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The very Worst Riding School in the World
Who would be stupid enough to open and run a riding school when they are terrified of horses, can't ride, without insurance or capital, and with not the faintest idea of how to care for horses. Add to that, two of the four horses are not fit for the knacker's yard. Yes, that's exactly what I did - like so many of my adventures I 'fell' into this one as well with hilarious results.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2017
69 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda E. Clarke
26 books157 followersBorn in Dublin, matured in England, wanted to follow grandfather into Fleet Street, family not wildly enthusiastic - unfeminine, unreliable and dangerous. Went to dockland Liverpool - safe, respectable and pensionable. Returned south with teaching qualifications, extremely good at self defence. Went crofting in Scotland, bred Cairn Terriers among other things. Moved to Kenya with 7 week old daughter, abandoned in the bush. On to Libya, surviving riots, public hangings, imprisoned husband and eventual deportation. Queued with the unemployed millions in UK. Moved to Botswana - still teaching - opened and ran the worst riding school in the world,- with ‘How to...’ book in hand.
Moved south to South Africa taught for four years, then in 1986 became a full time freelance writer, for major corporations, UNESCO, UNICEF and the South African Broadcasting Corporation for both radio and television. Moving into video production in 1986, received over 20 awards, specializing in education, documentaries, municipal and government, one script for National Geographic.
Returned UK Jan 1994, back to SA before April elections.
Taught in 7 countries, including Britain, Kenya, France, Libya, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa. Also found time to breed animals for pet shops, write a newspaper column, publish two books, Heinneman & Macmillan, and work for several years as a radio announcer. Married with two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter, moved to Spain in 2008. I now write a monthly column and have published two more books, a memoir and an adventure story set in Africa.
Moved south to South Africa taught for four years, then in 1986 became a full time freelance writer, for major corporations, UNESCO, UNICEF and the South African Broadcasting Corporation for both radio and television. Moving into video production in 1986, received over 20 awards, specializing in education, documentaries, municipal and government, one script for National Geographic.
Returned UK Jan 1994, back to SA before April elections.
Taught in 7 countries, including Britain, Kenya, France, Libya, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa. Also found time to breed animals for pet shops, write a newspaper column, publish two books, Heinneman & Macmillan, and work for several years as a radio announcer. Married with two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter, moved to Spain in 2008. I now write a monthly column and have published two more books, a memoir and an adventure story set in Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 16, 2017
Quick story about the author's exploits running a riding school in Africa
Interesting short,little knowledge and a couple of horses drive the author to attempt lessons to keep their head above water. Not much story...
Interesting short,little knowledge and a couple of horses drive the author to attempt lessons to keep their head above water. Not much story...
March 30, 2018
After reading two superb thrillers by this author, especially the heartbreaking Amie: Cut For Life, this revelation about Lucinda Clarke was a huge surprise. Not that she'd lived in Africa; a visitor, of whom I am one of many, could never write so convincingly about it.
The Dark Continent is the setting for the riding school, and I am one of the readers who said "Oh hum" when the loving, but hopelessly ill-educated, "horse-woman" bought OATS for the horses she couldn't handle!
This is a book to make you forget your troubles. My only complaint, and my own fault for reading my Kindle in the dark before settling to sleep, is I laughed so much, and for so long, my husband came close to being my ex, and even the dog sighed a lot.
The Dark Continent is the setting for the riding school, and I am one of the readers who said "Oh hum" when the loving, but hopelessly ill-educated, "horse-woman" bought OATS for the horses she couldn't handle!
This is a book to make you forget your troubles. My only complaint, and my own fault for reading my Kindle in the dark before settling to sleep, is I laughed so much, and for so long, my husband came close to being my ex, and even the dog sighed a lot.
September 1, 2019
This is a short but great fun read! I rarely ride myself but my wife and kids have horses and our lives are organised around their riding plans. I smiled and chuckled at the author's inexperience and descriptions of her horse adventures. Highly rcommended to anyone with any connection to horses or who just enjoys a humorous read.
November 14, 2019
Well, it can be funny but at times it meanders a bit too much. I have to give props to Clarke though because she is willing to write about the topic in such a way.
