The Saddle Club: Horse Shy

by Bonnie Bryant 1988 Yearling Books
For girls ages 8 to 12
Strongly recommend
The only parts of this book that may date it are the girls going to the library and using the card catalog and old newspapers, which today would be on microfilm and no mention of use of cell phones or texting.

Stevie is the leader of this trio of horse-crazy girls at Pine Hollow Stables. She is a tomboy who is not afraid to tell half-truths to stay out of trouble or get her way. Lisa has just begun riding but stable owner Max can already tell she has talent. Lisa organizes things around the stable and is a hard worker. Carole is an experienced rider but just moved to the Quantico, VA area with her father, a Marine Corps colonel. In one chapter, Carole accompanies her father to Camp Lejeune and while he is at the base on business, she visits her aunt who is her mother’s sister. *The TV series is set in Australia. Carole’s mother died the previous year and she hopes her father will find a new wife (this part is probably not realistic but tries to maintain the book’s upbeat storyline). This threesome makes up the ‘Saddle Club’ who vow to always be “horse crazy.”
Veronica is the nemesis of the Saddle Club. She comes from a wealthy family but shows disdain about caring for her expensive horse, Cobalt who should only be ridden by an expert horseman.
The girls go through a series of situations in which they make decisions about responsibility, honesty, and loyalty.
In Horse Shy the girls are intent on finding out all they can about Maxmillian Regnery, the founder of Pine Hollow. While at the library they meet Mr. Thompson, an older gentleman who tells them about the beginnings of the stables. Turns out, Max was the son of Irish immigrants who came to America in 1850. Max tried to be a blacksmith like his father but was no good at it. He worked several other jobs until he stumbled on tending horses. He tended horses and saved every penny and when the original owner died, Max bought the stables and it is now being run by the third generation Max and his mother.
Visit the Saddle Club Web site for character descriptions, story outlines, games, and Members Only activities.
http://www.saddleclubtv.com/page/Home