THE TRAIL OF PAINTED CHRISTMAS PONIES

I have a few painted ponies and this is my favorite! With my stories about the noble and great horses who are chosen to become unicorns when they die, this is one I simply had to have! Of course, there is a secret unicorn in every horse...especially yours!

The story of the founding of the Painted Ponies by author Rod Barker is interesting. The author, who lives in Santa Fe, was on a trip to Chicago to do research for a book. While there, he chanced upon an exhibit of painted cows. Everyone know horses are more beautiful than cows so he went home and came up with the idea for "The Trail of Painted Ponies." Many of the first ones were native American in theme, fitting with Santa Fe. But now, there are all sorts of designs. You can even submit your own design by going to this website: http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/about-us.php

Except for the unicorn garden, I like the Christmas designs best! Here are some pictures of my favorite Christmas designs.

So if you need to start a new collection...

Need a great gift for your middle-grade or young adult reader...or even adults! Go to my website and pick a great book. I will autograph it and mail it to you. Click here: 

www.dancinghorsepress.com

MUSTANG STORIES YOU WILL LOVE!

Most of the mustangs running wild in the U.S. are found in 10 western states: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, California, Arizona, North Dakota and New Mexico. My own state of Colorado has a mustang refuge in the western part of the state. It was my interest in these herds that spurred me on to write In the Heart of  a Mustang.

However, some mustangs also live on the Atlantic coast and on islands such as the Sable, Shackleford, Assateague and Cumberland Islands off the Atlantic coast.

Just as I was releasing my book about the Mustangs in the west, another wonderful author was writing and releasing a book about Mustangs in Pennsylvania, Christian author and writer of the popular Keystone Stables series just released
Snow: Phantom Stallion of the Poconos.

The author kindly asked me to review her book and I gladly accepted. 

Snow is the wonderful story of a young teenage girl, challenged by a damaged leg from a horse injury when she was six. She has never abandoned her love of horses nor her dream of owning one again. Dallis has few friends and is the victim of much bullying by two other girls at her school.

A local legend has circulated around the appearance of a white stallion leading a herd in the Pocono mountains, While some campers and hikers have claimed to have seen him, no one has captured him on film to prove their claims. Dallis, the protagonist, is determined to find out if he exists.

While attending a church youth group winter camp, Dallis meets the stallion whom she names Snow. An immediate connection forms. Several months later, while attending an auction of Mustangs, they meet again. I don't want to spoil it so you will have to read it yourself!

Snow is a wonderful book for 9 to 12 year-olds. It is 110 pages long and an easy read. You can purchase it from amazon here: 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=snow+phantom+of+the+poconos&sprefix=snow+phan%2Caps%2C167

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! BOOKS MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND HORSE STORIES MAKE THE BEST BOOKS!

COPENHAGEN IN THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO

Quite a while ago, I wrote a post about Napolean's horse, Marengo. As you probably remember Marengo is said to have been the favorite horse of the French emperor. Interestingly enough, it is very possible that he and one of his cousins, Copenhagen, or so it is said, faced each other in a terrible battle. On Sunday the 18th of June, 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, Napoleon's French army lead by Napoleon, was defeated by a coalition of two armies, one led by the Duke of Wellington riding Compenhagen.

Where there is some doubt about Marengo's authenticity, Copenhagen was very real. He was a stallion with a rather mean temperament. When the Duke of Wellington returned from his victory at Waterloo, he gave Copenhagen a celebratory pat on the rump. Copenhagen responded by trying to kick the Duke in the head! Luckily for both of them, he missed. It would have been a really bad day for the Duke to survive a day of bullets and cannon fire only to be killed by a kick in the head from the very horse that carried him through the battle!

The story is that Copenhagen became much milder in his old age and became a favorite with the ladies who wanted tail hair to make bracelets. (By the Way: this is something that is going on today and some people in Colorado have actually come out to their barns to find that someone has snuck in during the night and cut off their horse's tail! So, don't buy those horse hair bracelets unless you know where the hair came from!)

