Topic snorted and walked on, practically leading Ivy instead of the other way around. Ivy walked across the dirt and gravel towards the ring, feeling a little short of breath to be so close to such a strong creature.
So far, so good, Ivy thought.
Ivy stepped into the riding ring that was encircled by a white-painted fence. Despite the sunny day and clear blue sky, all she could think about was the headless horseman, thundering through the dark after his victims on his terrifying horse.
‘Great job!’ Rebecca said, with a big smile. ‘How did that feel?’
‘Uh … not as bad as I thought,’ Ivy said. But walking next to a horse was one thing. She was dreading what was coming next.
‘Oh, good,’ Rebecca said. ‘Time to mount up!’
Ivy gave a weak smile.
‘You’ll be fine,’ said Olivia. ‘Just think of her like a motorcycle.’
Ivy had always wanted to ride a big black motorcycle, dressed all in leathers. Maybe this wouldn’t be so different. She would just be higher up, on a living creature that might choose to throw her to the ground.
‘Olivia will hold Topic’s head to keep her straight and I’ll be right here to help you,’ Rebecca said. Olivia spoke steadily to Topic as Ivy tried to build up courage. ‘First, take the reins in your left hand and, with the same hand, grab a lock of mane.’
‘Really?’ Ivy said, cautiously following her instructions. ‘Won’t it hurt her?’
‘No, no,’ Rebecca said. ‘You won’t be putting your weight on it. Now, put your left foot in this stirrup. Grab the saddle here with your right hand.’ Rebecca patted the back of it. ‘Ready?’
No, no, no! Ivy wanted to scream, but she forced herself to nod.
‘On the count of three, swing your right leg over. Try to land gently and not hit the horse with your leg.’ Rebecca smiled, and the thought flashed in Ivy’s mind that this would be just the moment to have her mom here. ‘You can do it.’
Ivy closed her eyes.
‘One, two, THREE!’ Rebecca and Olivia counted together.
Ivy hauled herself up and swung her leg over. When she opened her eyes, she was amazed to be sitting in the saddle.
‘Oh my darkness,’ she breathed.
Topic shifted her weight underneath her and Ivy felt a rush of adrenaline. She had done it! She was riding a horse! Well, OK, technically it was sitting still on a not-moving horse, but she never thought she’d get this far. Then she looked at the ground and realised she was pretty high up.
Gulp.
‘Perfect!’ Rebecca called up. ‘Olivia, you mount up and we’ll go on a little walk.’
Olivia got up on Honey easily, and Ivy felt better having her sister at the same height.
Rebecca started to lead Topic around the ring, and Ivy was amazed. Topic didn’t seem to mind her at all. Ivy had no idea what to do or how to control her, but the horse hadn’t bolted or freaked out. The steady rhythm of her plodding was soothing.
Ivy felt her heart race. She had a slightly different view of the farm. Suddenly the disapproving chickens seemed smaller and the dark wooden stable didn’t look so imposing.
‘I’m letting go now,’ Rebecca said. ‘Use the reins to point her nose in the direction you want her to go.’
Ivy felt the leather strap in her palm.
Can it really be that easy? she wondered. She pulled a little to the left and Topic obeyed.
‘Wow,’ Ivy breathed.
Hank and John, the stable hands, were watching from just outside the fence and applauded her.
‘Go, Ivy!’ John called. ‘Ride ’em, cowgirl!’
‘See what I mean?’ Olivia called from just behind.
Ivy nodded. Suddenly, instead of demon horses, she could imagine racing along green fields on Black Beauty …
‘Told you I’d never failed to find a horse for a rider!’ Rebecca said.
But just then, Topic tossed her head and sidestepped. Ivy hadn’t done anything. ‘Wh-what?’
Topic whinnied and pawed at the ground.
‘Steady,’ Rebecca’s voice came from somewhere to the side, but Topic was already starting to buck. ‘Steady!’
Ivy panicked; her mouth went dry and it felt hard to breathe. ‘What do I do?’ she shouted, pulling on Topic’s reins as she bounced up and down.
‘Stay calm!’ called Rebecca. ‘Steady, Topic!’
With one loud whinny, Topic reared up and Ivy couldn’t hold on. She was falling. She landed with a thud on her side and cried out, feeling a shooting pain in her ankle.
‘Ivy!’ Olivia was at her side in a moment, while Rebecca grabbed on to Topic, who was still spooking.
Ivy tried to control herself, but tears streamed down her cheeks.
‘I’m just not meant to do this,’ Ivy said to Olivia.
Her sister didn’t say anything and gave her a huge hug.
‘Are you OK?’ Rebecca had handed Topic’s reins to Hank, who had rushed over.
‘My ankle,’ Ivy said.
Topic gave an apologetic whinny as Hank led her back across the yard.
Rebecca carefully removed Ivy’s boot and looked at her ankle. ‘It doesn’t seem broken. Can you stand on it?’
Ivy stood up and put her weight on it. It hurt but wasn’t unbearable.
‘I think it’s just a little sprain,’ Rebecca said. ‘I’m so sorry – I should have stayed closer. You just seemed as natural as your sister.’
Ivy sniffled. ‘I think me and horses don’t go together.’
‘Don’t say that,’ Rebecca said gently. ‘I know that was scary, but it wasn’t anything you did that spooked Topic.’
Ivy didn’t believe her.
‘Look.’ Rebecca pointed to the edge of the ring near where Ivy had been riding a moment before. A mother duck and her three ducklings were waddling under the fencing.
‘Topic is scared of ducklings?’ Ivy asked, baffled. It might have been funny if she hadn’t wanted it to be true so much.
‘I know it sounds unlikely, but horses can get scared of lots of things,’ Rebecca replied. ‘Listen, let’s get you inside to put that foot up. We can try again another time.’
Ivy dusted herself down. She had tried horse-riding once and, as far as she was concerned, once was enough. As she limped back to the farmhouse, Ivy had to face the fact that she would never be a horsewoman like her mother.