Flying Changes

by Caroline Akrill

Talent, looks and opportunism take Oliver from the threadbare gymkhanas of his youth via the intrigues of the show ring, to the rarefied heights of international dressage where he becomes a celebrity, the darling of the dressage set and lands the biggest sponsorship in the history of equestrianism. But when his sister goes to work at his sumptuous training establishment she does not like what she finds one little bit...

'Another gripping read from Caroline Akrill, this time with a sting in the tail.' RIDING

'Melodrama in all directions...totally gripping. Riveting.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'Caroline Akrill is never dull. The story is sympathetically told, with much understanding and first-hand knowledge of the equestrian scene, plus a balance of humour, excitement and grief.' HORSE & HOUND

Genres: Horses

221 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Caroline Akrill has been a riding school proprietor, an equestrian journalist, a publisher and a hotelier.
She lives in Suffolk. You can talk to Caroline on Facebook.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have an interest in producing horses for the show ring or are a dressage enthusiast this would be for you. It certainly was not one of your nicey nicey children`s horsey books. The narrator is in her late teens and has an older brother, talented, definitely the golden boy, but completely cold apart from his love of his horses. It is about his rise and dramatic fall and his treatment of his devoted sister and their cousin. Very amusing in parts but ends quite darkly.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely great read for older readers who were once fans of pony books. Perfectly mixes hilarious scenes (one where the characters were trying to make money through selling manure) with darker and more serious ones. The story follows three members of the same family from gymkhana games to the showing world and finally to the dressage world. The characters are wonderfully complex but also very real. The plot follows the family feuds and drama, set against the backdrop of horses who are also integral to the story. Highly recommend.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

In addition to being a great horse book, Flying Changes takes on some heavy subjects, including how compromises made to achieve fame can change a person and the complexities of sibling/familial relationships. It takes them on with the seriousness they deserve, and it follows through on exploring relationships and character development to the end.

I chose this book for the horse aspects, and those do not disappoint either. We get a look into the worlds of pony hacks, mid-level horse shows, and competitive dressage. We see the training riders go through to achieve their goals, and the hard work that comes with a life in the equestrian disciplines. We also see the unsavory pieces that accompany any sport where stakes are so high. In the end, we walk away knowing our protagonist, Kathryn, and the life she leads that much better.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good horsey YA novel! It's a bit heavier on the sibling/family relationship stuff, but still very, very horsey. And Akrill knows her horses, so glaring errors don't detract from the solid plot, or from the readers' enjoyment of it.

Especially good for maybe slightly older KM Peyton fans, or for anyone who likes a good horsey read. There are some heavy/depressing scenes, so I wouldn't recommend this for younger children - teens and up, I think.

[Khoreutees · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting book because it is a pony book that is clearly intended for an adult (rather than child) audience. It is well written and very readable, but I found myself increasingly frustrated with all the characters. There was no-one I really found likeable or fun to spend time with. Moreover, the more we saw the more annoyed I got at the way everyone enabled Oliver. He seems to just be given stuff without ever having to put in any effort.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done!

There were so many things that made me laugh out loud but there was also an undercurrent of darker passion and betrayal that ran through the story. The we ending was a bit abrupt and I would have loved the fairytale ending instead. Still loved t h e book and would like to read more about how everyone got on in the new yard.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read.