Learning to Ride

Sheila Martindale is poetry editor of Canadian Author and Bookman and
the author of No Greater Love.

This is a woman’s personal story in poetry, about learning to ride
horses as an adult. The poet takes us step-by-step through all its
aspects, from the scary first time in the saddle to becoming proficient
at show-jumping, from grooming and feeding the horse to cleaning the
stables. Particularly well done are the poems describing the special
relationship that develops between horse and rider as they get used to,
and come to trust, each other. McMaster’s language is straightforward
and accessible, and there is even a glossary of horsey terms at the
back. Although the occasional poem may be less than inspiring, the
collection as a whole is coherent and interesting. Robert Verrall’s
charming illustrations add a nice finishing touch.