tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post6504376124132867143..comments2024-03-29T02:43:11.575-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Jungle Red RidersJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41653656785237568262012-08-07T22:03:33.202-04:002012-08-07T22:03:33.202-04:00I've been enjoying the Olympic equestrian even...I've been enjoying the Olympic equestrian events, too. I've loved horses since childhood and always wanted to be a veterinarian specializing in large animals (read: horses)when I grew up. That didn't work out, but I did get to ride a lot in my teenage years, using both Western and English style saddles. I was fortunate to live in an area with a half dozen stables, all of which are gone today. One by one they fell victim to strip malls and new housing. What a pity. But thanks to Dick Francis, I've read some excellent mysteries based in the world of horses. I look forward to reading HUSH MONEY. Glad you were blogging here today, Chuck.Mary Welkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04399857531758579896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13925145870261127342012-08-07T18:02:48.272-04:002012-08-07T18:02:48.272-04:00Thank you (!!!) to all the Reds, and to their grea...Thank you (!!!) to all the Reds, and to their great group of fans, for making me feel so welcome today. Special thanks to Julia for blurbing HUSH MONEY ("A smashingly memorable first effort. Chuck Greaves has major writing chops"), and I hope you'll all look for HARD TWISTED, my Depression-era literary/true-crime novel, coming from Bloomsbury on November 13 (but available NOW for pre-order.) Be well, and keep on reading!Chuck Greaveshttp://www.chuckgreaves.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70999859186319773402012-08-07T15:35:00.138-04:002012-08-07T15:35:00.138-04:00Linda, that trailer for Hidalgo is beautiful - gor...Linda, that trailer for Hidalgo is beautiful - gorgeous. I don't know how I've missed that film, but I'm grateful to you for posting the link, thank you. I have a ribbon shirt that I bought after my mother died, but I could never wear it. It has a wide band of horses around the chest area. It reminds me too much of her paintings and the part of her that was buried long before she died. I intended it to be an honor shirt.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26015927353814973562012-08-07T14:48:18.857-04:002012-08-07T14:48:18.857-04:00I was a horse-crazy kid, rode at summer camps, sav...I was a horse-crazy kid, rode at summer camps, saved up my babysitting money to pay for riding lessons, read all of Marguerite Henry, the Black Stallion books, Jean Slaughter Doty...anything horsey I could get my hands on. But then a couple bad experiences (and probably more important, becoming a teenager with a boyfriend) ended the actual riding. <br /><br />I still enjoy watching horses work under somebody who knows what they're doing, though. I went to three days of dressage during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and that was lovely.Alicia in Georgianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61456777681131014072012-08-07T14:47:35.024-04:002012-08-07T14:47:35.024-04:00Link to the trailer for Hidalgo.
http://www.youtu...Link to the trailer for Hidalgo.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urnjRUVYRY8Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-87877603122968054962012-08-07T14:45:25.179-04:002012-08-07T14:45:25.179-04:00Chuck, we have something in common with Martin Clu...Chuck, we have something in common with Martin Clunes, the British actor who plays Doc Martin. He also did not begin riding until just a few years ago. He did a wonderful two-part show on the horse, called Martin Clunes: Horse Power, for American Public Television, which aired on PBS stations a couple of months ago.Karen in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16065553246280933522012-08-07T14:36:45.366-04:002012-08-07T14:36:45.366-04:00Great post, Chuck! Your book sounds fascinating!
