The Perfect Distance

Francie Martinez is almost 18, a senior in high school, and she's torn. It's her last competition year as a junior; her last chance to win the Maclay Finals, THE competition of the jumping world for juniors. She's caught between her own desire to be a professional rider, and her father - who she loves - and who wants nothing more for her than to go to a good college. Complicating the situation is her position as a lowly groom in the barn of one of the best trainers in the country. Francie works for her lessons, and in the strict hierarchy of the show barn, as a less than perfect rider who's not quite good enough to bring Rob (the trainer) the prestige he needs, she gets the short end of the horse stick, and less of Rob's attention than show more she'd like. When a new boy and some new social opportunities arise, Francie has to decide what's important and who to trust.

I loved this book! Whitney's writing style is descriptive and engaging, and Francie's an appealing heroine with real issues. The level of detail Whitney brings shows both her love and knowledge of the sport. A really enjoyable peek into the work of the elite and the wanna-be elite - it isn't always pretty, but that doesn't make what happens ring less true. show less

I was lucky enough to be a winner of one of Kim Ablon Whitney’s novels recently and chose the Perfect Distance as my prize. I wasn’t disappointed!

Francie Martinez is one of the lucky students of renowned trainer Rob Renaud.... more at http://equus-blog.com/the-perfect-distance/

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