By Brendan Rees
Just like the protagonist of her new book, Christine Reeve is one determined person.
She began writing a children’s story more than two decades ago on a typewriter.
And today the 55-year-old is celebrating with the release of her first children’s book ‘A Clown with Courage’ which follows a 16-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a rodeo clown.
Christine, who is a track-work rider at the Cranbourne Training Complex, says it’s been her life-long dream to have her first book published.
And she never gave up when she initially had “no takers” from publishers until she landed luck in America.
“When I broke my wrist a couple of years ago I dragged it out,” she explained.
“I had to change a few things because it was a long time ago and sent it off to a publisher (Austin Macauley Publishers) and they accepted it.
“It’s the best; just the best,” the Australia Post worker says.
Born in New Zealand, Christine has been riding horses since the age of 15 and went on to become a champion jumps jockey.
The Cranbourne resident says she’s always had a passion for writing and loves the spectacle of rodeo.
The says the story idea for her new book came to mind when she undertook a writing course.
“I remember when I finally finished it my tutor said ‘this will get published’,” she says.
“I’ve been sitting on it a long because I just don’t have the time.”
The book is available in book stores and online.
