The Chronicles of the $700 Pony [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Ellen Broadhurst (Author), Patricia Naegeli (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2006

Laugh-out-loud funny and completely true, this is the story of how the author purchased a scruffy pony of unknown origins and abilities whose main attraction was her price tag. That alone would be funny enough, but then she sets the goal for herslef and the pony of showing in competition within one year. And while that would also be funny enough, she undertakes this task after being out of the saddle for several years while becoming a wife and the mother of two children under the age of three. Add to the mix a falling-down farm with no fencing, 100 free-range chickens and a "fixer-upper" home, and you have the makings of a very funny story.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ellen Broadhurst lives with her husband, two toddlers, one slightly wacky dog, 100 free-range chickens on a "work in progress" farm in New Jersay. It's quite a miracle she was even able to write this book, but readers will be glad she did.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Half Halt Press, Inc.; 1st edition (October 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939481758
• ISBN-13: 978-0939481750
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Actually, if you read the book, you get most of it. I'm 42, and left a fairly comfortable career to raise two wee children. On a 130-acre farm. I traded strategy decks for Rhode Island Reds and an administrative assistant for a kitchen without a dishwasher. But, hey, life is full of trade offs!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No One Has Chronicled a $700 Pony Better, December 9, 2006

By 

Jamie Lynn Palmer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chronicles of the $700 Pony (Paperback)

Every other sentence in "The Chronicles of the $700 Pony" by Ellen Broadhurst made me stop and wonder (often aloud) "did she really just say that?". Broadhurst's writing is intelligent, witty and completely down to earth.

And here's the interesting thing- it's suspenseful. I'm not about to give it away, but leave it to an "Unbroke, Chestnut, Pony, Mare" to render you useless for a bit of time while you read the entire book, because you will not want to put it down. As the title aptly states, Broadhurst hysterically narrates her journey from pony purchase to a pony pinnacle, with dutiful husband and two "wee" children in tow.

This book is not about preparing a pony for showing or racing or some other type of equestrian event. It's not about pony care or pony training. It's about real life and how a pony just happened to get caught up in it. And it's fantastic.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 24th 5 star rating, October 5, 2009

By 

Dr. Laura, DVM (College Station, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chronicles of the $700 Pony (Paperback)

So, what can you say when a book already has a 100% 5 star rating???
You will wet your pants. We have all had a $700 pony of some ilk or another and this is the story we would have written if we were as witty as Ellen Broadhurst. For those who might not have had a $700 pony, you have missed out on a major equestrian rite of passage. This book would then be required reading - it's the closest to the real thing you are going to find.
My $700 pony? She's doing just fine, thanks. And yes, she too has a gorgeous flaxen tail!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wickedly funny & beautiful story all in one!, October 7, 2011

By 

R. Wetherhold - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chronicles of the $700 Pony (Paperback)

This book will delight all audiences, whether you like horses or not. It is absolutely hysterical, and the author has such a wonderful story-telling ability and knows how to draw a reader in.