NUMEROUS AWARDS

I am so excited to tell you that I have received numerous Literary Awards in the last month.
The first book of my new series, "The Stone of Mercy-Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles," received the Silver Medal from the Literary Classics Awards for fiction. I attended their award ceremony on the 3rd of September in Rapid City, SD.

When I returned from my trip, I was informed that "In the Heart of a Mustang" won the Silver Medal from the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards! Their award ceremony is in November in Miami. However, I will not be able to attend as I will be at the Equus Film Festival in New York City that same week.

If you love to read horse stories or stories about Horse-Fantasy creatures, you can get these books on my website:

www.dancinghorsepress.com

They are also available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

If your local library doesn't have them, please put in a request. 

www.dancinghorsepress.com

THE STONE OF COURAGE...A SWITCH TO CENTAURS!

I am so grateful to Blaze Magazine for this wonderful review of "The Stone of Courage - Book 2 of the Centaur Chronicles." Blaze Magazine is a great magazine for horse crazy kids. It is available in print or on line. You can check them out here:

http://blazekids.com/

Http://blazekids.com/

Here is their review:

You can get "The Stone of Courage" as well as "The Stone of Mercy-Book 1 of the Centaur Chroniles" on my website: www.dancinghorsepress.com or on amazon or wherever books are sold. It is also available for Kindle.

MY ONE-EYED UNICORN

About two years ago, I noticed that my wonderful Thoroughbred, Kit, that I have had for twenty years and trained and competed up through second level in Dressage, was doing some strange things. On trails, he was running into trees and running up on the heels of other horses. This is not normal for him. He had become a perfect trail horse and is the cover boy for all three of my trail guide books:

 He had also become afraid of getting in the trailer...now this is a horse who had ridden in the trailer a couple of times a week for years! One day, while standing beside  him on his near (left) side he ran right over me! When I got up, I put my hand up to his left eye and he didn't even blink!

I called my vet and told him I thought Kit was blind. He said it was probably just a cataract that could be removed and he'd be fine. However, when he came to inspect his eye, he realized it was optic nerve damage. The cause????

So, my sweet Kit had to adjust to a world where half of it is missing. I had to learn to be his left eye and ride him while always being conscious of what he couldn't see.

About nine months ago, his eye started bulging out of the socket.

After X-rays and ultra sounds, we discovered that a large tumor was growing behind his eye, thus causing the blindness. We tried to shrink the tumor with steroids. This seemed to be working for a couple of months. But, eventually, the eye started bulging out again.

Fortunately for me, Colorado State University has a Veterinary school that specializes in cancer/tumor research. They agreed to take him. Thank goodness they did. Otherwise, I would not have been able to afford the surgery to remove the eye and the tumor.

This is Kit in his stall at CSU before his surgery.

You can see from the first two pictures that his eye is now gone and that he has healed well. We do not know the long-term prognosis. It turns out that my special horse also has a special tumor. There are only 6 recorded cases of horses with this type of tumor. One lived for 6 months, one lived for 6 years. So I really don't know what to expect. But I had to do what I could to give him a chance. I love this horse so much!

I am excited to announce that my newest book: "The Stone of Mercy, Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles," won the Gold Medal/First place award for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction from the Feathered Quill Awards!

This fantasy is about the land of Crystonia that has been without a ruler for a century and a half. By tradition, the rightful heir to the throne is the one who wears the Silver Breastplate. No one expected the breastplate to be given to a young Duende girl, a descendent of the Fairies who once populated the land. Now she must complete the breastplate by gathering the four Stones of Light! You can get an autographed copy on my website: www.dancinghorsepress.com It is also available wherever books are sold. You'd have fun reading it!

HAPPY DECEMBER!

Happy December! That means it is almost Christmas...YAY! I love Christmas. My husband is crazy about Christmas, too. He says the best thing, and maybe the only good thing, about having a horse-crazy wife is that it is easy to shop for Christmas gifts. All he has to do is get a gift card from the Dover Saddle Shop in our town of Parker, Colorado.

Here is my Christmas wish list:
1. Warm winter riding boots
2. Warm winter riding socks
3. Warm winter riding breeches
4. Warm winter riding jacket
5. Warm winter riding gloves

Do you see a pattern here?

