Mia & Mango with François Robichon de La Guérinière - The Old Masters

At their local show in Dublin, twelve year old Mia and her Connemara pony, Mango, are surprised to see young horses being pushed hard in competitions. Disturbed by a conversation between two trainers about the jumping classes, Mia's unease grows. When she borrows an old book on horsemanship from a mysterious mobile library, Mia unexpectedly finds herself transported to the Manège des Tuileries in 18th-century Paris, where she meets the legendary horseman François de la Guérinière.

During her lesson, Mia learns about what ages horses physically mature at, and the importance of responsible training. Inspired, she and her friends Kate and Liam decide to enter the national school science competition with a project focused on horse’s ages and training programs. But with backlash from powerful figures in the horse industry and sabotage at every turn, can Mia and her friends get to the finals?

Brimming with horse riding tips, fascinating equestrian history, and a touch of time travel magic, this exciting pony adventure is perfect for horse lovers aged 8 to 14 and is an ideal gift for birthdays and Christmas.

The Old Masters Series

This book is part of the Old Masters series. The Old Masters series is a remarkable historical time travel series, celebrating the famous historical figures including Antonie de Pluvinel, William Cavendish, the first Duke of Newcastle, and François Robichon de La Guérinière. This captivating pony adventure series is written by award-winning Irish equestrian author, Elaine Heney.

Reviews

I love everything and can’t wait to read more. Absolutely love the emphasis on the children ‘creating a fascinating bridge between centuries-old wisdom and contemporary research.’ It’s all brilliant and enthralling!!! I’m absolutely loving this book!!!  Helen W. 

This book is an exciting look at old fashioned views colliding with scientific evidence. I think all equestrians, young or older, would benefit from the messages found in it. Doris Q. 

I thoroughly enjoy this book!  The characters were wonderful and the information totally relevant to horses today and throughout history.  Thought provoking and well written! Sandra O’B. 

The Old Masters Series is a wonderful collection of stories concerning real issues in the horse world. While it is geared toward young readers, it informs adult readers, too. In this book, Mia and her friends are concerned about the welfare of young horses made to compete before they are fully mature. Fighting against greed and tradition, and using precepts from the French Grand Master De la Gueriniere, they set out to share the truth through meticulous scientific research. Realistic and suspenseful, I highly recommend it! Tracy G. 

Another book in this series that I would describe as a children’s book and so much more! Really enjoyable, captivating story, beautifully and atmospherically written, with a powerful message about how the wisdom of the Old Masters is now being backed up by modern research. Lovely story on every level, and maybe one day the finale will become true. We can only hope! Helen W.