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Show Time: A Sequel to Stake Night
Show Time is the sequel to Stake Night, and I recommend that you read Stake Night first to become familiar with the characters. Show Time begins immediately after the dramatic finale of the World Championship Saddlebred Show held in Louisville, KY, and describes a single year in the glamorous and competitive world of amateur riders and five-gaited show horses. In this story, the amateur riders and their families struggle to find high quality horses they can afford, possess the manners that make them suitable for the Amateur division, and that they have enough skill to ride. The trainers are challenged to prepare the horses and riders so they are a winning combination, walking the thin line between salving egos and providing instruction, while also guarding against other trainers stealing lucrative clients. The central character is Jennifer, a young trainer who broke her leg during the early sessions of the previous year’s World Championship after winning the Open qualifying class with Toreador, a difficult but talented five-gaited show horse. Her assistant then shocked the industry when he showed Toreador in the Championship in an ill-fitting suit hurriedly purchased off the rack that morning. As Jennifer attempts to transition Toreador to the Amateur division, she must figure out how much to tame him to be successful with his demanding new rider.
- GenresHorses
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 8, 2019
Great sequel
A fitting sequel to Stake Night. We got to revisit some old friends, and make some new friends too. The horses jump off the page with their personalities, and the people are all so real, I feel as if I’m going to run into any one of them at the next horse show!
A fitting sequel to Stake Night. We got to revisit some old friends, and make some new friends too. The horses jump off the page with their personalities, and the people are all so real, I feel as if I’m going to run into any one of them at the next horse show!
July 14, 2020
Show Time, Oh My!
I’m not a “saddle seat” rider but I am a rider! I ride Thoroughbreds in the Combined Training discipline (a very different style of riding as well as the conformational differences in their bodies). With that said, it stands to reason that I know absolutely nothing about gaited horses or their rider’s way of riding them. So, taking that into consideration, please allow me to say that this book was an exciting and even educational read! In addition to that, the Author is gifted with the ability to bring the reader right into the book wherein you’ll find yourself feeling as if you’re there and that you’re invested in the characters and their desire to win! You’ll be rooting for the good guys and booing the bad guys!
....to summarize, the Author did a wonderful job of grabbing your attention and then keeping it right through to the end! She also gives you a clear and concise education about the Saddlebred breed and the people that own and/or train them!
I’m not a “saddle seat” rider but I am a rider! I ride Thoroughbreds in the Combined Training discipline (a very different style of riding as well as the conformational differences in their bodies). With that said, it stands to reason that I know absolutely nothing about gaited horses or their rider’s way of riding them. So, taking that into consideration, please allow me to say that this book was an exciting and even educational read! In addition to that, the Author is gifted with the ability to bring the reader right into the book wherein you’ll find yourself feeling as if you’re there and that you’re invested in the characters and their desire to win! You’ll be rooting for the good guys and booing the bad guys!
....to summarize, the Author did a wonderful job of grabbing your attention and then keeping it right through to the end! She also gives you a clear and concise education about the Saddlebred breed and the people that own and/or train them!
October 1, 2017
Amazing story
The author has done a fantastic job of highlighting the Saddlebred breed and show world. I have been riding other disciplines and breeds for many years, and I learned so much about saddleseat and gaited horses, I almost want to start taking lessons! I have 3 stars due mostly to typos and editing errors. Also, I think the author lets the dialogue run too long and too dry to hold many reader's attention. All in all, a wonderful story between the 2 books, and I would love to read more from the author!
The author has done a fantastic job of highlighting the Saddlebred breed and show world. I have been riding other disciplines and breeds for many years, and I learned so much about saddleseat and gaited horses, I almost want to start taking lessons! I have 3 stars due mostly to typos and editing errors. Also, I think the author lets the dialogue run too long and too dry to hold many reader's attention. All in all, a wonderful story between the 2 books, and I would love to read more from the author!
March 9, 2023
what a delight!
