Are you looking for an inspirational book you can fully immerse yourself in and won’t want to put down until you turn the last page? Let me save you the bother of looking further. This is it.
It took me less than 24 hours to read Only Heroes and Horses from cover to cover. In that time, I lived make-up free on takeaways because nothing could distract me from reading, except my four-legged family of fur babies of course.
I sobbed happily through every chapter; my heart warmed to the max and in total awe of the author. I was gripped by the extraordinary feats she has achieved, her drive and compassion, and how magnificently she stepped up when faced with unimaginable adversity.
So now that you’ve got a feel for my reaction to this masterpiece, I’ll tell you about my husband who observed me somewhat puzzled.
‘Are you sure you’re enjoying it?’ He asked, ‘Because you seem to be crying an awful lot.’
Yes. I most certainly was.
‘What’s for dinner?’ He asked. ‘I dunno,’ I replied, ‘I’m reading my book.’
‘It’s late. Are you coming to bed?’ He asked. ‘Not just yet,’ I replied, ‘I’m reading my book.’
You get the picture. For that blissful weekend, any sense of normality went out of the window as I just had to keep finding out what happened next.
As a horsey girl whose path has crossed with Natalie O’Rouke several times over too many years than I care to think about, I followed her remarkable fundraising story intently. I work a lot in the charity sector, so I know only too well how difficult fundraising was during the pandemic and how it continues to be turbulent with the cost-of-living crisis.
Natalie is from Park Lane Stables, one of the few remaining urban riding schools. Operating in the heart of southwest London, the stables are a lifeline for the community. Natalie leads a team of staff and volunteers providing opportunities for riding, horse care, carriage driving and equine therapy for those with disabilities and additional needs, or anyone who has experienced difficulties and finds happiness through horses. It’s a rare and truly magical place.
The book begins with stories from Natalie’s childhood in Birmingham and how she discovered her love of horses. It goes on to explain how she found herself in London, living her dream of running a riding stables. She shares some of the tales of those who go to Park Lane Stables and the extraordinary way her ponies have helped them achieve more than they could possibly imagine, often when humans had given up on them. That’s when the crying really started.
Without giving away too many spoilers, the book continued to describe that her beloved stables was threatened with closure and the only way it could be saved was to raise £1,000,000 to buy them. I won’t tell you how the story ends but suffice it to say if someone tells Natalie something is impossible, she (somehow) finds the extra strength, courage and determination needed to prove them wrong.
My beloved copy of this beautifully written book is gradually making its way around my friends. I have also gifted several and the recipients – some horsey, some not in the least bit interested in equines – have had much the same reaction.
Natalie’s is a story which can rival any Hollywood blockbuster. I had to keep reminding myself it was real life and the characters in it are actual people.
I was thrilled when Natalie kindly agreed to tell her extraordinary story for me at a Charity Meetup event. What soon became clear is that despite everything she’s achieved, she takes very little credit herself. She remains humble and focussed on ensuring the ponies and people at Park Lane Stables continue to thrive. She’s a lovely, horse-mad lady whose name is now even more widely recognised, but nothing she does is for her; it’s for anyone who calls Park Lane Stables their happy place.
I feel sad that I won’t be able to experience reading it for the first time again, but you can! Here are some websites you can purchase your copy from:
The Park Lane Stables online shop (signed copies are available – how cool is that?)
Amazon (Kindle and hard copy)