Kim Ablon Whitney

Sometimes Francie Martinez feels like she's hovering between two worlds. Her father is Mexican, and her mother although she doesn't really count is American. Francie spends hours mucking stalls with the other Mexican grooms, but when she mounts her horse, Tobey, she's one of the girls at West Hills. At school, she's known as "the horse girl," but in the ring (and to Rob, one of the best trainers in the country), she's not the winner Tara is.

Now, Francie is ready to secure a place for herself in a world she knows she belongs. It's always been her dream to win the Maclay Finals in New York City. This is her last chance to prove to Rob (who's so busy praising Tara that he barely notices her), to her father (who's been collecting college brochures for the past six months), and to Tara (who's sure she's going to win) that she can do it. But when a new rider shows up at West Hills, he becomes a distraction just when Francie needs to concentrate more than ever.

Reviews

Tricia Booker, The Chronicle of the Horse
It's been a few years since my cherished books such as The Crumb and the Black Stallion graced my bedside table, but I've now found another to add to my all-time favorites list: The Perfect Distance by Kim Ablon Whitney. In addition to being a talented writer, Whitney is an accomplished hunter/jumper rider and USEF R-rated judge who has competed in and judged the country's best shows. These two attributes are an awesome (and rare) combination that allows Whitney to write this book from her heart-and it shows. Whitney's book is destined to become one of those classic horse books that readers of all ages will enjoy and remember fondly for years to come.

Claire Rosser, KLIATT
The tension and self-doubts experienced by athletes at the top of the national horse riding competition (the under-18 category)are the foundation of a moving, suspenseful reading experience for YAs. It's a world Whitney knows about firsthand, which makes the story all the more powerful. Any adolescent in any highly competitive arena, whether it is basketball or gymnastics, dance or musical performance,will recognize the truth of Francie's story. Obviously, all YAs who love horses and horse stories will eat this up. It also will appeal to a larger group of YA readers who like stories of competition and excellence. Winning takes on a whole new meaning in Whitney's competitive world--The Perfect
Distance may be an individual journey of growth.

Alison Morris, The Wellesley Booksmith
Don't be misled by the cover -- this is not "just another horse book." With The Perfect Distance, Kim Ablon Whitney delivers a smart, sensitive story about the nature of competition, the power of self-confidence, and the occasional necessity of compromise. Teens will find it easy to relate to protagonist Francie Martinez and will find themselves cheering her on as she steers her way around obstacles in both the riding ring and her social life. Francie's experiences will surely resonate with readers (girls especially) who will enjoy being along for the ride.

Kirkus Reviews
An absorbing look into the pressure-packed world of the equitation finals, where each year hundreds of teenagers ride horses that cost more than most houses. Francie's complex, well-nuanced personality drives the story, and the supporting cast of teenage rivals brings it vividly to life. In addition, the equine details are exactly right.

Booklist Magazine
Whitney inhabits Francie's character wholly and convincingly and gets the universals of serious competition just right

Caraneen Smith, www.bigeq.com
"Kids will love this book, because most of us never live out the dream, but with Francie we do, but she also realizes there's more to life than winning, which we all come to learn in the end."

FAQ

Did you compete in the equitation?
Yes! I rode as a junior (divisions for riders under 18), concentrating mostly on the equitation. I placed at the AHSA Medal Finals and USET East Medal Finals in 1992 and competed in the ASPCA Maclay Finals three times.

Is The Perfect Distance based on your experiences?
Not really. Although I used some of my experiences to write the book, Francie is a very different person and rider than I am.

Are you still involved with horses?
I ride mostly for fun now, although I occasionally compete in the jumpers with my horse Courtside. I hope to get back into riding and showing more when my son is older. I'm also involved in the horse world as a judge and as a freelance writer.

I have my USEF 'R' judge's license in hunters and equitation and have judged at the Winter Equestrian Festival, HITS Ocala and HITS on the Hudson, Fairfield Hunt Club June Benefit Show and the Vermont Summer Festival.

Some of the publications I write for include:
Practical Horseman
The Chronicle of the Horse
Equestrian Talk Magazine
Hunter & Sport Horse Magazine
The Equine Journal
Equestrian Magazine
The Horseman's Yankee Pedlar.

Who is on the book cover?
The cover girl is Marley Goodman on Gran Duel. Marley placed second at the Maclay Finals in 1996 and now is an accomplished grand prix rider. My good friend, Tricia Booker, took the photograph.

Buy it

Free Stuff

Want your book signed? If you can't come to one of my events, no problem. Email me your address and I will send you an autographed book plate. Please be sure to specify to whom you want the bookplate made out.

Want a nifty blue ribbon bookmark? Again, email me.


