Customer Reviews (5)

A book of weapons and fuel for horse racing players
No doubt this is a very good book on horse racing.I have read this book twice and everytime I read it, I got something out of it.It tells you various ways to find the best horse in a race.Notwithstanding finding the best horse in a race, this books also tells you how to find the best bet in a race (the best horse does not necessarily be the best bet in a race because of the factor of odds) and how to manage your money and your inner struggle.

This book is also systematic and very easy to read.It is especially good for serious horse racing starters.For experienced players, this book is also worth reading.

I am full of confidence on horse racing again after I read this book.I believe I will read this book the third time after the end of the Hong Kong racing season in next summer.

I highly recommend you to read this book.

A must read for the thinking player
This is probably one of the most under-rated books on handicapping. I have many books on horse racing and have yet read any reference to this book. In fact, the first time I read it, I wasn't at all impressed. However, as I become a better and better player, I begin to appreciate how deep the book is. I have read the book many many times. Every time I read it, I get something out of it. The first chapter on the racing public and the fourth chapter on form factor overbets/underbets are particularly important. If you don't have a thorough understanding of the ideas presented, you'll likely find that even you are good at picking winners, you still lose money. If you are willing to spend the time to read the book at least 10 times to make sure you have internalise the ideas (I have read it more times than that), I can guarantee you that your skills will be elevated to a different level.

Maybe this time I'll win...
At last, a book on handicapping horses which doesn't sound like it was written by Ma and Pa Kettle. Mr Jones has tertiary qualifications in Statistics (as I recall) yet manages to not bore. The only problem with thebook, as a reader in Australia where all racing is on turf and wheresprints require more than just speed, is trying to filter out how much ofthe speed factor in it is applicable to conditions way down under here. (Ifother readers want to email me to discuss the ideas/problems with the book,please do so.)

The Starters Orders!
This book is very interesting it covers all the subjects you would most commonly want to know and more! The author is obviously experienced at the 'art' of horse-racing and so it makes an enjoyable and in some placeshumorous guide to the logic of racing-well done!

It ISa great book for the serious horseplayer!
After using some of the strategies in this book I was able tomaximize my winnings and minimize my losses.It was easy to read and follow and the author has managed to make some senseof underlays and overlays. Worth thesmall cost for such a useful book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good For Beginners
This book starts with the basics of gambling on Thoroughbreds and goes to mostly money management issues and strictly mechanical systems based upon final betting odds. Very outdated.

Good beggining material
This book written by expeirienced handicapper Robert Rowe is good starting material for the begginer.It explains all the basics the wagers the odds and so on.But when I happened upon this book a year or so ago I already had been handicapping sussesfully for 4 or so years.So I'll assign 2 ratings for the begginer this is 5 stars for the intermediate level 3 stars.And if your advanced don't bother.

Very useful statistical data relative to betting horses
I'm familiar with Bob Rowe's work from American Turf, Racing Star Weekly and other publications. He's a good writer and knows racing as evinced by his latest and best book How To Win At THOROUGHBRED Racing.Thecurrent tome, How to Win At Horse Racing,contains much useful informationbut seems to me as if an editor was over zealous, and should have leftRowe's original words as submitted.Nonetheless,this doesn'tdistract from the essence of the information provided. Rowe has beenwriting about racing since I was 17. I'm 67 now. He obviously knows whichend kicks and which end bites. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Great Reference Book
This book would be a great addition to your reference library.I have found the information helpful as I handicap horseraces for a hobby.I find that I watch the horses' behaviors and look for certain signs of good health and condition in the paddock.

Not bad.
[note: review written in 2005; this is the first time I've seen a copy on Amazon.]

Horses Talk: The Paddock and Post Parade (Director unknown, date unknown)

It's pretty hard to get any information on this; the director and copyright date are not listed in the credits, and it's not listed at IMDB. Which shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given that this series of videos (of which The Paddock and the Post Parade is just one) seems to be something of an amateur production for Jim Selvidge and Trillis Parker's Horses Talk website. Yet, somehow, my local library obtained a copy of The Paddock and the Post Parade, so I figure I'd see what other were paying forty bucks for.