Copenhagen was so well regarded that, after he died, his head was cast in bronze and put on display at Wellington College.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Books make the best Christmas presents and Horse stories make the best books!

GO TO 

dancinghorsepress.com

and check out my new book:

In the Heart of a Mustang

or my popular fantasy trilogy:

Behind the Mist,

Mists of Darkness

and

The Rising Mist

Autographed copies available from the website!

BUILDING A BOND WITH YOUR HORSE

Horses make wonderful friends and great healers during the storms of life. While it seems horses are very willing to become our best friends, we still have to put some effort into building that bond. This was especially true with my thoroughbred, Kit. He seemed very standoffish when I first got him. In fact, I would say it took a good year to become friends. Now he loves me to the bottom of his heart. I learned this the hard way when I sold him. Five months later I bought him back because he was such a wreck. He looked like a rescue horse.

With winter coming, not all of us are blessed with a covered arena. While I ride pretty much year around in Colorado, there are days when I can't. Plus, I always give my horses Sunday off! So, if you can't ride, here are some Bonding ideas you can do in the barn or around the field.

1. Take your horse for a walk! Yes, just like a dog! Go for a walk together. Enjoy nature. Let him graze a bit, As you walk, touch him a lot! Talk to him.

2. Do carrot stretches. This is a favorite and helps stretch the horse's top line at the same time. Break a carrot into small pieces. Stand to his side and make him reach around toward his ribs to get the carrot. Repeat with the carrot in different positions, both high and low and on both sides as well as in front.

3. Just sit in the pasture while  your horse is on turnout. Watch him and wait for him to notice you. It is interesting to see what he does.When he approaches you, simply stay put. If he is lying down, go sit beside him.

4. Teach your horse some tricks. Tricks aren't just for circus horses you know. It is a fun way of training and bonding. I taught one of my horses how to bow. First I had him follow my hand down in order for him to get the treat in my hand. Then, with a crop, I tapped his near foreleg and held the treat by his knee. Gradually, I made him bend his knee to get the treat. Then lower and lower until he was resting his knee on the ground. Treats are the key to teaching tricks!!!

5. Everyone likes a message, even or perhaps I should say "especially" horses. You don't have to do your usual grooming. Just spend some time rubbing those hard to reach spots. Horses love their ears rubbed, their withers rubbed, the croup or hipbones, and even the underside of the tail. Find the spot your horse loves. Watch his eyes droop when you hit the spot!

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT FOR YOURSELF OR A HORSE-LOVER? GET MY NEW BOOK: 

IN THE HEART OF A MUSTANG. 

It is the story of a boy, a mustang mare and the old cowboy who brings them together. 

Available on the website: www.dancinghorsepress.com and wherever fine books are sold: Barnes and Noble, Amazon and many independent bookstores. Ebook version available exclusively for Kindles on Amazon.

Writing Contest from Writer's Digest

Dear Readers,

All of you are horse-lovers like me. SOME of you may also be interested in writing. If you have finished a YOUNG ADULT novel, in any genre whatsoever, enter this FREE competition to have your first page evaluated by a real-life agent. Go here: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/19th-free-dear-lucky-agent-contest-young-adult-fiction?et_mid=790912&rid=239456158

The competition is being sponsored by Writer's Digest, a GREAT resource for writers.
Happy Riding and Writing!

COMANCHE-A FAMOUS MUSTANG

To celebrate the release on Oct. 5th of my new novel, In the Heart of A Mustang, I am posting about a famous mustang named Comanche.

Comanche gained fame because, for years, he was thought to be the only survivor of Custer's Last Stand battle at the Little Bighorn. It has since been decided that other horses probably survived as well but were captured by the Native Americans.

Regardless of that, Comanche was a wonderful mustang who was purchased by the army in 1868. He was wounded in battle and screamed when he was pierced by an arrow. The soldiers said he screamed like a Comanche Indian. That's how he earned his name!

