In the Saddle With Zarkava is about the making of a legendary racehorse. Told from the perspective of a child living in the heart of the action it is inspiring, moving and informative and destined to appeal to any youngster who loves horses. Nine year old Lizzie lives in Chantilly just outside Paris, in a very prestigious racing yard, together with her little brother, her mother, a host of pets and her father, a world-renowned racehorse trainer. Lucky as she may seem, she doesn't understand her father's passion and has come to resent it taking up all his time. That is until, on a family trip to Ireland. a small bay foal captures her attention. Race by race via her scrapbook, diary and letters, Lizzy relates the captivating story of `her' invincible racehorse, the offspring of top English blood lines, bred in Ireland and trained in France. The insider knowledge of the author, who is the wife of Zarkava's trainer, means the reader can follow the dazzling career of the faster-than-light filly Zarkava (or Zed) from as close as one can get; absorbing the rhythm and routine of a racing stables, its codes and practices, the day to day pressures, disappointments and joys, as well as the essential role of each person surrounding the horse. There are few children's books about racehorses and certainly no authentic ones about a living legend. Any horse-loving child who is curious to know what it takes to make a champion racehorse, or anyone with racing fans in the familiy, will devour this book. They may even shed a tear!

 

This book has been graded for interest at 9-13 years.

There are 200 pages in this book. This book was published 2014 by Troubador Publishing .

Gizelle was born in London and now lives in Chantilly with top trainer Alain de Royer Dupre, with whom she has two teenage children. She has worked as a journalist, in advertising production and widely as a training rider in France, Italy and England. Writing, people, travel, animals and children are her main interests, as well as women's rights and Pakistan. She initiated the female jockey championship in France and is president of the local Bilingual Montessori School and College.