If you need a gift idea for a horse-crazy kid or adult, pick an award-winning book from my website. I will autograph it and send it to you.  Click here: www.dancinghorsepress.com

May I suggest The Mist Trilogy for fantasy lovers ages 9 and up. You can buy the complete set for just $30 including shipping and handling! This is the story of the noble and great horses who are chosen to become unicorns when they die and the first boy who is allowed into their kingdom and trained to become a unicorn rider. As with all classic fantasy tales, central to the story is the struggle between good and evil. The evil takes the form of a power-hungry unicorn who no longer wants to serve the animals on earth. Rather, he wants to control and rule them. You'll love reading about the adventures and struggles.

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY FOR THE STONE OF MERCY

Great News!

Goodreads.com is offering 3 free (as in really free!) copies of The Stone of Mercy. You must go to the link below and click on the box that says "Enter Giveaway" between November 9th and December 9th for a chance to win. It would make a great Christmas gift for yourself or a friend!

Click here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31329421-the-stone-of-mercy?from_search=true

THE STONE OF MERCY HAS BEEN RELEASED!

I am sorry that I haven't written a post for over a month! I have been so busy with the October 1st release of my newest book. I'm excited about it and am sure you will enjoy it. "The Stone of Mercy-Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles" is the first of a 4 book series about the land of Crystonia and the Centaurs, Cyclops, Ogres and little Deunde who inhabit it. Crystonia has been without a leader for a century and a half while the larger races battle for the throne. However, by tradition, the ruler will be the one who wears the Silver Breastplate. No one expected that the breastplate would be given to a young Duende girl, however. 

The Stone of Mercy received an excellent review from Feathered Quill and they followed up the review by interviewing me. Here is the text of the interview:

Author Interviews

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Kristi Benedict is talking with M.J. Evans, author of The Stone of Mercy: Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles

FQ: What was your inspiration for the several different races in this book?

EVANS: I selected races (or species) that would reflect different and competing traits. Some of the traits would logically be held by people hungry for power. For example, the cyclops are not known for their intelligence. Rather, they rely on brute strength. The Centaurs have speed and fighting ability but do so with more finesse and intelligence. The Duende are a made up race taken from the Spanish word that means fairy. They represent the weaker, over-looked and taken for granted species. The fauns, by tradition, have a fun-loving, irresponsible nature. So they were the obvious ones to sell their souls to the Cyclops for protection and then find themselves enslaved.

FQ: Did you do any research on Greek mythology to write about the centaurs, cyclops, etc?

EVANS: I did very little research on the mythology around centaurs, cyclops and fauns because I wanted to create new and unique characteristics in my characters. If I did too much research, that might stifle my creativity. There are many mythological creatures based upon a horse. I think this is because people have always loved and revered horses. I am one of those people. All, but one, of my novels have a horse connection and I love to use the mythological horses as my main characters, however, always with a different twist. My first fantasy series, "The Mist Trilogy," is about the noble and great horses that are chosen to become unicorns when they die. My choice to create a series about Centaurs is a continuation of my love of writing about horses. It is fun for me to include horse behaviors and traits when I write about Tibbals and Tandum and the other Centaurs. Then I get to add human mannerisms as well.

FQ: What demographic were you aiming for with this book, pre-teen or young adult?

EVANS: I initially pictured my readers to be 10 to 14, so Middle-Grade. However, many adults have been enjoying it as well so perhaps it will be well received by young adults as well.

FQ: What is the reason for calling the series "The Centaur Chronicles?"

EVANS: "The Duende Diaries" just didn’t have the same ring to it! Just kidding. I teach English riding lessons and I am always telling my students to become a Centaur...to be one with the horse. After several years of using this phrase, I decided it was time to write a story about Centaurs.

FQ: What do you think are the advantages of using a young girl as your protagonist?

EVANS: As a small, delicate creature, she has an uphill battle to win over the larger races. The Silver Breastplate gives her an unexpected advantage and great power. But, remember, she never aspired to be the queen, consistent with both her station in life and her personality. But her personality is changing with each book of the series, keeping her good qualities but developing more confidence and commitment to her calling. I think it is fun to have a young girl in this position as many girls will be asked to accomplish great things in their lives whether it is to raise a strong family or run a country.

FQ: In the graphic scenes for this novel, such as the attack on the Duende village, how do you decide what details to include so the scene is still powerful but not too overly graphic?

EVANS: I like this question because this is one that I struggle with all the time. The second book has some battle scenes in it as well as will the fourth. I try to picture a PG movie as I write. I want to write books that leave a good message but that are exciting. So it is a challenge to balance both. Some fantasies are even too dark for me. I want to keep it light and fanciful even while describing a battle scene. I don’t want my readers to have nightmares!