After the destruction of General Custer and his troops on June 25, 1876, Comanche was found severely wounded. The poor thing was taken to Fort Lincoln in North Dakota where he spent a whole year recuperating. After recovering from  his injuries, he never did go back into battle. He participated in ceremonies to honor the memory of Custer and those that lost their lives in that battle. When he died at the age of 31, he was stuffed placed on display at the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History. 

There is a beautiful song written about Comanche by Johnny Horton. You can hear it here: 

https://youtu.be/dkIlxZxeK1s

If you love horse stories, read my new release: 

In the Heart of a Mustang

It is available in print or ebook wherever fine books are sold or on its website:

www.dancinghorsepress.com

CARDIGAN BAY SETS THE PACE IN CELESTIA!

Cardigan Bay is another famous standardbred pacer and can legitimately claim to being one of the world's best race horses in any style of racing! He was the ninth horse to win $1 million U.S. dollars...the first 8 winners were all thoroughbreds.

Cardigan Bay was born in New Zealand on the first of September, 1956. He was beloved by his owners, trainers and riders and affectionately called Cardy. After winning 29 of 47 races in New Zealand and Australia, he was purchased for $100,000 by a syndicate  in the U.S. with the agreement that he would be retired in New Zealand. He raced in the U.S.from 1964 through 1968.

The plain bay colt, crossed the $1 million mark at the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey and was retired right after that in a Sept. 1968 ceremony in Yonkers, New York. Before returning to New Zealand where he spent the rest of his life on a stud farm, Cardy actually appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show...I know, most of you weren't alive for that Sunday night show but I was. (And I watched the Beatles 1964 performance and screamed all the way through it!)

Below is an interesting Youtube video of one of his races. Watch closely as, right at the end on the back stretch, there is a crash and horses and sulkies and drivers go everywhere. One driver flies through the air and lands in the lap of another driver and the horse carries both of them across the finish line!

https://youtu.be/YGioLHsgKQM

Cardigan Bay was so famous and such a national hero in New Zealand that they actually made a postage stamp with his image on it!

Cardigan Bay died peacefully in his sleep in March of 1988 at the age of 31. Well, at least that was the official word!

To learn what happens to the noble and great horses after they die, peacefully or not, read The Mist Trilogy. Check it out on my new website: www.dancinghorsepress.com
The Mist Trilogy is a 2014 Gold Medal winner of the Mom's Choice Award.

ENTER THE GOODREADS GIVEAWAY

Enter the Goodreads.com Giveaway for a chance to win one of 10 FREE copies of my new book: "In the Heart of a Mustang." The drawing will be held by Goodreads on October 5th...the day of the official release! Just go here:

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          In the Heart of a Mustang
     
     

          by M.J. Evans
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends October 05, 2015.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

    Enter Giveaway

THE CLOSING OF THE ROY ROGERS MUSEUM

I wrote a blog post about Roy Roger's on his birthday (9 month's ago) and another one about Trigger in 2010 (one of the first posts I wrote!) Today, I report the sad news that the Roy Rogers Museum in Barnson, MO has closed its doors and all the wonderful items in the collection have been auctioned off. 

Mike Fry wrote this piece about the event and posted it on facebook. I found it very interesting and hope you will, too. However, I don't come to the same conclusions he did about my generation. We, as a general rule, failed at our most important job...raising the next generation! We over-indulged them and didn't pass on the morals and values that we were taught. One example is our television programming and movies. Hollywood once felt the obligation to improve society. Now they seem bent on destroying it.

Mike Fry

THE END OF AN ERA.......

The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson, MO has closed its doors forever.

The contents of the museum were sold at a public auction.

Roy Rogers told his son, if the museum ever operates at a loss,

close it And sell the contents. He complied.
Note the follow-on article truly the end of an era.

Here is a partial listing of some of the items that were sold at auction...

Roy 's 1964 Bonneville sold for $254,500, it was estimated to Sell between 100 and 150 thousand dollars.

His script book from the January 14,1953 episode of This Is Your Life sold for $10,000 (EST. $800-$1,000).

