I love horse books. I hadn’t read any for a long while (other than re-reading the Jill books and Black Beauty) until I read Krista Breen’s Dakotaroo series, and I leapt straight back into the genre. So when I was a little less enthused by this book, I must put it back into context. Would the 12-year old me have been enthused with it?

I’m not sure she would. It’s a well told story of a lovely grey mare called Silver, whose owner, Emma, has trained to a very high standard of haute ecole, to the stage where they can do caprioles. If this is double dutch to you, trust me, it’s good. Specialised. Emma is the daughter of a circus owner, so her particular talents are well-used to draw the crowds. She loves the circus, but the fates don’t, and the outcome is the looming decision by her father to sell up and say goodbye to the circus forever. But Emma has a winter job at a racing stable, where she has competed Silver in point-to-points in the past, so it isn’t too much of a big step for all involved (other than her father) to hatch a plan to win the big prizemoney in the local racecourse’s big race of the season. If she wins, the circus will be saved!

Is there no end to Silver’s talent? It seems not, although she sure doesn’t like being ridden like an ordinary racehorse. Not surprising really, since she hasn’t been brought up as one. I had a nagging dislike of this horse that could do absolutely everything. But I remember when I was 12 I had some imaginary horses of my own that were good enough to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and an Olympic showjumping medal, so why can’t Silver save the day, winning one-day events, starring in the circus ring and winning the big steeplechase?

I think this book is an enjoyable and good example of the genre from its time – it was first published in the 1970s. But I feel that even in pony books, the characters these days need to be more three dimensional, less predictable and better imagined. I was disappointed at the lack of depth to the circus characters. They were described, but they didn’t take off as people. The near-boyfriend drops in and out like an afterthought. Maybe he was. Redundant character theory has him in line for a nasty end in a future version!

In short, this book didn’t grip me, although it was an enjoyable read, and I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to read it. ( )

Emma Kenner and her older brother, Edward, grew up in the circus owned by their dad. For Emma’s eighth birthday her dad bought a sickly mare from the owner of the local stables, harry Hunter. With love and attention from Emma Silver grew up to be a strong and beautiful horse, she and Emma the star attractions now that Edward had taken his lioness act to Europe.

The circus was struggling though. It had a couple of bad summers and the big tent was so old Emma’s dad couldn’t find anybody to insure it. They needed a good season in order to buy a new tent and as they set out in April it looked like their prayers were being answered. The weather was perfect and the shows were sold out. But when disaster struck in the form of a freak gale in July tearing the big tent into shreds they had to pack up and head back to their winter home in Wittersham long before the October season end. They needed money and a lot of it to buy a new big tent. When Harry suggested Emma race Silver with an eye to winning the prize money she decided to go for it. But can Emma handle the stress of racing? Would her dad approve?

This is a great short story about overcoming obstacles and working hard toward a goal. It has horse racing and a lot of interesting facts about circus life and the people who live to perform in the circus. Well-written with a fast moving plot and interesting characters this story will have you cheering Emma and Silver on.

*Many thanks to Straw Hat for providing me with a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog. ( )