A Magazine for Rich Eight-Year-Old Pony Owners

Young Rider is a very easy-to-read magazine aimed for young girls who own ponies. It is assumed that the reader shows and rides often. The magazine does have valuable information, a quiz (usually including mistakes) and an entertaining short story in each issue, not to mention the big, pretty posters which cover the walls in my room. However, the posters are double-sided, and only one is a lovely Mega Poster (the other is your average magazine-sized pullout that tears out of the staples). The annual camp listing is a very valuable feature for those searching for a horsey sleep-away camp. I particularly like the Help a Horse section which features a different horsey charity in each issue. My biggest problem with this magazine is the happy-go-lucky, overly simple writing style. You know, too much enthusiasm sometimes. I think Young Rider would be much better if it had a little more mature writing. Although much of it is suitable for regular riders, the Horse & Pony Problems section is frustrating for those who only take lessons and don't have the opportunity to select and practice daily excercises; it is definitely assumed you have your own horse. The Me & My Horse photos and some of the articles are made for horse owners as well. Overall, though, Young Rider is a nice magazine which I really do enjoy, and if you're an eight-year-old girl who has a pony, you'll really love Young Rider. ;-)

Great for the beginner

Young Rider is a great magazine for the beginner- the articles are very simple and easy to understand. They have great posters, but there's usually an article on their backside. There are ads lining almost every page; there isn't nearly as much content as there used to be. The average YR magazine has about 60 pages/9 articles, which usually have half-page pictures. I'd reccomend a magazine such as Practical Horseman or Horse Illustrated for anyone over 13. But, for a young horselover, it's a very helpful resource. There's several pages displaying readers' pictures and stories, along with a few step-by-step articles. Things like coloring and markings are discussed in detail, and many famous events (like the Rolex Kentucky) are reported on. For the completely new English and Western rider, it would make a great gift.

Love This Magazine!

My 6 year old horse-loving daughter adores this magazine! She can read the articles and stories--they are well written and interesting and not too old for her, and she loves the games, quizzes and, of course, the pictures! She likes it so well we are going to get her a subscription of her own, as we have been having trouble finding it in the horse stores. It is wonderful someone makes a great magazine for the younger horse-lovers!