A collection of signed baseballs (Pete Rose, Duke Snyder and other greats) sold for $3,750.

A collection of signed bats (Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and others) sold for $2,750.

Trigger 's saddle and bridle sold for $386,500 (EST. 100-150 K).

One of many of Roy 's shirts sold for $16,250 and one of his many cowboy hats sold for $17,500.

One set of boot spurs sold for $10,625.
(He never used a set of spurs on Trigger).

A life size shooting gallery sold for $27,500.

Various chandeliers sold from $6,875 to $20,000.
Very unique and artistic in their western style.

A signed photograph by Don Larsen taken during his perfect game in the world series against The Dodgers on Oct. 8, 1953, along with a signed baseball to Roy from Don, sold for $2,500.

Two fabulous limited edition BB guns in their original boxes with numerous photos of Roy, Dale,
Gabby, and Pat sold for $3,750.

A collection of memorabilia from his shows entertaining the troops in Vietnam sold for $938.
I never knew he was there.

His flight jacket sold for $7,500.

His set of dinner ware plates and silverware sold for $11,875.

The Bible they used at the dinner table every night sold for $8,750.

One of several of his guitars sold for $27,500.

Nellybelle sold for $116,500.

A fabulous painting of Roy, Dale, Pat, Buttermilk, Trigger, and Bullet sold for $10,625.

One of several sets of movie posters sold for $18,750.

A black and white photograph of Gene Autry with a touching inscription from Gene to Roy sold for $17,500.

A Republic Productions Poster bearing many autographs of the people that played in Roy 's movies sold for $11,875.

Dale 's horse, Buttermilk (whose history is very interesting) sold below the presale estimate for $25,000. (EST. 30-40 K).

Bullet sold for $35,000 (EST. 10-15 K). He was their real pet.

Dale's parade saddle, estimated to sell between 20-30 K, sold for $104,500.

One of many pairs of Roy's boots sold for $21,250.

Trigger sold for $266,500.

Do you remember the 1938 movie The Adventures of Robin Hood, With Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland?

Well Olivia rode Trigger in that movie.

Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby.
Roy bought Trigger on a time payment plan for $2,500.

Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together.

Trigger even out did Bob Hope by winning an Oscar in the movie Son of Paleface in 1953.

It is extremely sad to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy 's movies, as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today 's kids would rather
spend their time playing video games.

Today it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals.

These were the great heroes of our childhood, and they did teach us right from wrong, and how to have and show respect for each other and the animals that share this earth.

You and I were born at the right time.

We were able to grow up with these great people even if we never met them.

In their own way they taught us patriotism and honor, we learned that lying and Cheating were bad, and sex wasn't as important as love.

We learned how to suffer through disappointment and failure and work through it.

Our lives were drug free.

So it 's good-bye to Roy and Dale, Gene and Hoppy, The Lone Ranger and Tonto.

Farewell to Sky King and Superman and Sgt. Friday and don't forget Pat Butrum and Gabby Hayes.

Thanks to Capt..Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers and Capt. Noah and all those people whose lives touched ours, and made them better.


It was a great ride through childhood.

HAPPY TRAILS MY FRIENDS

Anyone under 50...won't understand or care!

IN THE HEART OF A MUSTANG

My newest novel, In the Heart of a Mustang, is available NOW in ebook format. It is available exclusively for Kindles. Click here to order:

 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=In+the+Heart+of+a+Mustang

It will be available in print in September. I'll keep you posted about the release day.

ABOUT MUSTANG SALLY AND HER FRIENDS

In the Heart of a Mustang will be released soon!

My newest book which is titled "In the Heart of a Mustang" is about a boy who is told that his father was a brave and virtuous man, a soldier who traded his life to save the lives of countless others. He was the man that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is the whole story is a lie, all of it. The truth, which Hunter discovers as he begins  his sophomore year of high school, is that his father has actually spent the boy's entire life in jail, paying his debt to society, but not mending his ways.