September 10, 2019
Lucinda E. Clarke has written a charming, very funny little book about one of the many adventures she had while living in Africa with two small children and an unreliable former husband.
"The Very Worst Riding School in the World" is more than just a humorous book, however. If you read between the lines you will see that it is also the story of how Clarke struggled mightily to make the best out of a bad situation. She uses humor to mask the frustration of being married to a man she describes as a "Walter Mitty-type" who never met a bad idea he didn´t like, and the challenges of holding down her job as a teacher and coach, wife, mother, and the owner of a riding school that just seemed to happen when a friend of her daughters asked for lessons.
Clarke, who has also written about her experiences working in African television and radio, has the rare ability to see the humor in life, with all its twists and turns. She is also not afraid to poke fun at herself, another rare quality.
You can read this book in little more than an hour and, in my opinion, that´s time well spent.
"The Very Worst Riding School in the World" is more than just a humorous book, however. If you read between the lines you will see that it is also the story of how Clarke struggled mightily to make the best out of a bad situation. She uses humor to mask the frustration of being married to a man she describes as a "Walter Mitty-type" who never met a bad idea he didn´t like, and the challenges of holding down her job as a teacher and coach, wife, mother, and the owner of a riding school that just seemed to happen when a friend of her daughters asked for lessons.
Clarke, who has also written about her experiences working in African television and radio, has the rare ability to see the humor in life, with all its twists and turns. She is also not afraid to poke fun at herself, another rare quality.
You can read this book in little more than an hour and, in my opinion, that´s time well spent.
September 5, 2018
She's got a husband with his head in an anatomically impossible position who lies that head off to his superiors at work and leaves her with the mess. She not only can't ride but is afraid of being on a horse, regardless of what he told others, then he moves the family and purchases two horses for her "pleasure" despite her knowing nothing about the care and feeding of them. This book is a howl, and I can't wait to read the next one!
May 21, 2018
What a funny story to read. From the first page to the last.
I enjoined it very much.
Since I love horses and was riding in my earlier years, long ego now.
So, I know all about the fear of the big horses and getting lost in the woods.
But leave it to the horse, it always find the way home.
I will never forget that.
I enjoined it very much.
Since I love horses and was riding in my earlier years, long ego now.
So, I know all about the fear of the big horses and getting lost in the woods.
But leave it to the horse, it always find the way home.
I will never forget that.
July 28, 2017
I'm not much of a horse person, probably a result of falling off horses and being bitten by them as a kid. That said, I can totally relate with Ms. Clarke's hesitancy around the beasts. Amusing short.
August 19, 2017
The Very Worst Riding School In The World by Lucinda E. Clarke is a short (27 Pages) non-fiction account of an almost love affair between the author and horses. It is available free from Amazon and probably qualifies to be listed in the category “chapbook.” The very catchy title attracted my interest as did the author’s opening declaration best described in her own words. “Who, in their right mind would start a riding school when they didn’t know how to ride, was terrified of horses, had no capital, no insurance and half the stock was at death’s door?” (loc 25-26). This short account might be of interest to young adult readers (or any readers) who have entertained the idea of owning horses, whether for commercial reasons or not, and have really not thought through completely the pitfalls that such ownership might encounter.
Clarke mentions that she remembers loving horses from the age of three but at the same time was terrified of their capacity to do tremendous accidental harm that came from the fact of their immense size. Her mother did not share her daughter’s attraction and prohibited her from even being near horses by such measures as not allowing Clarke to go to friends’ houses where opportunities presented themselves to ride horses. Lucinda was not deterred.
In later married life it was not quite clear why her husband encouraged her to take riding lessons. Was it to please his wife that the husband encouraged her perceived interest? Or was it a way to further his own career advancement by exhibiting a family interest that was consistent with the interests of families of superiors and bosses? Her interest was less than enthusiastic as she described perching (loc 124) on a horse rather than riding one. Clarke provides an entertaining account of riding with a group of far more experienced wives of colleagues, a ride that ended up as a solitary experience when she was not able to keep up with others.
