Kirkus Review

Nolly Stables, Blowing Rock, North Carolina: Elizabeth Mae ""Chicken"" Jiggsen gets saddled with a shaggy, broken-hooved pinto instead of the sleek horse she dreamed of riding to fame and glory in the Highlands Charity Horse Show. But after stableman Carver Coy and Chicken's unproclaimed admirer Rusty Reinholt curry the Ragman into shape he turns out to be smart as a whip and well-trained besides. Elizabeth still sulks, however, right through Mr. Ragman's miraculous showing at the championship jumping trials and a 25-hundred-dollar offer to buy the little pinto. As folksy Uncle Clus chides, the girl's a complete ingrate. Meanwhile there's manic little Garson Gambill who'll go to any length to stay out of his daddy's wallpaper business and jolly old Mrs. Nolly, owner of the stables, who will go to equal lengths to beat out harmless youngsters in the pleasure horse competition. Inexplicable, even as a take-off on the genre. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.