Every year the Grand National produces very different stories from jockeys and horses alike; uplifting scenes from a victor and heartbreak when a mere inch divides the loser from the winner at the end of nearly four-and-a-half miles and 30 challenging fences. The race has evolved over the years but there is one constant: luck, or the lack of it. How fitting, then, that in 1839 the first winner was named Lottery. Back then, huge crowds rode to Aintree by horseback, in carriages, carts or on foot. Hotels were so full that some slept four guests to a bed. Today the Grand National is probably the world's most famous horse race, with a global television audience of some 600 million in 140 countries. Anne Holland's richly informed book focuses on the race's various record-breakers, rather than being a purely chronological history. In this greatest of all steeplechases, many records have stood the test of time. It is still jockey George Stevens from the 19th century who has ridden the most winners - five. In 2019, Tiger Roll's second consecutive victory was the first time that the feat had been achieved since Red Rum in 1973-74, and before that, Reynoldstown in 1935-36. Throughout its vivid history, many people have been opposed to the Grand National, claiming it to be dangerous. During the 21st century the famous fences have been modified, the drop at Becher's Brook reduced, and the landing levelled. All this has led to a laudable reduction in injuries. The Grand National continues to provide men, women and diverse thoroughbred horses with a true test of skill, bravery and perseverance. Anne Holland's authoritative history celebrates one of the world's greatest sporting spectacles.

Exotic Betting at the Racetrack is unique as it covers the efficient-inefficient strategy to price and find profitable racetrack bets, along with handicapping that provides actual bets made by the author on essentially all of the major wagers offered at US racetracks. The book starts with efficiency, accuracy of the win odds, arbitrage, and optimal betting strategies. Examples and actual bets are shown for various wagers including win, place and show, exacta, quinella, double, trifecta, superfecta, Pick 3, 4 and 6 and rainbow pick 5 and 6. There are discussions of major races including the Breeders' Cup, Pegasus, Dubai World Cup and the US Triple Crown from 2012-2018. Dosage analysis is also described and used. An additional feature concerns great horses such as the great mares Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Treve, Beholder and Song Bird. There is a discussion of horse ownership and a tour through arguably the world's top trainer Frederico Tesio and his stables and horses in Italy.Related Link(s)

Dr James Warson, a neurosurgeon and lifelong horseman, says that over 90 percent of the population seeks help for back pain at one point or another during their lifetime. If you're a horseperson, back pain is of particular concern since everything you do on and around horses demands a supple, strong, healthy back: riding, grooming, tacking up, stacking hay bales, and even pushing a wheelbarrow. This book provides practical information to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and pain management related to a rider's back problems, whatever the cause. Dr Warson breaks down the physics of movement, and explains how combining two separate bodies, human and horse, creates additional sources of potential back strain and injury. Traditional and alternative treatments are discussed, and Dr Warson includes step-by-step instructions for a do-it-yourself physical therapy plan that will not only help those already dealing with back pain, but helps to improve rider flexibility and strength, to prevent the onset of a problem. This new revised paperback edition also includes a special section on riding after hip and knee replacement surgery.

Easy lessons in 'horse-speak' for pony-mad kids. This lovely book, chock full of beautiful colour photgraphs, explains the basics of horse body language and how to 'talk back'. With a focus on groundwork that is safe and fun for children, it provides an introduction to natural horsemanship and shows how good communication can keep you safe in everything you do with your horse. This book shows you how horses use body language to communicate and provides easy groundwork exercises you can do to learn to read your horse's body language. It also shows you how you can use your own posture and movement to ask your horse to go forward, stop, turn and follow, as well as providing a 'horse-speak' dictionary of common horse body signals to help get you started.

In this book, every horse owner will find step by step instructions to turn their ponies into genuine four-legged beauties, or to make lovely horses even lovelier--all thanks to the right grooming of your horse's mane, tail, and coat. Whether for competition, breed show, or at home, here they will find simple instructions to make grooming easy. Learn how to do a Spanish plait, turn your horse's mane into a mass of waves, plait a mane, or pull a tail.

A Year In The Frame is award winning sports photographer, Edward Whitaker's third collection of images following on from In The Frame and Beyond The Frame. These photographs encapsulate the racing year; its grandeur, its traditions, its variety, its vivid palette of colours. Festivals from around the globe punctuate the calendar and these are brought to life through the lense of a master craftsman. From Cheltenham to Chantilly, Meydan to St Moritz, the best that the sport of kings has to offer is captured in moments, at times vast in scale and at others focused, intimate. Stars, both equine and human are on show, as well as racegoers who tend to dress for the occasion and not the elements they may have to battle, whilst the unique characteristics of each month are exposed chapter by chapter. Racing fans are reminded that they are never more than a few days away from something to enjoy.