Further work assignments for the then husband led her to a situation where she not only rode horses but had ownership of two behaviorally disparate animals, one compliant with her demands and one far less compliant to her orders. She also was introduced, without the benefit of any experience or access to advice from the internet (it didn’t exist), to unimagined logistical problems such as housing, feeding, and care of horses. Forced into a situation where she needed to house her own horses, she quickly found herself in a care giving role to four horses. There was nothing to do but try to turn this into a money-making proposition. Even if it didn’t make money, there was a possibility that the fledgling enterprise would pay for maintenance and upkeep.
This chapbook is about the initial stages of starting a riding school, an unintended consequence of living in Botswana while following her husband career. The author ends the account by giving a brief glance at what would occur after this erratic beginning and promising a fuller account in follow-up publications. She has had a rich career that goes beyond horses and riding schools. This is a 2017 publication and I have yet to find any explanatory sequels but I am interested in reading any that may appear. I am also interested in other segments of her life. In an “about the author” segment, it is noted that she made history in South Africa as she handled her own divorce. Given that her activities with a riding school came about due to the insistence of her husband, I feel that this experience would be interesting to read.
Clarke mentions that she remembers loving horses from the age of three but at the same time was terrified of their capacity to do tremendous accidental harm that came from the fact of their immense size. Her mother did not share her daughter’s attraction and prohibited her from even being near horses by such measures as not allowing Clarke to go to friends’ houses where opportunities presented themselves to ride horses. Lucinda was not deterred.
In later married life it was not quite clear why her husband encouraged her to take riding lessons. Was it to please his wife that the husband encouraged her perceived interest? Or was it a way to further his own career advancement by exhibiting a family interest that was consistent with the interests of families of superiors and bosses? Her interest was less than enthusiastic as she described perching (loc 124) on a horse rather than riding one. Clarke provides an entertaining account of riding with a group of far more experienced wives of colleagues, a ride that ended up as a solitary experience when she was not able to keep up with others.
Further work assignments for the then husband led her to a situation where she not only rode horses but had ownership of two behaviorally disparate animals, one compliant with her demands and one far less compliant to her orders. She also was introduced, without the benefit of any experience or access to advice from the internet (it didn’t exist), to unimagined logistical problems such as housing, feeding, and care of horses. Forced into a situation where she needed to house her own horses, she quickly found herself in a care giving role to four horses. There was nothing to do but try to turn this into a money-making proposition. Even if it didn’t make money, there was a possibility that the fledgling enterprise would pay for maintenance and upkeep.
This chapbook is about the initial stages of starting a riding school, an unintended consequence of living in Botswana while following her husband career. The author ends the account by giving a brief glance at what would occur after this erratic beginning and promising a fuller account in follow-up publications. She has had a rich career that goes beyond horses and riding schools. This is a 2017 publication and I have yet to find any explanatory sequels but I am interested in reading any that may appear. I am also interested in other segments of her life. In an “about the author” segment, it is noted that she made history in South Africa as she handled her own divorce. Given that her activities with a riding school came about due to the insistence of her husband, I feel that this experience would be interesting to read.
May 10, 2020
The African setting distinguishes this book from most horse tales. The novella takes us through the writer's early life and fleeting acquaintance with horses, through her marriage to a "Walter Mitty" husband who changed jobs, drove the family to other cities and borrowed stables as needed.
The author was teaching in the English School of Gabarone and started riding again at her husband's behest, no doubt to keep up with his boss and that man's wife. When the family next moved, the husband bought two riding school horses to accompany them. This despite the fact that nobody knew anything about horse care. Pressed to look after two elderly, infirm horses as well, the author creditably jumped for the vet and due to bills, got interested in teaching paying riders.
The book stops abruptly and we don't find out how well the school worked. So I hope the title was an exaggeration. I believe anyone who knows horses will find this tale funny and appealing, but not in a cutesy way. No, this is fairly rugged and full of heat and dust. We'd all want to be this brave and run a riding school. Fair play. The English is not always great, and to me the book looks unedited. But it's a quick read so you don't have time to feel annoyed.
I downloaded an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
The author was teaching in the English School of Gabarone and started riding again at her husband's behest, no doubt to keep up with his boss and that man's wife. When the family next moved, the husband bought two riding school horses to accompany them. This despite the fact that nobody knew anything about horse care. Pressed to look after two elderly, infirm horses as well, the author creditably jumped for the vet and due to bills, got interested in teaching paying riders.