...Great post, Chuck! Your book sounds fascinating!<br /><br />I loved horses and read all the books everyone else did. When I was small, I'd ride (at the same time as my brother) the big, old horse on my Gran's farm. Bareback. Later, I lived on my aunt's farm for a couple of years and would ride one of her two old mares each day. <br /><br />I saw to it that my kids had riding lessons when they showed interest. Both sons lost interest quickly, but my daughter kept them up for several years.<br /><br />I haven't had a chance to ride as an adult and couldn't now if I did. But I still love horses and love to watch them. <br /><br />Does anyone remember the movie, Hidalgo, with Viggo Mortenson? About a great American mustang racing all the expensive blooded horses of the wealthy? Great horse scenes. (And Viggo's not hard to look at, either.) Viggo's such a horse fan that he bought the horses he rode in the Lord of the Rings movies and in Hidalgo.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13064962875635437822012-08-07T14:03:10.223-04:002012-08-07T14:03:10.223-04:00Oh yes. Horsey here. Horsey, horsey, horsey little...Oh yes. Horsey here. Horsey, horsey, horsey little girl. Western. English. Jumping. Bareback trail rides. Ooh. That brings back memories. I was invited on a bareback trail ride when I was 8. When the time came to leave for the stables, I started crying and wouldn't get into the car. Auntie-Mom asked what was wrong. Funny little horsey-girl me, I thought we were going to ride naked.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57040822649812096462012-08-07T13:58:54.037-04:002012-08-07T13:58:54.037-04:00I love horses, from afar.I rode a little when I wa...I love horses, from afar.I rode a little when I was young at camp, but it was too expensive a sport for my family-living in NYC. But every movie and book about horses drew me. They are so damn beautiful, and powerful-puts me in mirky psychological waters, I know. Favorite movie-The Man From Snowy River-beautiful horses, in beautiful country, and a campy Kirk Douglas :)lil Glucksternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288522126331817172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29386064441089446812012-08-07T13:56:30.696-04:002012-08-07T13:56:30.696-04:00True confession: I've never read a Dick Franc...True confession: I've never read a Dick Francis novel.Chuckhttp://www.chuckgreaves.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73842251525128475112012-08-07T12:55:48.546-04:002012-08-07T12:55:48.546-04:00How amazing to have you, Chuck, as today's gue...How amazing to have you, Chuck, as today's guest. I came late to the discussion--I was watching the dressage this morning, had the pleasure of watching Jan Ebling. I grew up fascinated by horses, by dint of many of the horse books already mentioned, but rarely had the opportunity to ride. In 6th grade a boy trying to impress me brought over his donkey for me to ride (big, white devil of an animal), then chased after us, whacking the donkey on the butt to make him go faster. A novice rider, bareback, I was bucked off and broke a rib, but stilled loved horses. As an adult, I managed to own horses; as I lived in Texas, it was practically a requirement, lol. Was bucked off a green-broke gelding I was working with a halter, ended up with "roper's fracture" of my little finger.<br /> Dick Francis fascinated me, as he did such an amazing job of incorporating his own love of horses into his novels. Thanks to JRW for introducing us to your books, Chuck, and thanks for your insight into the equestrian part of the Olympic games. I'll be looking for your book!Diane Halehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232621705007156159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69818137835926925052012-08-07T10:59:44.221-04:002012-08-07T10:59:44.221-04:00Hi Chuck! What a fun post! I grew up with horses. ...Hi Chuck! What a fun post! I grew up with horses. My dad rode (all Western--Texas, after all) and once even took me sheep-herding on a friend's ranch in west Texas. (Hot and dusty.)<br /><br />All those horsey books, and THEN Dick Francis. My dad and I shared every new Dick Francis book for years. I had the great pleasure of meeting Felix and introducing him at the Henley Literary Festival last year.<br /><br />Thanks for the equestrian primer, and can't wait to read your book!Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66211681842620887212012-08-07T10:35:35.125-04:002012-08-07T10:35:35.125-04:00Like many young girls, I went through a horse-mad ...Like many young girls, I went through a horse-mad phase during the middle grades, but my family didn't have the funds for lessons at the time. At age 7 or so, I had gone to a riding camp (Camp Waredaca in Laytonsville, MD), and had ridden a little during summers at Camp Celo (NC) as well, so at least I had some idea of what riding was like. I read Black Beauty and National Velvet, Misty of Chincoteague, and a lot of Marguerite Henry's other books... The Black Stallion, too, but I didn't continue the series, and somehow I never got around to My Friend Flicka. <br /><br />I grew out of the horse-crazy stage sooner than some of my friends, but I continue to enjoy horses vicariously as an adult, in the novels of Dick Francis and the Valdemar novels of Mercedes Lackey (intelligent, telepathic horses -- what could be better?) And "Airs Above the Ground" is still among my favorite Mary Stewart novels, with it's plot centering around a stolen Lippizaner. <br /><br />I've taken a few trail rides as an adult, enough to show me that I don't have the knack of controlling a horse when it decides to be ornery. And I jumped at the chance to see the Lippizaners live when a group was touring about 10 years ago. But for some reason, I never seem to catch the horse events during the Olympics, and this year was no exception. Drat!Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08639732368395025578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14888849135227617672012-08-07T10:35:30.079-04:002012-08-07T10:35:30.079-04:00This morning, a lot of us are clicking back and fo...This morning, a lot of us are clicking back and forth between Reds, what we're supposed to be working on and NBC's live stream of Olympic Dressage.Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40690047732776475562012-08-07T10:24:02.107-04:002012-08-07T10:24:02.107-04:00Good question about equestrian jargon, and the sam...Good question about equestrian jargon, and the same question applies, I would imagine, with any book that takes readers into unfamiliar waters. In HUSH MONEY, my lawyer-protagonist is a total fish-out-of-water in the show-jumping world, and since he is the book's first-person narrator, he too is unfamiliar with the sport and its jargon, and so takes readers on a gradual immersion -- and then only as deeply as is necessary to advance the plot. It is, after all, primarily a legal thriller.<br /><br />And Boomer: Reed Kessler did not advance to the individual jumping medal round, to be contested tomorrow, but both Rich Fellers and McLain Ward did.Chuckhttp://www.chuckgreaves.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41763618006207614092012-08-07T10:18:06.615-04:002012-08-07T10:18:06.615-04:00So sorry to hear about your horse succumbing to co...So sorry to hear about your horse succumbing to colic, Chuck. This horse business demands almost schizo swings between toughness and tenderness.Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-492244781647740692012-08-07T10:08:38.076-04:002012-08-07T10:08:38.076-04:00I was lucky enough to have a horse when I was litt...I was lucky enough to have a horse when I was little (age 10-16), though I rode Western. I competed also in equitation (Western version of dressage, though more about rider than horse) and other categories.<br /><br />At the 1984 Olympics, I got to see the cross-country portion of the Eventing competition, which blew my mind. I was just so impressed by the speed and endurance of those teams over huge obstacles. I've tried to find as much of the equestrian coverage during the London Games.<br /><br />As for horse books? Dick Francis all the way, as my own inspiration for my (auto) racing mysteries. Chuck, I'll definitely check out HUSH MONEY!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01033264133869966636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18539991343306486892012-08-07T10:04:35.293-04:002012-08-07T10:04:35.293-04:00i don't know much about horses, or equestrian ...i don't know much about horses, or equestrian events, though i have read some articles about the young reed kessler. does she, or any other US contender have a chance at gold?boomernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60653217259277757002012-08-07T10:02:33.513-04:002012-08-07T10:02:33.513-04:00Rosemary - I hadn't heard of Zingaro/Chimera, ...Rosemary - I hadn't heard of Zingaro/Chimera, so I went a-Googling. Here's some footage. (I hope the link works.) The show looks fantastic: <br />http://youtu.be/Pnm5pYpEONM <br /><br />IMO, equestrian vaulting, like you see in that video, should be an Olympic sport. <br /><br />Chuck - I have a question. Equestrian jargon is probably second nature to you, but may not be to a reader picking up the book. How do you help keep non-horsey readers from getting lost and feeling left out?Rhonda Lanehttp://www.thehorseyset.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53096685915554023172012-08-07T10:01:22.413-04:002012-08-07T10:01:22.413-04:00Okay, everybody, I'm awake!
