Christmas is around the corner and the shopping has begun. Here are some books for you to consider when searching for gifts for horse-lovers. They are all from authors who live in our coverage area - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. We hope you find the perfect gift!
From Pennsylvania author, Beth Oberholtzer – “Working Horses”
Nonfiction
With over 240 photos by photographer John Herr, this colorful book includes six draft breeds and five carriage horse breeds. Readers will be transported into the everyday lives of the faithful Plain-sect farm families of Lancaster County, PA. Find photos of foals with their dams, working horses, training shots, and touching photos of working horses and the people who love them. The stories and interviews will make you feel you are there.
“I grew up on a farm surrounded by Amish farms and loved seeing the horses and mules working in the fields,” Oberholtzer said. “When I was a kid, we had riding horses and I “helped” one of our Amish neighbors when he worked his mules in a nearby tobacco field.”
“John Herr’s excellent photos are what readers will immediately enjoy about the books,” Oberholtzer said. “In Working Horses, readers will find stories that connect them with the farmers and breeders, along with general information about different breeds of draft horses, mules, and buggy horses.”
From New Jersey author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare – “Sergeant Reckless: Hero War Horse”
Picture Book
When US Marines fighting in the Korean War purchase a racehorse named Flame, she’s trained to work as their packhorse and renamed Sergeant Reckless. In this true story, readers learn how the mare carried ammunition up steep, rugged terrain to the Recoilless Rifle firing station, bringing wounded Marines back down to safety. During the battle of Outpost Vegas - one of the most vicious battles of the war – the mare’s unit is unable to spare a man to lead her, but that doesn't stop Reckless. She trudges up and down the mountain 51 times, covering 35 miles for over two days - all by herself - even though wounded twice. For her heroic efforts, Reckless is awarded two Purple Hearts, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and a United Nations Service Medal, retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare said her father was a Marine Captain in the Korean War who rode and gave riding lessons as a young man.
“He introduced me to horses when I was seven years old and created a lifelong passion for horses,” she said. “As a horse person, I can appreciate how amazing Reckless was in battle. Her bravery especially during the battle for Outpost Vegas was incredible. Talk about bomb proof! Reckless was part of our history. I think children should know about her.”
This book won a 2021 first place Winnie Award in the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest’s Literary Division. Author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare said, “I’ve seen a horse spook at a soda can so I can attest to the fact that Reckless was truly bombproof and heroic. I believe she felt the men in her unit were her herd and [she] would do anything to help them.”
From Pennsylvania author, Anne Hambleton - “Raja, Story of a Racehorse”
Fiction for Young Readers
Reviewers compare this novel for 8 to 10-year-old kids to the classic, “Black Beauty.” Written from the horse’s point of view, Raja chronicles the life of a Thoroughbred racehorse destined for greatness, until a series of bad events end his career. Raja is moved from place to place, until he finds himself with a retired steeplechase jockey and his 16-year-old niece. Together, this band of characters find their destiny.
Author, Anne Hambleton grew up with Pony Club, foxhunting, showing, eventing, racing over fences, and even playing polo. She said she decided to write Raja while standing in her barn one winter night.
“As I did barn chores, I knew that a modern “Black Beauty” about an American thoroughbred needed to be written - all racehorses have a story to tell. The story sort of told itself…or perhaps the horses told it to me!”
Even though it’s fiction, Hambleton said the story is not a stretch.
“Raja’s life is fiction, but it could be true,” she said. “I draw on my knowledge and experience to tell his story in a way that evokes classic horse stories. The places and details are authentic – I have lived what I write about. I think readers will feel like they are along for a wild ride and will be rooting for Raja.”
From Maryland author, L.R. Trovillion – “False Gods: The Show Jumper’s Challenge”
YA Fiction
Cory Iverson’s junior year of high school is a disaster. Then, her dog leads her to the barn of a former Grand Prix show jumper where she meets the farm’s reclusive trainer and a mysterious rescued horse and sets her eyes on the country’s most prestigious horse show. But, as she gains confidence in her riding, everything around her is falling apart. Strange pills appear in her mom’s purse, her ballerina sister is wasting away before her eyes, and to top it off, her boyfriend is keeping secrets. When her expertise in the saddle catches the eye of a ruthless competitor, suddenly her life is in danger. Cory must decide if she’ll once again back down and flee… or stay and stand up for herself, her horse, and her dreams.
Author, Lisa Trovillion spent many years at big jumper shows grooming horses for competitors and daydreaming about what it would take for a team of real underdogs to qualify for a show like the Washington International.
“That’s part of how False Gods was born,” she said. “I put a teen with confidence issues, a mysterious rescued horse, and a burned-out trainer together to see what would happen. Sure, the horse story is what drives the plot, but the problems faced by the main character, Cory, are ones any teen might encounter. It’s a bit of an equestrian Cinderella story, but with an unexpected twist at the end.”
Maryland author, Valerie Ormond – “Believing in Horses Out West”
YA Fiction
Valerie Ormond’s Believing in Horses series of young adult novels have been racking up awards - with the Military Writers Society of America, the Authors' Zone, Stroud Arts Book Festival, the EQUUS Film and Arts Festival, and others. Her newest book, “Believing in Horses Out West” was released in October. On its launch day, the book achieved an Amazon #1 New Release ranking.
Working for a rescue, young Sadie Navarro rescued an amazing mare named Sunny from auction. At the time, she thought of it as her crowning achievement. When she learns that Sunny is headed to a ranch in Montana - a strange home she knows nothing about – Sadie heads to Montana to check on the mare. Besides making friends and learning about ranch life, she also uncovers a mystery. Now, fourteen-year-old Sadie has to find a way to stand up to rugged cowboys to protect her special rescue horse.
Author, Valerie Ormond said she wrote this book based on her experiences at dude ranches and on vacation rides in both the U.S. and overseas.
“I wanted to share some of the horse and human characters I met along the way and give readers a taste of the experience in a fictional setting,” she said.
From Pennsylvania author, Beth Oberholtzer – “Mares & Foals of Lancaster County”
Picture Book
Beth Oberholtzer and photographer John Herr’s 32-page picture book introduces readers to the mares and foals of Lancaster County, capturing them in full color. Readers will learn who they were before they matured into strong horses destined to pull buggies, wagons, and plows. Meet the variety of breeds that support the traditional agrarian lives of the Old Order Amish and Mennonites and see the pride they take in their horses.
Author, Beth Oberholtzer said she wrote both of her books, Working Horses of Lancaster County and Mares & Foals of Lancaster County, “because I simply love huge horses and wanted to highlight and share the beauty of horses that work in Lancaster County.”
“Children will like the photos of playful mamas and babies,” she said. “A few words of English are translated into Pennsylvania Dutch on each page - it will be fun for the kids to try a new language and see whether it relates to any other languages they’re exposed to.”
Oberholtzer recommends buyers find her books online at tabortonbooks.com or the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society shop, 2215 Millstream Rd, Lancaster, PA.
Correspondent Lois Szymanski lives in Maryland with her husband Dan and two miniature horses named Georgie McLittle and Hazel Marie. She’s written over 30 books, including fiction, nonfiction for all ages, and picture books. Her series of inspirational true stories about the Chincoteague Ponies is called “Chincoteague Pony Tales.” Volume IV was just released in November.