First Fence by Kate Lattey
First Fence by Kate LatteyThis is the first book in Kate Lattey’s Pony Jumpers Series, and it’s adorable. If the rest of the series goes along like this, I’m in for a serious treat. But, let’s stop fawning all over it and talk sensibly for a second!
First Fence is the story of AJ, an overhorsed rider trying to get it together with her pony, the rambunctious and naturally talented Squib. AJ comes from a non-horse family, and is one of five children, so her support network when it comes to the equestrian world isn’t the strongest and most of the time she feels like she’s taking on Squib alone. Her parents can’t help and everyone at her barn seems to think Squib is only an annoyance not worth the time or effort to train.
Her fortunes turn when she runs into Katy and her mom, both obsessive equestrians with ponies. They immediately see what’s up with Squib, and through them AJ starts finding workarounds, slowly showing improvement. Katy and AJ become thick as thieves, but soon the question becomes who is Katy really there for? AJ or Squib?
The majority of the book is dedicated to AJ coming to better work with her pony, so the horse element is strong with this one. Younger, horse-loving teens will definitely see themselves in AJ as she struggles with the best way to train, or otherwise figure out Squib. But it also does an excellent job of showing the start of a friendship between two very different people, and the hiccups that can cause. Katy and AJ are nothing alike. In fact, their one thing in common seems to only be the horses. So that crux of the story is exceptionally hard for AJ to muddle her way through.
I especially liked AJ’s family, despite all of the kids having names starting with the same letter. So often you see books about kids desperate for horses who have to go around their parents’ refusal through completely unrealistic subterfuge to get a horse. This is a more realistic portrayal–cash-strapped, too big family did everything they can to get AJ that pony, but AJ is on her own after that. This is certainly no horse story fairy tale. Kate Lattey shows realistic horse ownership, and I think readers will appreciate that. No riding princesses to be found here, and no magic fixes. Everyone works for what they have, and there’s no one who knows that better than a horse girl.
Definitely reading the rest in this series. On to book 2!