FQ: Did your experience with horses help when writing about the centaurs in this novel?

EVANS:I mentioned this in the 2nd question. Yes, I love writing about horses and their personalities. It is so fun using the technique of Anthropomorphism in my writing. My brain just goes right to putting human characteristics on horses because I love them so much and am so familiar with them. For example, when a horse is irritated, he will swish his tail. I had the centaurs do this in the book. They stomp their hooves, rear and kick, just like a horse would.

FQ: Which part of the book did you enjoy writing the most, the beginning, the end, or a specific scene in the middle?

EVANS: I think my favorite scenes are any scene where the Wizard appears. I like that character. In addition, I had fun writing the scenes with the Commander at Fort Heilodius. The bad guys are fun to create!

To learn more about The Stone of Mercy: Book 1 of the Centaur Chronicles please read the review at: Feathered Quill Book Reviews.

The Stone of Mercy is available in Print only at the present time. It is available on Amazon,

Barnes and Noble, and independent bookstores. 

Autographed copies are available on the website: www.dancinghorsepress.com

Just click here:

Autographed copies are available on the website: www.dancinghorsepress.com

FALL IN LOVE WITH FELL PONIES

Last year I was doing a book signing in Loveland Colorado. At that event, I met Jenifer Morrissey a fellow author and breeder of Fell Ponies. I had fun visiting with her about her love of Fell ponies. She breeds them at her home in the Colorado Mountains. She calls her home, Willowtrail Farm. She mentioned that she became interested in Fell ponies as a way to help with her husband's logging business. It turns out that at 9,000 feet and very rocky terrain, the ponies were perfect for pulling logs off the mountain in areas that trucks could not go.

I went to the Fell pony society website to learn more about these ponies that have so captured Jenifer's heart. I learned that these ponies are some of the ancient breeds that come from the north counties of England and have probably roamed through hill and dale in that area since pre-historic times. From the iron age, onward, Fell ponies have been work animals for mankind, hauling logs, mining materials, fabric and everything else from the north to the markets in the south. The vikings (that I wrote about in one of my fantasies North Mystic) used the ponies for draft horses as well as for riding. 

Since the 1950's when horses became primarily 'recreational vehicles' as I call them, the ponies have become increasingly popular for their dependability and sure footedness. That makes them great for trails on rough ground. They are also loved for driving and even jumping. 

Black is the predominate color for fell ponies but they also come in brown, bay or gray. They do not exceed 14 hands in height. 

If you would like to learn more about Jenifer Morrissey's breeding program, you can go to her website and see all the fun things she has to say about Fell Ponies. Click here: http://fellponiescolorado.com/html/contactus.html  The pictures are from her website.

Have fun reading the award winning series: The Mist Trilogy. It's about the noble and great horses that are chosen to become unicorns when they die.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN HORSE STYLE!

Last summer I was invited to sign books (specifically Behind the Mist) at a horse camp because the theme was fantasy and the director was giving each camper a copy of Behind the Mist. So, for fun, I decided to dress Jazz (the star of Behind the Mist) up as a unicorn and sign books from his back. It was really fun and he looked gorgeous!

So, in honor of Halloween, I decided to search out photos of creative costumes for horses. Here are some of my favorites!

Aren't people creative and aren't horses patient with us?  Since standard poodles are my favorite dogs (they really aren't dogs, they are in a class by themselves!) I had to put in two pictures of poodles. I adored those 3 little kings! And Harry Potter is great! 

 I also discovered that there is a company that makes horse costumes so you don't even have to be creative. Here is their website: http://www.thehorsetailor.com/costumes-catalog.html

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

And remember: Don't work your horse...dance with your horse...play with your horse...have fun with your horse!

Read The Mist Trilogy: Autographed copies available here:  www.behindthemist.com

THE PONIES OF CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND

The Rising Mist was released a week ago! One of the chapters is about Nick and his unicorn, Lazari, as they are sent to help the Ponies of Chincoteague when they are herded from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia. In the book, I write about the history of the ponies and about this event. I decided to write a blog post about it as well. When I was young, my favorite books were the horse stories by Marguerite Henry. One of these was titled Misty of Chincoteague. That is where I first learned about his annual pony swim.

This year's pony swim was held on Wednesday, July 30th. It was the 89th time that the herd of approximately 150 ponies from Assateague Island have been herded across the channel to Chincoteague Island in order for the foals to be auctioned off. The purpose of the auction is to keep the herd from getting too large and to raise funds for the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Department uses some of those funds to provide veterinary services to the ponies during the year.

