Chasing Horse Dreams: a Review of The Jump by Natalie Keller Reinert

Do you love horses with all your heart, but your equine dreams have stretched beyond your pocketbook? Have you ever made a horse-centric life decision that left your family and friends questioning your sanity and practicality? If you answered yes, and you enjoy reading well-written horse books, The Jump by Natalie Keller Reinert, now available for pre-order (launching March 24, Flatiron Books), needs to be at the top of your reading list!

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A Little Background Before the Review

Even though I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries, Marguerite Henry pony books like Misty of Chincoteague, and I adore Pride and Prejudice, I’m not typically a fiction reader. Yet when I started listening to the audiobooks of Natalie’s Eventing Series on my way to and from the barn last year, I was hooked. (I have intentionally not listened to Flight, Book 8 yet because I don’t want the series to end. lol)

When I heard Natalie was working on The Jump, a coming-of-age story about a working student set in the eventing world, I offered to be an advance reader. I must disclose that Natalie and I are friends, having met through horse book author events a few years ago.

It might be a little risky to honestly review a work created by a friend, but I REALLY got into The Jump. In fact, mid-reading, I texted Natalie declaring that this book is EXACTLY what the horse world needs now. More on that later.

Believable Characters, Compelling Plot

Brooke, our protagonist, is the lone horse girl in a suburban family located somewhere in Maryland. Thankfully, her aunt lives on an old dairy farm where Brooke keeps her horse along with several other backyard rider boarders. Even though Roxie, her young, off-track Thoroughbred mare, is a work in progress, and Brooke doesn’t have access to a trainer for a consistent program, she believes Roxie has incredible potential. However, their most recent competition shook Brooke’s confidence in herself. She retired from cross-country as Roxie was way too forward and had a run out at Fence 5. The aspiring eventer was in over her head.

Walking back to the trailer, Brooke bumps into Lenox, an equestrian influencer whom she secretly fangirls over. Lenox, a rich girl with a seasoned event horse, boosts Brooke’s spirits a bit by…

1. acknowledging her existence by talking to her,

2. complimenting Roxie,

3. mentioning she is going to be a working student for Eddie O’Neal, an elite eventer who literally wrote the official how-to guide to eventing.

The quick conversation at the show planted the seed of an idea: maybe Brooke could also be a working student for Eddie O’Neal! That could open doors for her to work on the quirks with Roxie and learn all she could about the sport that beguiles her.

I don’t want to give away too much because you should read The Jump for yourself, but Brooke faces ups and downs like an undulating cross country course as she navigates her role as a working student and as a rider trying to do right by her mare.

Just like the Eventing Series, The Jump will also be available as an audiobook.

The Heart of The Jump

Even though I’m not an eventer and I’m not in my 20s, I identified 100% with Brooke throughout the story. For example, sometimes a personal interaction or training ride occurred, and Brooke wasn’t comfortable with the situation, but she dismissed her instincts that something was off. She would second-guess herself, deferring to the trainer, thinking, “But he’s the expert who wrote the book on eventing. I’m just a newbie to the sport.”

Over the years, I’ve been no stranger to that kind of personal reflection: “Who am I to question my trainer? Vet? etc.” (Spoiler alert: question we must!).

Another vibe from The Jump that resonated with me was getting into horses as a backyard/DIY type of equestrian, and having to make do with the horse, equipment, facilities, tack I had in the moment (shout out to all the riders like me who started out in the black rubber riding boots that tried to look like tall boots).

Natalie’s horse scenes are true to real life—no fake whinnies or small children taming wild stallions. And her dialogue is believable. So believable, I often wonder if she is replicating exact conversations she’s had in the past.

Another aspect I appreciate about all of Natalie’s stories is that she paints a picture of the settings and weather with descriptions to make us feel the oppressive summer humidity at the horse trials or hear the echoing voice of the show announcer, for example.

The Jump carries “notes” of Charles Dickens and Anna Sewell, weaving social commentary into a compelling story. That makes it a fantastic pick for book clubs—and for the honest conversations that we equestrians and horse fans need to be having. The novel feels especially timely as our sport grapples with the fact some elite trainers have engaged in abusive practices with horses and/or predatory or exploitative behavior toward people. How many upper level riders and trainers can you name who have been ousted from the sport, whether temporarily or permanently, for their egregious doings? And how many still need to be exposed?

The Jump is well-crafted, holding up a mirror to the equestrian world. Natalie expertly weaves a tale that spotlights what happens when greed or ego get in the way of love for an animal. That said, if you’re simply looking for a satisfying read for pure enjoyment, you’ll be swept away into a satisfying equine adventure with Brooke, Roxie and the whole barn crew. The friendships Brooke forms and her personal growth as a horsewoman and as a young adult provide the uplift. 

An Invitation to Hang Out with Natalie and Me in Lexington, Kentucky, March 25!

If you live in or near Lexington, Kentucky, clear your calendar for March 25, 2026. Natalie and I will be at Joseph Beth Bookstore at 7 PM as part of her The Jump book tour. I’ll get to play Oprah and interview Natalie about her latest novel, horse life and the stories behind the book. There will be time for audience questions, and you can pick up a signed copy of The Jump too. If you’re in the area, please join us. Click here for event details. 

We hardcore horse folks all have stories of risks taken, lessons learned (including things we’d do differently) and dreams pursued in the saddle. The Jump by Natalie Keller Reinert captures so much of that spirit. If you’ve also read it, I’d love to hear what resonated most with you. And if you have another favorite horse novel that belongs on every horse lover’s reading list, please share it in the comments!

In closing, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that horse books have a special way of staying with us. That “magic” is something I explore in my own book, Marguerite, Misty and Me, inspired by the timeless horse stories of Marguerite Henry. When you’re done with The Jump, I hope you’ll give it a read too. 🙂

Thanks for reading my review of The Jump! If you love horse books, grab a copy of my free guide “10 Must-Read Horse Books for Horse Lovers” to help you plan your next equestrian read. And I’d love to know what horse books you recommend. Leave a comment. 🙂

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