The Perfect Distance: A Novel

by Kim Ablon Whitney

Seventeen-year-old Francie Martinez rides with one of the best equitation trainers in the country, and works as a groom to pay her way. She’s dreamed of winning the Maclay finals, and now that it’s her last year to compete the pressure is really on. But just when Francie needs to focus more than ever, everything turns upside down, and soon she’s not so sure if winning is really all that important, much less the point.
In this fast-paced coming-of-age story, brimming with fascinating details about the competitive horse world, Kim Ablon Whitney has drawn on her own experiences to create a backdrop perfect for Francie’s story as she tries to figure out who she wants to be and what really matters in life.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Fiction, Animals, High School, Sports, Teen

256 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Kim moved back to her hometown of Newton, Mass. where she lives with her husband, two young sons, and greyhound. She is a graduate of Tufts University, and has an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She is a member of the PEN New England Children’s Book Caucus and is the coordinator of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. A lifelong horse lover and rider, she is a nationally licensed judge and officiates at horse shows around the country. She’s also a passionate Boston sports fan, and an excerpt from her baseball-themed novel-in-progress will appear in the anthology FENWAY FICTION.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD!!! One of my favorite book EVER!!! I loved it so much, I think I've read it like five times!!! Some parts made me laugh out loud, others made me cry like no tomorrow. I think the reason I liked it so much was because it was about the road to the USPCA Maclay Finals (the super-bowl for horseback riders under 17 for all you non-horseiful people out there), which is what I want to do sometime in the near future. It wasn't like a little kid book, either. It didn't put me to sleep, and it had me hanging until the end.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love a good contemporary YA horse novel that has sufficient focus on horses; they're a rare breed. Got a little bogged down in superficial romance at the midpoint, but Colby was likeable either way, and for the most part it focused on the showjumping competition and the horses like it should. (still devastated by the tragic element, though)

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

yeah maybe it's a little cheesy at parts but whatever. there aren't a lot of horse books like this out there. i liked it!

After reread: I don’t know why I rated this so high the last time I read it. All of the characters suck, including some of the horses.

[joshua welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I really loved this book but there wasn't enough "horse" in it. Like Francie didn't say how much she loved Tobey or anything.

[Chlaithem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the narration. The main character seems unsure of herself and slightly out of place, which makes sense for a young adult title as many teenagers feel that way in school. I also really enjoyed that it is a horse story, those are one of my little pleasures.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still really love this book even after several re-reads. I will say that I was surprised to find that the ending had been changed. There was one line of dialogue in particular that has stuck with me since the first time I read the book, and it is now gone. I really wish it was still there.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great horsey book! Frannie is a likable protagonist and the story flows very nicely. I loved the horses and how in the end Frannie gained confidence in herself and realized winning isn't everything.

[Sophia]

In this book you really get a feel for what its like to compete on the equitation circuit and pushing to go to finals. The main character Franice is not like the other students a West Hills. Her dad is the Mexican stable manger and she is part groom. She wants to win finals as much as anyone else does, but she wants it just a little bit more. The whole book is leading up to finals and many crazy things happen such as Tara leaving and Stretch dying. This made a lot of stress for Francie, but she sticks through it and makes it to finals, where she meets he destiny.

[Miranda Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book. It was well written and very accurate. I'll read anything pretty much that has to do with riding, being an equestrian myself. And they are always some sappy story about a girl who learns all about training horses and meets this damaged horse as they overcome obstacles bla bla bla. This book gets straight down to what goes on in the horse world. That it's not all rainbows and blue ribbons. But sweat, tears and determination will get you where u want to go.

[eva steele-saccio · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was very dissapointing, especially compared to See You Down the Road--her exquisite first novel. Definitely do not recommend...very forced and a pretty boring read.

[Anna Catherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Perfect Distance strikes a rare balance of Young Adult fiction with horses that isn't insufferably annoying, inaccurate, and/or not horsey enough. It's a bit heavy on the romance, and there's some rebellious teenager stuff I could've done without, but overall this was a fun, interesting book that left me with things to think about. Francie was a likable character, and all the supporting cast was, too-even Tara was more human than most "snotty rich girl" types in horse books. It's a nice, breezy read that nevertheless had me rooting for Francie, Katie, Gwenn, Colby, and their horses, and sad for them when things didn't work out. The horse stuff was well-portrayed, too, giving enough characterization to the horses in the book, while also fairly accurately describing the riding and care without talking down to the reader too much or feeling like an info dump. And the ending. Oh, the ending! I won't spoil it, but suffice it to say it upends the cliches in all the right ways and was honestly one of the best parts of the book.

