This short book is cleverly set out by Eleanor Russell and illustrated by Michael Breen. On each page, a term or statement is found that had previously been printed on dressage sheets.

Taking these often ambiguous statements into account, Eleanor has added humour with the illustrations of Michael Breen. Each page is made up of a statement with a matching cartoon.

Dressage Illustrated is a humorous, light look at the world of competing in dressage and the resulting feedback that riders receive about themselves and their mounts. A quick and easy read for those wanting a chuckle.

Author – Eleanor Russell
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/314789.Eleanor_Russell
Fiction – Dressage illustrations
In my library? – that it is!
Want it? Find it now at Amazon.

“Aids – the physical signs used by the rider to communicate with the horse.” – Eleanor Russell

This collection of short stories is made up of 100 pages of horse racing related anecdotes. Always with a splash of humour, it depicts well the colourful world of thoroughbred racing, particularly in Australia.

Because the focus is on Australian racing and jockeys in the 1900s, it can appear a little dated and some references to particular trainers or riders may be overlooked as time goes on and these names aren’t the current known names in racing history.

The Jockey who Laughed is a light read that is easily broken up because of the number of short stories it covers.  There are some amusing illustrations by Vane Lindesay, also.  It did seem to me to cater to a very select group of readers, however in spite of the broad topic of racing.

Author – Roy Higgins and Tom Prior
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14157426.Roy_Higgins
Non Fiction – anecdotal racing stories
In my library? – that it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“The only way to make a regular living following horses is to do it with a broom and a shovel.” – BRUCE THE BOOKIE, Melbourne SP Bookmaker.

Alec Ramsay is back in this adventure with his 17 hand high Arabian stallion, the Black. On a break between racing campaigns, Alec and the Black are housed on a stud farm passing time whilst the Black’s trainer Henry is dealing with business elsewhere.

Whilst out on a ride to exercise his horse, Alec finds himself drawn to the Everglades, a haunting and unusual swampland. As he feels the pull to explore further, he is amazed to come across another horse and rider. What’s more amazing is the circus act that is being performed by the grey mare with a rider who is using no saddle, bridle or other equipment.

Alec is drawn into the performance and finds himself heading back with the Captain and his mare to have lunch at a nearby house in the unusual swamp. As time passes, Alec finds that although he increasingly wants to escape the company of this scary and unusual man, he is unable to leave the premises when a storm hits. Forced to stay for the evening, Alec is dismayed to find himself caught up in the Captain’s superstitious stories and overactive imagination.

As events unfold, the Black ends up loose in the Everglades and Alec must use his commonsense and determination to find and rescue his horse, get away from the dangerous Captain and make his way out of the scary swamp. The Black Stallion’s Ghost is a haunting tale that cleverly depicts how one can get carried away with superstitions.

Author – Walter Farley
http://theblackstallion.com/web/author/
Fiction – children
In my library? – that it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“All equestrians, if they last long enough, learn that riding in whatever form is a lifelong sport and art, an endeavor that is both familiar and new every time you take the horse out of his stall or pasture.” – Jane Smiley