		The Perfect Distance by Kim Ablon Whitney About Reviews FAQ Buy it Free Stuff About Francie may not look as beautiful on a horse as Tara. And she may not have as much money as Katie. But she's a rider a competitor and this is her last chance to win. Sometimes Francie Martinez feels like she's hovering between two worlds. Her father is Mexican, and her mother although she doesn't really count is American. Francie spends hours mucking stalls with the other Mexican grooms, but when she mounts her horse, Tobey, she's one of the girls at West Hills. At school, she's known as "the horse girl," but in the ring (and to Rob, one of the best trainers in the country), she's not the winner Tara is. Now, Francie is ready to secure a place for herself in a world she knows she belongs. It's always been her dream to win the Maclay Finals in New York City. This is her last chance to prove to Rob (who's so busy praising Tara that he barely notices her), to her father (who's been collecting college brochures for the past six months), and to Tara (who's sure she's going to win) that she can do it. But when a new rider shows up at West Hills, he becomes a distraction just when Francie needs to concentrate more than ever. Reviews Tricia Booker, The Chronicle of the Horse It's been a few years since my cherished books such as The Crumb and the Black Stallion graced my bedside table, but I've now found another to add to my all-time favorites list: The Perfect Distance by Kim Ablon Whitney. In addition to being a talented writer, Whitney is an accomplished hunter/jumper rider and USEF R-rated judge who has competed in and judged the country's best shows. These two attributes are an awesome (and rare) combination that allows Whitney to write this book from her heart-and it shows. Whitney's book is destined to become one of those classic horse books that readers of all ages will enjoy and remember fondly for years to come. Claire Rosser, KLIATT The tension and self-doubts experienced by athletes at the top of the national horse riding competition (the under-18 category)are the foundation of a moving, suspenseful reading experience for YAs. It's a world Whitney knows about firsthand, which makes the story all the more powerful. Any adolescent in any highly competitive arena, whether it is basketball or gymnastics, dance or musical performance,will recognize the truth of Francie's story. Obviously, all YAs who love horses and horse stories will eat this up. It also will appeal to a larger group of YA readers who like stories of competition and excellence. Winning takes on a whole new meaning in Whitney's competitive world--The Perfect Distance may be an individual journey of growth. Alison Morris, The Wellesley Booksmith Don't be misled by the cover -- this is not "just another horse book." With The Perfect Distance, Kim Ablon Whitney delivers a smart, sensitive story about the nature of competition, the power of self-confidence, and the occasional necessity of compromise. Teens will find it easy to relate to protagonist Francie Martinez and will find themselves cheering her on as she steers her way around obstacles in both the riding ring and her social life. Francie's experiences will surely resonate with readers (girls especially) who will enjoy being along for the ride. Kirkus Reviews An absorbing look into the pressure-packed world of the equitation finals, where each year hundreds of teenagers ride horses that cost more than most houses. Francie's complex, well-nuanced personality drives the story, and the supporting cast of teenage rivals brings it vividly to life. In addition, the equine details are exactly right. Booklist Magazine Whitney inhabits Francie's character wholly and convincingly and gets the universals of serious competition just right Caraneen Smith, www.bigeq.com "Kids will love this book, because most of us never live out the dream, but with Francie we do, but she also realizes there's more to life than winning, which we all come to learn in the end." FAQ Did you compete in the equitation? Yes! I rode as a junior (divisions for riders under 18), concentrating mostly on the equitation. I placed at the AHSA Medal Finals and USET East Medal Finals in 1992 and competed in the ASPCA Maclay Finals three times. Is The Perfect Distance based on your experiences? Not really. Although I used some of my experiences to write the book, Francie is a very different person and rider than I am. Are you still involved with horses? I ride mostly for fun now, although I occasionally compete in the jumpers with my horse Courtside. I hope to get back into riding and showing more when my son is older. I'm also involved in the horse world as a judge and as a freelance writer. I have my USEF 'R' judge's license in hunters and equitation and have judged at the Winter Equestrian Festival, HITS Ocala and HITS on the Hudson, Fairfield Hunt Club June Benefit Show and the Vermont Summer Festival. Some of the publications I write for include: Practical Horseman The Chronicle of the Horse Equestrian Talk Magazine Hunter & Sport Horse Magazine The Equine Journal Equestrian Magazine The Horseman's Yankee Pedlar. Who is on the book cover? The cover girl is Marley Goodman on Gran Duel. Marley placed second at the Maclay Finals in 1996 and now is an accomplished grand prix rider. My good friend, Tricia Booker, took the photograph. Buy it Free Stuff Want your book signed? If you can't come to one of my events, no problem. Email me your address and I will send you an autographed book plate. Please be sure to specify to whom you want the bookplate made out. Want a nifty blue ribbon bookmark? Again, email me.