Life In The Galloping Lane [Hardcover]

David O'Connor (Author), Nancy Jaffer (Author), Karen O'Connor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

From the backyard horses of their childhood, to the years of struggle as they worked their way to the top of one of the most demanding of horse sports, "Life in the Galloping Lane" is the story of how eventers Karen and David O’Connor, winners of five Olympic medals between them, got their start. How they handled the highs and lows and the horses who shared their adventures, as well as insights into the O’Connor’s' lives and training techniques makes this a fascinating and inspirational story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It’s a gold medal of a book!” -- Michael Korda, author of Country Matters

From the Publisher

Karen and David O’Connor are considered the “golden couple” of the American eventing world. A grueling, three–phase sport derived from cavalry exercises that once tested the endurance and obedience of officers’ mounts, eventing has an avid international following. The O’Connors serve as role models for up–and–coming stars, both in the way they handle competition and the way they live their lives. Beginning with their days as horse–crazy kids, and spanning the years fraught with struggle and disappointment, the book culminates in the pair’s successes at the biggest and toughest competitions in the world. Life in the Galloping Lane offers an insider’s glimpse of international eventing as well as insights and training tips, making it an outstanding book for all ages. Karen and David O’Connor live in Virginia; Nancy Jaffer lives in New Jersey.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 190 pages
• Publisher: Primedia Equine Network (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929164246
• ISBN-13: 978-1929164240
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #740,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Book, May 16, 2006

By 

That Girl (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life In The Galloping Lane (Hardcover)

I read this book when it was first published, and I didn't post a review then, but I feel compelled to do so now, in response to the negative review from May 2, 2006.

Yes, okay, this isn't a great book. It's very much an "as told to" kind of effort. But it isn't a bad read, and I didn't get the sense at all that the O'Connors are talking down to the reader. Just the opposite, in fact. Perhaps it depends on where you're coming from. I still consider myself something of a new rider (I started in my 40s), and I get a lot of inspiration from the O'Connors. Maybe if you're a three- or four-star eventer, you'll find this book a yawn, but I thought it was interesting, and I knew quite a bit about the O'Connors before I bought it. So there!

Happy reading--and riding!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars an amazing couple made dull through writing, May 2, 2006

By 

Mary Abercrombie (Snohomish, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life In The Galloping Lane (Hardcover)

This book reads like a series of junior high "who is your hero" essays. Karen and David are an incredible duo and a force in the equestrian world, but their story would have been better told by a biographer. The writing is peppered with "i was like:" and unexplained comments tossed out about the O'Connor family, and generally runs in a: this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened etc. The authors come off as simultaniously humble and holier-than-thou. All in all, this book is very awkward to read and makes it difficult to care for the couple with their constant talk about how it is their duty to associate with us mere mortals who look up to them. As if, in their attempts to be more accessible, they only place themselves further away. For a much more engaging read, i recommend "In Service to the Horse", of which the O'Connors are major players in the cast, and far more interesting than in this attempt.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book Worth Reading, January 3, 2007

By 

R. Yates-Lightfoot - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life In The Galloping Lane (Hardcover)

I went into this book with Mary's May 2nd review on my mind. While I can see her point, I was able to get past the holier than thou/humble part. This might be due to the fact that I was expecting it?? Anyway, I loved the book. Besides being an interesting read (and getting to ride all the fences and meet the who's who of the horse world through the O'Connors),It comforted me in the fact that I am not the only one who has experienced catasrophies in the horse world. I am grateful that the O'Connors shared the good stories along with the bad, and I am positive that their heart was in the right place in trying to share their experiences with the rest of us. They have truly earned their place in the horse world. Buy the book.