Chapter 33
Jack was a natural. He sat tall in the saddle while Sparky circled at the trot on a lunge rein. A broad grin split the little boy’s face as soon as he spotted Clare. ‘I can trot,’ he yelled, startling Sparky into a canter. Jack squealed with delight, sitting his pony with ease, keeping an eye on Clare to make sure she was watching.
‘Slow him down,’ said Tom.
Jack expression became determined. He sat down hard, struggling to gather the reins in his tiny fists. Sparky broke back into a fast trot and the boy bobbed up and down in time with the rhythm of his pony’s hammering hooves.
‘Tom,’ called Clare.
He flashed her a swift, proud smile, then turned back to his pupil. ‘Walk on.’ But instead of the easy transition Clare expected, Sparky swung towards Tom and came to an abrupt
