The Girl on the Dancing Horse: Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro

It's good to see people who've mastered their particular craft, tell us how they did it because it seems so easy once you're at the top--Charlotte Dujardin tells us that it was anything but easy, and in fact how winning the Olympics-a dream for anyone-was the start of the downhill slide. Depression hit Charlotte hard, at a time when anyone would have thought she should be at the top of the world--but with every great climb, there's the rebalancing act which means there has to be an equally big down hill climb.Reading Charlotte's fascinating journey from little girl being led around on a pony, to riding one of the top horses to have ever been born, was a gift to me as a rider. No one could have worked harder as Charlotte became obsessed with horses at a young age, and then worked to be near them by starting at the bottom as a working student--which translates as unpaid manual labor in the very physical and dangerous world of caring for horses.But because of her hard work and dedication to her sport(Charlotte started out jumping ponies until she was asked to work a dressage horse and her fate was set), led her to the attention of the best in the world of Dressage. As Charlotte says over and over again in her story, Carl was her hero, and in the end her team mate for the Olympics as she rode for Britain. No one makes it alone, and Charlotte thanks her parents, sharing their hard work and dedication to her dream, her coaches, and finally, dedicated the book to Blueberry(Valegro), the horse who made all of her dreams come true. It always strikes me as kind of amazing that horses will submit all of their power, love and devotion to us, asking nothing in return.Valegro-a once in a life time horse, found Charlotte worthy of giving his all, which says a lot about this amazing young woman and her dedication to her dream. A wonderful story that will inspire anyone who reads it.

Such a wonderful glimpse into Charlotte's life! I knew her name and of course knew of Valegro, but not being a dressage rider myself, I didn't know many details. She is charming, humble, and funny. The reader truly gets to know her character and personality in this book. She makes dressage less mysterious and more accessible, and is living proof that you don't always have to come from royalty or great inheritance to find success. I found myself rooting for her at every show while riding the book, and have a new appreciation for the discipline as well as this fine young woman. An enjoyable read, well worth it! Hats off to you, Charlotte.

Charlotte is beloved in part because she is so real and accessible and this book makes her even more so. She is so humble and hard working and it was fantastic to learn more about how she got to where she is now. Charlotte is generous (and brave) to share herself with us as much as she does and I think all us amateurs appreciate the behind the scenes glimpses of top riders - especially ones as down to earth as her. Love.

This book was siuch a good read that I finished it in 2 days. It was difficult to put down. Every chapter was a new adventure into Charlotte's life. It never got slow or boring. It was inspiring to see how an average, middle-class girl was able to reach the highest levels in her sport at such a young age.

This is a nice but superficial look at a rider's well-deserved rise to Olympic stardom. Nothing special its presentation or depth, but it will be pleasing to anyone who loves and respects Charlotte DuJardin.

A true intimate journey into the life of the best dressage competitor in the world. As I finished the book I kept wondering where will she go from there both professionally and personally. As a person Charlotte is outspoken, bold yet humble. As she continues to develop as a person both in the horsing world and in her personal world I am hoping that she will take us along with her in her journey. We all can relate to her and learn by her.

Left me wanting to learn more about Valegro's non-competing life.

This was so great to see someone from the start of her career and have Blueberry (Valegro) come into her life and have so much success, a really beautiful connection between Charlotte and Blueberry. Loved it for sure!!

Die Autorin beschreibt sehr authentisch ihren Weg bis zum Gewinn ihrer beiden Olympiatiteln mit dem Ausnahmepferd Valegro. Sehr ehrlich, direkt und überaus sympathisch, man wurde mitgenommen in die Reiterwelt der Dressurreiter.Empfohlen für alle Pferdeliebhaber, die gutes Englisch sprechen.

love love love this book! I have been telling all my horsey friends about it :)

Perfect came very fast not damaged its was great

Really loved the book. Charlotte is such a great lady as great as her riding skills.

Great book! Loved it