The Dressage Chronicles ~ Karen McGoldrick

"You know what happens to all those girls who are just crazy about horses? Once they discover boys, the horses are history. Or maybe not. For Lizzy, and others like her, no boy, no man who knows what's good for him, speaks the unspeakable. It's me or the horse. It's no contest. And so Lizzy snips the threads that hold her, however tenuously, to a conventional life, and begins her journey into the world of horse sports. She signs on as a working student for dressage superstar Margot Fanning, heading to south Florida with her six year old mare, for the the season. She immerses herself in an extraordinary world of high-dollar horses and ambitious women, and receives an incredible education in more than just riding dressage. And she's taking notes. Welcome to The Dressage Chronicles." ~Amazon Book Description

Brittney Joy's Review---  LOVED!!...Karen McGoldrick captures the "behind-the-scenes" stories of the horse show world in The Dressage Chronicles. From the first page I was wrapped up in the storyline and the characters -- my interest never faded through 405 pages! This is a wonderfully juicy soap opera for the horse-crazy reader! And, the descriptions of the horses, riding, and equine behavior is exactly on-spot...I even learned some new things about dressage! Kudos to McGoldrick!

I cannot wait to download the sequel!!

To Tame a Wild Heart ~ L.B. Shire

"Chancy Mallory is loyal to three things in her life: her horse Bowie, her parents and the Mallory Ranch.

Chancy is set on capturing a wild mustang colt to prove her worth to her father who believes the Mallory legacy died when he buried his three sons. When Nick Stone appears at the ranch, Chancy can't fight the waves of change. She fears her father's attentions are slipping out of her reach. And while before she thought only of horses and the ranch, her thoughts are now drifting to boys and kisses. Sweet kisses with Nick that is. Except he's her rival, or is he?"  ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ Fantastic story of a young romance with a cowboy...and a mustang! This sweet story takes place on an eastern Oregon cattle ranch in the late 1800s. Now, stories of this time period are not usually my thing, but I was hooked  in the first few pages! The romantic suspense, ranch-talk, & the story of the mustang herd kept me turning pages and I blew through this book in a few days! Perfect summer read and I'm looking forward to the sequel! Curious to see where the story continues with Chancy...and Nick...and Snowbar... :)

Wild Horse, Wild Ride ~ Documentary

If you haven't already seen this movie, run out and rent (or buy!) "Wild Horse, Wild Ride!" This beautiful documentary captures the deep, true bond that can be achieved between horse and human. From the first minute of this movie, I was engrossed in the multiple stories that unfolded-- making me cry tears of heartache and of joy.  

Wild Horse, Wild Ride -- makes it to the top of my favorite movie list...EVER!! LOVED!!!!   

Wild Horse, Wild Ride - Website/Trailer

"Each year, through the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge, 100 people across the country attempt to tame a wild mustang in 100 days. Following this dangerous and harrowing feat performed by everyday people from every walk of life, is a public showcase that determines whether these horses can be saved from a life in captivity. Complete with first-hand footage and interviews, Wild Horse Wild Ride provides an in-depth look at the incredible relationship that blossoms between man and animal." ~Amazon Description

Pony Club Rivals ~ Stacy Gregg

THE AUDITIONS (PONY CLUB RIVALS, BOOK 1)

"Competition is fierce at the All-Stars Academy – can the new girl outshine her rivals? The Blainford ‘All-Stars’ Academy is the most elite horse riding school ever and it’s auditions time for next year’s new students! The hopefuls must battle for a place against the most talented riders from around the world. Friendships are quickly made, but with rivalries hotting up inside AND outside the arena, who will stay focused and outshine the competition?"  ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ Seriously ... I'm obsessed with Pony Club Rivals! I stumbled across Stacy Gregg's Pony Club Rivals Series while searching for young adult horse books on Amazon and downloaded the first book in the series -- The Auditions. OMG...I couldn't stop reading! I devoured this book!

There is not one slow point in this story. The twists and turns and action kept me wanting more! Not to mention, the characters made me tear-up and crack-up. I was enamored by the horse world that Stacy created and sucked in by the high speed and action of the competitions. 

She also had me giggling at the horsie-stereotypes worked into this story. Spot on!

No matter what your age, if you love horses you need to put this book on your read-list! I have already downloaded the second book in Stacy Gregg's Series-- Showjumpers, Pony Club Rivals Book #2. And, I cannot wait to jump into Georgie's new adventure! 

SHOWJUMPERS (PONY CLUB RIVALS, BOOK 2)

"Georgie has secured her place at Blainford Academy for now, but knowing who to trust is tough when you’re all competing against each other. Some new-found friendships might already be close to breaking point as competition heats up in the showjumping arena. Is cute boy James about to become an ally or is his scheming sister Kennedy going to wreck Georgie’s dreams? And can she really trust her rivals? Find out in the exciting second term!" ~Amazon Description

Brittney Joy's Review ~ After finishing "The Auditions," I immediately downloaded the second book in the Pony Club Rivals Series ~ Showjumpers! Again, I loved it!! Stacy Gregg's characters have a witty sense of humor which keeps me reading and giggling. The second book is full of more adventure, twists, and general horse-wonderfulness! I'm looking forward to the third and fourth books ... this series would make a great gift-set for the horse-crazy tween!

What is your favorite horsie-related read?

I grew up devouring The Thoroughbred Series by JoAnne Campbell! I wanted to be a jockey until I hit the very un-jockey-like height of 5'8". Never-the-less, I loved getting lost in the books and then running out to the barn, saddling up my mare, shortening the stirrups, and racing through the pastures.

Currently, two of my recent favorite horsie-reads are definitely  The God of Animals (Aryn Kyle) and Chosen by a Horse (Susan Richards)!

The writing in The God of Animals is haunting. I literally read sentences over and over as the wording was so stunning and honest. And, this book has the best opening line I have read in a long time..."Six months before Polly Cain drowned in the canal, my sister, Nona, ran off and married a cowboy." This story had me at the first line and NEVER let me go. This will be one I will reread.   

Chosen by a Horse made me laugh and cry and laugh and cry. The author was spot-on with her descriptions of horse behavior and thoughts. Loved, loved, loved.  

Now, what is your favorite horsie-read? I'm always looking for new books to add to my pile...