This is a very interesting book, exploring the differences in training, keeping and competing horses across 6 different European countries. It was written a while ago and I wonder how different it would be if written now. I think the differences would actually be smaller now, although having ridden in both France and Germany, those differences are definitely still there. The more biographical parts of the book were the best bits to read, where the author describes her time being instructed in different places and by the different instructors. What a lovely job!