Customer Reviews

The fields of praise

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This story is a true, sometimes saddening account of how a young, poor girl attains her dream of riding a refined show pony at the huge English show, Wembley. Along the way, Gillian realizes her dreams and the ultimate realities that go along with those dreams.

After reading "The Fields of Praise" I sat with it in my hands knowing I held tangible proof that the impetus which draws us to horses is as real as the sun is bright. Like a kindred soul Ms. Leitch recognizes the sun which dances within horses. She bottles its substance and sprinkles it on every page, but not before shaking it all together with life's hardest lessons. More than a tale of a horse crazy girl, this is about the death of childhood dreams. I first read it 18 years ago and to me it is a classic; what "Black Beauty" is to the cruelty and kindness of humanity, "The Fields of Praise" is to truth and beauty.

Please see my review of 'Dream of Fair Horses' which I believe must be the same book!

Probably the best horse book I have read in a long time. She somehow managed to get the true essence of horses and is so sad, not only the human crises, but also the realizations of the rider (Gillian Caridia) that the horse belongs to no one but herself...