Help me identify this book

[Jim]

5 to 10 years ago I read the first chapter of a book that was appended to a novel I had read. I can't find that novel, but I'd like to find and read the book that started with this sample chapter. Please let me know if you recognize the bit of the story I remember.
A boy is on a trek through a dangerous wilderness on a planet where "riders" bond with their mounts. The boy arrives a village where a special mount is expected to pick a rider from among a group of men there to compete for this privilege. The boy feels drawn to the mount.
That's all I have. I presume the mount selects the boy over the older seasoned competitors, and I'd love to find this book and find out.

[Michael]

You know, that does sound familiar but I don't have a title.

[Jen]

I don't remember the dangerous trek part, but the mount choosing a boy over older seasoned competitors sounds like The White Dragon.

[Jack]

The theme is not unusual for YA books. There is a reason why Black Beauty is a classic read. Your description sounds very familiar. Might be one by Mercedes Lackey. Part of her Hearld books.

[Jim]

Jen wrote: "I don't remember the dangerous trek part, but the mount choosing a boy over older seasoned competitors sounds like The White Dragon."

It was't The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey. I've read all of her dragon books. In this story, I don't think the mount is a dragon, but is more horse-like.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

How about one of these?

Rider at the Gate
Dark Horse

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Also may want to check out some of Andre Norton's works. She has oodles of books with animal companions of various telepathic closeness.

[Jim]

Jack wrote: "The theme is not unusual for YA books. There is a reason why Black Beauty is a classic read. Your description sounds very familiar. Might be one by Mercedes Lackey. Part of her Hearld books."

After reading reviews and descriptions of several of her books I'd have to agree that it's a possibility. Many of her books appear to have a similar theme, however I was unable to find the one I'm searching for. Thank you though, for taking the time to make this suggestion.

[Jim]

Allison wrote: "How about one of these?

Rider at the Gate
Dark Horse"

It may have been Rider at the Gate. I was reading a lot of CJ Cherryh at the time. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Rachel]

I was thinking rider at the gate!! What a great set of books!

[Peggy]

How about Grass? It's been a while since I've read it, so I don't remember if the potential rider was a young boy or girl.