Paddock Grove: A Pony to Own

George (Georgia) is excited about her scholarship to the elite equestrian school, Paddock Grove, and delighted that her parents are buying her one of the horses from the nearby riding stable, which is closing, but she is less than thrilled when instead of the sleek Timmy on which she had proved her skills, she is given the scruffy piebald cob, Bear, who is more interested in finding food than being ridden. Money is tight, and Timmy was too expensive. Disheartened and full of nerves, she makes an undignified entrance to the school as Bear drags her along, and the mean girls mock mercilessly (aren’t there always mean girls in these books? But without them there would be no story…). She finds some nice friends, though, and they help her to get over her disappointment and to start to build a better relationship with Bear.

A mean girl sabotages her big opportunity to be featured in a glossy magazine, and George is disgraced, so it looks as if George’s time at the school is over after only one term, but when her friend Lili’s expensive horse, Ted, and Bear are stolen, George and her friends spring into action, and it all works out satisfactorily, with George realising finally how much she loves Bear, with all his foibles.

Your non-horsey reviewer was surprised to learn that there are indeed equestrian boarding schools in this country, but, without the horses, this could be any school story: Appreciating real friendship, being true to yourself, and putting effort into a worthwhile relationship that doesn’t look promising at the start. The cover is likely to be attractive to horsey girls, but could be enjoyed by any.