With dark curls to die for glamorous Estra, along with the loyal companionship of her horse, Silverado, and tame wolf, roams the faraway and mystical lands of Azbathria, where she encounters adventures and is forever being rescued by the dark and handsome Sir Nathan, the Black Knight. Except that Azbathria exists only in its creator's imagination and Estra's (real name Henrietta) adventures all happen in her head. It is where Henrietta's made-up life provides a striking contrast to her more mundane real existence as she juggles her home life with her parents, elder sister and their rescue dog Wolfie, school, and disappointing riding lessons on her favourite pony, Silver. In real life Etta has disobedient hair, nurses a terminal crush on Nathan Black and can't help comparing herself to Amelia Armitage who not only has fairy-tale hair, but seems to be living the life Etta longs for. Can Henrietta get her life together? Or is she forever destined to be the girl overshadowed by Amelia, ignored by Nathan, and fail in her attempts to achieve 'the right attitude'? Or will she eventually realise that the answer to living the life she desires lies within taking control over herself and her actions - in both lives.

Janet Rising has written sixteen pony books for young readers including, with Carl Hester MBE, FBHS, the life story of Valegro, the greatest dressage horse that has ever lived. Although no stranger to writing fiction for adults, this is her first book for that audience: a hilarious, hair-raising and often thought-provoking look back at over fifty years of equestrian memories. Older readers will find themselves reminiscing about their own horsy memories; younger readers will marvel at how times have changed - but all will share a common empathy with the author's love of all things equine. Janet Rising refused to allow the fact that she was born in the suburbs, with no hope of ever owning a pony, to prevent her from making horses her life. Her equestrian career included teaching riding at various riding schools, working for a top class donkey stud, and 20 years as an equine journalist and editor of Pony, the magazine for young riders. For anyone who has ever wondered how teenage riders in the 1970s stayed alive despite hair-raising lessons and the absence of health and safety, about riding attire fashioned without stretch fabrics, how a love of horses makes for female empowerment, whether Pony Club mums make good riding sons, ideas on being an equestrian dominatrix, how not to clean tack, whether Happy Hackers need a re-boot and why riding bareback is not a good idea (and riding without a bridle even worse), this book will provide the answers. Included are equestrian tales throughout the 1980s and 1990s, why going posh might not be all its cracked up to be; the pitfalls of clipping and bewildering rug wardrobes, unconventional riding holidays in Spain and hair-raising African safaris; the pitfalls of teaching riding and the story of a small bay mule who captured the author's heart. There are highs, there are lows but always there are laughs. Written with wry humour and packed with surprises on every page, this is an equestrian memoir like no other - a horsy life you couldn't make up!

Valegro: The Legend, is the sixth and final book in The Blueberry series, specially written for all readers, young and old, who have been captivated by the most successful dressage horse of all time - Valegro! Written from the viewpoint of Blueberry (Valegro) himself, with his own take on his friendships and lessons learned from all his equine, canine, feline and human friends, this book takes the reader to Valegro's final competitions, towards his retirement from competitive dressage. Has the little brown horse achieved all his ambitions or is there still something he feels he has left undone? Author Carl Hester MBE, is a veteran of no fewer than five Olympic Games and has, with his unique, revolutionary and humane methods of training, influenced the training and performance of dressage horses for the better throughout the world. Each book in the Blueberry series offers insights into his own methods at his yard in Gloucestershire, and some of his menagerie of animals who live there feature in the books. A delightful read for anyone who has been fascinated by this amazing horse, and wants to learn more about how he became the best the world has ever seen.

The second book in a series for children that tells the real-life story of Valegro, informally known as Blueberry. Valegro! Everyone has heard of the most famous dressage horse in the world, star of two Olympic Games, known at home as Blueberry. The second book in The Blueberry Stories documents his phenomenal rise to fame, brought to life by his trainer and co-owner, Carl Hester, told to equestrian author Janet Rising. The little brown horse has to learn his craft and it isn't long before Carl has him entered for some important competitions. But will Blueberry be able to display his amazing potential? Will Carl be pleased with his pupil and continue training? Or will the prejudices of the other horses he encounters, who look down on him because of his lack of height, affect Blueberry's confidence? Valegro - The Early Years continues Blueberry's story in his own words and not only tells his life before he became famous, but gives an insight into one of the world's top dressage yards, together with all its inhabitants. Follow Blueberry's amazing journey as he works hard to follow his dream of becoming the best dressage horse the world has ever seen. This book continues the series and includes learning and technical aspects to pass on some equestrian knowledge and morals in a fun and friendly way, edited to Key Stage 2 making them suitable for use in schools and learning programmes. Ideal for readers aged 7-12, the young at heart and all animal lovers.