Very Young Rider

Never owned a horse, but got very intersted in horses in my early 20's and read TONS of books. 'A Very Young Rider' was one of my favorites. I own the book and several of the other 'very young' ones. Am amazed these books are out of print! :( Got curious reading these reviews about what happend to Vivi and did an internet search. Here is a wonderful story: http://www.soresishowstables.com/press/ChronicleOfTheHorse-19May05.pdf

I am 38 years old and got this book for Christmas at about 10 years old. I, too, had a pony that I showed and loved dearly. I even started to wear my long, blonde hair in braids with lucky polkadot ribbons when I showed English. I ran home from school every day, waiting to get close enough to hear her whinny for me...I cried along with Vivi as I outgrew my precious pony, Boots, and moved on to a bigger horse. It still brings bittersweet tears to my eyes when I thumb through it! My dust cover is torn and worn and I was looking for a replacement book when I came upon this thread. This book, and all in the series, were wonderful stories of real-life people with real stories and experiences. With so much garbage thrown at our kids these days, it would be a shame to see this series disappear.

A Very Young Rider was recently introduced to me through my riding instructor. I am 33 years old and I have found in me the capacity to love this book as if I were a little girl again! Unfortunately, I can only borrow the book, as it is out of print. My three year old daughter, who has taken up riding, reads this book almost daily, just looking at the fabulous pictures and tugging on me to read the captions to her. I am dismayed that this series is out of print as I want to get all of the books in it for my baby girl, who loves dancing, riding and gymnastics. Vivi Malloy's story is ageless, and it does not matter that the photos were taken in the 70's or 80's. The book is gorgeous--please bring it back into print!

I used to check this book out of the library every couple of weeks when I was a horse crazed little girl. I wanted to be Vivi Malloy so much when I was young, and I dreamed of being as lucky as she was (she was one lucky kid too!) Imagine: parents that support your horse hobby! A cool older sister who rode at the Garden! A new pony every couple of years! I stared and stared at the pictures, and I envied her world so much. Twenty plus years later, I still love this book, and would recommend it to all little girls in that phase of "horse love" to whom flying over fences at the Olympics seems downright possible even if all they do is an occasional lesson on a faithful old schoolhorse. This book is also great for us older folks (shall we just say "thirtysomethings") who remember being Vivi's age in the late 70's, going to horse shows (not quite at her high level though!) in those rust colored britches and check jackets. The only items in the photos that appear dated are the "street clothes" of some of the people, the riding clothes are not really much different today, horses certainly don't look different! The content of the book is not dated at all. I have always wondered what happened to Vivi and Debby also, glad to hear (from another reviewer) that they are still riding. If you are lucky enough to find a copy of this book, buy it. It may be old, but I bet there are still plenty of girls who would love tangible proof that their pony fantasies can be reality.

This is one of the first books I can remember buying as a young girl. I am now 28 years old, and the book is still on my shelf. I will keep it forever, and hopefully pass it on to another young horse lover someday. It is beautifully illustrated and well written. I only wish for a sequel or more information about Vivi or her family and their love of riding.