AustLit

'Frankie’s dream is more like a nightmare when her new horse turns out to be Zen – a shaggy, disobedient clown of a pony, who will totally wreck her chances of fitting in at Pony Club in her new town. Zen is everything Frankie doesn’t want – until the magnetic horse whisperer Shannon shows her just what Zen could be if ridden freely. Natural horsemanship opens up a whole new way of riding and a whole new world of connection between Zen and Frankie. But Frankie’s dad is getting more depressed after her parents’ divorce, star rider and star mean girl Violet has it in for Frankie, and her best friend Kai is keeping a secret. Then Shannon announces she’s closing down her riding centre. Frankie’s got an idea that could save it … but can she and Zen rise to the challenge?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Without a saddle or bridle, all that’s left is the truth. Dream Riders is an exciting new middle-grade series about horses, friendship and being true to yourself.

Living in a remote reach of The Pocket, twelve-year-old Storm is a hippy home-schooler Medievalist who knows almost nothing about the modern world. After taking out the archery prize at the local show, Storm spots the horse of her dreams, Morning Mist, on the jousting field. Inspired by Frankie’s demonstration of natural horsemanship, the headstrong Storm immediately decides to join the Dream Riders and buy Morning Mist with her prize money. But she’s told to forget it in no uncertain terms by the owner, Margery, a crotchety widower and champion marmalade-maker who has no time for hippies. As Storm begins learning natural horsemanship with the Dream Riders her extraordinary talent becomes clear. She could ride just about any horse – but she’s not prepared to give up on Morning Mist.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Without a saddle or bridle, all that’s left is the truth. The third book in the Dream Riders series that interweaves the issues young people face together with the deep connection that can be formed between a horse and its rider.

'Kai isn’t expecting much when he tags along with the Dream Riders on a trip to the Brumby Rescue Centre. He's not that interested in horses, but he's best friends with Frankie, he really likes Violet, and it's the last weekend before he goes back to the city. When they get to the Centre, though, Kai meets two brumbies who completely change the way he feels about horses, not to mention Frankie and Violet, and the place that he calls "home". He's been missing his old life in the city - especially his wise and funny older sister, Jindy - but now that he's met Jarrah the gentle giant, and Monty, the scrappy grey, nothing will ever be the same again.'

(Source: publisher's blurb)