Welcome to dressage like you've never seen it before! In this fascinating and highly illustrated book, Jim Masterson - creator of the Masterson Method - works with a crack team of experts to demonstrate the unique demands put on the physiology of the modern dressage horse and how this affects his training. He explains what riders can do to improve the horse's ability to perform the movements required at different levels using the acclaimed Masterson Method.

Inspired by the connection that breathing techniques can bring, this follow-up to Ride From the Heart is written to empower trainers, teachers and riders of all disciplines to connect with the horse and build a relationship built on trust and understanding. Breathing techniques facilitate self-control, calmness of mind, stability and energy, thus enhancing balance and harmony within your riding. Jenny Rolfe looks at the rider from top to toe and discusses where tension may be carried. She provides exercises to release restrictions caused by tension. These help the rider not only to ride in good posture and balance but also to cultivate a deep sense of connection and feel. Her training methods are designed to advance the athletic ability of the horse whilst cultivating a feeling of confidence, trust and enjoyment for both horse and rider.

On October 20, 1923, at Belmont Park in New York, Kentucky Derby champion Zev toed the starting line alongside Epsom Derby winner Papyrus, the top colt from England, to compete for a $100,000 purse. Years of Progressive reform efforts had nearly eliminated horseracing in the United States only a decade earlier. But for weeks leading up to the match race that would be officially dubbed the "International," American journalists provided unprecedented exposure for the sport. The widespread buzz surrounding the race helped lay groundwork for the sport's national proliferation in the years that followed and reaffirmed New York's status as the epicenter of American racing a decade after the sport's return from a two-year shutdown there. Framing the match race between two prominent countries also raised the stakes and put Americans in the position of embracing a new nation, one that would become a global superpower following World War I. In Racing for America, author James C. Nicholson argues that the Zev-Papyrus match served as an important starting point for a progression of international events, including the Empire City Gold Cup, the Washington DC International Stakes, and the Arlington Million, that eventually culminated in the creation of the Breeders Cup World Championships - the annual apex of American racing. Nicholson discusses how syndicated sports columnists shared news, analysis, gossip, and profiles of the equine contestants and the people associated with them, including Zev's owner, oil tycoon Harry F. Sinclair, curmudgeonly trainer Sam Hildreth, and budding celebrity jockey Earl Sande. The American press also played up the rags-to-riches angle in stories about Papyrus's team, creating interest in, and sympathy for, the English team. Those tales of upward social mobility also homed in on American mythological space, muddying the waters as to which horse better reflected what Americans collectively wanted to see in themselves. An American Triumph narrates the rise of an international racing circuit and community, the imperiled status of American racing, the rise of big-time celebrity culture surrounding sports, the glamor and corruption of American politics and resurgent big business, and the popularization of eugenics. Though the International Race was one of the biggest sporting events of the era, no one associated with Zev or the "Race of the Century" would earn a lasting place in American popular memory among other athletic heroes in the golden age of sports, including Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Bill Tilden, and Walter Hagen. Racing for America remembers the blockbuster event, arguing not only that the match brought American horseracing to a place of cultural prominence that it had not achieved in decades, but that the "International," illustrates Americans' hunger for tangible evidence of their nation's strength in the aftermath of the First World War, as well as the central role of politics, money, and ballyhoo in the growth of commercialized sports in Jazz Age America.

You will never look at a Thoroughbred yearling or racehorse in the same way.
Based on bone structure, muscle and levering. This book explains the key body parts, and how they apply to distance-gearing, ability, athleticism, etc. Begins with the basics in layman terms building the reader's knowledge and confidence, and only then moves on to advanced detail.
Learning how sets of bones function such as the elbow and shoulder joints, wither and stifle-set, fore and hind, and much more. Simply explained with images to help the learning process.
Purchase yearlings with the critical 'racehorse specific' traits. Identify yearlings as potential precocious 2yos, early types that will train on or, improving classic types. Quickly spot obscured weaknesses and strengths that many experts miss.
Thought provoking and innovative. The book is not based on the traditional veterinary or classic textbook theory - you may not agree with everything you read, but it will get you thinking.
Written side by side with a trainer specifically to be understood by those who are coming from a basic conformation/levering knowledge base.

