Ellen is a spirited - and occasionally misbehaving - young horseback-riding student. Ellen is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school and at home. Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking advantage of her parents' distraction...

A young rider encounters well-known horses and new friends in the final installment of the Ellen & Ned trilogy by Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley. Ellen's family has moved to a new town...but some things, like her love for horses, remain the same. Ellen is now the proud owner of her own horse, Tater. She's learning new skills and challenging herself as a rider...but she still can't stop thinking about Ned, the feisty former racehorse she sees on the ranch during her lessons. In the meantime, Ellen's making new friends and encountering old ones. Most exciting of all is Da, a boy from a riding family who is possessed of a spirit of mischief and daring and knows his own mind. Ellen still has a lot to learn...about horses, friendship, and herself. And will she ever be able to get Ned off her mind?

The first book in a new horse trilogy from Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley starring a feisty young rider. Eleven-year-old Ellen is a spunky—and occasionally misbehaving—young riding student. Her teacher Abby Lovitt (who readers might recognize from The Georges and the Jewels) is a high school student who introduces her to jumping, dressage techniques, and most importantly, Ned. Ned is a colt who used to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg and moved to Abby’s ranch. Ellen and Ned seem to understand each other, and their companionship is immediate. But Ellen is only allowed to go to riding lessons when she behaves at school. And with all that’s going on, from learning that she’s adopted to finding out her parents are adopting a new baby, it’s harder than ever for Ellen to pay attention and behave in class and at home. Will Ellen be able to spend more time on the ranch with Ned? And will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?

A practical guide for returning riders ready to revisit their favorite childhood activity Many former riders have fond memories of childhoods spent in the saddle, but those happy hours spent riding didn't seem possible once work and family came along. So what now? Now it would be great to take up the reins again! This book brings together all of the information needed to successfully get back in the saddle. It helps new-again riders to develop visions and goals, to find the right riding school and the right riding style, and to deal with horses on equal footing without fear.

When Sasha Silver and her horse, Charm, arrive on the campus of the elite Canterwood Crest Academy, Sasha knows that she's in trouble. She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out. Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing?

This series of Western Dressage exercises are designed to improve suppleness, balance in movement, and responsiveness. Each exercise has a specific goal in mind, and they are organized by different areas of focus: softness, looseness, rider development, engagement, adjustability, and ground work. With illustrated step-by-step instructions and full arena diagrams, you’ll quickly be on your way to mastering this exciting discipline.

Connected Riding: An Introduction can be your first step to dancing with your horse. Based on biomechanics of movement, Connected Riding teaches riders to synchronize their movements with those of their horses to create more ease and better performance. In this book, you'll learn how to influence the horse's movement through an effective position and an elastic connection, allowing you to let go of compressive, energy-draining techniques. If your riding has become stressful, painful, frustrating or "stuck," Connected Riding can help you, because it will restore motion, life and partnership to your riding; a method for all disciplines and all levels of riding!