Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne




Catch Rider by Jennifer H. Lyne shares the prep and showing for the USEF Medal and ASPCA Maclay competitions - the good, the bad and the ugly.

Sidney Criser is a teenage girl with a passion and talent for horses but no money to show the "A" circuit. When a chance to ride a talented horse in a big show causes Sid to qualify for the Medal Maclay, she tries her best to compete against the other wealthier riders with expensive horses. Her uncle, a horse trainer, comes to her aid and together they overcome all obstacles to attend the finals in New York.

I loved the behind the scenes realistic descriptions of the horses, riders and show at Madison Square Garden.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Stuck by Becky Mushko



Stuck by Becky Mushko is a wonderful coming of age story with horses and ghosts added to the mix.

Jacie has a lot to deal with for a fifth grader - her mother's illness and then death, her father's busy work schedule and being forced to pick a summer camp to attend. She decides on a horse camp although she has never been around them. The session helps her heal emotionally as she makes progress in her riding and enjoys new friendships. But when camp ends, Jacie has another turmoil in her young life - her dad has met an old schoolmate and they plan to be married and move to a farm.

It's almost more than Jacie can bear especially when she is sent to live with her future stepmother on the farm before her dad joins them.

Then she meets a ghost from that location, and as she tries to help the lost soul Jacie finds out that her life isn't so bad after all.

The story is realistic even though it has supernatural elements. The author pulls the reader into Jacie's chaotic life right from the first page and chapter, making the reader want to see how it all turns out.

Visit the author's website at http://www.beckymushko.com/

Friday, July 12, 2013

Blue Note by Peter Wilben - Great Equine Mystery Novel!



If you enjoy Dick Francis type of horse mystery novels, then you are going to love Blue Note by Peter Wilben. 

Known for his "financial thrillers" this Irish author has a background in trading. Murder and mayhem entangle with Thoroughbred racing and breeding in this thriller which features Joe Grace, an investor who agrees to help a friend with what should be a simple task. But one by one bodies are found and attempts on Joe's life are also made. He refuses to give up his quest to solve the murders since someone is so determined to end his life.

The quick pace, the wit and the excellent equine details make this an exciting page turner! 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Horse Country by Christine Meunier



This novel describes the Down Under adventures of a teen nicknamed Wes who is determined to have a career with horses, a young women named Lise who works at a Thoroughbred Stud Farm and twins Melanie and Maddie who share a passion of training riders and horses at their family's stable.

Wes begins her work experience in high school and continues afterwards working at various types of stables to increase her skills in the horse industry. Lise has her hands full with rowdy yearlings and staff alike. The twins share teaching lessons but soon have different ideas about their futures.

This book would be an excellent reference for young horse lovers wanting to know about the day to day, season to season, life of barn workers in different disciplines. It explains the life at a breeding operation from stallions to broodmare care, and includes the foaling and yearling prep for sales. Then there is the variety positions at horse shows, racetracks and riding stables. Details are explained for teaching beginner riders, for those learning dressage and jumping and also health care and emergency first aid.

It's obvious the author is a professional in the industry and her writing makes the novel easy to read and understand as long as you share her passion for horses. Even the Australian terms can be figured out by American readers.

Her book is available in print and as an e-book on Amazon. To learn more about the author and her book, visit http://horsecountrybook.com/