Riding in perfect balance with the lightest application of aids is something most riders strive to achieve. But without the help of an instructor by your side at all times, it is easy for bad habits to develop unnoticed. With over 100 photographs showing common riding faults - such as tipping forward, weak lower leg position, heavy hands and incorrect application of the aids - this is an outstanding guide for anyone aiming for grace, balance and accuracy in their riding. Each of the 100 features includes a technique to work on and advice on what might go wrong and how to put it right. Focus is also given to the right mental approach, rounding off this complete riding problem solver. Classical riding instructor Susan McBane offers simple yet effective advice on how to identify and remedy 100 of the most common riding problems, with a straightforward and accessible approach to horses. Designed in easy-to-reference sections, 100 Ways to Improve Your Riding is the ultimate equestrian problem solver, helping you to get the most out of your ability and your horse. 'The instruction given in the book is ... based on sound classical principles ... a good buy for just about any rider and riding teacher.' The Classical Riding Club

Greyhound racing emerged rapidly in Britain in 1926 but in its early years was subject to rabid institutional middle-class opposition largely because of the legal gambling opportunities it offered to the working class. Though condemned as a dissipate and impoverishing activity, it was, in fact, a significant leisure opportunity for the working class, which cost little for the minority of bettors involved in what was clearly little more than a 'bit of the flutter' , This book is the first national study of greyhound racing in Britain from its beginnings, to its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, and up its long slow decline of the late twentieth century. Much of the study will be defined by the dominating issue of working-class gambling and the bitter opposition to both it and greyhound racing, although the attractions of this 'American Night Out' will also be examined. -- .

Heart must find her family and a safe haven for the unicorns. A drawing in the book from Dunraven's castle shows the same unicorn design as her foundling blanket! Perhaps the book tells more about her family -- but she cannot read it. Searching for a teacher, she finds a blacksmith whose family forge was made by unicorn magic. His old records show that his grandfather made giant iron gates using the same design. If Heart can find those gates perhaps she will find her family -- but will Dunraven's men find her first?

*PALIO is the official publication launched in conjunction with the release of the award-winning film* The Palio, the famous bare-back horse race, is the most important event in Siena, taking place on July 2 and August 16 every year* Directed by Cosima Spender, written by John Hunt, and produced by James Gay-Rees, the producer or AMY"A compelling tale of Italian community, machismo, bribery and ambition." FinancialTimes The Greatest Story Never Told PALIO is a richly illustrated celebration of the legendary horse race which has united the people of Siena for centuries. Showcasing never before seen imagery from specially commissioned photography, together with epic film stills and rare archival images, PALIO is Italy in microcosm. This authoritative volume explains not only the civic ritualism and rich symbolism of this extraordinary event, but how "the game" is played both on and off the racetrack. For the "assassin" jockeys and the passionate Sienese - il Palio e vita - the Palio is life. PALIO is the official publication launched in conjunction with the release of award-winning film, PALIO, directed by Cosima Spender, written by John Hunt and Cosima Spender, and produced by John Hunt and James Gay-Rees. Contents: The Palio; Foreword; Introduction; An 800-Year Old Race; The Contrade; TheDrappellone; The Festival of the Palio; Countdown to the Race; The Day of theRace; Horses and Jockeys; Palio-inspired Culture; Facts and Figures.

Required reading for every Pony Club Member--now in a valuable new edition

The United States Pony Club (USPC) is among the largest equestrian organizations in the United States, with more than 14,000 members in 600 clubs spread across 49 states, credited with training many current and past Olympic competitors. The USPC Manuals are required reading for every Pony Club Member, and will continue to be required reading into their new editions.

This book is written and illustrated for youngsters who want to learn to ride, especially members of the U.S. Pony Clubs, Inc., who want to meet the USPC's Standards of Proficiency. If you're that youngster, you will be able to read this book on your own. This classic guide will show you how to become a careful, thoughtful rider and how to communicate with and understand your pony. Some sections, however, are meant to be read by an adult (a parent or riding instructor), so you can get the extra help you may need to reach your goals. By the time you have read this book you will know a lot about riding in a ring and in the open; beginning jumping; pony care and handling; safety; having fun and meeting challenges; and much more. New information on critical developments in riding, instruction, and competitionThe latest research and development in nutrition and veterinary topicsCoverage of land conservation and horse health and safety"All-new photos and a fully updated look and feel

If you're a beginning rider, parent, or instructor, "The United States Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship" is a solid source of instruction, regardless of whether or not a Pony Club chapter is within reach.