were decorated with fresh flowers and ribbons. Music drifted through the air. The girl breathed slowly, resisting the urge to leap from the pony’s back and dance. Ponies were packed around the edges of the courtyard. Their manes sparkled with jewels and richly colored sashes hung around their necks. The girl and the pony walked toward the stage, where a pretty palomino with a golden coat and a tall, handsome copper-colored pony waited for them. Queen Moonshine and King Firestar smiled as the little white pony stopped. The girl slid from her back. Together they performed a low curtsy.

Your Majesties, they murmured.

Pippa MacDonald, Princess Stardust. The ponies of Chevalia salute you for finding the eight golden horseshoes and returning them to the Whispering Wall. Without you, we would have lost Chevalia forever.

The horseshoes glittered with Midsummer magic.

To Pippa, to Princess Stardust, called Queen Moonshine.

To Pippa, to Princess Stardust, echoed the ponies.

Pippa and Stardust curtsied to the ponies.

To Chevalia, they answered.

Chapter 1

Would you like some more chocolate cake, Pippa? asked Mom.

Pippa looked at the cake. It was filled with buttercream and topped with chocolate sprinkles, and it tasted delicious. I’m not sure. If I eat too much then I might be too heavy for Snowdrop to carry me over the jumps tomorrow.

Mom laughed. Nonsense! Snowdrop’s a big strong horse. She could carry two of you.

Pippa smiled. I’ll have a little slice then, please. I need to keep my strength up. It was hard work jumping Snowdrop today. Did I tell you how we cleared the wall? Mrs. Woods said it was a perfect jump.

Miranda, Pippa’s older sister, rolled her eyes. Yes, but you’ve only told us about it six times.

Have I? I’m really excited and nervous about the riding school competition tomorrow. It must be making me forgetful.

Pony-mad Pippa MacDonald was on a seaside vacation with her mom, Miranda, and younger brother Jack.

There were stables nearby and at the start of the vacation, Mom had secretly arranged for Pippa to have riding lessons there as a surprise. The stables had a pony called Snowdrop, named after a famous show pony. Pippa had a poster of the famous pony on her bedroom wall at home, so she was thrilled when she was given Snowdrop to ride.

Pippa had a secret too. On the first day of her vacation, two giant seahorses had whisked her away to Chevalia, a magical island where Royal Ponies reigned. Chevalia had been in danger. Pippa and her princess