Paddock Grove: A Pony To Own
J.P. Rose
Walker Books

Georgia Harris (George) is thrilled she’s been awarded a scholarship to Paddock Grove, an elite equine boarding school. She’s far less thrilled though when instead of her beloved Timmy, the horse she’s already bonded with, her parents, (unable to afford Timmy) have bought her Bear, a mischievous horse also from the local riding school. Bear loves to get muddy all over and even does so on the day George is to start at her new school but that’s just the start of her troubles. When she arrives at the school parking area, Mrs Hawksworth, the headteacher of Paddock Grove greets her with the words “Miss Harris. You and your pony have made quite the entrance.” Fortunately though, soon after, Katie arrives on the scene and her kind manner as she shows George around, makes the newcomer feel a lot better.

She discovers that she’ll be sharing a room with three other girls one of whom is Katie. The others are Tabitha (who seems a tad cautious but has a big heart) and Lili whose home is on a small island near Fiji.She appears to be keeping things about her family life to herself but has a playful nature and is very enthusiastic about riding. The four roommates make a great team. But can George and the mischievous Bear become a team too? That is a vital if George is to keep her place at the school and there’s definitely one girl who does not want that to happen.

This first of an equestrian series is really well crafted and the storylines cleverly interwoven. I’d not read any other books by J.P. Rose; now I’m eagerly awaiting Riding For Gold, the next in this series.