The Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant is popular among young women. With more than 100 horse books to her credit, the author wrote this one, #69, about the sport of endurance riding.
This was a fun book to read. Especially since I tried a competitive trail ride many years ago in a park outside of Philadelphia, and know that without training a horse and rider can feel overwhelmed! I had fun on my little Morgan stallion, Windfield Farewell, but realized halfway through that we were out of our element (his forte, I discovered later, was dressage). But at least we finished the course.
It was quite the learning experience for the Saddle Club girls too, but with help from an experience endurance rider who joins their group for the day, they overcome the many obstacles. They also learn that some riders DO know more about certain discipline more than the Saddle Club! I liked that the girls learned about social etiquette as well as the skills and equipment needed for this sport.
The exciting scene when their instructor and his horse fall off a steep ridge is a page turner - the reader wonders how the girls can help. The end is very satisfying and I'm looking forward to reading more of this series!
