The Equestrienne - Ursula Kovalyk, Parthian Books

It is 1984 and a small town somewhere in the east of the CzechoslovakSocialist Republic is in the firm grip of totalitarianism. Unruly andsickly Karolina is growing up in an all-female household includingher hot-blooded, knife-wielding grandmother. Repelled by her mum's serial love affairs Karolina runs away andstumbles upon a riding school on the edge of town.There, shebefriends Romana, a girl with one leg shorter than the other andMatilda, a rider and trainer who helps the two girls overcome theirphysical limitations. Together they found a successful trick-ridingteam and soon it seems that half flags, mills and scales are not theonly tricks flashing like blades up her sequinned sleeve as Karolinaexplores Pink Floyd and smoking, and discovers her knack for seeingdeep into others' souls. The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 and the subsequent arrival ofcapitalism threatens to destroy the riding school.The team has toturn professional. But in a sport of perfect scores is there still roomfor Romana and Karolina...?The Equestrienne is a poetic, caustic coming-of-age novel about thedesire of one young girl to realise her dreams before and after VelvetRevolution, it is a celebration of friendship between women and alsoa bitter acknowledgement that greed and the desire for power candestroy any relationship.