Meanwhile, a wild mustang mare is rounded up by the BLM. The spring rains had been sparse, the forage on the plains even more so. The mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation and placed for adoption. In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys, the boy and the mare meet. A weathered, old cowboy brings them together - a mentor for one, a trainer for the other.

The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.

The wild mustangs that roam the western United States are descendants of Spanish or Iberian horses that were brought to the US in the 16th century. The modern horses are now a cross with Quarter Horses, draft horses and any other horse that has been lost or let loose. They are now considered a breed of their own.

The name mustang comes from the word "Mustango" which means "ownerless beast" or "stray horse."

They are popular as riding or ranch horses due to their stamina and speed. In addition, their study legs make them less prone to injury. They come in a variety of colors. Mustang Sally, the star of "In the Heart of a Mustang" is a dun...a light tan body with black mane, tail and legs. See her picture on the cover:

In the book, I give you lots of information on how the horses live and how to train them.

Here is part of what you will learn:

The horses live in grassland areas of the western United States. They must remain on public land that is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) They are allowed to run free on 34 million acres over several states. 

The mustangs live in herds. Most herds consist of 1 stallion and 8 mares with their young. Each herd is led by the stallion and one mare (I call her the "Alpha Mare.")When in danger, the mare leads the herd to safety while the stallion will stay and fight. 

These horses are protected under the 1971 "Wild Horse and Burro Program." It has been updated and amended many times since then. The BLM has set the appropriate management level (ALM) at 26,217. As of March 1, 2015, there were 58,150! As of July, 2015, 47,000 mustangs are being held in holding facilities at a cost of $43 million! 

In the book, Smokey, the ranch hand at Promise Ranch, adopts 12 mustangs. The adoptions in Arizona take place in Florence, AZ at the state correctional facility. There are generally around 500 horses and burros available. Adoptions take place on Fridays by appointment. It costs $150 to $700 per horse paid to the correctional facility and another $125 for a BLM fee. You must be pre-approved to make an appointment. You can call the BLM at 602-417-9421 or by downloading the app here: 

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wo/Planning_and_Renewable_Resources/wild_horses_and_burros/adoption_application.Par.32707.File.dat/BLM_4710-010.pdf

BE WATCHING FOR THE RELEASE OF

IN THE HEART OF A MUSTANG. 

I'LL ANNOUNCE IT HERE!

MY NEW BOOK IS ALMOST HERE!

I am excited to announce that my newest book is almost ready for release! I just got the front cover back from the designer. Isn't it cool! The back cover isn't ready yet. The interior editing and formatting is done, however.

The book is titled: "In the Heart of a Mustang." It is a young adult novel about a boy who gets in trouble with the law and is sent to a ranch for troubled teens. There he meets a wild mustang mare that has been adopted from the BLM. An immediate bond forms between the two. The boy learns a lot about himself as the old ranch cowboy teaches him how to train the horse. As tragedy befalls the boy, the mare saves his life. He, in turn, must save her.

You are going to love this story! My next post will be about mustangs.

ADIOS-THE FASTEST PACER IN CELESTIA!

When my husband and I were newly weds, we drove across the country from Oregon, where we were married, to New Haven, CT where Tom was a student at Yale and I was going to start my teaching career at North Haven High School. We had taken the long route through Canada before cutting down into upstate New York. It was late at night and without even a moon to light the way, all was dark as we drove across the farm lands. Eventually, the sky up ahead was glowing with bright lights. When we arrived at the source of the light, we discovered that they were illuminating a horse racing track. Going around the oval were Standardbreds, pulling sulkies. Having never seen a harness race before, we pulled off and went to watch. It was fascinating and so fun.

I have mentioned before that, as a child, my favorite books were anything written by Marguerite Henry. She wrote one book about harness racing titled "Born to Trot". That was my only exposure to harness racing.

So, today, I decided to go back to my usual theme of "Noble and Great Horses" and write about one of the greatest harness racers: the great champion and outstanding sire, ADIOS!

