Product Description

When Olympic Gold Medalist William Steinkraus wanted his sons to learn to ride, he took them to Judy Richter. It was Judy Richter who matched Norman Dello Joio with the right horse and sent them on to the highest levels of Grand Prix. Equestrians describe Richter as a "quiet giant" who they say is at the core of what's happening in the horse world.

Riding for Kids is a complete learn-to-ride program in a book, focusing on English riding. More than 150 full-color photographs guide the young rider from tacking up for the first time to riding on the flat to taking the first jump. Using a variety of young riders as models, Richter demonstrates correct position, balance, and aids. Throughout, a logical lesson plan, clear explanations, and safe practices maximize the youngster's success. Readers will learn about daily care, preparing for lessons, going to horse shows, and how to pursue further activities. Richter believes every horse is unique, and she shares her insights to help the young rider communicate most effectively with the animal. Best of all, Richter writes directly to the child (although she includes an initial Note to Parents). Her audience is older elementary-age children, preteens, and early teenagers -- the age group that is most passionate about horses and most eager to learn to ride well. Whether the child dreams of competing in the show ring or wants simply to ride for pleasure, Riding for Kids will help her or him become an able, aware, knowledgeable horse person.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24049 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8--This refreshingly uncluttered book offers a thorough introduction to horsemanship. Richter's enthusiastic tone conveys a love for horses that is nonetheless tempered with strict adherence to and promotion of important safety practices. In five chapters, she covers stable care, equipment, tack, clothing, longeing, lessons, jumping, and showing. The author's strong focus on good horsemanship is appropriately central to the text while the conversational, upbeat writing avoids any hint of condescension to young readers. The full-color photographs and black-and-white illustrations extend readers' understanding of the concepts being discussed. The cast of young riders, however, excludes minority representation. Contact information for several relevant organizations is included. This approachable, inviting volume successfully covers a number of topics that other authors often break into numerous volumes. If your budget allows for only one book, this is it.--Lisa Falk, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Beginning equestrians will appreciate this comprehensive guide. The first of five chapters introduces gear, vocabulary, and basics such as grooming, mounting, and dismounting. Richter then goes on to cover cantering, turning, and so on and provide step-by-step jumping instructions, information on how to prepare for a competition, and other organized activities for young riders. Numerous color photographs (almost always of young females) will get readers excited about the sport and also help illustrate the topics. Occasional black-and-white drawings and diagrams are also useful, as are boxed insets--for example, the "Horse Talk" vocabulary feature that heads each section. Granted, there's no shortage of information on this topic, but libraries needing more will find this both well written and handsomely illustrated. A glossary and a bibliography are appended. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Age seven is a good age for children to begin learning to ride a horse or pony. Lessons from a competent instructor combined with this informative manual for riding will give a child the basics for a lifetime of pleasure. The note to parents at the beginning of the book addresses topics, such as, picking an instructor. Children learn how to groom and care for a horse before and after riding, how to put on and adjust the tack before riding, and how to dress for riding. Children learn the proper way to mount, dismount and sit on the horse. Positioning of the hands, feet, and legs are explained depending on whether the horse is walking, trotting or cantering. The horse depends on the rider for instruction on its moves; so, the rider must learn the proper way to give signals that control the horse's movements as it travels around the ring on the flat or over jumps. Photographs showing correct and incorrect positions accompany the instructions are very helpful. Detailed information prepares a child for showing a horse in various show classes. Although the book is geared for English riding, a child that rides western may, also, benefit from the instruction. 2003, Storey Kids/Storey Publishing, Ages 7 to 12. (Children's Literature -Sally Niezgoda )

Customer Reviews

Ride it Read it!
This book is great for begingers (like me) to help people learn a jumping ,racing and riding! It also tells people about how to take care of stable equiment,tack and last but not least stable care! I would give this book 2 hooves up!

Riding for Kids
This is the best book you can buy if you are a young rider. It helps you with your riding skills, as well as competing at horse shows, and stable jobs. This book is a MUST for any kid that rides English. GET IT TODAY!!!!!

An information-packed and practical introduction
Riding For Kids by equestrian expert Judy Richter is an information-packed and practical introduction for children to the pastime and skill of horseback riding. Individual chapters explain in clear "reader friendly" language the basics of stable care, tack, appropriate riding clothing, riding basics, jumping and showing, and more. Enhanced with a profusion of color photography, Riding For Kids is an absolute "must-read" for any young person interested in owning or learning to ride a horse.