(3.5* rounding down to 3* due to the amount of crass/crude content, not overbearing, but a little too much for my taste)

[Skyler Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Distance by Kim Ablon Whitney is a great book about a horse-loving girl caught between the life of a groom and one of the riders at the fancy barn where she rides. Francie Martinez, the daughter of a (horse) groom who works at the barn, is a rider that trains with the best at West Hills. Along the way on her journey to the Maclay Finals, Francie faces a bully, who is the best rider at the barn and knows it. She meets a boy named Colby who helps her through her troubles, including the strict trainer who is only focused on winning. A horse lover myself, I liked this book about a young girl navigating typical teen life while pursuing her dreams to become a great rider. All in all, this was an interesting book that all horse lovers will enjoy.

[Intellectual Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The equestrian life is depicted in raw form in this book. I love when i pick up a book about horses, and it truly hits home while also sticking to what brought you to the book in the first place... horses... I loved the authors attention to detail in the jumping world. Being a rider myself I have always been curious about jumping and choose books like these to put myself safety in that saddle... and I feel like I learned so much about the sport while following one girls journey. Overall 4.5 stars and excited to read more by this author.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francie Martinez has a dream – to win the Maclay Finals in NYC. After that, she hopes to go on to ride in the Olympics. She’s an equestrian and she has been involved with horses and in competitions nearly her whole life. Her father is a groom who works for one of the most prestigious trainers in the circuit, and Francie is one of his students. But she’s not like most of Rob’s clients – she actually has to work at the barn to pay for her lessons. This is her last year to compete and her last year to win and even with all of her training she still can’t seem to pull all of the elements of the perfect ride together.

This was a fun read. Horse and equitation fanatics may already know all about this kind of showing and/or life, and the uninitiated will learn a lot along the way. Others may relate to having the kind of passion Francie does for some other sport or hobby. The amount of time she spends training and riding is equal to that of any devoted enthusiast (ballet dancing, in particular, comes to mind). And the way she feels like a stranger in her own high school because of how she’s chosen to spend her free time will resonate as well.

Teens should relate to all of the decisions Francie has to make in this difficult part of her life. Should she plan on going to college? Is she good enough to participate in the horse world professionally? Should she go out with the new cute guy, Colby, who seems to like her a lot? And if she does, how will she ever explain it to her best friend, Katie, who likes him, too? Where is she ever going to fit in? Some might see her as a bit of a goody two shoes because she works hard for what she wants, she has no time for a social life, she doesn’t party, she gets good grades, and she’s really really focused on what she wants. Her rebelliousness is pretty tame. And that’s ok.

Lots of ethical/moral problems for Francie, too. Not that she agonizes over them, but they might prove for interesting discussions: Would you give out your old tests for someone else to use? Why or why not? Would you help someone without a green card avoid the INS? Why or why not? If you found out, like Francie did, that Rob destroyed a horse in order to collect the insurance money, would you let the authorities know? How comfortable would you be with your decision? Good stuff.


“Perfect distance,” by the way, refers to the distance between your horse and the jump. You have to judge how many strides your horse should take before taking off, and a succession of jumps can make this difficult.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one day, while home sick from work. Thus, it was an easy read, but that doesn't detract from its charm. A coming-of-age story that is not too saccharine or sappy, it's actually told from the perspective of a believable and likable character. I'm sure some readers may have some trouble relating to Francie's goody-two-shoes-ness. But I WAS Francie in high school, focused on grades, horse shows, and other activities outside of school. I struggled to find my place in the microcosm of teenage high school pursuits, and always felt out of place when I tried to assimilate. I think this book addressed that issue well, and will be an enjoyable read for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. Especially if horseback riding and competition put you on the outside to begin with.

That said, her obsession with the cheated test felt tiresome after a while. I want to holler, " yes, you cheated! Move ON." I didn't mind that she felt guilty. I would have too. I did mind that the author kept coming back to it again and again.

