They rescued five horses from an unknown fate.They sold everything they had.With daring inspiration, Jackie and Noel trained the lost and confused horses, and forced their own unfit bodies to meld into one team.Life became horses, trail, endurance, and camping: all seven reliant on one another as they trekked along part of Australia’s majestic Bicentennial National Trail.What started as a dream adventure turned out to be more than they had ever imagined. The beauty of the trail didn’t lessen its dangers; with minimal support and all their worldly possessions on horseback, Jackie and Noel made mistakes and with humour learned the hard way.They were amateur horse-handlers, tackling an epic challenge, but they created something special, unique, and incredibly endearing.Fears were faced, healed, and conquered. Bonds were forged.But did the team of seven that started together, finish together?Saddle up and take a ride along life’s natural trail of trauma, fear, pain, and loyalty.

This is the second in a series of Little Books with an equestrian theme and anyone who follows the equestrian sport of eventing will thoroughly enjoy this series. The authors have been specially selected for their knowledge of their subjects while Kit Houghton's action photographs wonderfully compliment the text and bring to life the majesty and excitement of the equestrian disciplines.One of a series of five Little Books relating to horses.Little Book of BadmintonLittle Book of BurghleyLittle Book Of EventingLittle Book of DressageLittle Book of Showjumping

Julian Seaman first went to Badminton as an autograph-hunting fan in the 1960s. He later decided to become a competitor. In his first year, his horse became lame. Year two, he completed the dressage in a rainstorm in a coat made in his tailoring class at college. Third time he fell. Indeed, he fell off several times on national TV and achieved immortality as the ‘What happened next?’ feature on BBC’s A Question of Sport.Meanwhile, Julian enjoyed the splendour and history of the event – watching Mark Phillips win four times, the grand daughter of the Viceroy of India, Lucinda Prior-Palmer win six times and has enjoyed watching both Princess Anne and daughter Zara riding the classic course.And over the years, he’s witnessed some odd happenings, for example, in 1973, one-third of all constants failed to get past the third obstacle. On another occasion, Gurgle The Greek clambered, unpenalised, under a jump, to officially clear it.On another, dual Olympic Gold medallist, Mark Todd, rode a chance horse, lost a stirrup and competed ‘one-legged’!Julian is now Press Officer at this magnificent event and cantors us through the history of Badminton regailing us with fascinating facts and marvellous memories that brings the event to life. A beguiling book, this will be enjoyed by horse lovers and history lovers alike.

The revealing autobiography of one of the world's top horsemenAndrew Nicholson is one of the world's leading event riders. At only 23, he rode in his first Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984, and has represented his native New Zealand in six Olympic Games and six world championships, winning medals of every color. Andrew is respected and admired by his peers and sporting fans as a brilliant rider and competitor. Now in his 50s, he is at the peak of his powers and, with the best team of horses he has ever had, is focused on winning one of the very few prizes to elude him-an individual gold medal-at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This book tells the story of the boy from a farm in New Zealand who came to Britain as a raw 19-year-old and conquered one of the most demanding sports in the world. Illustrated with superb photographs of Andrew's career and life with horses, it reveals how he got to the top and how hard he still strives to up his game. We discover the personalities of his top horses, and the secrets he has learned in his 35 years as a horseman.

A warm, engaging and witty memoir from the star of Channel 5's The Yorkshire Vet.This is the life story of vet Peter Wright, charting his working relationship with the famous 'James Herriot', from work experience with him as a lad, to taking over his practice in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.Packed full of laugh-out loud moments, heartbreaking stories and transporting tales of his love for the animals and people of this breathtaking part of the country. Covering his bucolic childhood growing up on a farm right through to the heady days of his successful Channel 5 TV series, Peter's warm nature and professional attitude shine through every page.

The London 2012 Olympic medalist on his stunning comeback. Mark Todd's eventing career is the stuff of legends and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. When he 'retired' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named 'Rider of the Century' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. He has also show jumped to Olympic level and trained winners on the racecourse.

Considered a legendary horseman by his peers, he seemed to have done it all. He returned to train racehorses in his native New Zealand but, eight years later, the idea of a comeback took root, part dare, part personal challenge to see if he could still cut it in a changed sport. Within eight months, he was riding at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in 2011 he hit the headlines by becoming the oldest rider to win Badminton.

This was soon eclipsed by his stunning win at the London 2012 Olympics, however. The story of his progress from dairy farmer to world renown, is told with typically laid-back humour, but it reveals the fierce determination, discipline and personal sacrifice which lies behind the relaxed outlook.

This is the first in a series of Little Books with an equestrian theme and anyone who follows the equestrian sport of eventing will thoroughly enjoy this series. The authors have been specially selected for their knowledge of their subjects while Kit Houghton's action photographs wonderfully compliment the text and bring to life the majesty and excitement of the equestrian disciplines.Other books in the series are -Little Book of BadmintonLittle Book of BurghleyLittle Book Of Eventing

Mike Tucker was born into a life of farming and horses. His passion and hard work enabled him to progress from international groom to successful international event rider, top level Eventing official and television commentator. The pinnacle of Mike's career as a commentator was covering Nick Skelton's Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the BBC.In `The Man Behind the Mike' we learn about Mike's family history and the connection with the Badminton Estate where his grandfather farmed; The Beaufort Pony Club, a huge influence in his life with many top level riders being members; a visit to Australia, staying with the Roycroft family, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his efforts to become a successful event rider; and about Mike's second place at Badminton, which laid the foundations of his credibility as a rider and commentator. The `voice behind the microphone' had the experience and knowledge to commentate with authority and to command respect from the listening public at venues of not just horse trials but also show jumping, dressage, and shows in general. The wealth of experience and lifetime involvement in the world of equestrian sport has enabled him to travel all over the world meeting many different people and sharing his expertise. We are told many funny, revealing, fascinating and sometimes sad anecdotes of his experiences of the successes and failures along the way and we are given a true insight into the real stories behind the headlines, and `The Man Behind the Mike'.