‘At the Riding School’

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 14

‘At the Riding School’

By

FIONA TILLING,

aged 11, ' of Christchurch “How far have we got to go now?” asked Jolie. “About half an hour,” I said. Jolie and Cerodwen and I were on our way to Kowhai riding school. “Oh I can’t wait!” I said. “I hope I can ride Toetoe, said Jolie. “I hope I can ride Misty,” said Cerodwen. “I definitely have to ride Puffin,” I said. “Oh look I think I know where we are now,” said Cerodwen. “Yes you can see the lights of the house now,” I said. “Oh good we’re here at last” "Here’s some of my baggage.” “Oh don’t throw it at me!” “I’ve already got a handful." “AU right I’ll go and see what bunkroom we’re in,” said Jolie. “Hey, we’re in bunkroom two, stupid.” “Can I ride Toetoe please, Mrs Thomas,” said Jolie. “No, I think someone else is riding Mm.” “Fiona. Who do you want to ride,” said Mrs Thomas. “Puffin please.” “Okay. I don’t see why you can’t” “Cerodwen. Who do you want to ride.” “Misty please.” “Okay,” said Mrs Thomas. “Back to the bunkrooms

everybody.” That night was cold and windy. We snuggled up in our sleeping bags. We were the youngest so we had to go to bed at 8 p.m., but we didn’t we stayed up to about 9 p.m. We had a big day ahead of us. Just think ... long treks in the countryside. The. next day passed quickly. That night we did our jobs, then watched television. Soon the tuck shop would be open. When it opened there was a mad rush to the door. We all got our things then headed for bed. The next morning I was awakened by people shouting: "Snow!” I jumped out of bed to see what the matter was. Do you know ... there was snow everywhere. It looked as though mother nature had just finished a blanket and covered the earth to see what it looked like. We all jumped into our clothes and ran outside. After a while the gong went We all hurried into the kitchen. “We’ll be lucky if we get a ride today. We’ll probably have to clean tack or do theory,” I moaned. After breakfast we did our jobs. “Everybody go and get your horses,” said Mrs Thomas. “Yippie, we are riding! I hope we go on a trek.” It wasn’t snowing at the moment but we were only allowed to go as fast as a

trot Every now and again we stopped to check the ponies’ hooves, Puffin usually had lots of snow on his hooves! Heading back we found a place where there wasn’t any snow around. “The people who want to canter stay here, the others come with me,” said Caroline, our instructor. “Lean back! lean back! don’t let Mm gallop!” “Oh darn it I like galloping,” I moaned . to myself. Soon we were back cleaning away, I was one of the only people who had a leather girth so I had to clean it (wMch takes a long time) Clean the bunkrooms and get your things ready for home. "Already! boy has time been flying.” When it was nearly time to go I remembered I still had some carrots left so I went over to Puffin’s little pen, wMch he shares with Gem, and gave them to him. Then I saw my friends getting into the bus so I jumped in and sat down. Then we were off.