The ponies are herded into the water at "Slack Tide." This is the time between high and low tides when there is no current. Because it lasts for 30 minutes, the ponies have a much easier time swimming the channel. Local fishermen line the channel to guide the ponies in their swim. The time can vary...anytime between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The annual event has become a week long festival that draws thousands of visitors. The first foal to reach the shore is named King or Queen Neptune and is given away at a raffle. The other foals are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Approximately 55 foals are auctioned off each year.

My heart aches at the thought of these sweet foals being taken from their mothers and home but I'm sure the buyers love them and take good care of them. At least I certainly hope they do!

The adult ponies were herded back across the channel on Sunday, August 1st to spend the rest of the year foraging on the grasses of Assoteague Island.

In The Rising Mist, Nick and Lazari help a struggling foal reach its mother in the depth of the channel and save a fisherman who has fallen from his boat. You will love reading this new book!

 The Rising Mist is available on Amazon by clicking here:
 http://www.amazon.com/The-Rising-Mist-Final-Trilogy/dp/1626529418/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409266239&sr=8-1&keywords=The+rising+Mist

 or AUTOGRAPHED from its website. Click here:
 http://www.themisttrilogy.com

EXCITING NEWS! Goodreads.com has a giveaway of three copies of THE RISING MIST. Click here to enter:

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          The Rising Mist
     
     

          by M.J. Evans
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends September 25, 2014.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win

ANOTHER GIVE AWAY!

Dena at the Blog: Batchofbooks.com did a wonderful spotlight on The Mist Trilogy. At the end she is offering a drawing for a free copy of  The Rising Mist. You can see the spotlight here:
http://www.batchofbooks.com/2014/08/spotlight-and-giveaway-for-rising-mist.html
 or you can go directly to her raffle here:/ZWQ1MmRjOWVhYTdmZDM5MjRjNjU3YTFjYTU3OTE3OjY5/
This drawing is for your choice of an ebook OR an autographed copy of the print book. The print book is to be released on August 19th so the drawing is set for that day.

One part of The Rising Mist that you are really going to love reading is the account of Nick and Lazari and Bethany and Shema's efforts to rescue the Lipizzan Stallions from Vienna that have been kidnapped and held for ransom. As you can guess, the kidnappers know nothing about how to care for horses. They are not concerned about the welfare of these magnificent animals. Their only concern is getting money. Had the fairies not seen the kidnapping taking place and sent the Legion of the Unicorn to help them, the horses all would have died. I included a lot of interesting history about the spanish riding school in those chapters that you will have fun reading.

Go to the spotlight and enter the drawing to win a FREE copy of The Rising Mist!

THE RISING MIST GIVE AWAY!

IT'S HERE! THE MIST TRILOGY IS COMPLETE! 

I am so excited. So, I decided that it's time to celebrate! The best way to celebrate is a give-away! Go to the Behind the Mist Facebook page. "Like" it and leave a comment with your email address. We will have a drawing on August 19, the official release date, and the winner will get a FREE copy of The Rising Mist-The Final Book of The Mist Trilogy. Easy as pie, or as they say now: Easy Peasy. Here is the link to the Behind The Mist Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BehindTheMist

SPOILING YOUR FUTURE UNICORN!

If you are a true horse-lover, you will be able to relate to me and my life. In fact, if you were born a horse, you would wish you had been purchased by ME! My horses are loved, pampered and spoiled to the core! This cartoon makes me laugh as I think about how my horses are treated:

 If you are like me, this is your life:

1. Your horse gets new shoes every 8 weeks...you haven't had a new pair of shoes for two years.

2. Your horse's "clothing," blankets, saddle pads, etc., are all newer than anything hanging in your closet.

3. Your horse gets regular check-ups from the vet, including teeth exams...you don't even know your doctor or dentist's names.

4. You sit in your old, junker car while your horse rides in his fancy new, padded trailer with extra matting on the floor.

5. Your horse eats the finest feeds and supplements while you dine on Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

6. Your horse's stall is fresh and clean with sweet smelling shavings...who has time to wash your bed linens?

7. Your horse's coat shines like a new penny from hours of brushing...how long has it been since you have been to a beauty parlor. (What's a beauty parlor?)

So, when other people say we are "Horse Crazy," I think they are emphasizing the "Crazy" part. I also think they are right! But we have to laugh at ourselves. Right?

Contact me at my website: www.behindthemist.com and tell me the crazy things you do for your horse!

THE MIST TRILOGY READERS ARE ARTISTS, TOO!