The book stops abruptly and we don't find out how well the school worked. So I hope the title was an exaggeration. I believe anyone who knows horses will find this tale funny and appealing, but not in a cutesy way. No, this is fairly rugged and full of heat and dust. We'd all want to be this brave and run a riding school. Fair play. The English is not always great, and to me the book looks unedited. But it's a quick read so you don't have time to feel annoyed.
I downloaded an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.
July 10, 2018
A fun, well-written short read.
If you've read any of this author's memoirs you will have heard of 'The Very Worst Riding School in the World' from mentions of it in her 'Walking Over Eggshells'. She recently released a kindle edition of Book 1 of her riding school adventures, which you can get on amazon and seems to be perma free. Book 2 is available to download for subscribers to her newsletter.
With little knowledge about horses or riding, due to a set of various circumstances, Lucinda somehow 'falls into' setting up a riding school. Does she take to it like a duck to water? No, she bumbles through! You don't have to know anything about horses to appreciate this little book. I could relate to this, I think horses are really big and high and so strong. Scary! My niece has a horse and on first seeing Dexter up close (they don't look that big on the TV)-I couldn't even imagine how one could get up there and on him!
This is a fun short read and I will be reading the second part straight after it. It's written with that same sense of humour as her other memoirs. An enjoyable, easy read.
If you've read any of this author's memoirs you will have heard of 'The Very Worst Riding School in the World' from mentions of it in her 'Walking Over Eggshells'. She recently released a kindle edition of Book 1 of her riding school adventures, which you can get on amazon and seems to be perma free. Book 2 is available to download for subscribers to her newsletter.
With little knowledge about horses or riding, due to a set of various circumstances, Lucinda somehow 'falls into' setting up a riding school. Does she take to it like a duck to water? No, she bumbles through! You don't have to know anything about horses to appreciate this little book. I could relate to this, I think horses are really big and high and so strong. Scary! My niece has a horse and on first seeing Dexter up close (they don't look that big on the TV)-I couldn't even imagine how one could get up there and on him!
This is a fun short read and I will be reading the second part straight after it. It's written with that same sense of humour as her other memoirs. An enjoyable, easy read.
August 29, 2018
Told in a nice consistent voice, with careful attention to important details like the little-known fact that horses bite, Lucinda Clarke tells how she “fell into” running a riding school despite being "the world’s biggest coward and… terrified of horses.” After all, they are rather large, despite the fact that most young girls long to ride them. The protagonist does ride one, not very successfully, as a disobedient child. Then as an adult she accompanies “the ex-husband” to Gabarone, Botswana, where he assures his boss’s wife that Lucinda loves horses. Will life with a horse be a dream come true or a nightmare… or a bit of both?
Natural dialog, quiet humor, a rather large horse, the Horse Owner’s Manual, and a “battle between free will and fate” make this a curiously enticing tale, short enough for a quick read, and hard to put down. From wanting a horse to opening an impromptu riding school, via trials and tribulations and lessons learned—it’s a cool, fun book, and probably not the world’s worst school—though I couldn’t help picturing Norman Thelwell illustrations in my mind as I read.
Disclosure: I was given an ecopy of the second book and had to read the first.
Natural dialog, quiet humor, a rather large horse, the Horse Owner’s Manual, and a “battle between free will and fate” make this a curiously enticing tale, short enough for a quick read, and hard to put down. From wanting a horse to opening an impromptu riding school, via trials and tribulations and lessons learned—it’s a cool, fun book, and probably not the world’s worst school—though I couldn’t help picturing Norman Thelwell illustrations in my mind as I read.
Disclosure: I was given an ecopy of the second book and had to read the first.
March 5, 2020
I think a more apt title would be, "The Accidental Riding School."
This is a quick slice of life read about a woman's love of horses and total lack of horsemanship. Funny and fun, it was interesting to see how she talked about her ex-husband, who supported her love of horses, yet never talked to her enough to find out how bad she was at it. Or was it that she never communicated it to him? (Perhaps this is why they were divorced.) The short story is really about her relationship with him, or lack thereof.
