Fortune's Fool by Mary Pagones Series by Mary Pagones

"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer." No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place. Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with being a gay man... more"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer." No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place. Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with being a gay man. To be a rider, after all, is to be...Fortune's Fool. less

"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer." No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place. Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with his sexuality... more"Ma, I just kind of accidentally bought a horse so I’ll need the trailer." No one wanted the rejected gelding. Even Simon's mother told her son he was crazy to buy the horse. But Simon never listened to other people, otherwise he wouldn't have decided to forgo going to college to become a working student at an eventing barn in the first place. Simon has always struggled--with fitting in, with being a poor boy in a rich man's sport, and also with his sexuality. To be a rider, after all, is to be...Fortune's Fool. less

"I've always said if you can't pick a stall with one hand while eating a slice of pizza, you're not a real horse person."Simon has never shied away from hard labor. But being a working student at a German eventing barn has meant more time behind a wheelbarrow with a pitchfork than in the saddle. Simon's desperation to make it in the horse world is tempting him to leave his position altogether and ride for a trainer with questionable ethics...and a very talented horse named Milton... more"I've always said if you can't pick a stall with one hand while eating a slice of pizza, you're not a real horse person."Simon has never shied away from hard labor. But being a working student at a German eventing barn has meant more time behind a wheelbarrow with a pitchfork than in the saddle. Simon's desperation to make it in the horse world is tempting him to leave his position altogether and ride for a trainer with questionable ethics...and a very talented horse named Milton. How much will Simon have to sacrifice to get ahead in this business and realize his dreams? less

"It was no one's fault. It was just one of those things. It is the sport. It happens."Simon O' Shaughnessy's life revolves around eventing. But when a freak, tragic accident takes the life of his friend and mentor, he finds himself struggling to defend the sport he loves.

"Simon, you don't even know where Mongolia is."I don't, of course, although that never struck me as a problem. "Do you?""No. But I'm not going there."The Mongol Derby is the longest and most difficult horse race in the world. Frustrated with the direction of his eventing career, Simon O'Shaughnessy decides to take on the challenge of riding semi-feral horses over 600 miles in the wilds of Mongolia. Will he succeed?

"The Maryland Hunt Cup is not the Maclay." Eventer Simon O’Shaughnessy is known for his willingness to take risks. But when his boyfriend and assistant rider Phillip Stone begins exercising horses at a local timber racing barn, Simon is troubled. Has Phillip taken on a challenge that is too much for him? Even by Simon's standards?

"Winners never quit. Quitters never win."Eventer Simon O'Shaughnessy's horse Morrissey is just as temperamental as the former lead singer of The Smiths. After Simon is forced to temporarily hand over the reins to his boyfriend Phillip Stone, can Simon forgive Phillip for winning on the horse--when Simon failed to do so himself?

"I’m not in horses to be a better person, just to be a better horseman."Simon O'Shaughnessy, professional eventer, has always defined his worth by his ability to ride and produce horses. Then his boyfriend and longtime business partner Phillip Stone leaves him for a job in the non-horse world... more"I’m not in horses to be a better person, just to be a better horseman."Simon O'Shaughnessy, professional eventer, has always defined his worth by his ability to ride and produce horses. Then his boyfriend and longtime business partner Phillip Stone leaves him for a job in the non-horse world. After not getting the ride on one of the top up-and-coming Advanced-level horses due to the prejudices of a prominent owner, the usually irrepressible and ambitious Simon has become discouraged about his future, romantically and professionally.Simon can get by without a significant other, right? All he needs is another horse, not another man. less

"Horses only spook at two things—things that move and things that don't."Eventer Simon O' Shaughnessy has always prided himself on his lack of fear in the saddle. But after his talented young showjumper friend Lena Roberts has a nasty fall, Simon must question his conviction good riders never feel fear.

"Horses get used as medicine for messed up people. But I want to fix horses, not people. More often than not, messed up people get in the way of good horses."Simon O' Shaughnessy, professional eventer, prides himself on being able to train difficult horses. When he buys a nervous mare on impulse, he is confident he can win her trust.He's not so confident, however, about his ability to help a self-proclaimed rescuer of animals, who seems just as much in need of rescuing herself.

Ainsley Ashcroft can ride any horse and win blue ribbons at every horse show. But she has never held on to a steady riding job—or a steady boyfriend. There is a brokenness inside of her that only horses can fix, and, even then, for only a short while. Ainsley is convinced she was “born broke,” but not broken like a horse—rather, that something is wrong with her spiritually (and financially). She’s burned every bridge on the A-circuit... moreAinsley Ashcroft can ride any horse and win blue ribbons at every horse show. But she has never held on to a steady riding job—or a steady boyfriend. There is a brokenness inside of her that only horses can fix, and, even then, for only a short while. Ainsley is convinced she was “born broke,” but not broken like a horse—rather, that something is wrong with her spiritually (and financially). She’s burned every bridge on the A-circuit. Will a new job leading trail rides in Vermont and a new horse named Hershey turn her life around? less