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The Dressage Chronicles #3
The Right Girl for the Job
Margot tells Lizzy that nothing in life is ever really settled, not until they “pack the earth over your grave, darling.” And of course, as usual, Margot is right. Although Lizzy is living her dream at “Equus Paradiso Farm” there is no guarantee that her future is settled. She is terrified to think that despite her hard work, despite her commitment and desire, her efforts may not be enough. Regardless of the shifting sands beneath her feet, Lizzy still has a job to do. It is a job with growing responsibilities, without regular hours, without weekends off, that pays almost nothing and keeps beating her up physically and mentally. And while success is not guaranteed, failure in part or whole appears to be. Maybe she is foolish with her rainbow and unicorn thinking; maybe her nay-sayers were right all along and reality is coming to kick her in the rear and eject her out of paradise and back out into the ordinary world. Not all good deeds are rewarded, or efforts even appreciated as the territory of her daily routine gets trickier to navigate. Life is not fair. But giving up before the battle is finished is not an option. Though she’ll be tested, though she’ll know doubt and failure, she will come to discover, she is indeed, the “right girl for the job.” Lizzie's saga continues in Book III of the critically acclaimed Dressage Chronicles series.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
65 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 12, 2022
Nov 11, 230pm ~~ Review asap.
8pm ~~ This third book in the series was a little harder for me to lose myself in, although I did still enjoy it very much. I knew Book 2 would be a hard act to follow!
Lizzy is still dealing with her own insecurities and her own lack of awareness, but she is learning to trust herself and her talent. Because she is talented, and she tries very hard to be the type of rider she wants to be.
But there is more to learn about horses than which aid to use while in the saddle. Will Lizzy be able to help the horses in her barn face their own fears? And what about the people around her? They have fears and insecurities too. Can Lizzy do anything for them?
I enjoyed the development of some of the other characters we met in Book 2. Deb is showing that she has an almost Zen-like approach to working around the horses, and she never forgets to enjoy every moment with them. Ryder is growing up, and Natalie is becoming more of an oddball as the chapters go by.
I do still cringe at the amount of treat feeding. Do dressage horses ever do anything without their bribes? I have noticed the same thing while watching show jumping on YouTube the past few years. As soon as the horse is done on the course and heads out of the arena, there is the groom stuffing a treat in their mouths. When did that become a necessary thing?!
One more complaint about the handling of the horses here. In one chapter Lizzy and a friend are looking at the three foals out in the field. When the babies see them, they leave their mothers and come running. Why? For treats, of course! Not even weaned yet and they are getting treats! No no no! Bad Lizzy! Bad! Talk about creating monsters, that is the way to do it! And I won't even let myself get into the butt-scratching. Except to say that the babies I trained knew that pushing their hind ends against a person was NOT allowed. You let a baby horse do that and some day down the road you will be trying to teach a much larger and very much stronger adult horse not to shove itself up against you. Lots of things can be cute when a horse is a baby, but cute and well-behaved is NOT the same thing.
Ah, well. Anyway. Besides making me itchy to go find myself a horse somewhere, this book has just made me eager to hurry along to the next one, Rings Of Fire.
8pm ~~ This third book in the series was a little harder for me to lose myself in, although I did still enjoy it very much. I knew Book 2 would be a hard act to follow!
Lizzy is still dealing with her own insecurities and her own lack of awareness, but she is learning to trust herself and her talent. Because she is talented, and she tries very hard to be the type of rider she wants to be.
But there is more to learn about horses than which aid to use while in the saddle. Will Lizzy be able to help the horses in her barn face their own fears? And what about the people around her? They have fears and insecurities too. Can Lizzy do anything for them?
I enjoyed the development of some of the other characters we met in Book 2. Deb is showing that she has an almost Zen-like approach to working around the horses, and she never forgets to enjoy every moment with them. Ryder is growing up, and Natalie is becoming more of an oddball as the chapters go by.