For an amateur video, it's not bad. Parker knows her stuff, though she's not the world's greatest presenter; you'd expect her conversational tone from someone you were talking to at the track to get an idea of equine body language, but not necessarily in an instructional video. The footage of the horses (which is, of course, the most important thing here) is decent, but not all it could be; some crude photoshopped arrows and circles or the like to point out features in compare-and-contrast sequences, at the least, would have been helpful. Still, it's probably worth checking out for serious students of the game, especially if you have access to a library that has a copy. ** ½
... Read more

Product Description
ow in paperback, reporter Elizabeth Mitchell introduces her readers to the mysterious, mercurial world of horse racing in a book that's as fast-paced and colorful as a day at the track. Focusing on the 1999 Derby winner Charismatic, Mitchell traces this horse's amazing and ultimately tragic story, from the birth of a foal through its surprising rise to fame. Mitchell also follows the major players in Charismatic's life, including the family who bred him, the trainer, the owners, and the famed jockey Chris Antley, whose own story is more tragic than that of his horse. Through these interlocking stories a sense of familiarity with the key players in the industry evolves, as well as a greater understanding of the heart and soul of a sport that has fascinated human beings for centuries.Amazon.com Review
The day of the 20th century's final Kentucky Derby was perfectly brilliant, with a clear blue sky and pleasant, intoxicating heat. More magical than the weather, though, were the moments the Derby synthesized: the surprise victory of underdogs Charismatic and Chris Antley, and an unexpected love of racing for author Elizabeth Mitchell and her cancer-stricken companion, Chuck. The inspiration for Mitchell's engrossing Three Strides Before the Wire lies in those moments, when the couple's world was suddenly buoyed by the spectacular comeback of the talented but tormented jockey and the "tubby" chestnut saddled with the third-worst odds of any winner in Derby history.

Newly awakened to the mysterious forces at play in the sport of thoroughbred racing, journalist Mitchell retraces Charismatic's ascension from a well-bred underachiever draining his owners' bank account to a legitimate contender for the 1999 Triple Crown, a trajectory that ended with injury at the Belmont Stakes. Such a tale in horseracing is not without its personalities, and Mitchell deftly portrays the tough-as-nails trainer D. Wayne Lukas, the impassioned owners Bob and Beverly Lewis, and the gifted but drug-addled Antley, who felt an affinity for the stout colt because the first six letters of his name spelled "Chris A." Three Strides Before the Wire skillfully grafts history and anecdote in a rich narrative revealing both the pure glory and tough-luck hardships of thoroughbred racing, casting compassionate light on Antley's jagged path of fantastic success, drug abuse, and depression. Mitchell's astute observations of the industry's miraculous but destructive elements and the irresistible trickery of chance--which delighted her and Chuck that poignant day at the Derby--coalesce in an engaging, heart-wrenching read. --Rebecca Robinson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (45)

Shows beauty and darkness at its best.
A GREAT buy that I just stumbled across. Very informative and detailed! Puts you back on the rail at Churchill Downs watching Charismatic storm home. Horse-racing shown at its best.

Excellent story, very well written.........highly recommended
I STRONGLY disagree with any negative comments other reviewers wrote about this book.I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am in the process of re-reading many of the sentences I underlined throughout.This story should be made into a movie.The chapters about Chris Antley were very compelling and informative. Ms. Mitchell captured a stellar timeframe in 1999 when Charasmatic almost won the Triple Crown.She provided the historical background leading up to each race as she wove her personal involvement in the events of that year.In my opinion, she wrote an excellent book, especially for people who want to know about the back scenes of a jockey's life.

A Haunting Story Of Life And Death
Wow, this was a haunting story.Technically, it's about the 1999 Kentucky Derby winner Charismatic and the people around him, the horse racing business in general and a personal account of the author's dying friend.Really, it's a book about life and death.

The book not only is a good place for novice horse racing fans to learn about the sport but offers some very insightful tidbits to long-time race fans.

I really got caught up in the story of Charismatic's jockey Chris Antley. I just can't get over Antley's incredible ups-and-downs ofhis cut short-career.It made me just appreciate all the more the sacrifice and dedication of jockeys, the most amazing athletes, perhaps, in professional sports.

