A Pony Called Secret: A True Champion

By Olivia Tuffin

The sixth in a fantastic series of perfect pony stories about Alice and her spirited young pony, Secret, from Olivia Tuffin, author of the much-loved The Palomino Pony series.
Alice and her beloved pony are off to train at Devon's world-class yard - following in the footsteps of the British show jumping team! Alice and Secret have gone further than anyone thought possible ... but on the day of the show jumping trials for the British team, Alice has to make an almost impossible choice. Just how far is she prepared to go to reach the very top? What does the future hold for Alice and her spirited red pony?
Check out Alice and Secret's other adventures: A New Beginning, A Friend In Need, A Ride To Freedom and more!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd
• Release date: Oct 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9781788005913

Olivia Tuffin

Olivia Tuffin lives on an arable farm in Dorset with her farmer husband Clive, two children, and an assortment of ponies, dogs, pet sheep and chickens. She never outgrew the pony-mad stage and her favourite thing to do is to ride off for hours into the countryside with her children. She's always loved writing and wanted to write the kind of pony story she adored as a child. Her own ponies and their funny antics provide inspiration for her stories every day.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The oxer was coming up now, looming above Alice and her little red pony, higher than the tallest of tower blocks, more imposing than the biggest mountain. Alice felt her pony falter, his stride hesitant as she urged him on with her legs, her voice encouraging him to dig deep, to soar the jump, to do it for her. Time was running out, their riding days that had once stretched ahead of them towards an endless horizon were now numbered, as Alice was reminded when she had adjusted the stirrups once again that morning. She was growing taller, and life was moving fast. So they had to make the most of what was left and push themselves further than ever before.

Secret would do whatever she asked, she knew that. As the Welsh pony made the almost impossible leap, Alice felt his big heart, felt his willingness. But it was wrong, all wrong, and as though in slow motion his body twisted, his limbs flailing as the red and white poles crashed and scattered beneath him. Alice was falling, and her red pony was falling, and soon everything was going black, and all Alice could see was her pony’s face and another pony, a sweet palomino who’d gone before, and her ears were ringing from the high-pitched screams…

Chapter 1

Sitting bolt upright in bed, Alice felt her heart hammering against her ribs, her T-shirt drenched in sweat. For a few seconds she breathed in and out, trying to control her shaking. It was a dream, just an awful dream. She was still at home at Park Farm, and Secret was just a few metres away outside in his stable, a light rug keeping off the early-autumn chill.

Alice blearily focused on her phone. It was two a.m., but that didn’t matter. She needed to see her pony. Pulling on a pair of tracksuit bottoms that had earlier been discarded on her chair, she threw on a hoody and slipped out of her room, bare feet searching for her wellies on the boot rack, next to which Poppy, her family’s elderly dog, thumped her tail, not bothering to move from the warmth of her basket. Her eyes were cloudy with cataracts and her muzzle was grey. Alice couldn’t remember life without her. Reaching down, she hugged the dog.

Don’t wake Mum and Dad, she whispered. Love you, Pops.

Then, quietly turning the key in the door, Alice crept out into the yard where the moon was bathing the cobbles in a silvery light. The ponies were quite used to Alice’s late-night visits, particularly in recent weeks. A few blinked at her, but most stayed asleep, either standing at the back of their stables resting a leg, or lying down in the deep shavings beds Alice and Mia had prepared earlier. The show season was drawing to a close so the yard was quieter than usual, the ponies Alice’s mum had in for the summer returning to their owners for the winter. Briefly patting Ella, Secret’s best friend in the stable next to him, Alice gave a sigh of relief as Secret popped his head over the door, alerted by his mistress’s footsteps.

Shhh, Alice smiled, putting a finger to her lips. You know the rules.

Opening the stable door, Alice let herself in and wrapped her arms round Secret’s strong red neck, his coat newly velvet after a recent clip, his scarlet mane silken against her cheeks as she closed her eyes. Secret was OK.

