First of all, my apologies for being so late with this promised update. I have no idea what has happened to the first part of the year. Never mind, better late than never!

There are some fantastic new items I’ve added on the website since the last newsletter. I’ve gone out of my way to find romance novels for the girly readers amongst us, as I have had so many requests for more of these types of books. Many thanks to Peta from Queensland who recommended so many of them, which is the most enormous help. Cowboys are the hero in a lot of them, along with a good few period romances. Show jumpers also seem to be the topic of many romance novels. Girls, keep your eye on those super-cool showjumping addicts in your area.

I’ve also managed to track down a few of the titles I had missing in some of the children’s series but if you’re a collector, please grab them while you can because I don’t know how much longer I will be able to get them.

On a happier note I’ve got some great new series in from overseas, which aren’t stocked by the publishers in Australia. For the littlies “The Unicorn’s Secret” is absolutely delightful as is the “Billy and Blaze” series, which is especially good for the horse-mad little boys.

For older readers (and even adults) the “De Granville Trilogy” looks fantastic. There are three books in the series and I’ve ordered it in both paperback and hardback as it’s all first edition and will be a great one for collectors.

I am currently working on extending the website so there will be an area where you can list and sell your own collectible horse books, magazines, prints and used DVD’s. You will be accountable for selling and shipping yourself … something like the many auction sites around. It‘s going to take some time before it’s ready, but it is something to look forward to.

I have finally managed to track down the DVD shipment from America that I ordered last year. Every time I chased it up I was told sea-freight can take up to 16 weeks to arrive so give it more time. It’s now been more than 16 weeks so someone agreed to look into it for me and there they were, still sitting in the warehouse with no explanation as to why they weren’t sent. STREWTH! They have now been sent. HALLEJULAH.

As far as tracking down many of the movies you have all been requesting so far, still no luck. I was so frustrated with MGM in Australia recently, I spent nearly an hour being transferred from person to person at MGM America. I gave them a list of titles including National Velvet and International Velvet but all they could tell me was that they aren’t scheduled for release in the near future. Uggghhhh. I will keep bombarding them with emails and phone calls, and maybe they will release some, just to get rid of me.

Jody xxxx

DICK FRANCIS - The daddy of ALL Horse Thrillers and Mysterys writers!!

There's a great selection of Dick Francis books both new and Pre-loved. If you click on his factsheet on Equitainment's front page, you will see a list of all his books and a list of links to all his books that are on the website.

I was only introduced to his books last year and I so enjoyed the first one, that I have this mission to read them all when I have the time. I know we put up a sign saying they are fella friendly but, if you are into a good mystery then look no further.

Dick Francis has a way of getting into a certain field of work or interest and weaving the story around Thoroughbreds, Steeplechasing and Horse Racing, of which he knows so much - being a Champion Jockey of his time.

If you havent read a Dick Francis book why not try a Pre-loved Edition to start off with, each book on the website has a Summary of what to expext in reading it and I have also added comments to the ones I have read of Dick's so far.

Teresa
xox

The Man From Snowy River Arena Spectacular.

On the evening of Sept 15 2000, a lone horseman galloped into the arena of Stadium Australia in homage to "The Man From Snowy River" and signalled the start of the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

In 2002 the creative team behind that sensational Opening Ceremony was again inspired to develop the "Snowy River" segment into a complete stadium event.

The result was the enormously successful THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER ARENA SPECTACULAR!

Directed by David Atkins & Ignatius Jones. Staring Georgie Parker, Steve Bisley, Bud Tingwell and Lee Kernaghan.

To put so much onto a stage, people, props, a homestead and horses is amazing. Following that famous poem with a story, horses cantering around, great back drops, and Lee singing up a storm, is quite entertaining.

A great gift idea for Mothers Day for all those horsey mothers out there.

When Jody asked me to help her a little, with Equitainment, I was sooo excited. As a child all I ever wanted was a horse but we didnt have the room for one, so my room was filled with horse pictures, horse magazines and of course LOTS of horse books and watched every movie and show that I could.

Some things don't change I still love reading about them and my children's books are lovingly kept and helping Jody is like glorious heaven its so much FUN!!

Yes I have just bought this book called "My Pony" cus its sooooo cute and I just HAD to have it.

Teresa
xox

PS.
I did end up with my own horse - FINALLY!! not until after my 21st Birthday errrrrr a "few" years back.

IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS
Fourth Book in the Shelby Series called "Hide and Seek" by Alyssa Brugman(Australian Author) is hot off the press.

Horse Mad Series has a new book out called "Horse Mad Heroes" and Kathy Helidoniotis (Australian Author) has the next book in this series called "Horse Mad Western" the 1st June 2007.

Chain of Charm Series we have book three - "The Herb of Grace" by Kate Forsyth (Australian Author) and her next book for this series "Cat's Eye Shell" due out 1st May 2007.

IN ADULT BOOKS ETC.
Keep your eye out on new Romance books and DVDs and a few more series of horse books in the next month. Equitainment website is updated on a weekly basis and sometimes daily with new and exciting Books, Audio CD's, Computer Games, DVD's & Cassettes. Look on the front page of Equitainment website for THE "LATEST ADDITIONS".

Win a signed copy of "HIDE AND SEEK" the latest book in the Shelby Series . Personally signed by Aussie Author - "Alyssa Brugman".

Tell us in 40 words or less why you love this fantastic series and and let your imagination go wild in decorating your entry, and you could be one of six lucky people to win an autographed copy of "Hide and Seek".

Entries close Monday 31st May 2007and will be judged by well known Australian equestrian journalist and photographer, Mr Roger Fitzhardinge.

Send you entries to -
Alyssa Brugman Competition
Equitainment P/L
PO Box 365
Round Corner NSW 2158

PS. Dont forget to include a self addressed envelope if you would like your entry returned.

Are you a horse person?

Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. If you've ever...

Choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the first time...
Or watching your good horse wobble to his feet after surgery...
Or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them...
Or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club playday...
Or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena...
Or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly to see an ear flicker...
Or cheered at the screen when The Man From Snowy River slid Dunnie down the mountainside, or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War
Admiral...
Or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in the pasture andwondered what he's like to ride...or pictured him as a prospect...
Or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a six-foot wall...
Or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would triumph...
Or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse...even when it was a commercial...
Or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back...
Or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the world...
Or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill...
Or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky haircoat beneath your hand...
Or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipizzan perform a capriole...
Or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store wearing a certain kind of hat or boots or buckle, or have a certain cut and length to their jeans...and felt some remote kind of connection...
Or felt warmed by a soft-nicker greeting you as you entered the barn...

If you've ever been moved by any of these feelings, you know you are a horse person.

We are currently working on a series of “Fact Sheets” relevant to movies, authors, illustrators, directors, actors and of course, celebrities.

It’s a huge on going job in researching and then getting permission from the relevant parties to use the information and photos, but finally it’s underway. Many thanks for Teresa who has been working tirelessly in getting so many profiles underway.

They are available on the website to be either read or printed out for reading, or sharing with your friends. Don’t forget that the information and photo’s has copyright on it, so don’t reproduce it for any other purpose or the publishers and studios will get very agro.

We would also welcome any bloopers you spot to add to our list for the movie sheets. Just email them to info@equitainment.com.au and have some fun in finding them.

Please feel free to pass on the Equitainment Newsletter to your friends and relatives that are just as besotted as you and I. Also if they would like to receive a Newletter tell them they are more than welcome to join the mailing list.

I will also be sending out newsletters in the good old fashioned printed style, via regular post. Let your non-computer friends know as well, so they don't miss out.