Clare Balding

Clare Balding

About Author

Broadcaster Clare Balding has worked in radio since leaving university in 1994 and has been presenting sports on television since 1998. She has worked on five Olympic Games, four Paralympics and three Winter Olympics, and has presented racing for the BBC and Channel 4.

She has also hosted other programmes including the walking series 'Ramblings' on Radio 4; presented 'Britain By Bike' and Crufts. Since 2013, Clare has presented 'The Clare Balding Show' on BT Sport and BBC Two, featuring some of the most famous names in sport.

Clare's first book, My Animals and Other Family, is based on her childhood growing up in an unusual household and won biography of the year at the National Book Awards. Her second book, 'Walking Home', was published in 2014.

In 2016, Clare released her first children's book, The Racehorse Who Wouldn't Gallop (Puffin).

Clare lives in West London with her partner Alice, their wayward Tibetan Terrier Archie and a cat called Itty.

Interview

THE RACEHORSE WHO WOULDN'T GALLOP

PUBLISHED BY PUFFIN BOOKS

SEPTEMBER 2016


THE RACEHORSE WHO WOULDN'T GALLOP, broadcaster Clare Balding's first book for children, follows ten-year-old Charlie who dreams of owning her own racehorse. When she accidentally finds a way to make this happen, however, Charlie realises that for it to work, she must first save her family's fortunes....

While this is a story that pony-mad children will love, it isn't just for them. Balding also explores family (Charlie has two brothers who perpetually tease her), overcoming obstacles (poverty isn't the only thing standing in Charlie's way); and teamwork (those brothers). It's about a girl who rises to a challenge and finds a way to succeed, with lots of adventure along the way.

Now she's back from presenting the Olympics in Rio, we were able to put some of our questions about the book to Clare Balding, who told us more about her writing and her future plans for Charlie!


Q: You have already written books for adults very successfully; why did you decide to write for children and have you enjoyed the process?

A: I have three niblings (two nephews and a niece) and I wanted to write a story they would enjoy. I loved the process, I enjoyed creating the characters, particularly Charlie and her appallingly badly behaved older brothers Harry and Larry. I enjoyed working out the plot and writing the fast, action packed scenes.


Q: How much is Charlie's childhood (Derby aside) based on your own? Did you grow up on a farm with brothers, dogs etc?

A: I grew up on a racing yard, it was busy and there were always more horses around than people. In terms of care and attention the horses always came first! There was lots of green, open spaces and I could ride for hours and hours, so yes in some ways Charlie's childhood is a bit like mine. I did grow up with dogs and I have a big brother too.


Q: What kind of books did you enjoy reading as a child?

A: My favourite book was Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. I also enjoyed My Friend Flicka by Mary O'Hara and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis. I liked adventure stories.


Q. Why did you decide that your story would be about horses?

A. I grew up surrounded by horses (my father was a racehorse trainer) so it seemed a good idea to stick to something I knew well! Also I love horses and I think they can bring out the best in us as human beings


Q. Is it really possible to ride a cow, like Charlie does in the story?

A. Yes, but it wouldn't be very comfortable and they wouldn't be able to carry heavy weights as horses do. I based that on what the former champion jockey Kieren Fallon told me. He didn't ride a horse until he was eighteen, but he jumped on plenty of cows when he was young.


Q: You already know a lot about horses, racing etc but did you need to do much research for this story?

A: I did take my nephews to Epsom last year to observe the start of the race and we walked the route Noble Warrior and Percy take in the story. I read chapters to my nephews and niece as I was writing and they gave me some very honest feedback.


Q: Are there particular races or events that you've involved in that made their way into the book?

A: Noble Warrior goes to Salisbury races to run in a prep race for The Derby. I rode my very first race at Salisbury so I know the course well and the frying pan shape of the course was perfect for the plot.


Q: Your lead horse character, Noble Warrior, has a special bond with a pony called Percy and he won't race unless Percy is there. Is that something you have come across among horses?

A: My Father trained a very good sprinter called Lochson who wouldn't go onto the gallops unless her best friend Quirk, a rather rotund hunter, was with her. I also know of various racehorses who needed a sheep or a goat as a companion because they were nervous and restless on their own.


Q: Charlie herself goes through a real journey in this story that begins with her being bullied and lacking confidence. What would you like child readers to take away from your story?

A: I worry about how inadequate girls feel about the way they look, lacking confidence - I've felt it myself. We all do. Maybe readers can be inspired by Charlie - don't worry about what you look like, focus on what's inside, be brave, be yourself, work as a team with the people around you and enjoy life and have fun - you're only young once!


Q: Are you planning more stories for Charlie?

A: Yes and it will feature Charlie and her dog Boris but I haven't yet decided on the adventure they will have. I suspect it will use Charlie's motivational skills and her ability to solve problems and it may even feature an Olympic sport...


Q. You present on so many different sports all around the world, including the recent paralympics. Do you have a favourite place and a favourite sporting event?

A. London 2012 was the ultimate highlight and to work on the Olympics and Paralympics in my home city will never be topped. I love the big multi-sport events and have enjoyed various Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games as well, but of course I love anything with horses - racing, eventing, show jumping and dressage are all wonderful to cover.

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