The Storm and the Connemara Pony - The Coral Cove Horses Series: Coral Cove Horse Adventures for Girls and Boys, #2

By Elaine Heney

12 year old Ciara lives on her Grandad's farm near the beach, with her family and her much loved Connemara pony, Misty. One day when Ciara and her new friend Molly are riding their ponies on the beach, a huge storm crashes ashore at Coral Cove. Ciara and Molly head for home, but their plans change dramatically when they see a loose bay horse on the beach - but there is no sign of the horse's rider.

Can Ciara and Molly catch the loose horse as the rain lashes down on the nearby cliffs? And can they get help to locate the missing rider, who is probably hurt and alone, before the storm makes access to the beach extremely dangerous? Join Ciara and Misty in their second adventure to find out.

This wholesome and beautifully told horse story is perfect for horse-crazy kids age 8+ and the young at heart. It's also the perfect horse book for girls, boys, tweens and teens who loved reading the Riding School Connemara Pony book by Elaine Heney. This is the second book in the Coral Cove Horses series and the perfect gift for birthdays and Christmas. 

 

This unmissable story underlines the importance of kindness, resilience and never giving up - even in times of adversity. Perfect for middle school kids who are set on horses and all those who love young adult fiction.

 

Written by international horsewoman and award-winning documentary director, Elaine Heney, this tender and touching story explores the depth of the relationship that can be created between girl and horse - that can last a lifetime.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Heney
• Release date: Feb 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215139530

Book preview

The Storm and the Connemara Pony

The Connemara Adventure Series

The Forgotten Horse

The Show Horse

The Mayfield Horse

The Stolen Horse

The Adventure Horse

The Lost Horse

The Coral Cove Series

The Riding School Connemara Pony

The Storm and the Connemara Pony

The Surprise Puppy and the Connemara Pony

The Castle Charity Ride and the Connemara Pony

Horse Books for Kids

P is for Pony – ABC Alphabet Book for Kids 2+

Listenology for Kids age 7-14

Horse Care, Riding and Training for kids 6-11

Horse Puzzles, Games & Brain Teasers for kids 7-14

Horse Books for Adults

Equine Listenology Guide

Dressage Training for Beginners

The Listenology Guide to Bitless Bridles

Ozzie, the Story of a Young Horse

Conversations with the Horse

Horse Anatomy Colouring Book

Discover all Elaine Heney’s books at www.elaineheneybooks.com

iPhone & Android Horse Apps:

www.poleworkapp.com

www.horsestridesapp.com

www.dressagehero.com

www.rideableapp.com

The Storm and the Connemara Pony

Elaine Heney

Copyright © 2022 by Elaine Heney

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First Edition November 2022

Published by Grey Pony Films

www.greyponyfilms.com

ABOUT ELAINE HENEY

Elaine Heney is an Irish horsewoman, film producer at Grey Pony Films, #1 best-selling author, and director of the award-winning 'Listening to the Horse™' documentary. She has helped over 120,000+ horse owners in 113 countries to create great relationships with their horses. Elaine's mission is to make the world a better place for the horse. She lives in Ireland with her horses Ozzie & Matilda. Discover Elaine’s books at her online book: www.elaineheneybooks.com

Online horse training courses

Discover our series of world-renowned online groundwork, riding, training programs and iPhone and Android apps. Visit Grey Pony Films & learn more:www.greyponyfilms.com

Table of contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 1

It had been a few weeks since Misty had arrived at Grandad’s place and Ciara still couldn’t quite believe she was there.  They had all settled into living at Grandad’s farm, though having Dad working so far away still seemed very strange, Ciara thought absently as she pulled the bridle over Misty’s ears.

She led the little bay Connemara mare out of her stable and over to the mounting block, waving at Grandad as she went.  Grandad had already mounted Aramis, one of his big grey Irish Draught horses, and was walking around the paddock in circles and figures of eights.  Aramis’s training was going pretty well, Ciara thought.  Grandad had even managed to do a few strides of trot on him that week and now they were going to take him for a look out.  Grandad had walked both Aramis and Louie, his other grey Irish Draught, to the beach in hand before so they could see the ocean and feel the sand, but this was the first time either would have hacked there.

