Henry Hunter, otherwise known as Harry, is a member of the New York Police Department. A chance meeting with an English woman who is riding her horse out where the young man is exercising, develops an instant attraction for Harry.

Although the woman named Tomasey shows little interest in Harry initially, Harry pursues Tomasey with a keen interest. The resulting romance is short lived as Tomasey finishes her stay in the United States and focuses on her equestrian pursuits which take her around the world. Tomasey writes to Harry and in the young policeman, a desire to take up riding builds. Bareback follows the equestrian pursuits of Harry, who finds himself suddenly purchasing a spirited thoroughbred and bursting into the equestrian world.

As Harry’s riding improves under tuition and his hours in the saddle increase as he works around the show circuit, he suddenly develops a desire to take on the most difficult of events – Badminton. The fact that it is in London where Tomasey will be competing gives it an added appeal.

The equestrian side of the story appears quite realistic, but Bareback although titled a romance, appears lacking in this area. The main female character I struggle to see as appealing for any male lead. She seems too self involved. Harry’s infatuation with her appears a little over the top and although good impetus for him to take up riding, it seems the competition side of the story has more appeal than the romance.

Author: Tim Truelan
http://www.authortimtruelan.co.uk/
Fiction – teen or adult
In My Library? As an ebook copy, indeed!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

Book 1 in the Timber Ridge Riders series by Maggie Dana introduces the reader to 14 year old Kate McGregor. Kate is answering an advert regarding a potential job being an aid and companion to a wheelchair bound girl, Holly. The one thing Kate didn’t bank on with the job however, was it’s proximity to horses.

Holly’s mother can’t pay a lot for the position and has offered Kate some riding lessons on top of the small sum. No longer wanting to have anything to do with horses after a horrible accident resulting in the death of a horse Kate used to compete on, the young teen finds the idea of taking Holly to the stables on a regular basis a little more than daunting.

Holly and Kate hit it off however and Kate finds herself agreeing to take the other teen down to the stables where she is keen to start therapeutic riding.  As she comes to unexpectedly frequent the stables, Kate finds herself drawn to Holly’s talented big black horse.

As another rider experiences a fall and needs help quickly, Kate realises she must ride Magic to get help.  But if she does so, Holly will know that her fear of horses is a lie. Putting this aside, Kate doesn’t realise that her capabilities as a rider that she’s kept well hidden, could mean an awful lot to the Timber Ridge Riders.

A hurried ride brings back the exhilaration of horses for the teen, but it also leads her down a path she has been avoiding – with good reason.

Keeping Secrets is a great introduction to this series.  Holly and Kate are likeable teens who hit it off immediately and their rival Angela Dean is a character you’ll love to hate.  An enjoyable read.

Author: Maggie Dana
http://www.maggiedana.com/
Fiction – teen
In My Library? As an ebook copy, it is!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.” – R S Surtees

The Horse Rider’s Mechanic Workbook 1: Your Position offers an in depth look at the rider’s position as a whole. Broken down into different segments, it addresses how the rider’s feet, ankles, calves and lower legs as a whole should be positioned. It then moves onto the upper leg, the torso, upper body and head and their positioning.

With each part of the body discussed, a description is provided along with notated photos of how the body should be positioned. In light of this, possible issues that may arise with each body part and its position are also discussed.

Jane Myers points out incorrect riding positions and what can be done to fix certain issues. Throughout the text, further reading is provided in the form of links to articles on the Horse Rider’s Mechanic website. Reference is also provided for further reading in the next two books in the Horse Rider’s Mechanic series.

Part 1 of these workbooks provides a great overall picture of how the rider should be positioned whilst horse riding.

Better yet, it covers greatly, issues that may arise and how these can be corrected. It seems a wonderful text for bringing to light issues to the rider, that may otherwise have gone unknown and held the individual back from becoming a more effective rider.

Authors: Jane Myers
http://www.equiculture.com.au/
Non Fiction – horse riding
In My Library? As an ebook copy, it is indeed!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“Every time you ride, you’re either teaching or unteaching your horse.” – Gordon Wright

This novel by Anne Digby explores the close relationship of two young girls as they grow up together, their love for horses helping to develop and strengthen their friendship. Mr and Mrs Dewar own Chestnut Farm. Anna is their only daughter, and Mary’s best friend, in spite of the fact that Mary is the daughter of the hired cowman.

Mr Dewar initially buys two ponies for the girls and they learn the joys of horse riding and horse care. As they develop riding skills and outgrow their ponies, Mary is devastated to find that her pony should be sold alongside Anna’s. Only Anna is getting a new show jumper in its place.

Even though the new horse belongs to Anna, the girls share him as if he were both of theirs. Mary develops a great love for the gangly thoroughbred that loves to jump. When Anna is suddenly to be sent off to another school, Mary is thankful she can look after the horse for her friend. She is devastated to find that Mr Dewar however wants to hire her to do the job and expects that she won’t jump the horse they’ve named September.

Mary and Anna grow apart and it feels to young Mary that she has lost her best friend as well as September. It is only after September is sold after a riding accident that Mary questions if things can ever possibly return to how they used to be. Eager to defy the snobby girl that was once her best friend, Mary puts together a plan to show September’s worth when the Dewar family has written him off for good.

A Horse Called September is an interesting and entertaining read, with good winning out in the end.

Author: Anne Digby
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/89147.Anne_Digby
Fiction – children
In My Library? As an ebook copy, it was a free download!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucious

Charlene is a horse that loves to jump – and does it well! Alongside her friends, they work hard to be the best animals they can and help each other out. Bentley Bulldog turns up at the stables one day whilst Mary is riding Charlene.

He is an opinionated bully that surprises the other animals who live there. Elliott, a much larger dog works hard to kindly correct Bentley. Hattie the chicken finds her feathers are ruffled as Bentley insults her. She works hard to prove that she is more than just a simple chicken.

Charlene is working hard to gain the most points in each horse competition she enters, so that they can gain the award for the highest score overall. As she works hard with her owner Mary, Charlene also works hard with her friends to help them when they need it, and to encourage Bentley to be the best bulldog he can be.

The story has a delightful message about working together, trying to be your best, even though mistakes happen and how bullying can negatively affect yourself and others. Author Deanie Humphrys-Dunne shows that it’s never too late for a bully to become a friendly and loving character, sometimes they just need to be shown how!

Author: Deanie Humphrys-Dunne
http://childrensbookswithlifelessons.com/
Fiction – children
In My Library? As an ebook copy, yes!
Want it? Get it now at Amazon.

“Don’t count your ribbons before the show starts.” – Author unknown