Riding for the Blue: A Celebration of Horse Shows

With an eye towards convincing non-equestrians of the splendor of horse shows and delighting those already active in them, Horse Illustrated columnist Hale and freelance photographer Sharon P. Fibelkorn fashion an attractive volume that pays tribute to horses, their riders and""the lure of that ten-inch slice of royal blue satin."" Devoting chapters to such topics as horse show moms, dressage, the allure of the western riders' style, the varying roles judges play, a trainer's life, and how to get started in the sport, Hale provides a behind-the-scenes foray into every aspect of horse shows. She offers plenty of anecdotes from her three decades in the ring--of dogs disrupting hack classes, judges who uncover trickery and recalcitrant ponies. She tries to draw connections between riding and life, too:""Exude self-confidence, yet give respect where it's due, and you'll come out a winner every time,"" she writes. It's hard to imagine this book appealing to anyone who doesn't already love equine competition, but it's a fine gift for the enthusiast.