Topper’s neighbours knew he had been famous and liked to hear all his racing stories so Topper was invited to every party; birthdays, Christmas and New Year celebrations, even to births and christenings. In fact his neighbours loved to party! And they always had plenty of food and Topper liked his food so much he could not say No! That was why Topper had put on a lot of weight since his racing career had finished and he had moved to the farm.

Today, Topper was invited to yet another party at Bulmore Hall. But there was a problem; he could not find his way there. In fact, he could not find his way anywhere. You see, when Topper had been a racehorse, it was easy; jump the fence, see the next fence, gallop over to it and jump it. Always in a circle so that Topper had never needed to think which turning to take. Now he had retired, he had problems finding his way even around the farm.

Topper needed his friends to show him the direction.

“You have to go to the top of the hill,” said Nesbit the Rabbit.

“Where the two trees are,” pointed Blackfoot the Crow “turn left and follow the path. It takes you straight to Bulmore Hall.”

And so, Nesbit Rabbit and Blackfoot Crow managed to get Topper to the party on time.

At the party, Topper, dressed in his best coat and top hat, had his audience spellbound with stories of his glorious past. Then, he ate all the oats he could and washed it down with a long cool drink. He danced the Hokey-Cokey, trotted to the Foxtrot and twirled to the Waltz, which he was a natural at seeing his talent for going around in circles but he avoided Line dancing. Yet after another spin around the dance floor he had had enough for one evening and wanted to hang up his horseshoes for the night. He decided it was time to go home but Nesbit and Blackfoot were nowhere to be seen.

Topper waited and waited, until Blackfoot the Crow appeared on his own. Blackfoot was out of breath for he’d flown quickly.

“You have to help! Nesbit’s fallen down a deep hole!” panted Blackfoot, after failing to get Nesbit out of the hole he’d rushed to meet Topper.

“Where is he?” replied Topper.

Blackfoot gave the horse directions and then collapsed exhausted. Topper pulled in his stomach and galloped off down the path towards the two trees. He forgot his tiredness and imagined instead he was racing so that he arrived at the place as if his hooves had wings.

“Thank goodness you’re here. I can’t jump out, not even with my bouncy back legs” said Nesbit peering up from the deep dark hole.

Topper thought for a minute and then said “If I can find a rope, I can pull you up. I think I saw a gate tied up with rope on the lane. I’ll be back in a minute.” And off he galloped.

Topper found the gate and cut the rope free by gnawing it with his teeth. When he arrived back at the hole, he found Blackfoot waiting.

Topper dropped the rope down the hole and called down to Nesbit “Grab the rope tightly with your teeth and I’ll pull you out.”

When Nesbit grabbed the rope Topper started to pull and Nesbit’s feet lifted off the ground. Quickly he raised Nesbit out of that deepest and darkest of holes and the three friends were re-united.

So that is how Topper the horse helped a friend. At any future parties he will still tell stories of his glorious past, but he knows his greatest achievement was rescuing Nesbit the rabbit, better than winning cups or prizes!