The Highest Hurdle

by David Pereda

The Mexican Equestrian Federation challenges the best riders in the world to attempt the seemingly impossible—break the official mark of 2.47 meters for the highest jump on horseback ever recorded. Five riders are equal to the challenge, although each has a personal reason for wanting to do it—besides the lure of the $500,000 prize money, of course. Piero, from Italy, wishes to use the opportunity to change his decadent life style...and, oh yes, escape a jealous husband too; Sheikh Abdullah desires to show the world the supremacy of the Arab horses; Jenny, the consummate professional from the United States, does it to represent her country; Rodney wants to do it to win Jenny’s love...and her father’s approval; and seventy-two-year-old General Alberto Carriles, from Mexico, is willing to risk his life trying it to regain his nation’s respect. The competition rules state that only one rider can be declared the winner. But, realistically, can any horse and rider combination in the world, however good, overcome The Highest Hurdle?

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2003

About the author

I am a writer and college writing instructor in Asheville NC. My latest mainstream novel, However Long the Night, published by Eternal Press in February 2012, has won two awards already and is currently a finalist in the romantic suspense category of the 2012 Readers Favorite Awards -- winners to be announced in September. My previous novels include the thrillers, Killing Castro, published by Eternal Press in January 2010, and Top Secret, published by Eternal Press in 2009. I am now hard at work on a third thriller, Twin Powers, with estimated publication in 2013, and another mainstream novel, Havana Blues in Onyx, with anticipated publication in 2014.
A member of MENSA, I am the ex-regional director of Florida Writers Association’s Western North Carolina division and the founder of AWE (Asheville Writing Enthusiasts). I love sports and have won many prizes competing in track and show-jumping equestrian events. I live with my family in Asheville, North Carolina.