Good story to read in between appointments.
This is a quick slice of life read about a woman's love of horses and total lack of horsemanship. Funny and fun, it was interesting to see how she talked about her ex-husband, who supported her love of horses, yet never talked to her enough to find out how bad she was at it. Or was it that she never communicated it to him? (Perhaps this is why they were divorced.) The short story is really about her relationship with him, or lack thereof.
Good story to read in between appointments.
October 29, 2018
It was every bit as funny as it was frustrating to see her going through trying to get her riding school up and running. I loved how she has such a big heart for animals and saved the lives of the two horses she was charged with looking after, even though the vet had told her there was nothing could be done. Ms Clarke's an amazing person for that.
May 29, 2020
Having high regard for the author’s background and her adventure writing I started reading this short book with an open mind. Could it be as humorous as the title suggested? Yes, I thought, after only a few pages.
The tale is related in the first-person point of view which creates the intimacy required for certain stories, and here it works superbly. The antics may not have had me rolling around on the floor but certainly brought many a smile as I read the experiences of a woman who simply refused to give up when a situation wasn’t going well or close to plan.
At times the tone might appear self-deprecating but no, I decided, it’s actually honesty, combined with a heartfelt desire to relate the various occurrences using wry humour to highlight not only acceptance but a dogged determination to give something her best shot.
The tale is related in the first-person point of view which creates the intimacy required for certain stories, and here it works superbly. The antics may not have had me rolling around on the floor but certainly brought many a smile as I read the experiences of a woman who simply refused to give up when a situation wasn’t going well or close to plan.
At times the tone might appear self-deprecating but no, I decided, it’s actually honesty, combined with a heartfelt desire to relate the various occurrences using wry humour to highlight not only acceptance but a dogged determination to give something her best shot.
May 28, 2020
A short book that was filled with more than what was on the surface. I found the story charming and pithy as well as what is at the heart of the book of course, it is delightfully humorous. I've read other books where Lucinda recounts her African tales, but in a way this one was although the shortest, perhaps the most profound. As always, the author paints the African sky and all beneath it with the heart of a woman who will never forget a place that clearly stays with her. Her ex husband is a challenge as is managing her young children but of course the riding school of the title gives away more about the strength and character of someone, making the best of what is put in front of her. A short and splendid read that you should pick up and read today. 5 stars
June 12, 2020
Funny Short Read
This is the 1st of Lucinda´s books that I have read and you can be assured I will be reading more.
Set in Africa the book is set apart from any other horsey tales I found this novella keeping me amused with the various moves the family had to make due to her husband´s frequent job changes. Not only did the family have to move but they had to keep changing the location of the Riding School.
Looking after horses and ponies was a steep learning curve for them all and no one appeared to know how to execute horse care. Lucinda acquires her knowledge through her manuals and despite holding down a full time teaching job continues to build on her Riding School.
Lucinda´s descriptive text brought it all to life for me, thank you.
This is the 1st of Lucinda´s books that I have read and you can be assured I will be reading more.
Set in Africa the book is set apart from any other horsey tales I found this novella keeping me amused with the various moves the family had to make due to her husband´s frequent job changes. Not only did the family have to move but they had to keep changing the location of the Riding School.
Looking after horses and ponies was a steep learning curve for them all and no one appeared to know how to execute horse care. Lucinda acquires her knowledge through her manuals and despite holding down a full time teaching job continues to build on her Riding School.
Lucinda´s descriptive text brought it all to life for me, thank you.
July 3, 2017
All girls love horses
So much fun to read Lucinda's books. I must admit to having horses myself and yes they are likely to stomp on your foot. My friend had a horse that kicked and took a bite out of her arm. Actually it sounds as though she did quite well running the school--book 2 should be interesting. Wasn't your husband a wonderful man to give you lessons and horses that you had wanted as a young girl!! Can't wait for book 2. I highly recommend this book and all her other books!
So much fun to read Lucinda's books. I must admit to having horses myself and yes they are likely to stomp on your foot. My friend had a horse that kicked and took a bite out of her arm. Actually it sounds as though she did quite well running the school--book 2 should be interesting. Wasn't your husband a wonderful man to give you lessons and horses that you had wanted as a young girl!! Can't wait for book 2. I highly recommend this book and all her other books!
