Issie and the Christmas Pony by Stacy Gregg Page B

pony of her own.
    â€œI hope something comes up at the auction,” said Ben. “It’s only a couple of weeks until pony camp.”
    Twelve days actually , Issie wanted to say. She knew exactly how far away pony camp was. Her chances of going were dwindling by the day. She guessed shehad been hoping in her heart that maybe Avery would say she could keep Bert for an extra couple of weeks and ride him at the camp before he went to his new owners. But as they came to the end of the rally that day and they loaded Bert back up into the truck, she realised this simply wasn’t going to happen. Stella had been right. This was the last time she would ride the little strawberry roan.
    At least it had been a fantastic farewell. After all her fears about being a total beginner, Issie actually found herself loving her ride at the club. Bert was a superstar, doing everything perfectly.
    They spent the morning in the arena doing basic dressage, which at pony club everyone called “flat work”. Bert walked, trotted and cantered on cue as if he had been at Chevalier Point his whole life.
    Despite Stella’s fears, Tom didn’t prove boring at all. After the flat-work training, their new head instructor set up bending poles and barrel races and had bags of lollies as prizes for everyone who made it through to the finals. Then, after lunch, it was time for jumping.
    â€œCan everyone take their stirrups up two holes to jumping length?” Avery instructed.
    â€œUmmm, Tom?” Issie had a worried look on her face as herinstructor walked over to see what was wrong. “I don’t think Bert and I are ready to jump yet,” Issie admitted. “We’ve never even tried it before.”
    Avery took a leather strap and tied it around Bert’s neck. “That’s a neck strap for you to hold on to in case you lose your balance,” he explained. “That way, you won’t jerk back over the jumps and jag Bert in the mouth. Now, all you need to do is stay forward in two-point position like I showed you at home,” Avery said. “Turn him straight at the fences, stay in stride, give him a tap with your heels just before the jump and then Bert will do the rest.”
    And he did. There was a whole jumping course and OK, the jumps were tiny, but Issie managed to steer her horse around the course nicely so that Bert, who was a very honest jumper, did a totally clear round the first time!
    After all her fears, rally day had turned out to be one of the best days Issie had ever had.
    â€œThanks for letting me bring Bert today,” she said to Avery as they untacked him.
    â€œI think Bert enjoyed it as much as you did,” Avery replied.
    â€œWill I see him again before he goes?” Issie askedas she helped her instructor wrap the floating bandages round the pony’s legs. She was trying not to get upset, but already she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
    Avery shook his head. “I guess not. His new family are coming to the farm to pick him up tomorrow.” He looked at Issie, who was battling bravely not to cry. “Why don’t you come home to the farm in the horse truck with me and Bert now? You can give him his hard feed and let him loose in the paddock one last time.”
    And so Issie rode home from her first day at the Chevalier Point Pony Club, not with her heart full of joy as she had been expecting, but with a pain in her chest that felt unbearable as she realised that she and Bert were about to part for the very last time. She stood in the paddock at Winterflood Farm as the sun set and snuggled into the strawberry roan’s neck, feeding him peppermints out of her pocket and trying not to cry too much. Then she sniffed back her tears and gave Bert one last hug, holding him tight as she said goodbye.

8
Auction Day
    Avery arrived on the morning of the auction with his horse float attached to the Range Rover. When he saw Issie’s eyes light