To me, Antley's story is the highlight of this book.His story takes up more pages than the rest, and that was a good move by the author Elizabeth Mitchell as her account of the famous jockey is just fascinating.Readers expecting nothing but horse racing throughout the book are going to get put off with several chapters, but skip them if don't want to read those things.

I think fellow Amazon reviewer Jim Pettyjohn summed it up best when he wrote; "This is a book of love lived and love lost; of poverty and wealth; of mental illness and addiction; of the highest highs and the lowest lows; of incredible joy and overwhelming pain; of journeys realized and journeys lost."

Almost everyone in this story experienced several of the above, but Antley experienced all of them.For that, I appreciated the telling of his story.

A Story of Love and Commitment

Three Strides Before the Wire: The Dark and Beautiful World of Horse Racing, by Elizabeth Mitchell

This wonderful effort of non-fiction is more than a great book about horse racing; it is a great book period!! The author's passion for the subject burns like the sun - and for good reason -- her husband is dying of cancer.The story begins with one of their last trips together; culminating with a vision and an improbable bet on a former claiming horse to win the Kentucky Derby. Their winning ticket helps finance and long and extended vacation together and eventually brings the couple face-to-face with the horse and his connections.

After her husband's death the author finds healing through tracing the lives of their Derby horse and people who so deeply entered their lives that fateful First Saturday In May. What a story she weaves!!!!!! (And who cares about some relatively meaningless errors)

As her own story unfolds, she mixes in the many segments of the lives of the horse and his people. Most notable is gifted jockey Chris Antley, an intuitive who can calm and sometimes cure horses through his gentle communication; a jockey who is as much as a genius trading in the stock market as he is on the track; a jockey whose gentle hands and kind nature built treatment facilities for addicts; a jockey that was so open to the vagrancies of the universe that they threaten to swallow him up in the shadow of every turn; and a jockey who saved the life of the greatest horse he every rode just strides before the wire in the last leg of their quest for the Triple Crown.

This is a book of love lived and love lost; of poverty and wealth; of mental illness and addiction; of the highest highs and the lowest lows; of incredible joy and overwhelming pain; of journeys realized and journeys lost.

In the end, the story unfolds in shrouds of mystery and murder that will never be solved. God's precious gift created and destroyed; the knife cut both ways. Yet, in the end, the book must be seen as a story of love and commitment.

(I do agree with one reviewer, however: the Jan Mooney Story, My Racing Heart is excellent!!!!!!!!!!)

Horse Racing is the Setting, Not the Story
This is a sports book that beautifully manages to weave racing, a self-destructive life and personal tragedy into a tale of triumph and tragedy.The author's introduction to racing came about through a trip to the Kentucky Derby with her terminally-ill lover.The winner of the race was the long-shot Charismatic ridden by a brilliant but ill-fated jockey.She uses drama surrounding the Derby and her personal tragedy as a basis to follow the lives of the jockey, the trainer, the owners, a cast of bit players and, of course, Charismatic.For me, however, the impact of the book is the life and death of jockey Chris Antley.Mr. Antley was a tragic figure in the truest sense.He is portrayed as asensitive, kind-hearted and brilliant (both with horses and finances) who is unable to handle his many talents and successes.The portrait of Mr. Antley appears to be well-researched andbalanced told, in large part, through the words of his friends, colleagues, and family.I was drawn to him and moved by his struggles and finally, his death under mysterious circumstances in Pasadena.I put down the book feeling as if I knew Mr. Antley and felt the loss and frustration felt by those around him.His story is all the more moving when told in the context of Charismatic's unlikely Derby and Preakness wins and his life-threatening injury in failing to complete the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont.The image that will remain with me is that of Antley, disregarding his own safety, struggling to hold up Charimatic's injured leg in a successful effort to prevent further injury.This act is at the same time redemptive and signals the beginning of Antley's fatal spiral.

