"Feel-good, laugh out loud funny, yet also deeply moving..." "The way Grace has written about her mental health issues and woven it around the story is inspirational and will strike a chord with many readers" The comical tales of a new mum on her journey from post-natal depression to the dawning of her self-worth as she discovers adventure, friendship and the healing power of horses. Join Grace as she battles her negative thought patterns and fears amongst a backdrop of eccentric characters, pampered farm animals and the glorious Yorkshire countryside. Wisdom comes from unexpected sources leading Grace to a psychological and spiritual awakening of the true meaning of motherhood. While an elderly, opinionated pony teaches her how to love her daughter, a scary young sports horse teaches her how to relax and enjoy life again. Just watch out for the goats... For fans of James Herriot and Ruby Ferguson's Jill books, The Yard is a hilarious and heart-warming, joy to read.

On May 4, 1968, Dancer's Image crossed the finish line at Churchill Downs to win the 94th Kentucky Derby. Yet the jubilation ended three days later for the owner, the jockey and the trainers who propelled the celebrated thoroughbred to victory. Amid a firestorm of controversy, Dancer's Image was disqualified after blood tests revealed the presence of a widely used anti-inflammatory drug with a dubious legal status. Over forty years later, questions still linger over the origins of the substance and the turmoil it created. Veteran turfwriter and noted equine law expert Milt Toby gives the first in-depth look at the only disqualification in Derby history and how the Run for the Roses was changed forever.

In the late eighteenth century, in the bustling city streets of Louisville, began a tradition of thoroughbred racing that has transcended centuries. Follow Kimberly Gatto as she chronicles the history of the world's most famous racing venue, which revolutionized the "Sport of Kings" and created the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Clark Handicap races. Fans will enjoy the tales of various horses, from the early triumph of Ten Broeck over Mollie McCarthy to the Derby victory of the heroic Barbaro. Churchill Downs: America's Most Historic Racetrack recounts how various financial hardships, the introduction of parimutuel wagering, the construction of the famed twin spires and the age of television transformed Churchill Downs into the majestic track we recognize today.

With the popularity of the cob rising year by year, it's time to extol the virtues of this humble hero of the horse world. Cobs Can! is an instructional training book specifically geared to cob riders who want to improve their flatwork and jumping. Using kind and gentle training methods that work with (not against) the typical cob's nature and build, Omar Rabia shows that it's perfectly possible to train these wonderful creatures to advanced levels. The book includes lateral work in walk, trot and canter, as well as piaffe, passage and Spanish walk. There are tips on jumping and exercises to improve technique. Most of all the book is a celebration of achievement, of what's possible when the versatile cob and a thoughtful rider combine their efforts - proving that cobs really can!

Are your dressage scores as high as you expect them to be? Are you good at riding, but not so good at competing? This book offers coaching on all aspects of preparing for and riding in dressage tests up to Medium level. There are instructions on how to ride all the test movements correctly, along with advice on the practical matters of choosing when and where to compete, learning and practising tests, having your horse and all your equipment organised, and then having a clear routine to follow once you arrive at the show. Best of all, the author explains how to master the art of competing, including presenting your horse in such a way that any training issues are not obvious to the eye - especially that of the judge.

Not Quite a Horsewoman" has, since its publication in 1982, delighted thousands of aspirant riders and horse owners. Now in its third edition and embellished with even more delightful cartoons by Anne Pilgrim, it will entertain a new generation of horse lovers as Caroline Akrill reveals the frequent disasters and the occasional triumphs of her long association with a string of equine characters. Ambitions and aspirations fall by the wayside as she tells the story of her leading rein pony, the saga of her show hack and the tale of her season as a hunting columnist. She remembers her first stable yard where she was exploited by her own working pupils, her brief career as a dealer operating from a small village pub, and the agonies of professionally producing show ponies as their owners waited at the ring-side with their livery cheques still unwritten. Engagingly witty, endearingly frank, sometimes surprising, but always amusing, Caroline Akrill regards the horse from the safety of the stable door and scrutinises him with candour and affection.

"This phrase book is a gem for those Spanish and English speakers who need help with communicating with each other and struggle to find the right words. It's a fantastic idea for the polo community and I am sure will become a regular on the book shelves and in the pockets of many grooms and owners. A most welcome contribution to the polo world." - Margie Brett, founder and publisher of Polo Times. "Ramon is the philosopher of the pampas. An incredible book for everyone in the polo industry and great entertainment at the same time." - John Horswell, UK coach.

At last a book that demystifies the communication system between rider and horse. Equestrian sports physiologist Eckart Meyners, and Hannes Muller, head instructor for the German National Riding School, show how good riding is a three-dimensional dialogue. Beginning with a thorough explanation of the classical training scale and a six-step program to build balance and rhythm, Meyners and Muller go on to three basic riding techniques -the flexing technique, the bending technique, and the half-halt technique, which they believe to be the foundation for all training. These are the primary skills for riding in dialogue with a horse. Throughout, exercises are provided to refine technique and work through the training scale, finally achieving the skill level necessary for horse and rider to work in collection.

To develop a harmonious partnership with your horse, whether you have ambitions in the competition arena or not, you need to develop a two-way communication system that is clear to both of you. In this new paperback edition of The Building Blocks of Training, Debby Lush, international dressage rider and senior instructor at the Training the Teachers of Tomorrow Trust, offers practical assistance in developing such a system, a progressive and logical one that is firmly rooted in classical training. The ultimate aim is to enhance the horse's mental and physical capabilities and so allow him to move easily and happily forward from the earliest simple steps to the more complicated efforts required further up the competition ladder. With step-by-step guides to every aspect of schooling from lungeing to lengthening (touching on the foundations to move on to the more advanced movements), and with troubleshooting sections to identify why things are going wrong and how to solve them, this book will be invaluable to countless horse and rider partnerships.

This is a tale of Ashdon Scriven's life, a professional polo player. It will tell of many of the fantastic polo ponies that helped shape his career. It is also a tale of the many young ladies that passed through it, however long or short their stay and changed it, some for better some for the worse.

However competent or experienced you are, you will always want to improve - to jump better. From being a complete beginner to competing at the highest level, there is always more to be done, and gridwork is the key, the building blocks of a winning partnership. Jumping trainer Carol Mailer, believes that these and many more problems can be overcome with the help of the grid: * My horse is nappy and bad tempered; is there any chance of him ever competing? * How can I help my horse jump straight? * My new horse was perfect when I bought him. Now he's stopping, running out or charging off with me. Why is he doing it? * I'm an inexperienced rider with a new horse. How can I form a good partnership when we start jumping? * Why does my horse keep putting extra strides in? * Is there a way to calm my horse down and make him listen to me? * I'm having a job stopping my horse cutting corners. Any ideas? Packed with exercises for finessing your technique and insightful solutions to classic jumping difficulties, Better Jumping is a wonderfully practical and inspiring book that will set you on the path to success, whatever your level.