November 3, 2017
This is a very short memoir of the author's time trying to run a riding school in Africa, despite the fact she is anything but secure around horses, and she only has 2 horses, and two broken down nags she is trying to rehabilitate as payment for housing her horses on the owner's property. The story seems to have potential, but then ends abruptly with no real resolution. It appears to be more like a serial than a full book. I suppose it will be continued in another short book, but I probably won't bother to look for a sequel.
September 15, 2025
A delightful memory of the author's foray into running a riding school in Botswana, in the 1980s. Written with humour, the author relates episodes of working with horses despite very little experience, in a foreign country. It made me question whether she was incredibly brave or foolish. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, and a few that brought me to tears. I love reading about people who jump in, feet first and don't let the setbacks stop them. If you love horses or not, you will enjoy this great, quick read.
July 24, 2017
....................... Describing the family background and her own lack of knowledge and experience Lucinda Clarke draws out the funny and serious sides of this escapade. Her sense of humour and self-depreciation are constantly in evidence as are her descriptive abilities.
Complete review may be read at: https://trrobinsonpublications.com/20...
Complete review may be read at: https://trrobinsonpublications.com/20...
May 29, 2018
The funniest and worst riding school in the world!
She may not be very successful at all her endeavors, but this is one amazing lady! She managed to take care of her family in a foreign country with little money and lots of good intentions. This is a short story and fun read, but amazing for the grins and giggles!
She may not be very successful at all her endeavors, but this is one amazing lady! She managed to take care of her family in a foreign country with little money and lots of good intentions. This is a short story and fun read, but amazing for the grins and giggles!
November 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this story of Lucinda’s experiences with horses! Her writing reminds me of a humorist I enjoyed reading-Erma Bombeck.
It’s a fast read and there are many lol moments to give you plenty of chuckles.
If you enjoyed Erma Bombeck give Lucinda a try. I for one know you’ll fall in love with her and will want to read the next installment to see what happens-I know I will!
It’s a fast read and there are many lol moments to give you plenty of chuckles.
If you enjoyed Erma Bombeck give Lucinda a try. I for one know you’ll fall in love with her and will want to read the next installment to see what happens-I know I will!
August 9, 2017
This is a funny book that takes place in first England and then Africa about a woman who knows nothing about riding horses .Yet she starts a riding school in Africa. Very short. I don't recommend this book.
August 19, 2018
What kind of idiot opens and runs a riding school when they are scared of horses, can't ride, with no capital, no insurance and half the horses are not fit for the knacker's yard in the wilds of Africa? The author! Cute but probably won't read the sequels.
September 6, 2023
I enjoyed this little novella, but it was too short!! I want to hear the rest of the story!! The author’s sense of humour came through though and I am looking forward to reading more of her books!
In fact I’ve just downloaded ‘When Polly won the lottery’ - sounds like a fun title!
In fact I’ve just downloaded ‘When Polly won the lottery’ - sounds like a fun title!
November 18, 2017
Disaster!
This book would be funny if it was fictional, it's even funnier for being true. A follow up story would be the icing on the cake as it finishes a bit abruptly.
This book would be funny if it was fictional, it's even funnier for being true. A follow up story would be the icing on the cake as it finishes a bit abruptly.
March 12, 2018
Amusing and lighthearted
Amusing read with humour intertwined. A good read and not what I expected. Glad to have had the chance to come across this delightful book.
Amusing read with humour intertwined. A good read and not what I expected. Glad to have had the chance to come across this delightful book.
May 20, 2018
Wonderful funny short story
Well written fun short story basically telling the story of the book title, but in Africa. Made me smile. Wonderful Lucinda
Well written fun short story basically telling the story of the book title, but in Africa. Made me smile. Wonderful Lucinda
June 1, 2018
This book is funny, but it is more like a chapter than a book. Very short.
It leaves you with a lot of questions, too. What happened then? Did so-and-so get caught? etc. Lots of loose ends.
It leaves you with a lot of questions, too. What happened then? Did so-and-so get caught? etc. Lots of loose ends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews