Book Review - Autobiography of Clare Balding

This book made me wish I had a relationship with animals like Clare did.  I've only ever owned one dog and never ridden a horse.  I like the look of horses but have not had the opportunity or occasion to sit on one or ride.  It must be a lovely thing to be able to do.  I am not sure how I feel about horse racing or steeple chases.  I can understand Shire horses working the ground or pulling heavy weights but galloping at speed round a course or jumping fences in fields looks to me to be dangerous for the rider and less than fun for the horse.  Cantering along a beach or down a country lane looks more fitting for the animal.  Dressage and funny walks and shows of skill seem very unnatural to me.  However, I entered into the arena, racecourse and countryside with Clare guiding me through her expertise.

Her sense of 'self' from a young age was very impressive.  She talks about the scrapes she got into and found herself in, with her younger brother, as a total norm of growing up in an unaffectionate/unemotional family set up.

It was nice to re-connect with famous Grand National and Derby winning horse names again that I had, somehow, heard of and stored somewhere deep in my mind: Mill Reef, Aldanti, Shergar and others.

I felt relief when Clare made a friend at boarding school as for the first ten years of her life it seemed that her world was full of adults except for her younger brother.  The relief soon turned to disappointment as Jenny disowned Clare over how she dressed out of uniform.  Clare's resolve at such a young age to overcome that hurt is remarkable.

Her early account of being in the Queen's presence is hilarious.  Clare's quirky nature and lack of ladylike finesse is frowned upon by her parents but just accepted as 'normal' to Clare.  I like the fact that she does not put on 'airs and graces'; she is natural and 'herself' at all times.  Not many of us can do that - we adapt to our peers' ways of behaviours or others expectations of decorum/behaviour that it is no wonder we sometimes doubt who we really are.

Her school days are reminiscent of many a young girls' struggle to be part of a team, group or gang.  The emotions of the scrapes she got into sorely felt as I was reading.

Reading her book did make me want a horse - not to own one, or even to ride one.  But to be a friend to one, talk to one, feel its coat and mane, to get to know its ways, study it like Clare so obviously does - hands on, body on body.  To be 'at one' with such a magnificent beast must be an awesome feeling.  Clare managed to shift her affection with each dog or horse, it was total love and care that perhaps human to human we lack - stroking, playing, walking, sleeping, running, jumping, feeding, cleaning, grooming.

The book made me think again about the difference it makes in our lives that those who believe in us, see our potential and ignore or forgive our failings.  They are the people who point us in the right direction - not necessarily with words of encouragement - but because of who they are and how they influence our thinking and being in a world where negative vibes are daily battles.

I absolutely loved Clare's feministic stances and wanted to shout out aloud whilst reading, "Good for you Clare".  However, I did feel a little sorry for her brother Andrew, being on the end of a line of 'put downs' - their Grandmother and parents modelling to Clare less than encouraging remarks and acts that it was inevitable she looked down on her younger brother.  But he too has taken his place in the sporting world and there was a good feeling ending.

I listen to Clare every Sunday morning on Radio 2, enjoy her commentating on sporting events on tv and especially during the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations.  I have observed herrow in her 'fi, eld' and she looks so happy and content.  Well done Clare, well done.