Olympic Dreams

High Hurdles #1

by Lauraine Snelling

Thirteen-year-old DJ needs God's help in achieving her dream of getting a horse and competing as a show jumper in the Olympics

Genres: Horses, Christian, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Fiction

155 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

About the author

Award-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.

Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was at my library's book sale and you know how it goes -- a lot of people in a small room grabbing and you just can't help it and start grabbing, too. I got home and discovered I accidentally bought this book. Idiot me mistook it for a book in the Thoroughbred series. And, let's be honest, the covers are pretty similar.


So, I heaved a big sigh once I saw who the author was and decided to give the book a try. To my surprise, this has been the best Laurie Snelling book I've ever read (I've only read about six.) Now, this isn't a major compliment. It's like saying this is the best rock band in Normal, Illinois.

Now, there is a sub-genre in horse stories that I call "finally getting the horse." The whole book is devoted to Our Protagonist finally owning the equine of his or her dreams. This particular book is the most unusual I've ever read in this vast sub-genre. The horse never appears except for a couple of casual mentions and a sudden surprise at the end. We, as readers, never actually "meet" this horse. Hmm. Well, I have to admit that's original -- but not does not necessarily make for a satisfying horsey read.


And the preaching. Oh, the preaching.

Now, I was raised as a Born-Again Christian. From the fourth grade, I was sent to a Christian school and then to church on Sunday. I was one for about 12 years (until I started to think for myself) and in that time talked to a lot of Christians. I have never once come across any conversations about God as presented in this book. I've also never met one who would not let you say, "butt" (as in keester). It gets so ridiculous that it's funny.


I think I'm going to give this back to the library so they can sell it again. Hey, it's for a good cause.

[Bert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid, but I couldn't remember ever finishing it, so I tried again. On re-reading I realised this is more Christian morality fiction than it is horse fiction, and the reason I didn't finish it is probably that pretty much everyone in the book is a jerk.

When the adults are being reasonable, DJ is being selfish and rude. When DJ actually responds to some life-changing news in a way that, while not very sensitive, is totally understandable for a kid her age under the circumstances, the adults in her life respond by being completely horrible and just as immature as DJ. I was disappointed in the ending, which was way too pat. Given how annoying she'd been through the whole book, and the morality tale tone, I expected her to learn to make do with not having a horse of her own. I genuinely did not want her to get a horse. Additionally, there's a domestic and alcohol abuse tangent near the end which is terrible. When DJ tells her family, including her grandmother's police officer fiance, about a distressed boy at her stable having a father who drinks and hits his wife, their solution is to just be his friend until he gets shipped off to military school and pray about it. Nice. I bet that helps him a lot.

[Sandra Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this series as a kid and read it numerous times. Being a horse obsessed girlie who also fantasized about jumping in the Olympics, it was right up my alley. It was super nostalgic giving it another read through.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was kinda a so so horse book for me -shocking I know!!! DJ kinda annoyed me and her attitude toward her family seemed very crabby. I just never really got this book -yeah a horse loving teen who wants a horse so she can get to the olympics someday- a little too far fetched!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was younger, I was always especially fond of the High Hurdles series. I related to DJ in some way, and could understand where she was coming from. Add in some horses and it was a good recipe!

DJ is relatable to any early teen, and not without her flaws - making her realistic and hard to dislike.

Written with just the right amount of Christianly overtones, its hard to find much to dislike about the writing and plot.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good christian horse series? Thats almost too good to be true

[Ene Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

So fun to stumble across an old book from my childhood! I had forgotten all about it, but now I remember it feeding my dreams of owning a horse. 😁
Love the 90s nostalgia!

[Elivia Kanatiquelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved this series. One of my forever faves! DJ reminds me of me.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this before, but decided to read it again before reviewing it here. Interesting story, even though I'm not into horses.

Darla Jean Randall was daydreaming about being in the Olympics one day. Her best friend, Amy Yamamoto, was waiting for her. Amy reminded her that she had a group lesson shortly. As they biked to the Academy, they talked about DJ getting her own horse. They soon arived at the Briones Riding Academy. DJ gave a carrot to her favorite horse, Diablo. She felt that she couldn't love him more if she owned hem. Bridget. the owner, told her that one of her students, Angie, wouldn't be there to review leads & start figure eights and to give Diablo extra attention because the owners would be there. The entry feeds for the next show had to be in the next day, & DJ hated asking Gram for money. DJ hurried to her class of 2 preteen girls. One of the girl's Krissy, said her horse was stubborn, but she was more so. DJ told her that more practice would help. The other girl, Samantha, reminded DJ of herself when she was 8, the way she wanted to compete. DJ repeated the advice given her, "If you want it bad enough, you can make it happen." After the lesson, she did her chores in the barn. The July day was getting hot. She decided to pretend that Diablo was really hers. She took him through the entire routines. James followed on his horse. DJ would have given him advice on how to ride better, but he had made it plain that he didn't want her advice. Afterwards she cleaned tack until it had a shine!

Gran had promised to pay her entry fees, all she had to do was ask. Maybe she could offer to do chores without grumbling? Gran had also told her to ask God for what she needed, but she didn't like to bother Him about small things. When she talked to Gran, Gran's voice seemed off in her painting. DJ started by asking when her mom would be home. Gran was glad she had the money to give her, and read a book. DJ found that this was the best time of the day to draw. She propped herself in bed to draw horses.

In the morning, DJ rode to the Academy by herself. Diablo was gone!

[🐴wallenhorsegirl🐴 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so good!!!! Any horse girl would love this! Please read! I love DJ and Major! They are so fun to follow! 💕😊

[Chloé · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely a stroll down memory lane. I remember being 11-12 and loving these books. I read the entire series when I was that age, and reading them again I can see why! I found that now, they really don't apply to me as much, as Snelling's writing is definitely geared toward a younger audience, but the plot is still pretty enjoyable and the setting is developed really well.

[Rivkah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked her first series better, but I do like how she has made this series a little different then her last one.

[Lady Loki Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is where I got my dream for jumping my horses from.... I was already riding by the time I read these series the first time but I didn't know what I wanted to do with horses.... thanks Snelling!

[Hannah Facey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very inspirational books for those either going for their dreams or trying to earn some money

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book for horse crazy kids

[Ylena_Woodall]

Good book!

[Audrie Wilkes]

I think these books are my favorite. I would recommend this series to anyone, even if you don't like horse.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.