The dreams had been happening for a few weeks now, ever since her stay at Devon Jenkins’ yard had been finalised. Devon was a top showjumper, and Alice and another young rider would be staying at the yard for a few days before trying out for the British pony team, who wanted to take a team of young amateur riders to a competition. Although the competition was classed as a friendly, the competitors would still get to wear the Union Jack on their saddlecloths, and it would be a huge step up in the world of showjumping. If Alice made the team her reputation would be cemented. She would be able to pursue her showjumping dreams on other horses as she grew older. It was an honour to be selected to try out and Alice couldn’t wait.

Alice and her Welsh pony Secret had made quite a name for themselves over the last couple of years. Initially, Alice’s mum had hoped Alice would show the red pony in flat ridden mountain and moorland classes, but he’d hated the ring as much as Alice had. His talent, and his love, was jumping, just like Alice. Alice still helped her mum with the day-to day running of the show yard, and the recent addition of Mia, who rode the ponies for Josephine, had freed up a lot of her time, meaning Alice could concentrate more on her jumping. The summer had been busy and successful, starting with a win at Hickstead in the pony club showjumping, where Mia had ended up riding Secret, then on to bigger and bigger shows around the country. Secret was becoming unstoppable. His ability to cut corners no other rider would dare to attempt, his huge scope and his willingness to jump the moon for Alice meant it was very rare they didn’t return from shows with a red rosette. So far Alice hadn’t yet found Secret’s limit. But her bad dreams were getting worse and more frequent, and she wondered what they meant.

It’s probably just nerves, Finn, Alice’s best friend, had reassured her during one of their long phone calls. Getting the opportunity to try out for the British team is a massive deal, even a friendly, but no more so than jumping Olympia or Hickstead.

Finn had been in Spain for the past few months, training as part of an equestrian stunt team who put on daring shows throughout the summer and provided horses for film and television work. It was a world away from Alice’s life – showjumping, yard work, school – but she loved their regular chats.

I guess, she’d replied. You’re probably right.

But it felt like more than that somehow. Alice couldn’t explain it. She was aware her years were limited with Secret, that she’d grow too tall for him at some point, but she couldn’t bear it. They were at their peak right now, and so this was the biggest chance they were going to get, and Alice knew it might be their only chance. She wanted to succeed more than anything she’d ever wanted before.

*

I’ll miss you! Mia said, hugging Alice tightly.

Alice felt a lump rising in her throat. Park Farm was so cosy, so familiar, the hanging baskets around the immaculate yard providing a splash of colour, the duck-egg blue stable doors and the worn cobbles smoothed away by decades of ponies clip-clopping over them. It was early and the sun was just starting to rise on the horizon, so all the yard lights were on and Fergus, her mum’s long-term groom, was whistling cheerfully as he pushed a wheelbarrow full of hay round to each stable. With two ponies qualified for the Horse of the Year Show, including Alice’s mum’s beloved Shetland pony Porridge, who Mia rode, there was plenty of work to be done. And suddenly, despite her excitement about heading off to Devon’s yard, Alice’s tummy started to twist into knots. She could smell the breakfast her dad was cooking in the big kitchen where rosettes and horse photos filled every space and where Poppy was no doubt lying at his feet, enjoying the warmth and hoping for a treat. Alice loved everything about Park Farm. It was home.

Trying to smile, she hugged Mia back. It’s only a week, she said. I’ll be back before you know it.

Mia pushed her shiny black braids back from her face, looking younger than her eleven years. I’ll help your mum as much as I can, she said. You’re coming back on Thursday, though, aren’t you?

Alice nodded. Yes, she said. "Of course I’ll be back. So I’ll see you then."

It was her dad’s birthday on Thursday and her mum had organised a party in the old hay barn. Josephine had thrown herself into the preparations with gusto and everyone was really looking forward to it. Mia and her family, Fergus and Angus, Finn’s dad, were among the guests.

When the dates of Alice’s training week had come up, she’d been really worried about missing the party. But then Devon had agreed to meet her mum halfway, so Alice could go to the party and return for training the next morning.

It’s important to have balance, Devon had said cheerfully on the phone as Alice had thanked her. It’s no problem at all.

OK, Mia smiled. But text me, won’t you? And can I ring you? With Porridge going to HOYS I’ll need to chat! And I want to tell you how I get along with Lacey.

Lacey was a very pretty Welsh mountain pony that Josephine had in for training. Mia was to be her sole rider, and she was really excited about it. Alice knew it meant