I would recommend to all my horsey-friends who are looking for an easy read and a fairly accurate portrayal of one facet of the horse world.

[Emily Lovering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was definitely an accurate depiction of the horse show world. It had all the stereotypes and truths about the Maclay Finals which is like the Superbowl for horseback riders under 18. It's about Francie Martinez whose goal is to get there. She rides in big shows but doesn't have enough money for her own horse so she is a working student at a top barn where her dad is the barn manager/ a groom. Riding has always been her passion and now it's the last year she can ride in the Finals. It was all about her journey to and during the Finals. Also she is still going to school during show season so it's really hard for her to balance the two. Her dad wants her to go to college but she wants to ride professionally. She ends up getting second in the Finals and being very proud of herself and all her hard work and then goes on to college. Overall, it was a good book, but would I suggest it to horse people.

[Christine Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francie Martinez is one of the lucky students of renowned trainer Rob Renaud. The only difference is, she’s the hired help and works in return for the lessons others pay a packet for. Francie is hard working and determined – her dream is to go professional on the equestrian circuit. This is often overshadowed by another of Rob’s riders, Tara.

Although talented, Francie struggles to find the perfect distance whilst jumping, at times moving ahead of her horse before she should be preparing to jump. A lack of confidence in her riding abilities often leads to this fault occurring in a jump round.

Whitney’s story of a young woman’s determination to make something of herself in a world that seems to be driven by the rich is realistic, entertaining and avoids common clichés where the underdog rises to the top. The characters are believable and the end result for Francie and her friends is realistic and likeable. Well worth the read.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, it's books like this that make me remember why I put myself through all this torture. I've read far too many bad horse books and just when I get to the point where reading another children's novel about horses is equivalent to shooting myself in the foot, I come across something like this. This book is thoroughly refreshing with its believable plot, accurate details, lovely writing, and well-developed characters. Thank you, Kim Ablon Whitney. You are why I keep reading. I can only handle so much poor quality equine fiction. I mean the conflict of this book is deep and relevant on many different levels, and even with some of the intense technicality of our sport, this book can still be appreciated by non-horsey people. What more can you ask for? Do yourself a favor and go read this book.

[Kerith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat to find a horse book like this -- I would have loved this when I was 12 or 13 and taking riding lessons. Francie is the daughter of the stable manager at a high-class riding stable, and she works as a groom to be able to ride and train there. The story begins as she heads into her last chance to ride as a junior at Madison Square Garden. Training brings her conflict at school, a very cool love interest, a fairly abusive trainer and the usual "mean girl" who is also an excellent rider. If you grew up reading books like The Monday Horses, Summer Pony, Last Junior Year -- heck, anything with the horse symbol on it at the library, then you will really enjoy this one.

[Noa Leibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just LOVED this book!!!!! It is the story about a girl named Francie who shows in the AA's, but doesnt have enough money for her own horse so she is a working students at one of the top barns. It is her story about her last year being eligible in the big eq, and takes you through the last big finals. I found it to be JUST like the real circuit and captured every single element. It showed all of the stereotypes, all of the truth, everything to make it a great book. Amazing. But only a rider would enjoy it.

[Carmel Ann Sperti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailed it

Kim AblonWhitney does not disappoint with THE PERFECT DISTANCE. Francie is a believable protagonist, u nique and bicultural, yet a teal teenaged girl. The glimpse into the world of junior equitation championships is true to life and accurate in its equestrian details. I look forward to more of her work.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book The Perfect Distance was a good book with adventure and a little romance. The book is not only about a high school girl trying to win her horse show compititions in New York City and around the United States, but is also about her life and her new crush at the barn. I recomnd this book to anyone horse fans or animal fans.

[Rebecca Pierzchala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teen fiction with a horsey twist. Usual friendship/school/extracurricular drama with a little extra familial drama thrown in for good measure. The horse parts were accurate. Well-written, well-conceived, but nothing spectacular or thrilling.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was a young adult novel when I started it but I loved it! It's probably a book that only horseback riders can enjoy though...

[Sarah Westvold · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER

[Linda Shantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a refreshingly well-written YA novel!

[Ashley Crowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duh a surprise to find a good, realistic horse book!

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

popsugar 2022 - a book that takes place during your favorite season

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA book. Lots of "issues" are dealt with. It's a horse book.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good horse book :)