I have to confess that I am a racing fan and own interests in several horses.As a "primer" on racing, this book is passable but, as some other reviews note, hardly complete or authoritative.However, this book's worth lies in an allegoric-like use of racing to tell a very human story. ... Read more

Product Description

It is generally assumed that anthropologists do their research in remote and uncomfortable parts of the world - places with monsoons, mud huts, and malaria. In this volume, social anthropologist Kate Fox has taken on an altogether more enjoyable assignment, the study of the arcane world of British horseracing. For Fox, field research meant wandering around racetracks in a pink hat and high heels (standard tribal costume) rather than braving killer insects and primitive sanitation. Instead of an amorphous racing crowd, the author finds and discusses a complete subculture with its own distinctive customs, rituals, language and etiquette.

Customer Reviews (3)

Mediocre, at best
I read Kate Fox's "Watching the English" some time ago, and it was excellent. Both funny and insightful, and a real joy to read. So, I bought a copy of "The Racing Tribe" with considerable anticipation. Alas, it was very disappointing. Tedious and superficial; filled with crashingly obvious "insights" and uninteresting anecdotes .She obviously "emptied her notebook".Save your money and buy a few of the racing novels of Dick Francis instead. You'll learn more about the racing scene, and have a better time as well.

Getting in touch with the author, Kate Fox
If Sally Baker would care to get in touch with me (my e-mail address is richardson@tote.co.uk) I would be happy to help her make contact with Kate Fox, the author of The Racing Tribe. I commissioned the original researchproject undertaken by Kate whilst I was marketing director at the BritishHorseracing Board, and from which the book came to be written. I can't,therefore, review with any real objectivity this book, as I am naturallybiaised(!); safe to say it is a truly fascinating read, and successfullydebunks various myths associated with horseracing and it's participants.

Anthroplogical Review
I am currently studying Social Anthropology at the University of Kent. Thus this book was a refreshing change for me - instead of reading about far away, bizarre locations - it was something I could actaully connectwith and properly understand. I am also doing a dissertation this year onthe topic of Foxhunting: A Rural Ritual - and I would be very interested tosomehow contact Kate Fox and maybe get some input from her on the topic.Does anyone know how I might be able to get in touch with her?Herapproach to the Racing Tribe is similar to my project - participantobservation and interviewing a group of people withing the England - withan equine theme. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful.
Norman Mauskopf, Dark Horses (Twin Palms Publishing, 1988)

Dark Horses is a big book that got a small printing. (Five thousand. Good luck finding one.) Norman Mauskopf's photographic journey through tracks big and small, domestic and international, is prefaced by a wonderful, if short, Bill Barich essay on the photographs, and he captures their essence wonderfully (as is Bill Barich's wont with pretty much anything to which he sets his mind; if you have not discovered the joy and wonder of Bill Barich's writing, please do so at your earliest convenience). After that, it's just the photos. The only captions given them are the names of the racetracks, and in some cases those of the notable humans in the shot. Mauskopf is not just interested in the horses, or the tracks themselves, but is usually more interested in the humans around the track and how they interact with it. A must-own for anyone interested in, or involved in, racetrack life. Absolutely gorgeous, and worth every penny. **** ½ ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Gold Rush
This book Gold Rush, was a birthday gift for my daughter that is very interested in the history of great raceing champs.She was very pleased with the book.

Gold Rush
Well written, enjoyed so much. Have looked after some of his gransons as a stallion manager and was awesome reading about Mr Prospector and seeing some of him coming through his gransons and their stock. A must read for anyone. loved it

Off a Step Slow and Never Gets Engaged in the Race
Like looking over a racing form, there are many angles to peruse in exploring Avalyn Hunter's second book on a sire who defined the Thoroughbred industry.

Hunter utilizes the same format that was successful in The Kingmaker - a biography of Northern Dancer - but that grand champion had a significantly longer and successful career on the track than Mr. Prospector, who showed unbelievable promise, but was ultimately derailed by injuries.

Because of this, the bulk of the slim 146 pages of text are profiles of Mr. Prospector's major progeny, from the track to the breeding shed. A nearly 70-page Appendix covering such areas as Mr. Prospector's stakes winners and million-dollar yearlings is vastly more informative than the text. The photographs are outstanding.

But like with the training of an equine athlete, a book will not have the chance to reach its full potential by simply plugging ideas into a successful plan from another project. There are parts which finds Gold Rush showing good form, but it ultimately fades at the top of the stretch due to the lack of a strong presence from the main character, Mr. Prospector.

