Into the unknown

I’ve always been into exploring and love to head out on Bumble for hours, just the two of us. Sometimes my friends come with us, but not often, as they get bored, tired and hungry, and want to head for home just as we get to an area I haven’t been to before. But as much as they get bored of my epic rides, they always know who to ask for the best places to gallop!

The best bit about exploring with Bumble is he always knows the way home – if I lose my bearings, I just drop the reins and let him pick which way to go. To be honest, that part is just as much fun as finding new places to ride – having a bond with him where I trust him to get me home feels really special. We’ve had Bumble for years and Mum knows he’ll look after me so she doesn’t ever worry about us, plus she knows we’re always home before dark. Until one day…

Adventure seeking

It was the summer holidays and the weather was awesome, so Bumble and I set out for an afternoon ride in the direction of the river, which has a shallow area that you can ride in and splash around. I hadn’t explored very far on the other side, but it was the perfect day for it. Armed with a picnic and an apple for Bumble, we set off into the woods towards the long, sandy stretch that led to the river – Bumble’s favourite place for a gallop.

With the sun beating down, we came to a stop at the water, puffing and swishing away the flies that had started to gather. Bumble didn’t waste any time getting into the river for a drink and I let him have a paddle. Hot and sweaty, he began circling for a roll, so I laughed and called time on the fun – I wasn’t up for getting soaked and Mum would have killed me if his saddle went in! I gave him a small nudge and he leapt up the bank onto the other side. It wasn’t long before we were exploring new territory.

A magical surprise

It was a long walk down lots of narrow, almost invisible paths in the woods with nothing to see but hundreds of tall trees tightly packed together and I was beginning to think that this ride wasn’t going to be very exciting. Just as I started to think about heading back, the woods opened out into the most incredible scenery. In front of us was an open corn field with a path running through it and to our right a huge hill that had little waterfalls running down it.

Excited at my find, I didn’t know which way to go first, but after so much walking a good canter along the path through the crops was the most appealing option. Bumble must have thought the same, because he suddenly blasted off, me whooping and laughing as the corn that hung over the path whipped my face. 

Once out of the field, a path appeared to the right that went in the direction of the hill – our next place to visit. It got really steep and rocky, but luckily the path zig-zagged across the hill so it was a bit easier for Bumble. I could hear splashing and gurgling, so I went in search of the little waterfalls I’d seen from the edge of the woods. Crashing against the rocks, they looked incredible with the sun glinting on the water droplets as they flew through the air. Other than a few small rabbits darting about, there was no one around and it felt like I’d found a magical wonderland. 

Race against time

Thinking the girls at the yard wouldn’t believe it and wondering whether I could talk them into coming here, my
heart suddenly leapt into my mouth. I’d completely lost track of time and the sun was looking very low in the sky. I was miles away and there was no way I’d even be back to the river by dark, let alone home. 

We needed to get back as quickly as possible. I could have continued on down the hill to get back to the woods, which was the more direct route, but I didn’t know whether the tracks would be passable or where we were going. If I turned around and went back the way we came, it would be longer, but at least Bumble and I knew where to go, so that’s what we did.         

Kicking on where I could to make up time, we were losing our race against the sunset and as we stepped into the woods we were plunged into darkness. I gave Bumble his head and let him choose where to go. I had no idea which path to take – they all looked the same. Walking on confidently, Bumble picked his way over the roots and fallen branches, only stumbling a couple of times, even though it was pitch black. It had felt like we’d been in the woods a long time earlier on, but this time it seemed never-ending.

I finally heard the gentle gurgling of the river, and threw my arms around Bumble’s neck – this pony was incredible. Once we got across the river safely we’d be home and dry, as I knew the way back from there very well. All I had to get through after that was explaining myself to Mum.   

No way out

As we got closer to the river and I could see it through the darkness, I realised it wasn’t our shallow crossing. The bank was high and steep, and the water was moving quickly and looked deep. Bumble was hovering on the edge of the bank, unsure what to do and the ground started to crumble away under his feet. Even if we made it down the bank safely, there was no telling how deep the water was – getting into the river there wasn’t an option.  

I started to walk along the river to the left – we couldn’t have been far from the crossing. But after what felt like a lot of walking, I still couldn’t find a safe place to cross. Thinking it must have been the other way I walked back, but still nothing. The time had come when I’d have to ring Mum and confess that we were lost – she was going to go crazy. 

Home for the night

I got my phone out but there was no signal and to my horror I only had 2% battery left. What now? I didn’t dare to wander any further in the dark and get even more lost, so decided to set up camp and wait until it was light again. I found a thick bush to shelter against and snapped off several leafy branches to lie on. 

Suddenly my tummy rumbled. Thankfully I still had my packed lunch to eat, so I tucked in. Poor Bumble only had an apple, although he found plenty to munch on at our camp site. I took off his saddle, but had to leave his bridle on in case I lost him, although I felt guilty because he’d been wearing it for so long. I took the reins over his head and clung onto them, lying on my hand for extra grip in case I nodded off. 

I started to notice noises coming from deep in the woods. A twig snapped nearby. Was that Bumble or something else? Could it be something not very friendly? Who knows what could be living in there. My imagination began to run wild and I was seriously reconsidering camping out for the night.  

A familiar sound

Lying in the woods, heart beating fast, I was keeping frozen still while listening out for any scary noises. Then Bumble’s head suddenly shot up. What had he heard? Was something creeping up on us? Holding my breath while I listened hard, I couldn’t hear anything. But Bumble was becoming more and more agitated. 

Then I thought I heard a voice. I listened again. It was definitely a voice. Maybe even someone calling my name? I leapt up and put Bumble’s saddle on, then climbed on board. Bumble insisted on marching off. Guessing he was heading for the voice, but at the same time scared of getting even more lost, I decided to give him his head and trust him. 

The voice was getting louder and it sounded more and more like Mum. Then I saw what looked like torch lights moving on the other side of the river. Suddenly I recognised where I was. It was the crossing. I’ve never felt so relieved! Realising Mum was on the other side, along with my friends from the yard, Bumble and I trotted through the river and I leapt off into Mum’s arms. 

Safe at last

After a severe telling off from Mum for frightening her, next came all the questions about where I’d been and what had happened. Luckily for me, one of the other liveries at the yard had seen which direction I’d headed, so they knew roughly where to start looking for me when I didn’t come home.  

I’m not sure why Bumble didn’t get me home – maybe he was tired after such a long ride or perhaps the dark threw him off. But one thing’s for sure, in future I’ll always let someone know where I’m going and I’ll always have my phone fully charged, although I can safely say solo hacking won’t be happening for a while!