“IT TAKES A GOOD HORSE” By Shirley Lucas Jauregui

            This is the story of the Lucas sisters, their courage to chase a dream.  Two young girls who were athletic and creative and clever enough to turn their abilities in to a profession – trick riding.  However, it didn’t happen easily as Shirley and Sharon Lucas had many obstacles and challenges in their path.

A determined mother, Karmen Finley Lucas, was willing to take a big chance by moving her girls half way across the country from Oklahoma to California, after they lost their father.  But the move proved to be the right thing for the Lucas women, as they found more success in their careers and lives than they could ever imagine.

The way they traveled and how ingenious they were in handling problems along the way will inspire the reader.  The horses they chose and how they taught them to be reliable and trustworthy as they stood on their backs, dangled from their rear, or hopped on and off their backs.  The mounts running full speed as they performed truly amazed and stunned their audiences.

Not only did they have a multitude of challenges on their way to the rodeo arena, but in the movie business as well.  When Sharon was asked to do stunts for the star, Jane Russell, it led them both to a second career as stuntwomen.  During this career they worked with many stars, including Lucille Ball, Virginia Mayo, Betty Hutton, and some they had known in the rodeo arena, as well, such as Ben Johnson.

Shirley married Bob Jauregui, a man of Basque heritage, rancher and rodeo cowboy.  Her new experiences as a ranch wife and mother will keep you entertained as things always seemed to happen when Bob was away.

The antics, the joys, the thrills and the sorrows, are all included in this book.  It is well written and will hold your attention as Shirley tells her life story in an honest and straightforward way.  There are many photographs included.

To purchase a copy contact: www.thelucassisters.com with credit card available or write Pilot Peak Press, P O Box 2013, Penn Valley, CA 95946, and send a check for $17.95 plus shipping $3.50 = $21.45.  You’ll be glad you did.

Reviewed by Gail Woerner