A fascinating read for all professional horse racing fans.
"Gold Rush: How Mr. Prospector Became Racing's Billion-Dollar Sire" by expert equine pedigree analyst Avalyn Hunter is the fascinating story of how the thoroughbred called 'Mr. Prospector', who had only a modest racing career in terms of wins and losses, when put out to stud in 1975 went on to have an impact on Thoroughbred racing that is almost legendary in scope among horse racing enthusiasts. At the time of his death at the age of 29 in 1999, Mr. Prospector led both the American sire and broodmare sire lists twice. Since his passing, he has come to lead the broodmare sire list seven more times. Among his offspring is the 2000 Kentucky Derby winner 'Fusaichi Pegasus, who sold for four million dollars and was syndicated for stud duty for an estimated seventy million dollars more. "Gold Rush" is the history of a progenitor who, thanks to artificial insemination technology, continued to be a success as a stud horse even eight years after his death. "Gold Rush" is a fascinating read for all professional horse racing fans. Also very highly recommended are Avalyn Hunter's earlier work published by Eclipse Press on Thoroughbred racing, "The Kingmaker and American Classic Pedigrees".

Good reference book
When I started reading "Gold Rush," I thought I was going to read an enjoyable story about one of thoroughbred racing's bigger stallion shed stars.Frankly, I had hoped for another Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit."I wanted a book that could eventually wind up in the hands of thousands of potential racing fans, promote the sport, and be a best seller for Ms. Hunter.Instead, after the first half dozen or so short chapters, the book wound up as a reference book, highlighting the yearly crops of Mr. Prospector.One chapter is merely a list of females he sired, naming them and their progeny.
The proofreader also missed a number of errors, both grammatically and content-wise.There are typographical errors and overuse of parenthesis.If Blood Horse still published their Thoroughbred Series' books, this would have been a good addition to that series.However, even that series gave personal behind-the-common-knowledge details about the horses and owners."Gold Rush" lacks the in-depth research of"Seabiscuit."
Personally, I would like to know how Mr. Prospector got his name and who named him.Yes, his dam was Gold Digger, but his sire was Raise a Native, and I can see no acknowledgement towards his sire in this name.
On page 53, Ms. Hunter mentions a sire named "Double Jay."She neglects to mention that he sired a horse named Old Bob Bowers and that sire produced John Henry.Even many racing enthusiasts think John Henry's pedigree wasn't very good, but according to Hunter, Double Jay stood at Claiborne Farms for a number of years and sired 45 stakes winners.
An excellent point Ms. Hunter makes is the potential towards overbreeding of the current sires.She states, "...Fusaichi Pegasus has to date [as of July 11, 2007] been credited with siring 890 foals in his first five crops. ...That is more foals than Northern Dancer sired during his entire 23 year stud career and equal to the number of foals that Mr. Prospector sired in his first 18 crops."Obviously, time will tell whether these are wise decisions.
It would appear that American breeders are also too quick to dismiss a stud if his early crops do not instantly produce winners.Ms. Hunter points out that Forty Niner was sold to Japan before his foals had a chance to mature and prove themselves.Precocious two year olds who are pushed into competitive racing are burned out by age four.
The book is very up-to-date, with photos and acknowledgement of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner, Street Sense, and 2007 Preakness winner, Curlin, both descendents of Mr. Prospector.The color photos are a nice touch.The "appendix" takes up nearly as many pages as the story contents, which is charts of Mr. Prospector's stakes winners, and tables of a number of his outstanding colts' get.Because many of his progeny are still racing and producing, the tables are an excellent reference resource up to July 11, 2007.
I also read Ms. Hunter's book, "The Kingmaker," which was an in-depth look at Northern Dancer.It also covered the Dancer's progeny.The Kingmaker was a more enjoyable read. ... Read more