 Adios was born on January 3, 1940, the son of Hal Dale and the mare Adioo Volo. He was born at Two Gaits Farm in Carmel, Indiana. He was trained and driven by Frank Ervin. For a while, he was owned by Harry Warner of the Warner Brothers film studio. During his racing career, he won multiple world championships. His pacing record at the Shelbyville Indiana fair stood for 43 years!

In 1948, Adios was bought by harness racing driver Delvin Miller. Miller brought him to his Meadow Lands farm near Washington, PA, where he stood at stud. While he was a great racer, Adios was even a better stud and is considered by many to be the greatest sire in harness racing history. He sired eight "Little Brown Jug" winners and his sons, Adios Butler and Bret Hanover, both became winners of the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers. Before he died, Adios had sired 589 offspring. His name is found on consumer products and harness horse equipment. He even has a golf club in Florida named after him!

The Triple Crown of Harness Racing for Pacers are:
Cane Pace, held at Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY
Little Brown Jug, held at the Delaware County Fair in Delaware, Ohio
Messenger Stakes, held at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, NY

There is a different Triple Crown for Trotters.

All North American Harness races are restricted to Standard Bred Horses.  But the races are divided into two specific gaits: a trot or a pace.

 There is a big difference between pacers and trotters. A trot is a two beat diagonal gait, like my Hanoverian, Jazz, does and that we English riders ride either posting (rising up and down) or sitting. The trot of a standard bred is faster than the gallop of the average non-race horse and has been clocked at over 30 miles per hour.

The pace, on the other hand is a lateral two-beat gait. In the pace, the two legs on the same side of the horse move forward together. Some horse naturally prefer to pace. This gait is generally not comfortable to ride as the rider is thrown from side to side. The pace of the Icelandic Horse is one exception. But the pace is even faster than the trot in a harness racing horse.

This famous set of pictures shows that there is a moment in the pace (as well as the trot) when all four of the horse's feet are off the ground.

READ THE AWARD WINNING FANTASY 

"THE MIST TRILOGY"

BEHIND THE MIST, MISTS OF DARKNESS AND THE RISING MIST

Autographed copies available on the website:

www.themisttrilogy.com

Also available wherever books and ebooks are sold.

AT LAST! A TRIPLE CROWN WINNER: AMERICAN PHAROAH

HE DID IT!

THE NEW TRIPLE CROWN WINNER: AMERICAN PHAROAH

I posted earlier that I am always hoping for a triple crown winner. Finally, after 37 long, dry years, American Pharoah became only the twelfth horse to earn the title. Twenty-three horses have won the first two races: The Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but only a dozen have won all three!

Here is the list of the 12 Triple Crown Winners:
1919: Sir Barton
1930: Gallant Fox
1935: Omaha
1937: War Admiral
1941: Whirlaway
1943: Count Fleet
1946: Assault
1948: Citation
1973:Secretariat
1977: Seattle Slew
1978: Affirmed
2015: American Pharoah!!!!!


During the 1970's, as you can see from the above list, there were three triple crown winners and I had come to expect that every few years there would be one. WRONG! Thirty seven years is a LONG time to wait for a new one, especially when, every year, I am hoping for it to happen.

American Pharoah's name, including the misspelling, came from his sire: Pioneerof the Nile, and his Dam's sire: Yankee Gentleman as well as his owner/breeder's Egyptian heritage. He was born on Groundhogs Day, Feb. 2, 2012 at Stockplace Farm near Winchester, Kentucky.  He was bred and is owned by Ahmed Zayat.

American Pharoah is described as a people-lover. He is gentle and calm for a race horse. His two most outstanding characteristics are his long smooth stride, seen in this picture,

 and his short tail! Apparently, a stable mate chewed it off!

He is a beautiful bay with only a tiny hint of a star and no other white markings. You can see the star in this picture. (Jazz, the star of Behind the Mist also has a tiny white star! Perhaps American Pharoah will become a unicorn someday, too!)