First of all, tha...Okay, everybody, I'm awake!<br /><br />First of all, thank you for the questions and comments, and the interest in HUSH MONEY, which, if you haven't been following, has been called "an auspicious debut" (Kirkus, Critics Pick), and a "stellar first novel" (PW, starred) and a "delightful debut" (Library Journal, starred.)<br /><br />I too came late to horses, having been introduced by my wife in the early 1990s. (I later told her that if I'd known what we were getting into, I'd have chosen a less expensive hobby. Like smoking crack, for instance.) I started with lessons, then leased a horse, then flew to Belgium and imported a wonderful Selle Francais jumper named Eden du Boilary, who, I'm sorry to say, coliced and died a couple of years ago.) We later joined the storied Flintridge Riding Club, on whose board of directors I served, and we've pretty much traveled the world on horseback (including Scotland, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, and France.)<br /><br />As for HUSH MONEY, it's a legal thriller with, as they say, equestrian elements, in which a youmg lawyer hired to represent a wealthy socialite in connection with the death of her champion show horse finds himself caught up in a spiraling web of blackmail and murder in which he becomes both the prime suspect and the next likely victim.<br /><br />And as for Jan Ebling, who's done quite well on the Romneys' horse so far, I don't expect him to medal, but then again, that's why they hold the competition!Chuck Greaveshttp://www.chuckgreaves.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54883064871727857122012-08-07T09:50:26.219-04:002012-08-07T09:50:26.219-04:00The wondrous Kaye Barley shows amazing horse sense...The wondrous Kaye Barley shows amazing horse sense. If you admire them from afar they absolutely, positively CANNOT step on your foot! Trust Reds on this one...Jungle Red Writershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64716250055037350632012-08-07T09:46:09.035-04:002012-08-07T09:46:09.035-04:00Very informative post. Thanks! I was a horse lov...Very informative post. Thanks! I was a horse lover as a kid and read all the horse books everyone has mentioned. Loved Dick Francis. Had Breyer horses. Saw the Lippizaners. Now I have a 15-yr-old who's horse mad; in fact, I've got to haul her out to the stables in less than half an hour.Laura DiSilveriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01603655651769232107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-90603742568885722902012-08-07T09:45:09.145-04:002012-08-07T09:45:09.145-04:00I'm a fan of horses from afar. I think they&#...I'm a fan of horses from afar. I think they're beautiful and did see the Lipizzaners in Atlanta many years ago - they really are quite spectacular. I've only been on a horse once and just froze. The horse knew I was scared to death, of course, and just stood stock still; refused to budge one inch. And I was okay with that. Several of our neighbors have horses and I'm still admiring them from afar.Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46132854365937072642012-08-07T09:34:54.369-04:002012-08-07T09:34:54.369-04:00Forgot about Horsemasters! Hallie, saw Lipizzaners...Forgot about Horsemasters! Hallie, saw Lipizzaners, they were awesome. And anyone remember a show called Chimera? Fabulous show, also ran as Zingaro, I think. And then the magnificent horse who was the star died. Rhonda, did you ever see?<br /><br />Hank...you rode your ponies into town? I'm still trying to picture that with the little leopard print heels.Rosemary Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08033747422699443024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58357532640089529312012-08-07T09:33:11.354-04:002012-08-07T09:33:11.354-04:00I must be one of the only people on earth who neve...I must be one of the only people on earth who never had an interest in horseback riding, although as a youngster I enjoyed TV programs about horses. (And I still know all the words to the theme song from Mr Ed:-) Growing up in a housing project, I knew that being around horses would never happen. A couple of my nieces have been horse lovers, and my youngest niece has been taking riding lessons from her county recreation department for the past four summers. I've watched her a couple of times if one of my visits to her family has coincided with a riding lesson. It's really exciting to see the intense concentration on her face and oh, my, it is frightening to me when she has a horse that's skittish. I was the proud aunt when I overheard an adult expressing admiration for how well she handled an ornery horse one time. The closest I ever came to horseback riding was being on a burro when I visited Petra in Jordan in 1978. The guide who led the horse seemed surprised to meet an American who had never ridden. I think he had seen too many American cowboy movies! (I am quite clumsy. When I found out that I had to get on a horse to go down into the heart of the Petra site, this less than graceful apartment-raised person almost backed out. When they gave me the option of the smaller animal I was only a little less frightened. Seeing members of my group who were in their late seventies getting on horseback gave me a little more courage.)<br /><br />Probably because of my own fearfulness about getting on a horse,I really enjoy watching equestrian events and greatly admire the athletes who compete.Deb Romanonoreply@blogger.com