DD (12) has just started riding a pony for someone, having spent nearly 6 years riding round in effing circles at the local riding school. She has had a couple of rides when we have been on holiday over open moorland, beaches etc, and a 3 day riding holiday in Anglesey.
A friend of hers has also been riding someone else's horse, so today they set out for the first time on their own unsupervised. They were so excited. I drove them round the route yesterday. Friend stayed over at ours last night. Much giggling and laughter all evening as they planned their outing.
DH dropped both girls at their respective yards, helped DD to tack up and watched her ride off to meet her friend.
45 minutes later they were both off. 
Total chaos on the bridlepath apparently. Friend wanted to canter to get rid of some steam (blame the chap she has been riding out with for that notion). DD struggling to control her pony. Eventually DD's pony bolted, onto a road in a housing estate. Friend fell off on bridlepath, and DD threw herself off her pony onto the pavement as they were approaching a woman with two small children! Fortunately DD's pony then stopped, and friend's pony stopped with hers.
The first question I asked when DD phoned me in tears was "Have you got both ponies?"
Both girls bruised. One of the ponies has a cut which may need stitching.
I just feel so sorry for the pair of them. Talk about coming down with a bump!