He Rode Tall

The merging of a love for horses, the psychology of human comeback and the power of hope has resulted in the creation of this inspiring modern day western novel.

He Rode Tall is the life journey of Joel Hooper, a fifty-year old who, as a teenager, escaped a tyrannical father on an impoverished ranch in Montana. Fleeing to the west coast, Joel graduates from engineering school and makes a name for himself as a maritime engineer at seaports around the world.

Years later, escaping once again only this time from a struggling career and self-imposed destruction as an alcoholic wasting away in Hong Kong, Joel inherits and returns home to what remains of the family ranch, the Circle H. Joel's commitment to ensure that the ranch survives focuses on the uniquely rich breeding and talent of the small band of quarter horse broodmares and their offspring that Joel inherits from his father. Joel is able to utilize the genetic power and athletic talent of the horses to succeed in the western performance horse sport of reining. In doing so he makes, or rather remakes a name for Hooper Horses, the Circle H and himself.

Not only does Joel come home to Montana, more importantly Joel comes home to himself. It is at home that Joel discovers not just the serenity, sanity, stillness and silence deep in the rolling hills and pristine grasslands of Montana but even more importantly, Joel discovers himself.