The Adventure Horse - Book 5 in the Connemara Horse Adventure Series for Kids: Connemara Horse Adventures, #5

By Elaine Heney

Aunt Lisa and her horse Matilda arrive over for a visit from Ireland. Her niece, 12 year old Clodagh and her horse Ozzie are invited to join them on a sponsored charity ride through three counties. But when a serious accident happens during a bad storm, all of the riders and horses are in grave danger. Can Clodagh and Ozzie get help and save the charity ride before it's too late?

 

Join Clodagh and Ozzie on their next exciting adventure to find out. This wholesome and beautifully told horse story is perfect for horse-crazy kids aged over 8.

Written by international horsewoman and award-winning documentary director, Elaine Heney, this is the perfect children's equestrian book for young readers, girls, boys, tweens and teens to curl up with and enjoy. This wholesome horse story follows the success of the first four books in this series - the Forgotten Horse, the Show Horse, the Mayfield Horse and the Stolen Horse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Heney
• Release date: Mar 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215342664

Book preview

The Adventure Horse

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 Adventure Horse

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 July 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

Matilda walked down the horsebox ramp looking around herself happily, her head held high and ears pricked.  She gave a little wicker at Clodagh who stood by the ramp as Aunt Lisa unloaded and then peered at the paddocks as if she were checking out every aspect of her holiday home.  It made Clodagh smile. She could hardly believe her Aunt was at the manor, let alone here with Matilda too.  Ozzie wandered across the top paddock wondering what was going on and parked himself as close as he could to the fence.  The bay mare spotted him and lifted her head before giving a little whinny. Aunt Lisa laughed, patting her neck.

Making friends already, are we? She smiled and the mare nudged at her arm before moving on to Clodagh, giving her a gentle nudge.

Do you want to put her out for a while? Clodagh asked, rubbing the mare’s forehead.  I mean, she’s been stuck travelling for a while.

Aunt Lisa smiled.  I think that would be nice.  We can pop her out and then unload.

I'll get a start on that, come on Sam, give me a hand, Dad said hopping up into the wagon.  No point in keeping the driver hanging around.

The man who Aunt Lisa had hired to drive Matilda lent out of the cab and smiled warmly.  No hurry mate, this is my last job of the day and your Mrs. has just passed me a cuppa.

And cake, Sam whispered to Clodagh as he followed Dad.  Chocolate,  he beamed.

Clodagh smiled and turned to lead Aunt Lisa and Matilda to the bottom paddock.  Ozzie, curious about the new horse, wandered along the wooden fence line trying to see her better and to watch as Clodagh swung the gate open and Aunt Lisa led Matilda in.  The mare waited patiently until Aunt Lisa slipped her green headcollar off and then trotted a few paces into the paddock.  She dropped and rolled happily in the dust scrubbing her back in the grass, before she stood up and shook, clouds of dust billowing off her.  Glancing at Aunt Lisa for a second, she grabbed several large mouthfuls of grass and then wandered over to sniff at Ozzie.  The pair touched noses across the fence, with little happy squeaks and squeals, before both putting their heads down and grazing happily together on either side of the fence.

Well, at least someone seems happy, Aunt Lisa said with a smile.

Ozzie looks happy too, Clodagh said.

He looks very handsome, I’m looking forward to meeting him properly.

Mrs. Fitz has a box up at the manor you can use if you like, or she can stay out, Ozzie usually does so she’ll have company, Clodagh said.

I think we can leave her out for a couple of nights and then bring her in for a good rest before I set off,  Aunt Lisa said, watching the two horses happily grazing, their tails swishing gently, the sun shining on their backs.

Clodagh gave a little squeal at the mention of the trip and clutched her Aunt's arm.  I still can't believe you're here!  she said.  It was like a dream.

Aunt Lisa smiled brightly.  And we can have a couple of hacks out around here before I go too.

I can show you where we filmed! Clodagh said.  And maybe take you down the lane to the old McDonald farm.  Ma’s ok with me riding there so long as I’m in company.  It’s a nice ride, apart from the viaduct.

Aunt Lisa smiled.  I remember the trail, but it would be nice to ride it again, I don't think I've been down there since I was a kid. Aunt Lisa looked back over the paddock, up towards the manor, and shook her head.  I can’t believe it.  She looked over the paddock and the manor shaking her head a little. It’s so different and exactly the same.  It seems like just yesterday I was here showing.

She put her arm around Clodagh’s shoulder and squeezed.  Shall we go help your Dad?  Clodagh nodded.

They had almost finished unpacking the horsebox when the sound of hoofbeats made Clodagh turn.  She watched as Matilda trotted around a little in a circle, snaking and tossing her head before she broke into a canter and with incredible ease hopped over the fence into the paddock with Ozzie.  Ozzie's head had already shot up when she had started to trot around and when she landed, he stared at her for a split second before letting out a short, loud snort and cantering around in a circle, his ears pricked, his tail held up.  Matilda just stopped and looked at him.  Ozzie stared back, but when she lowered her head and started eating again, he seemed to relax.  Clodagh felt her heart leap into her throat, but the sound of Aunt Lisa laughing made her calm down.  She looked over at her Aunt confused.

She does it all the time, Aunt Lisa said, Only between paddocks though, never out onto the road or anything.  I guess she must like the idea of having Ozzie as her friend.

Clodagh looked back over to the field, sure enough, both horses were now merrily munching grass as if nothing had even happened.  Clodagh gulped.  She'd jumped Ozzie several times, over logs, and ditches, but never anything as big as the fence!  Matilda had hopped it like a cross pole. Clodagh was impressed.

Come on, I hear your Ma made cake, Aunt Lisa said.

Shouldn’t you put her back in the other paddock? Sam asked frowning.  He stood on the horsebox ramp with a feed sack in his hands staring in the direction of the horses.

What for? Aunt Lisa asked.  She’d only jump back in.  If she wants to go back into the bottom paddock she will.  Right now I’d say everyone is happy.

They headed towards the house as the horsebox engine rumbled into life.  The driver lent out of the window with a grin.

Be back on Sunday morning alright? he said.

Aunt Lisa nodded. Thanks Wayne.

No problem love, Wayne said, he handed a mug and plate out of the window to Clodagh before waving as the box began to trundle down the drive towards the large black iron gate.

Clodagh followed the rest of the family back towards the gatehouse, glancing back over her shoulder at Ozzie and Matilda happily grazing together.  She smiled as she stepped through the front door, the next couple of weeks were going to be the best.

A few minutes later Clodagh found herself sitting at the huge wooden table in the kitchen while Ma made a cup of tea and dished out large slices of chocolate cake.  She looked at the thick frosting hungrily, chocolate was her favourite.  She was just about to pick up one of the forks Ma had placed in the centre of the table when the front door bell rang.

I'll get it, Dad said with