I do still cringe at the amount of treat feeding. Do dressage horses ever do anything without their bribes? I have noticed the same thing while watching show jumping on YouTube the past few years. As soon as the horse is done on the course and heads out of the arena, there is the groom stuffing a treat in their mouths. When did that become a necessary thing?!
One more complaint about the handling of the horses here. In one chapter Lizzy and a friend are looking at the three foals out in the field. When the babies see them, they leave their mothers and come running. Why? For treats, of course! Not even weaned yet and they are getting treats! No no no! Bad Lizzy! Bad! Talk about creating monsters, that is the way to do it! And I won't even let myself get into the butt-scratching. Except to say that the babies I trained knew that pushing their hind ends against a person was NOT allowed. You let a baby horse do that and some day down the road you will be trying to teach a much larger and very much stronger adult horse not to shove itself up against you. Lots of things can be cute when a horse is a baby, but cute and well-behaved is NOT the same thing.
Ah, well. Anyway. Besides making me itchy to go find myself a horse somewhere, this book has just made me eager to hurry along to the next one, Rings Of Fire.
February 5, 2017
Another great book in the series can't wait for the next
I loved this book, just as I have the previous 2 in the series. It is rare to find a horse book written for adults and I love the mix of dressage and horse information mixed in with very believable characters.
Can't wait to read what happens next.
I loved this book, just as I have the previous 2 in the series. It is rare to find a horse book written for adults and I love the mix of dressage and horse information mixed in with very believable characters.
Can't wait to read what happens next.
July 19, 2021
Ms. McGoldrick has done it again! Fiction about dressage is exceedingly rare. Most of the equestrian fiction market for adults is about racing or perhaps the hunter world. So when I first picked up The Dressage Chronicles, I was excited to read a book about a heroine struggling with dressage. I was rewarded with beautiful horses, training tips, and realistic, complex characters in a behind-the-scenes look at the upper echelon of the dressage world! All of the books in this series deliver these and I highly recommend them. Living in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, it's hard to stay motivated over the long cold winter but following Lizzy's adventures inspires me to focus on my own learning and becoming the best dressage rider (& person) that I can be. In "The Right Girl for the Job", we get to a better understanding of the inner struggles of Margot, Lizzy's trainer and idol, and Francesca, farm owner. I love it when books challenge heroines (and readers!) on their assumptions about people and personality. Pick up your copy today and settle down for an inspiring read!
May 11, 2024
Heartfelt, funny, real, and educational. I want this series to go on and on
The book follows Lizzie, a real girl, who experiences the emotions we all feel with horses-frustration, inadequacy, anxiety and love for these creatures that can make you feel the highest high and the lowest low. Good, usable education, is sprinkled throughout. I don't want this series to end.
The book follows Lizzie, a real girl, who experiences the emotions we all feel with horses-frustration, inadequacy, anxiety and love for these creatures that can make you feel the highest high and the lowest low. Good, usable education, is sprinkled throughout. I don't want this series to end.
November 6, 2025
I was excited when I told it was going to be a dual POV from Margot and Lizzy and was a little disappointed when I realized that wasn’t the case. I still love the series and seeing the new characters. Lizzy grated on me more so in this novel because she seems to whine so much more. But other than that loved it.
February 19, 2017
I'm completely hooked on this series and a little in love. McGoldrick describes the harmony between horse and rider in a way that almost seems magical. She's inspiring me to ride more. I might even try my hand at dressage.
November 21, 2021
Spot on depection of dressage horse training and shows
Read this for the horse action, so very well described. Full of equine personalities, gives a glimpse into a true horsepersons' mind set. Lots of nuggets to mine.
Read this for the horse action, so very well described. Full of equine personalities, gives a glimpse into a true horsepersons' mind set. Lots of nuggets to mine.
July 26, 2017
I am really enjoying this series.
December 17, 2017
Love this series! Perfect for any horse lover, especially dressage riders.
