The 1st of August was the Horses Birthday and the 25 th August this year marked the one year anniversary of theHorse Influenza epidemic; a perfect time for author Fiona Carruthers to introduce The Horse in Australia.

Fiona Carruthers grew up in Sydney where she spent her weekends at her family’s chestnut and walnut farm in the Blue Mountains. This is where she kept her three horses and began her fascination with the horse in Australia. She is a writer and Journalist who has worked for the Australian, Deutsche Welle Radio, the ABC and as a senior writer on the Australian Financial Review. Carruthers was also the co-author of the children's book The Saddle Club: Horse Mad.

The Horse in Australia traces the story of why Australia welcomed the horse with such passion and how Australia created a series of horse events across a range of disciplines that have become world renowned. Events include the Melbourne Cup (the world’s richest staying handicap), the Golden Slipper (the world’s richest race for two year olds), the Tom Quilty Gold Cup Endurance Ride and the Garry Owen Perpetual Turnout Trophy.

Carruthers captures the central role the horse has played in Australian history since the first fleet and delves into the action packed world of Horse Racing to interview the heavyweights of the Australian Horse industry from Tom Quilty’s daughter to Gai Waterhouse herself.

The Horse in Australia retraces the stories from the Light Horse to pony clubs; campdrafting, bush polo, polocrosse and picnic racing; the evolution of the Stock Horse and the Stock Saddle in Australia, Australian turf legends, along with a comprehensive and up to the minute look at the Equine Flu situation in Australia, all the while keeping you interested to learn more. The Horse in Australia is thoroughly researched and is presented in a stylish and sophisticated manner.

With over 300 pages of historical information, not to mention the stunning images from past to future, this is the book for any genuine horse lover.The Horse in Australia holds it’s own as one of the most comprehensive books on horses in the market.