Raising the Bar

When DJ is forced to become used to a new mount, Herndon, after her beloved Major is injured and can no longer show with her, DJ isn't sure she's up to the challenge. She has the opportunity to spend time at a USET (United States Equestrian Team) training camp though, and she feels she has made a connection with the horse she'd come to think of as even being snobby! Her quirky sense of humor comes through beautifully as she deals with showing up late for classes due to her coming from the other side of the country. Previously she'd been at an art school, and I loved that part of the story. DJ's ability to reach out and capture a moment and sketch it on paper is wonderfully defined by the author. The personality of the art teacher really shines through. DJ helping a homeless woman and her two cats is refreshing; I am sick of young adult novels about high-school girls chasing after "cute" guys. For once we have a character that is believable, caring, and puts real effort into everything she does. But here DJ must face her fear of fire. It was a theme that recurred often earlier in the series, and I'd wondered how Lauraine Snelling was going to lay it to rest. The answer: in a far more dramatic and enthralling way than I'd ever imagined. The burning barn, the sounds of frightened horses, and the ever-present choking smoke never seemed so real in any other barn fire I'd read about. This is a totally engrossing book, I read it in one day, like all the others in this fine series. I think everyone who ever dreamed of horses or believes in God should read this book.

In the ninth book of the High Hurdles series,Laurine Snellinghas giving DJ new discoveries and surprises!She shows DJ kindness inhelping a homeless woman,gives her the chance to spend the week with other kids at a USEcamp.Her greatest challenge of all,however,lies when her horse,Herndon,is caught in a barn fire and it is up to DJ to break through the barriers to save her horse!

DJ's summer is in full swing. Every day she heads to Riding Academy to train with Herndon. Now that Herndon belongs to her, DJ struggles through learning his habits and tricks. She misses the friendship she shared with Major and wonders if she and Herndon will ever connect in the same way. But after two weeks at the U.S. Equestrian Team's training camp, DJ finally feels they're making progress. They arrive home just in time for another show, but she's barely there when a midnight barn fire endangers Herndon and the other horses. Can DJ overcome her deep-seated fears in time to save her horse?