January 29, 2018
Loved the story and the “horse speak” that is so authentic. I want more!!
November 1, 2019
Loved this series
Loved this series and will miss the characters....especially the horses. Loved the insight into the dressage world and learned a lot.
Loved this series and will miss the characters....especially the horses. Loved the insight into the dressage world and learned a lot.
December 28, 2020
Not the most amazing book ever (as the whole series has been) but entertaining and definitely written by a horse person.
July 13, 2024
Love it
This is a great series. Can't wait to read more. The details are just like the riding world, perfectly done!
This is a great series. Can't wait to read more. The details are just like the riding world, perfectly done!
November 15, 2016
love this series
August 22, 2018
I really enjoy these books and am truly looking forward to more adventures with Lizzy and the gang!
January 17, 2017
Right girl nails it!
While I am a great fan of Dressage, I do not ride or compete in the discipline, although one of my horses takes to it like a duck to eater. As a city kid who grew up working with other people's horses at every opportunity, I know the passion and compassion of horse-loving girls who grow into horse-loving women. THE DRESSAGE CHRONICLES gives a most interesting and enlightening view into the high end world of Dressage, while spinning a great story of people and horses. McGoldrick is quite an up and coming author! Very enjoyable.
While I am a great fan of Dressage, I do not ride or compete in the discipline, although one of my horses takes to it like a duck to eater. As a city kid who grew up working with other people's horses at every opportunity, I know the passion and compassion of horse-loving girls who grow into horse-loving women. THE DRESSAGE CHRONICLES gives a most interesting and enlightening view into the high end world of Dressage, while spinning a great story of people and horses. McGoldrick is quite an up and coming author! Very enjoyable.
November 25, 2016
Great horse book
I loved each of the three books, this the most. I was right there; it was so real and true. I hope she will write more since I am no addicted. The horses and people have perfect and distinct personalities and I am friends with them all.
I loved each of the three books, this the most. I was right there; it was so real and true. I hope she will write more since I am no addicted. The horses and people have perfect and distinct personalities and I am friends with them all.
May 15, 2017
Love this series
I have enjoyed this series from the first book to the last. The characters are engaging and credible. I have learned some of the back story to dressage training and showing. Just sorry the series has come to an end
I have enjoyed this series from the first book to the last. The characters are engaging and credible. I have learned some of the back story to dressage training and showing. Just sorry the series has come to an end
November 23, 2016
Much better than book two! I can't wait for book four!
February 4, 2017
Another excellent installment in this series!
December 30, 2016
Nicely written third book
Glad when the third book came out and finally had time to read it. I finished it within one day
Glad when the third book came out and finally had time to read it. I finished it within one day
April 2, 2017
Loved it!
Read
March 16, 2017Wonderful continuation of Lizzy's story. Thoroughly enjoyed this equestrian-themed novel.
April 3, 2017
Karen McGoldrick is a SUPERB writer, nobody else captures this world the way she does. Thank God there is another book in the series . . . but I hope she NEVER stops the Dressage Chronicles. And I hope she starts another novel soon.
April 12, 2017
Fun read for dressage goddesses everywhere
I would elevate my rating if there was a bit more character development and depth as this series continues. The author ,being extremely knowledgeable about her subject matter occasionally does not give the reader a chance to figure out what some of the horse related vocabulary is about. Less is sometimes more since the majority or your readers , for now anyway, are horse gals and mostly dressage gals. I was a working student for an Arabian show barn back in the 70s and I love this series. Brings me back in time to the fun as well as the hard days we put in. Definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
I would elevate my rating if there was a bit more character development and depth as this series continues. The author ,being extremely knowledgeable about her subject matter occasionally does not give the reader a chance to figure out what some of the horse related vocabulary is about. Less is sometimes more since the majority or your readers , for now anyway, are horse gals and mostly dressage gals. I was a working student for an Arabian show barn back in the 70s and I love this series. Brings me back in time to the fun as well as the hard days we put in. Definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews