A top showing judge and respected equestrian commentator has forayed into the world of storytelling, and is set to release her first book.
Jo Jefferson, a former PE teacher, experienced horsewoman and former side-saddle rider of the year, has written the fictional A Horse’s Tale, which is due to be published at the end of October.
Jo is a leading judge who has officiated at both the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on numerous occasions and also commentates on equestrian events up and down the country.
“It’s been in the pipeline for years,” said Jo. “I’ve met such interesting people through my life with horses that I thought they deserved a book.”
The novel is about Humphrey, a handsome, well-bred lightweight hunter owned by Major B and cared for by Jade, his groom. H, as he is affectionately known, with his bright face with a crooked white stripe, has a good life.
But, after a reckless ride by the Major’s thoughtless nephew, H is sadly injured and has to be sold. And so begins a series of events and unwitting adventures across two countries with a variety of characters.
Confronting happiness, theft, heroics, accidents and downright cruelty, will Humphrey’s resilience and patient temperament help him survive these trials and tribulations?
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“I would say it’s a little like Black Beauty, which was one of my favourite books when I was younger,” explains Jo. “Some of the characters are like those from the Jilly Cooper novels, but less racy, as it’s aimed at all ages.
“Humphrey has been inspired by several horses I’ve met over the years and some of the things that happen to him are written from personal experience. This has been on the back burner for a while so I’m very excited for its release.”
The paperback of A Horse’s Tale is to be published by Olympia Publishers on 31 October.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
