Racing Parker

Thoroughbred #33

by Joanna Campbell (Creator), Dale Blackwell Gasque

Don't miss the exciting adventures of a new generation of Thoroughbred horses and riders at Whitebrook Farm! A reckless decision... Christina Reese is confident that her horse, Sterling, is ready for higher jumps. But Christina's trainer, Mona, won't let her move up to training level. Christina feels as if she and Sterling are being held back unfairly. The Christina meets Parker Townsend. If he can handle training level, then why can't she? Maybe Christina lacks experience, but Sterling has talent to spare. They're a perfect match! How far will Christina go to prove she's as good as Parker?

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Childrens, Middle Grade, Animals, Contemporary

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

See Jo Ann Simon

Reviews

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading some rather disappointing books recently it was really nice to finally read one I ended up really liking!

I’ve read about Parker in future books and really like him so it was fun to see how he was first introduced to the series and other characters. I also liked how—even if she didn’t go about it the right way—Christina was willing to do what she felt was right for her and Sterling even if everyone else told her not to or didn’t agree. And Ashleigh actually supported her daughter here which was nice.

The only negative I have is the very faint sorta love triangle that could form, but since I know from future books nothing happens further then this I’m fine with it.

I really enjoyed this book and am glad I got to finally read it. ☺️

Content: a horse and rider are injured

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

None of the Thoroughbred books warrant five stars (unless for sentimental reasons) and very few even hit the four star level. This is one of them. Ghostwriter Dale Blackwell Gasque only wrote three books in the series, and leaves on a strong note. Original author Joanna Campbell (real name Jo Ann Simon) only liked one ghostwriter, and poor Dale wasn't the one.

This is the last book in the Saddle Club-like phase the series went through since The Horse of Her Dreams. Christina was ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that her life would be devoted to getting to ride in the Olympics in eventing. Her boyfriend was Dylan, who also loved eventing. Although the mini dramas of twelve year olds could drag, overall I really liked the Saddle Club phase of the series. Melanie was going to be a jockey while Christina did three day events.

It actually made sense, which was rare in this series.

And I really liked the direction the series was taking. Dale brought back the original baddies from the series, the Townsends. I was so hoping that Parker would wind up being to Christina what Brad was to Ashleigh. That would've made sense ... and been far more interesting than what happened.

Dale also brought back Samantha, now married to Tor. We are introduced to the stallion Finn and Parker's mare Foxglove. Both are Thoroughbreds, but very different. There was a very nice touch of comparing an Irish Thoroughbred to an American. At the time, it was true. It's not anymore. The American bloodlines have now dominated throughout the racing world.

But there are Thoroughbreds bred for jumping or eventing and not for racing, believe it or not. Finn is described as a mature stallion, more like a foxhunter. Although Dale mentions that he competed at Badminton, there is no mention of him ever racing, let alone in the Grand National. Under the worst ghostwriter in the series, Mary Newhall Anderson, Finn would become somehow slimmer and younger, which is absolutely not the horse presented in this book.

This book set the series up for other writers to build on. Instead, the writers ignored it and just ground the series into dust. After this book, the series goes into yet another alternate universe.

You can also kiss Dylan goodbye here, and all of the gang we've gotten to know in the last ten books. There is never any attempt to resolve their story arcs. We're just left hanging.

HarperCollins, one of the most successful and powerful publishers in the world for decades, is more to blame for destroying a promising series than the ghostwriters. Whether they dictated the story lines or not, they had zero interest in putting out quality content. How hard could it have been to not only make sure the ghostwriters read all of the previous books in the series, but to coordinate with other ghostwriters working on the next books?

The addition of Parker was baffling, considering his story arc was also left incomplete. Although Foxglove (more of a perfect horse than Wonder, let alone Sterling) winds up being an admirable equine character, Parker abuses her thoughtlessly throughout the series. He does so here. He should've been treated as a pariah by the Whitebrook gang. Why he's always forgiven by them is kinda sick.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very surprisingly enjoyable book! I love Thoroughbred books but sometimes they aren’t always well written or the plot seems incomplete. But this one feels like a good story - getting to know Parker, and seeing his effect on Christina, and seeing both of their development and interactions. I also liked seeing Samantha again, and just the progression of Christina’s story. A little sad that this is the last eventing centered story for Christina.

[JoReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favourite series, giving all four stars unless it was a favourite.