About the author
Kim Ablon Whitney lives with her husband, sons and greyhound in Newton, Massachusetts. She went to Tufts University, and also has an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She is a member of the PEN New England Children’s Book Caucus. (UK readers will probably know that Josephine Pullein-Thompson did much work with PEN, being its President, and also recipient of the Golden Pen). Kim Ablon Whitney’s first horse book, The Perfect Distance, was based on her own experiences. She rode in the equitation competitions described in the book, but the heroine, Francie, is “a very different person and rider than I am.” Her contact with horses now is more as a judge: she has her USEF ‘R’ judge’s license in hunters, equitation, and jumpers.
The Perfect Distance is an excellent read, and an example of the sort of book that just isn’t published in the UK anymore: a standalone horse book.
Finding the books
All appear to be in print.
Links and sources
Kim Ablon Whitney’s website
Author interview on Damsel in Regress
Many thanks to Susan Bourgeau for all her help with the book and author information.
Bibliography (horse books only)
the Perfect Distance
Knopf 2005
Laurel Leaf, pb, 2007
Francie and her father work at a barn where money is no object to those who keep their horses there.
Blue Ribbons
Stafford Road Books, 2013, 330 pp.
Regan Sternlicht has always had the best ponies on the ‘A’ Circuit, but she wants to be more like her friends at the farm, with their more ordinary ponies. Regan has decided what you want doesn’t really matter when your mom is in remission from cancer. The three girls compete in the USEF Pony Finals, where they face challenges that will change their lives forever.
Summer Circuit
Kindle, 2014
Hannah Waer is on her own at the seven-week summer horse show circuit in Vermont. Her father wants her to learn independence and responsibility so she has to take care of her own horse – not a thing she’s done before. Her horse won’t jump either. Then Hannah crashes (literally) into the gorgeous Chris Kern. For Hannah, it’s a time of first love, of hard choices, and of learning that life
is what you make of it.
And also
Winter Circuit
Hunter Derby
Autumn Blues
The Barn BFF series
Around the Corner
Hard to Catch
Head Shy