Product Description
Being a jockey is more than a career, it's a way of life. The glitz and glamour of the show may belie all the time and effort that goes into it, but the life of a jockey entails a great deal of risk, personal sacrifice and hardship. Often viewed as second-rate athletes, partly because of their small size, these riders are in actuality some of the toughest men in the athletic world. Pound for pound, they are unmatched in physical prowess. Controlling and guiding large thoroughbreds requires a great deal of strength and skill. In addition, there is little room for error during the close-run, high-speed races where the necessity of implementing a winning strategy makes the sport mentally as well as physically taxing. This volume provides an in-depth look at the self-employed, independent contractor known as the jockey and the all-encompassing culture of the race track he calls home. The book details the qualities and abilities of the successful jockey, the transitory nature of horse racing, the jockey's constant battle regarding weight, the financial motivation of the sport and the close-knit nature of the profession. Interviews with over 100 jockeys including Hall of Famers Pat Day, Earlie Fires and Russell Baze, add a personal focus and give the reader an inside glimpse into the world of horse racing. The last chapter includes brief biographical sketches of the most influential riders from the last 50 years. ... Read more

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THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO OWNING, MAINTAINING, AND ENJOYING HORSES.

The Whole Horse Catalog, the definitive horse guide, is now completely revised and updated to include everything from advances in nutritional thinking to sources on the World Wide Web. With hundreds of illustrations and a detailed, easy-to-understand text, this new edition of The Whole Horse Catalog is the one-stop book for all your equestrian needs.

Product Description
The popularity of horse racing in Chicago has yet to be rivaled in any other metropolitan area. Since the 1800s, the Windy City’s enthusiasm for both harness and Thoroughbred racing led to 10 major racetracks being built in the Chicago area. Four of those raceways—Balmoral, Maywood, Hawthorne, and Arlington—are still racing and thriving today. From Washington Park, Lincoln Fields, and Worth Raceway on the city’s South Side, to the Near West Side venues of Hawthorne Race Course and Sportsman’s Park, to Arlington Park’s northwest locale and Aurora Downs to the west, Chicago’s racing community has enjoyed a long and sometimes scandalous history. Chicago’s Horse Racing Venues provides insight into Chicago’s rich racing history and a behind-the-scenes look at the people and horses involved. ... Read more

Product Description
Horse Talk is a fun, informative, and handy guide, dedicated to helping people understand Thoroughbred racing and training terminology. Over 207 words or phrases defined, explained and used in a creative sentence by the opinion of the author.With the exception of some track conditions, betting terms, and medications. ... Read more

Product Description
Text and photographs depict the characteristics and behavior of this purebred Spanish horse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Suitable for the Young Horse Lover
If you have a young equine enthusiast around, this book would make a nice gift.Photos are artfully done in the style of Robert Vavra.Very little content for the adult reader.Poor breed reference book.Binding on thebook buried several nice photos.Paper quality took away form others. ... Read more

Product Description
The choice of horse tack and equipment available today is vast. This illustrated guide gives clear infomation on all the major items, both traditional and modern, used today, with special attention given to fit and maintenance, and new developments in tack, clothing, material and textiles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An exhaustive reference book on a complicated subject...
McBane has written an extremely thorough book which is of value to any rider who wishes to expand their knowledge of English tack and related equipment.

The book has the following chapters: Saddles and Accessories; Bridles and Bits; Training Equipment; Headcollars and Halters' Clothing; Protective Equipment; Driving Equipment; Care of Equipment; and a good Index. The book is filled with color photos as well as black and white line drawings so you know exactly what she is referring to. As well, she puts in sidebars which go over the reasons why or why not you might want to use a particular piece of tack. Included are some history on various types of equipment and techniques for using the various items correctly.

All in all this is a wonderful book for the English rider of any age or skill level. Don't hesitate to buy it.

