Riding High

RoseMarie Spearpoint was a librarian with Toronto Public Libraries, and was responsible for children's French selection.

The latest novel from Colleen Rutherford Archer, author of Foxy and the Missing Mask (1985), deals with friendship and teenage romance. While working to support her riding lessons at the Birchwood Equestrian Centre, seventeen-year-old Corrie Wagar is never too busy to lend a helping hand to a younger rider, such as Meg, a child with special problems. Corrie’s rival Crystal Thompson, the farmowner’s daughter, may be prettier; but unlike Corrie, she is selfish and insensitive. When she takes the beloved stallion, Con, away from Corrie during a year end competition, Crystal is downright mean. Inevitably, Corrie wins the coveted love and admiration of Mark Renzies whose father, a baron, plans to open his own riding school. Mark recognizes Corrie’s ability as a fine horsewoman and doesn’t let her hard work and caring go unrewarded.

Employing a lot of dialogue and a good range of vocabulary, Riding High is written to encourage reluctant readers with a high action tale that has possibilities of a sequel. Each short chapter contains a pencil drawing by Judi Pennanen which aptly captures the action recounted. Corrie’s companions at the farm project a good sense of camaraderie. Her father, who is on Unemployment Insurance, adds a nice touch of Canadian regionalism. Although the work involved in riding, grooming and tacking up is simplified, details on dressage are informative.

Corrie knows what she wants. Her main prob1em, that of finding a way to advance her training, is resolved in an exciting and believable way. Recommended for grades 6-10.