A Basic Guide to Equestrian

Children's Literature

Horses in the Olympics? Many kids probably never heard of such a thing, which makes this guide, from the United States Olympic Committee, a valuable addition to the reference section. Kids who are horse-mad will be intrigued by the history of this exacting sport, which requires untold hours of training and utter trust and understanding between horse and rider. The book is heavy on information about caring for a horse, wearing the proper equipment, getting the right training and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As with the other titles in the "Official U.S. Olympic Committee Sports" series, its tone is nicely positioned between idealism and practicality, and reading this book should encourage any child to do his or her best in the ring. 2001, Griffin, . Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Donna Freedman

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-This well-organized and thorough volume is marred by the uneven quality of the black-and-white photographs and the dense text that may be off-putting to some readers. Those who are undaunted, however, will find this book an excellent overview of Olympic equestrian events, riding in general, and horse care. Chapters include an introduction to the most recent U.S. teams (which competed in the year 2000) and current equestrian competitions of the Olympics. Subsequent chapters cover the basics of choosing and caring for a horse and learning to ride. While the presentation is not particularly attractive, the authoritative coverage makes this title a worthwhile purchase.-Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.