I love getting letters from the kids that read Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness. Once in a while, they include a picture they have drawn that illustrates a character or a scene in the book.

This picture was drawn by Kylie to illustrate Gloforia, the eagle that Nick heals in Behind the Mist. She continues to be a part of the story in Mists of Darkness as well.

This drawing is done by Benjamin. It is his rendition of the cottage that Nick and Jazz built once they learned to control the elements.

I love their creativity and imagination!

Great News! The Rising Mist - The Final Book of the Mist Trilogy was just released in ebook format! So, you can get it on your kindles or nooks!
For Kindle, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Rising-Mist-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00FN1WUHC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381506052&sr=8-2&keywords=the+rising+mist+in+Kindle

For Nooks, Click here:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/The-Rising-Mist-The-Final-Book-of-the-Mist-Trilogy?keyword=The+Rising+Mist-The+Final+Book+of+the+Mist+Trilogy&store=nookstore

SHOULD YOUR FUTURE UNICORN BE SHOD OR GO BAREFOOT?

I own three wonderful horses...Jazz, the Hanoverian dressage horse and the star of Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness, Kit the thoroughbred and star of my Riding Colorado trail guide books, and Party Hardy, my pony jumper that makes a brief appearance in Mists of Darkness as a race horse. I have had all three horses since they were young and just saddle and bridle broken. Kit is now 23 years old and I have had him since he was 6. Hardy is now 18 and I have had him since he was 2 and 1/2. Jazz is now 12 and I purchased him when he was 4. All three get lots of work.

My riding friends and I are always discussing the pros and cons of shoeing. After years of horse ownership, I have come to one conclusion regarding shoeing: IT DEPENDS UPON THE HORSE, WHAT YOU ARE DOING WITH HIM AND WHERE YOU ARE DOING IT!

So, no, there is not one easy, peasy answer for everyone and every horse. Horses in the wild are never shod. However, this is not always a good deal for them. Some horses have lost their lives by becoming crippled from hooves that have grown too long, or become lame from stone bruises and abscesses. If any  of you have seen a horse or donkey whose hooves have grown into a long curl, you know how heart breaking that is. That being said, mustangs, in particular, seem to have evolved into a breed with very strong, slow growing hooves. They seem to do well...yet, they too, do not live as long in the wild as a well-cared-for domestic horse due to a variety of reason.

When you consider whether to keep your horse shod or not, you have many variables to consider as I listed above. If you horse is always on sand, soft dirt, you probably won't need them. In fact, the sand tends to work like an Emory board and file the hooves. If you live in Colorado and want to ride on the mountain trails that I write about in my trail guide books, Riding Colorado and Riding Colorado II, you will definitely need some sort of hoof protection whether shoes or boots such as EZ boots. You can click on the name to see my friend, Carol Crisp, testing out the EZ boots on the Colorado Trail.

The footing is one factor. Another factor is the health and strength of your horse's hooves. Some horses have very strong feet and souls. Unfortunately, others do not. I have one pony that has great feet but he is also a whimp. When I take him on even a pepply  (I just made up that word!) trail, he is always searching for a softer route. This sometimes causes my knees to get bumped against trees!

How you are using your horse makes a difference as well. A horse that rarely leaves the arena (assuming the surface is not so sandy that it rubs off too much hoof) probably won't need shoes. If you just ride on soft, grass covered rolling hills and don't need the extra grip that a calkin or wedge on the heel of a shoe would provide (hunter use these) then you can probably go barefoot.

Kit, my main trail horse, is shod. His front shoes have a 3 degree wedge pad to help tilt the coffin bone enough to prevent further navicular (click on that to learn more about navicular.) The back feet are shod in the summer when I am up in very Rocky Mountains. (They get their name for some reason you know!)

Jazz is never shod. I usually ride him in the arena and only take him on a trail when I know the footing is good.

Hardy is also never shod. I jump him a lot but he doesn't have problems slipping. When I take him to the mountains, I have EZ boots for him.

So how do you decide? The way I see it, there are three people who need to make this decision: You, Your Horse (yes, a "people") and your farrier. If you are having problems without shoes...try shoes. If you are having problems with shoes, try without. Or, perhaps shoes part of the year, barefoot part of the year.

So, I hope something I wrote will be helpful even if I didn't give you any definitive answer. Keep your horse happy and healthy!

Send me the story of your noble and great horse. I also like pictures! Send it to: www.mjevansbtm@gmail.com

Get your own copy of Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness...the horse-lover's fantasy.

