Incredibly famous in their day, the aristocratic authors of Beggars on Horseback penned a total of fourteen books, including their immortal classic, “Some Experiences of an Irish R. M.” But few realised that “Martin Ross” and “E. Œ. Somerville” were actually the pen names of Violet Martin and Edith Somerville, two fun-loving, hard-riding, co-writing female Irish cousins.

This is a real gem of a book, funny and moving by turns, with superb illustrations.

The high-spirited young ladies decide to tour North Wales on horseback. Written in the first person, the “author” remains anonymous throughout, while her friend is given the pseudonym “Miss O’Flannigan.”

Finding suitable horses was their first task: even in 1894 this was no easy matter, especially when they explained why they needed them: “We were conscious of social shrinkage as the work for which we required the ponies was explained; a fortnight’s road work in Wales, with the proviso that the animals would have to carry packs, held a suggestion of bagmen, not to say tinkers.”

They were both avid horsewomen, and in due course they hired two ponies who have pride of place in this enchanting tale.

After two wonderful weeks’ riding,  the sad day arrives when they have to part with them, and send them back home by train.

“When the final moment came, they suffered with dignity the farewell endearments of their aunts… It was impossible to explain to them that we found some difficulty in parting with them, friends but of a fortnight though they were.”

But there’s only one “Eye on the Hill” !

While you won’t find any blazing adventures within these covers, what you will discover is one of the most captivating books in modern equestrian literature. It is poetry, set to the sound of a horse’s gentle clip-clop. It is a tale of the gradual uncovering of the secrets of back country Britain. It is a sweeping away of pedestrian restraint. It is magical music sung to the tune of the lark singing and the saddle creaking on a warm summer’s day.

It is “Eye on the Hill.”

Written, and ridden, by the British Long Rider Richard Barnes, “Eye on the Hill” is much more than just a recollection of this noted traveller’s thousand mile journey around England, Wales and Scotland. It’s true that Barnes explains how he and his faithful Cob companion, Remus, explored every nook and cranny of the British Isle, ranging from the Cambrian mountains to Hadrian’s Wall and then on to the sea at Norfolk. But this is no mere bland recounting of geography and campsites.

Barnes is possessed with the critical eye of the travelling poet. As Remus takes them further from home, Barnes sees the England he loves threatened by the spectre of an ever more aggressive industrialized society. The author turned Long Rider warns about the loss of Britain’s horse trails and the need to preserve the country’s endangered equestrian culture. Not since William Cobbett rode the back roads of England, has a man noted with such vigour what’s right and wrong with his country from horseback. Not since George Borrow cantered with the gypsies has any-one told the tales of the nomads such as Richard Barnes has done.

Amply illustrated with stunning black and white photographs taken by the author during his journey, “Eye on the Hill” is part prophecy, part travelogue, and always engaging.