10th Anniversary Beloved Horses Book Tour

This fall marks the 10th Anniversary of my Beloved School Horses. I wrote this collection of true short stories after we closed our Unicorn Stables, which ran from 1975 to 2000. It started in Langhorne, PA then 20 years in Salisbury, MD and finally Honesdale, PA.

I wanted to share my memories of the wonderful horses and ponies that provided safe, educational and fun riding lessons/horse shows/vaulting/ocean swimming/picnic trail rides/pony rides for all my students. Each story is a glimpse into the life of horses such as Farewell (the Morgan on the cover), Sonny the vaulting horse, Sandy Mae the Palomino show pony and Mini the sweet Shetland pony.

Sketches from old photographs are included in the 20 stories.

The Book Tour begins October 27 from Tampa and ends November 9, with stops at Apple Brook Farm in Cookstown, NJ, Toll Booth Saddlery in Mt. Holly, NJ, Shady Maple Amish Buffet in Lancaster, PA, Lee's Riding Stable/Windfield Morgan Farm in Litchfield, CT (where I began my equestrian career and where Farewell was foaled), Chicks Saddlery in Harrington, DE and the final stop in Charleston, SC.

See more about my books at my website: http://sharonminer.com/

Spot has Crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Due to beloved Spot's sudden passing today, my scheduled event on Nov. 1st there has been cancelled. We will always cherish the memories of the Paint Horse on the cover of Beloved Horses in Second Careers.

By Greenwell Foundation:

 

It is with sadness that we share that our friend, Spot, crossed the rainbow bridge. We tried to count how many people were touched by this amazing horse. We could not.

He was beautiful, strong, sometimes stubborn, always patient, never too naughty. Our friend is pain free now and at peace.

Spot's registered name was Lucky Leo. But the truth is we are the lucky ones.

Please help us remember Spot by sharing your stories....

Somewhere...somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some Paradise where horses go.
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
-- Stanley Harrison

Rest in Peace, friend.
Spot 1989 - 2014

Returning to Greenwell Foundation Stable!

On Saturday, November 1st, I'll be visiting the Greenwell Foundation Stable in southern Maryland once again. The event is to celebrate both my 10^th Anniversary of my Beloved Horses Series and Spot’s 25^th year. I'll be reading Spot’s story which is included in Beloved Horses in Second Careers, the fourth book in the series.

Spot is a Paint Horse who foaled in Texas in 1989 and was first trained as a reining horse before becoming a Pony Club mount for Caitlyn Keyes in Maryland. After Spot could no longer show in the jumping events, Keyes decided to donate him to the Greenwell Foundation. In Spot’s third career he blossomed as a therapeutic riding mount providing a safe ride for the program participants. Now, in his 25^th year, he is enjoying retirement at Greenwell.

I interviewed Caitlyn via email about Spot. In 2010, after Beloved Horses in Second Careers was released, I was invited to Greenwell to meet Caitlyn, Spot and his riders in person. Spot was as handsome and as friendly as I wrote about in my book!

On November 1^st from 10 am until noon, I'll share Spot’s story and sell signed copies of all my books, discounted to $12.00 each. Spot will be there to share in the dual celebration.

A raffle to benefit the foundation will also be held and will feature a set of the five Beloved Horses books, and valued at $60. Smaller equine novelties will be given to other winners. Tickets will be $5 each, or five tickets for $20. The drawing will be held at noon, and participants need not be present to win as long as they can return to the stable to pick up the prizes during normal business hours.

Greenwell offers a comprehensive equestrian program including a horseback riding program as well as their Therapeutic Riding Program, which is a Center Member of PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Greenwell’s Director of Equestrian Programs and lead instructor, Julie Raley, is a PATH International Certified Instructor. Greenwell is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization located in southern Maryland at 25420 Rosedale Manor Lane
Hollywood, Maryland and more information can be found on their website at http://greenwellfoundation.org/