Click here: 

www.behindthemist.com

WONDERFUL REVIEW FOR BEHIND THE MIST

If you haven't yet been convinced to read Behind the Mist, perhaps this wonderful review by Brainfood Bookstore in Longmont, CO will do the trick. This appeared in their March Newsletter.

New Book Reviews

Behind the Mist
by Margi Evans

Behind the Mist is an enchanting read that warms the heart and demonstrates the true power of love. This fantasy transpires in the land of unicorns, where these marvelous creatures roam free and magic is everywhere. This is not your average fantasy, but a tale with true morality much needed for today's youth.

Travel with Nick, an experienced Colorado trail-rider, and jazz, a seasoned show horse, as they explore the land of Celestia on their journey to join the legion of the unicorn. Celestia is a land full of magic, beauty, and danger, with surprises and trials for our dual protagonists along every step of the way. Nick and Jazz must trust in each other and banish their fears to let the power of love conquer all. Evans illustrates with ease, the unique powerful bond of a horse and their rider. With detail rich storytelling, anyone with a love for horses will be instantly hooked and everyone else will quickly fall for their charm.

An easy read that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages Evans constructs a world that engages all five senses and creates a sense of yearning for this perfect world. Evans displays her mastery of setting in her debut novel and inspires the imagination. Diverse vocabulary and numerous references to historical artists give Behind the Mist an educational edge lacking in common fantasy. Subtle Christian morals make this an uplifting tale much needed to bring light back into the darkened pages of the currently popular young adult books. Take a journey, go for a ride, and experience the magical world of Behind the Mist.

If you live near Longmont, Colorado, go in and visit this wonderful store. While you are there, pick up your own copy of Behind the Mist and Mists of Darkness.

OR

You can save $1 off the retail price AND get an autographed copy by going to the website: www.behindthemist.com. Both books are also available on all online sites and in ebook format.

MAN O' WAR - Greatest Horse of the 20th Century

I only know of one horse for whom a heavy metal band was named! Actually, I don't listen to heavy metal bands but I thought it was fun to make the connection with one of the most famous horses of all time. The second scene in Mists of Darkness-Book Two of the Mist Trilogy takes place at Churchill Downs when the evil unicorn Hasbadana sends his oppressive mist to the famous race track to "invite" horses to join his army. So, in honor of Mists of Darkness's impending release, I decided to do another blog post about a famous race horse...clearly one of the noble and great horses that is surely a unicorn now.

Man o' War was born in Lexington, Kentucky on March 29th, 1917. His owner and breeder was August Belmont, Jr. (1851-1924.) The Belmont Stakes had been named after his father. At the age of 65, August Belmont, Jr. joined the U.S. Army to fight in France during World War I. The foal was born while he was away and Mrs. Belmont named it Man o' War in honor of her husband's brave service for his country.

Upon returning from the war, August decided that he was done with the horse racing business and Man o' War was sold at the Saratoga Yearling Auction in 1918 for $5,000. The buyer was Samuel Riddle. The beautiful yearling proved to be a very wise purchase. With Jockey Johnny Loftus riding, Man o' War won 9 our of 10 races as a two-year-old. In those days, there were no starting gates. All of the  horses circled around behind a piece of webbing that was stretched across the track. When the "barrier" as it was called was lifted, the horses started running. In his one loss, it has been reported that Loftus had Man o' War facing the wrong direction when the barrier was lifted and the rest of the field got a big head start on him.

As a three-year-old, Man o' War was 16 and a half hands tall and weighed 1,150 pounds. Clarence Kummen became his new jockey when Loftus was denied a renewal of his license by the Jockey Club. Man o' War was not entered in the Kentucky Derby because his wise owner thought he was too young to go the 1 and 1/4 mile long race. If you have been reading my blog long, you know how I feel about racing these horses at such a young age. Anyway, Man o' War went on to obliterate all of the other horses he raced against until, by the end of the season, no one wanted to race him.

His final race was in Canada against the previous year's Triple Crown winner (though they didn't call it that back then,) Sir Barton. Man o' War won easily.

Man o' War won 20 out of his 21 races and broke numerous world, American and track records. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and the Hall of Fame in 1957. The AP ranked Man o' War as the greatest horse of the 20th Century.

Man o'War retired in Kentucky and sired many fabulous horses. He died on Nov. 1, 1947 at the age of 30.

SEND ME THE STORY OF YOUR NOBLE AND GREAT HORSE. 

Write to me at mjevansbtm@gmail.com