I was so happy with the first in this series, Stake Night, but I enjoyed this even more. I love the new characters from Colorado and wish I had a horse-buying husband like that. I’ve learned a lot about saddleseat riding too—and I rode my first saddlebred in a cutback to little Miami fun shows (I coached myself using Helen Crabtree and we were rarely in the ribbons.) can’t wait to pick up the next in the series. Saddlebreds rule!
I was so happy with the first in this series, Stake Night, but I enjoyed this even more. I love the new characters from Colorado and wish I had a horse-buying husband like that. I’ve learned a lot about saddleseat riding too—and I rode my first saddlebred in a cutback to little Miami fun shows (I coached myself using Helen Crabtree and we were rarely in the ribbons.) can’t wait to pick up the next in the series. Saddlebreds rule!
October 13, 2017
I read both of Mrs. Archer's books this week. I think the author did a nice job flowing the story in and out of the different barns. There is also a great feeling of authenticity to the story. You can tell that that the author has experience in the world of saddlebreds. I would definitely purchase a third book if she published another.
March 24, 2024
3 Stars for the story
When I began this series I knew nothing about saddlebred horses. After doing some research, I found it a little hard to read about them, but I keep going because Archer is great storyteller. I just wish she had told her stories about a different breed.
When I began this series I knew nothing about saddlebred horses. After doing some research, I found it a little hard to read about them, but I keep going because Archer is great storyteller. I just wish she had told her stories about a different breed.
March 29, 2025
I felt like I was riding all along!!! I was there with the riders , grooms and owners!
Thank you Susan Archer for the experience. Your books are a must for saddle seat ridders. I am learning so much.
Thank you Susan Archer for the experience. Your books are a must for saddle seat ridders. I am learning so much.
June 25, 2018
Loved it
I loved every moment of every wild ride this book takes you on. It's realistic and beautifully written. Well done to Susan Archer.
I loved every moment of every wild ride this book takes you on. It's realistic and beautifully written. Well done to Susan Archer.
April 10, 2021
Wow! This book was as the first!
I can overlook the small stuff like grammatical errors and phrase repetition when the story and characters are exciting. This book was exciting!
I can overlook the small stuff like grammatical errors and phrase repetition when the story and characters are exciting. This book was exciting!
April 18, 2021
Loved both books.
March 18, 2022
A plot that kept me reading and lots of lovely horsey details.
January 1, 2022
Still fun!
March 26, 2017
Wonderful sequel!
Wonderful sequel to the first book. Please write another so we can see how everything continues to play out. Great look into the Saddlebred world.
Wonderful sequel to the first book. Please write another so we can see how everything continues to play out. Great look into the Saddlebred world.
April 5, 2017
Love sequels great story line
April 22, 2017
So true and factual
I had the privilege of working with these beautiful horses for a short time in the early days of my career in horses. I will never forget the feeling of breathlessly almost being out of control in my rides. And this series portrays this so well. Although I don't entirely agree with everything that goes on in this breed, it is indeed a true and accurate portrayal. And if you have been down the straight away one of those magnificent animals you will understand the pageantry and traditions and hoopla they talk about in this book..fun read and great memories!!
I had the privilege of working with these beautiful horses for a short time in the early days of my career in horses. I will never forget the feeling of breathlessly almost being out of control in my rides. And this series portrays this so well. Although I don't entirely agree with everything that goes on in this breed, it is indeed a true and accurate portrayal. And if you have been down the straight away one of those magnificent animals you will understand the pageantry and traditions and hoopla they talk about in this book..fun read and great memories!!
April 25, 2017
Wow!
I felt like I was back working at a show barn, and actually at the Worlds Championship Horse Show :)
I felt like I was back working at a show barn, and actually at the Worlds Championship Horse Show :)
April 27, 2017
Review
Fabulous book I wasn't ready for the ending. I hope there's a third book. As a saddlebred owner and competitor I just love this book!!!
Fabulous book I wasn't ready for the ending. I hope there's a third book. As a saddlebred owner and competitor I just love this book!!!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews