Finding My Distance: A Year in the Life of a Three-Day Event Rider

by Julia Wendell

Finding My Distance: A Year in the Life of a ThreeDay Event Rider chronicles author Julia Wendells trials in her life and sport over the course of four seasons. Like the horseback riding competitions that serve as the books backdrop, Finding My Distance is a journey fraught with obstacles, some seemingly insurmountable. Wendells memoir is a beautifully written, wellcrafted mix of prose and poetry. Not only is it for sports enthusiasts, but for anyone whos passionate about the path theyve chosen, and the means by which they cross the finish line.

Genres: Memoir, Horses, Nonfiction

401 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Riki Cullingford · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're an Area 2 rider with the USEA, this book will be spine-tinglingly familiar with its local riders and events. If you're just an event rider, you'll enjoy the shared passion and tensions that Julia goes through in a year. And if you're not even a rider, her poetry and reflections on family, love, and loss will still bring you to tears at times.

I picked up this book at the recommendation of other riders from my barn and enjoyed every minute of it. Julia brings you into her life, and without weighing you down with everyday complaints (barn chores, injury, day-to-day pain) allows you into her everyday life. It also takes place in 2006, long ago enough to feel the transition from long format to short, yet still there are familiar faces.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it like to completely change your life at 40 and take up a lifestyle you left behind as a teen? Julia is living my dream! But in a very human way. Things are far from perfect: your children become adults and leave home, finances can be tough, addictions sway you off track, old friends fade and new ones come into your life. But there is something so solid and grounding about living your truth that made me want to curl up with this book for hours.....and dream.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a critic, I must say the book was too long and self indulgent by half. As a middle-aged-would-be-eventer-recovering-from-past-lives-in-literature-and-New-York-and-still-enjoying-a-tipple, I find it begs a sequel.

[Karen Vandenbosch · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first the style of writing I didn't care for, but once I got into it, it worked. If you are not a horse person you probably will not enjoy this book, much of it very tedious as it is exactly what the title says a "a year in the life" basically set up as a journal. As a horse person I found it interesting to see how a amateur rider that does it full time actually spends her days. I would have given it a 3.5 if that option was available. Would like to see how she does past the end of this book!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has earned itself a permanent spot on my bookshelf, right next to Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle." I agree with the reviews that if you are not familiar with horses and eventing (or know the author personally) this book might be too mundane for you. But for those of us who love horses and know the feeling of getting up at 4 am for a show, the book reads like a conversation with your best barn friends. I've recommended it to my riding/eventing friends and hope they love it as much as I do.

[Jess Kerschbaumer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book. Was not just about the horses, there was some of her regular life thrown in as well, which I enjoyed. Went through the ups and downs of owning horses, and was very brutal and tragic at times, but stayed positive and uplifting throughout. I didn't want it to end:)

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. You must have a high tolerance for the minutiae of owning and competing horses so it may not be for everyone. It is a "horse" book with a lot of depth.

[Constance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candidly written by my friend, whose previous books were all poetry. Good for my non-horsey friends who just don't get the whole horse obsession thing!

[Sue Jellum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, and was sad when it was over. Both because I wanted to read more, and because the story left me sad.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Can't say why exactly, but I couldn't put it down. Probably 4 stars for people who know something about owning horses and about eventing, 3 stars if you're not a horse person.