Excerpt of Sweetbriars: Leaving The City by Hollie Anne Marsh

“When Odette reared, she was most likely trying to tell you
something,” mum said as she leaned on the fence of the
stall. “Horses can be like children. They require loads of
patience, love, and training. But mark my words… in time
they will give you their trust and respect, and you will
always learn something new.”

Diane looked like she was about to choke on her coffee when
Violet called Tabby Tabster, and Cate resisted a smile. “I
will leave you poppets to get on with your horse things,”
Diane said in a stiff but not unfriendly voice. The girls
said goodbye to Diane and rode back to the stables. On the
way Tabby exasperatedly declared there was no point telling
her mum anything about horses.

Spot refused a jump one day, and Violet went over the
handlebars, jumping the jump for him! When Mum ran to help
her, Violet began laughing and saying, “Finally, finally!”
as she lay on the ground. Then she stood up and brushed the
dirt off her legs. “I had to fall sometime, and now I’m a
real rider. The only damage is a stain on my new jodhpurs!”
This incident made Cate think Violet was a bit mad, but it
also made her love her even more!