Horsepower Author:Patsey Gray Honey Jackson, at fifteen, was a victim of the spell they called "horsepower." To Honey, it was no inconvenience to spend her vacations living in dingy motels, getting up before the sun, and eating on the run--all routine involved in working as groom and errand girl for the Hirshman Stables. Honey wanted no other life. — Her older sister, Diane... more », worked for the Hirshman Stable, riding jumpers. Honey hoped some day to do the same thing, and then, eventually, to own her own training stable. Meanwhile, she took care of her favorite horse, the champion jumper Blanco, and reveled in the atmosphere of excitement, horses, tanbark, leather, and hay. That is, until two important things happened.
First, Blanco suddenly lay down and refused to work. No amount of coaxing or vitamins would make him get up. Then Honey received a letter from her father, begging her to return home for the remainder of her vacation to try a different kind of life. When Honey learned that Blanco might come with her and board at the country club stable, she decided the change might do them both good.
For a while, the new life did work wonders. Homey enjoyed being with her father, stepmother, and stepsister, Frances, in their luxurious home, going shopping with Frances, playing tennis, swimming, and going to parties at the country club. Doubts began to form in Honey's mind. Which life was really best for her? At the same time, she and Blanco both began to grow restless, Honey began to think again of the work and excitement of a horse show, and it soon became apparent that she must make some very important decisions about her future.« less