Illustrated Guide to Horse Tack a boon to any horse person.
Susan McBane has a written a very informative and wonderfully illustrated book. This book has the ability to appeal to both the beginner andexperienced horse person. It is a book that can span many age groups, easily understandable to all. This book will be a constant companion formany riding levels. The text and accompanying illustrations will aid eventhe most seasoned rider. It serves as a great reference guide as well as aninstructional manual for beginners. The book answers many technicalquestions about saddle sizing, bridles design, and many more useful topics.As a horse person myself, I wouldn't want to be without Illustrated Guideto Horse Tack. It is a great reference tool. ... Read more

Product Description
Using the same down-to-earth style that has made his eventing clinics so popular, Wofford's book instructs the reader on what to look for when selecting a mount and when choosing the right tack and equipment. He provides detailed explainations on how to train for each of the three segments of competition: Dressage, Cross-Country, and Show Jumping. He then adds a conditioning program for horse and rider to withstand the rigors of the three-day event. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

An Excellent Book
This is an excellent book, not only full of practical exercises and training schedules, but also includes many humorous, true and right-on-the-mark stories.I ran my highlighter dry selecting out words of wisdom and exercises to try with my instructor.

A great read with valuable information and stories, told by a great rider and trainer.

The Eventer's Bible
This book is excellent, I can't tell you how many times I've referred back to it. Contains tips for training horse and rider in all three phases, and common problems that most riders will certainly face sometime in their career. Lots of great photographs to show you the right (and sometimes not so right) way to do things. Advice on conditioning (which I've found to be very helpful) and gymnastics at the back of the book. If you event, get this book.

Jim Wofford is a god
I have had the incredible opporunity to work with this man in person.He is THE most informative, patient, helpful trainer I have ever worked with.Both of his books, "Training the Three-Day Event Horse and Rider" and "Gymnastics", are must-reads for any equestrian.I can only hope he writes more!!

Love it, love it, love it!
I am just a beginner, but this book inspired me to try hard to event. I loved the gymnastics in the back!

Great Concepts and lots of details
I was SO happy to finally read a book involving cross country with so muchemphasis on good basics and snaffle bits. I am so sick of hearing trainersadvocating bigger bits to control your horse. Mr. Wofford advocates betterTRAINING to control your horse - what a concept. This book covers quite arange of topics; from choosing an event horse, dressage, how the horse seesjumps vs. how we see jumps, cross country, jumping, conditioning, crosscountry position and more. I think this is a great book! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Stripes'Story
The tiny hooves barely make a sound against the track. They are drowned out by bigger, bolder throughbred hooves. A tiny zebra comes up face to face with the leading thoroughbred. they race under the wire together. It's a photo finish, ladies and gentlemen! And the winner is...STRIPES, the oddball zebra from a little farm in Kentucky!

Channing's father wasn't thinking about winning races as he scooped up the little bundle. He lifted the zebra into his truck and drove home. channing ran out to find out what happened. And a legend was soon sucking greedily on a warm bottle of milk.

Stripes grew bigger every day. He hung out with a shetland pony and a white show jumping mare, as well as various other interesting creatures, such as Snoop Dogg, who doesn't have ,much of a role but everybody loves him anyways ;).

Stripes makes his way as an underdogg, err, underdog and gets to the top soon enough. he enters as the longshot, making his supporters rich!!!when he wins!

This heartwarming story is like a child-version of seabiscuit. Both books have a message: The shape and size will; never, ever count-it's the heart that matters most. ;)

Dare to be different..........
Racing Stripes is a heartwarming story about a zebra that is rescued by a farmer and his daughter after the circus abandons him.The zebra finds his new home at the farm and thinks he is like all the other horses. The farmer's daughter, Channing and the barnyard animals become friends with Stripes.Stripes learns that he has a heart for racing and begins a competition with neighboring race horses. The neighboring thoroughbreds do not let him forget that he comes form the wrong side of the fence.....that he's different because of his stripes. The biggest horse race of the year, the Kentucky Derby, is fast approaching and Stripes along with the help of his friends begin to train. Together they face the race of their lives.Stripes' determination to be a winner brings life back to the farm and rekindles tragic memories of the past.Now it's up to Stripes to show the world that it's alright to be different.Will it be a photo finish for Stripes and Channing?I'll let you read the book to find the answer. ... Read more

Product Description
New England has played a prominent role in the history of harness racing in America. The greatest horses, owners, drivers and trainers competed here and the sport reached its height of popularity following the legalization of pari-mutuel wagering in the mid-1930's following 300 years of Puritanical resistance to gambling. Today harness racing is barely hanging on as a viable commercial entity. This book details the history of the sport, tracing its rise and near-final fall and the possible solution to saving it. ... Read more