Misty was very happy on the beach and Grandad thought it would be best for her to go with Aramis, as he put it, like a little bay security blanket.  The thought made Ciara giggle - the huge Irish Draught hiding behind the little bay mare for comfort and security, but Misty seemed to wonder why the situation was amusing.  She strutted down the driveway with Aramis following her like a puppy, happily following the usual trail she and Ciara took when they rode down to Coral Cove.

Ciara loved that Grandad lived so close to the beach.  She and Misty had taken to going down there most days, often meeting Molly, the girl who lived around the other side of the cove, and her horse, Ranger.  They often cantered through the surf, spraying the water higher than the waves did when they lapped on the shore.  Today though, there would be no cantering, just a gentle walk.

Does he have his eyes open? Grandad asked with a chuckle.

Ciara glanced back over Misty’s tail and smirked as she nodded.  Yes, she giggled.  Aramis twitched his ears as if he thought the comment was uncalled for.

They reached the end of the drive, crossed the road, and headed into the dunes, Misty still out in front.  Despite the fact that she was much smaller than Aramis, the big horse had no problems staying behind her, though Ciara was pretty sure that as they went faster, Misty would be the one left behind.

Winding through the dunes, they came out onto the soft white sand of Coral Cove.  As usual, the little beach was empty.  It was like Ciara's own private beach often and she once again thought how lucky she was to be here.  The thought made her smile, it hadn't been so long ago that she'd hated the idea of coming to stay at Grandad's.

You know, Grandad said, interrupting her thoughts, as they crossed the soft sand onto the wetter firmer bit of beach.  It's nice when it's quiet.  Don't get me wrong, I loved coming down earlier with your Mum, Maddy, and Branden to swim, but this is a little more relaxing.

Ciara smiled.  Grandad hadn’t had to persuade them much to go down for a swim earlier.  It had been a baking hot day and everyone had been keen to cool off.  Even Branden, who had taken to spending hours in the garage playing his guitar, had leaped at the chance to dive into the cool clean water.

Mum had never been too keen on swimming in the sea, even as a kid, Grandad said, but she had paddled ankle-deep and watched from the shore as the others swam around in the middle of the little crescent-shaped bay.  Ciara had enjoyed splashing around with her younger sister, Maddy, but Branden, who was a much stronger swimmer than any of the others, had gone right out to the peninsular and brought back a couple of shells of them.  Maddy had been especially pleased, she said she was going to hang it on the old playhouse in the garden when it was all fixed up.

Well, I’d say this is going well, Grandad said as Aramis bravely wandered alongside Misty, making sure the mare was closer to the waves than he was and pointing an ear at them just a little.  Ciara smiled.

I think this is my favourite time to ride here, Ciara said as the sun just started to dip towards the horizon casting hues of gold across the sea and sand.  She sighed looking out over the ocean between Misty's ears.  The light hit the edges of her coat making them shimmer and gleam a little golden.  She smiled and looked over at Aramis who almost looked pink in the setting sunlight.  She giggled.

What? Grandad asked.

He looks pink.

Aramis snorted, but Grandad laughed.  I probably do under my hat, he joked and they laughed again.  It wasn't too often they rode this late, but the day had been so hot, it had been late or nothing.  Ciara was starting to think though that this was the perfect end to the day.  A few times over the last few weeks they'd ridden in the paddock at this time, tucked the horses up, and then sat in the garden with a cool drink watching as the sun dipped lower and lower.  It somehow seemed magical to watch the light fade against the brick wall of the walled garden, to see the stars start to come out, and best of all to steel down to the stables under the silver moon to say good night to the horses before going to bed.

You know, this was always my favourite time to come here too, Grandad said, looking over the beach and bringing Ciara back to the moment.  Coming to one of my favourite times of the year too.

Really? Ciara asked.

Oh yes, in a couple of days the festival of horses starts.  Can’t miss that.  Grandad said with a fond smile.

Ciara frowned.  What’s the festival of horses?  she asked.

Grandad looked at her a little shocked and then a smile spread over his face.  By Jove, you’ve never been, I hadn’t thought of that.  He took a deep breath.  "Every year the local open-air museum does a tribute to the horse.  They call it the festival of horses, and lots of people come to see demonstrations and displays.  There are heavy horses doing ploughing, pulling carts around stopping at some of the locations, folk dressed up in old-style clothing riding around.  Each part of the museum comes from a different time or walk of life.  There's an old farm, a few old-time village shops, and even a little old manor.  I used