Jessica and Jewel Read Online Free Page A

sternly.
    Tegan nodded and sniffled, and it seemed like Sally was about to shout at her again, but then Jody said, more gently, “You must never ever disobey me, Sally or any instructor again, do you understand?”
    Tegan nodded miserably and off we went again.
    Luckily, Sally and Jody forgot the whole thing really quickly, and pretty soon we found ourselves in a field with these big logs. Sally explained that they’d been put there as part of a cross-country course by the people who owned the farm up the hill. And then she revealed that we’d needed to practise our jumping because we had permission to have a go at them!
    There was a small log that Jody took the younger ones over in trot, following on behindher. We gave them each a loud cheer when they popped it. Then it was time for us to try the big one. It was the first time I’d done any jumping out in the open and my heart was thumping with excitement as I watched Fisher, Flame and then Shine go over (following Sally, to give Claudia an extra bit of confidence). We gave each of them a cheer, too, as they cleared the jump.
    When it was our turn I gave Jewel a big pat, then gathered up my reins and circled her in trot, only squeezing into canter as we straightened up. I didn’t want us to end up rushing it.

    The log looked so big and solid and for a moment I thought, Oh help, what if she bangs her leg on it? But there wasn’t time to worry. I just looked past it and trusted Jewel to get us over safely. In fact, we soared over and Jewel obviously loved it as much as I did because she went haring off in a fast canter on the other side, and I was so surprised I lost a stirrup! But luckily (probably thanks to the balance work we did on Tuesday) I remembered to sit back and down. Then I slowed Jewel with half halts and circling, and managed to get it back again. When we went into trot and headed back to the ride everyone was clapping and cheering.

    â€œGood work, Jess! That was excellent!” cried Sally, and I couldn’t help feeling really proud of myself. We had a few more goes each, and Tegan and the younger ones had great fun popping over the smaller logs in trot, too.

    After that it wasn’t far to the campsite. We did most of it in walk because we were getting tired out (and so were the ponies). As soon as we dismounted, Tegan was clingier than ever, probably because she was still upset about getting told off by Sally. After we’d brushed our ponies down we had to turn them out in the next field and she wanted me to go with her. I said no because it was only about 50 steps away and Summer was there already. I just wanted to spend a bit more time with Jewel. But Tegan kept going on and on at me until finally I got really annoyed and snapped, “Fine, come on then!” I stomped off up there with Jewel in tow, and Tegan following miserablybehind with Twinkle. She’d got what she wanted, but she didn’t look very pleased about it.
    I didn’t say anything to her while we turned out our ponies, but she kept trying to hug me and was kind of hanging off my neck and going, “Please, Jess, cheer up!” It was so annoying that I couldn’t help shouting, “For goodness’ sake, can’t you leave me alone for once, Tegan!”

    Her eyes filled with tears. “Sorry, Jess,” she said quietly, then sloped off towards the tents.
    Oh dear, I felt like I was right to say that at the time, but writing it down has made me feel really guilty. Poor Tegan, I didn’t mean to get that cross. I’ll go and find her right now and give her a big hug and say sorry.

Thursday night – back in my bed at Pony Camp!
    I’ve gone to bed early to catch up with my diary (there’s so much to say!). Tegan’s so worn out she’s already asleep, even though the light’s still on. Lola and Alisha have gone to bed as well, but the others are watching something on Horse and Country TV in the