Now, I must add my plea to the Thoroughbred Racing business to please stop racing these horses so young and intentionally breeding for legs that are too thin to carry their own weight! My joy at American Pharoah's victory is greatly tempered by my sadness at the loss of yet another beautiful horse on the same day at the same track in a different race. Behind a curtain out on the track, just three hours before American Pharoah raced and won, Helwan ran his last race. On the back stretch, this beautiful thoroughbred "broke down" as they call it. That means, in this case, his left front cannon bone snapped. A curtain went up and he was euthanized where the crown didn't have to see it. "Broke Down?" Really? These aren't just cars or trucks! They are living,feeling creatures. And the racing industry has caused this by its breeding practices and training and racing these horses WAY too young!

Rare? you ask. NO! Since January, 43 horses have died in training or racing...just in the state of New York!

I don't know what to do about this!

So, with a bit of an ache in my heart, I guess I'll go back to writing my latest book.

Need something great to read for the summer?
Get the Gold Medal winning trilogy: Behind the Mist, Mists of Darkness and The Rising Mist:
On the website: www.themisttrilogy.com or wherever books or ebooks are sold. 

A TRIBUTE TO SKIP

One purpose of this blog is to memorialize the noble and great horses in our lives...not just the famous ones! Here is a beautiful tribute sent in from Colorado:

A very sad yet joyful day today!!! My daughter Nicole Janitell's horse Skip went to the Rainbow Bridge. We are very sad to lose a member of our family but he is in a better place. Thank you God for all the great memories and a GREAT horse. He will live forever in our memories as our Grumpy Old Man with a huge heart!

Thank you Skip for taking care of my Nicki and giving her the love and nurturing and teaching her so many things.We will miss you and will always love you.

Send me a tribute to your special horse at: mjevansbtm@gmail.com

and I will include it on a future blog post. 

MAY 7th IS SEATTLE SLEW DAY!

I am officially declaring May 7th to be Seattle Slew Day! On May 7, 1977, the 16 hand, dark brown colt won the Kentucky Derby. On May 7, 2002, he died.

Seattle Slew was the tenth out of eleven horses to win the Triple Crown.
Every year I hope we will have a new triple crown winner even though it hardly ever happens. This year I am rooting for last Saturday's Kentucky Derby winner, American Pharaoh. In 1977, I was living in Salem, Oregon and pregnant with my first child, Bethany. But you can bet I was rooting for Seattle Slew to win the triple crown.

Seattle Slew was born on February 15, 1974 at White Horse Acres Farm new Lexington, Kentucky. He was rejected from the prestigious Keeneland Yearling Sale based upon his weak pedigree and his appearance. Everyone thought he was ugly. (Does that remind you of Seabiscuit?) He was purchased at another yearling sale by two couples from Washington State, an airline stewardess, Karen Taylor,  her lumberjack husband, Mickey and their friends Jim and Sally Hill. Jim Hill was a veterinarian. His name came from the city of Seattle and the sloughs that loggers in the Pacific Northwest use to transport heavy logs. They float them down canals. Karen changed the spelling to "slew" because she was afraid no one would spell it correctly.

This is a picture of Seattle Slew in the winner's circle at the Flamingo Stakes in Hialeah, FL.
Left to right: Groom, owner Karen Taylor and Jocky Jean Cruguet.

I wanted to include this picture of the cover of Sports Illustrated from June 20, 1977 because I love the headline: "Riding High and Handsome." Not bad for a horse that was considered too ugly to qualify for the Keeneland Auction! 

It is also important to note that Seattle Slew is the only undefeated horse to win the Triple Crown.

So remember: May 7th is SEATTLE SLEW DAY!

In the second book of The Mist Trilogy titled Mists of Darkness, the book opens with the first mist of darkness as it descends on Churchill Downs. No one can see or hear anything...except the horses who hear the evil unicorn Hasbadana trying to talk them into joining his army to conquer the world. As you might guess, only the unhappy horses agree to follow him. 

You can get the Mist Trilogy wherever books are sold. Get autographed copies on the website: www.themisttrilogy.com