Finding Violet, wins Young Adult, International WINNIE Award at the 2020 EQUUS Film Festival11/30/2020
I have some great news, the third book, Finding Violet has won the International Young Adult WINNIE award from the 2020 EQUUS Film Festival, which took place virtually this year. Proud to see Finding Violet showcased amongst some wonderful horse films and books! You can learn more here. I really can't wait to watch some of the films, particularly the Totilas film! Check them out here.   Introducing a new 'Lockdown Reading' initiative with British Young Rider, Alanna Clarke, of Horse Chat Hour. She will begin reading Sweetbriars, Leaving The City - the first book in the Sweetbriars series beginning from Monday the 20th April. She will read a chapter each day. This is an initiative to connect and entertain young riders and horse enthusiasts during a tricky time. To tune in, you can find out all the details via Facebook or Youtube @Alannaclarkeequestrian. Enjoy! xx   Check out our little interview with our new cover star and aspiring dressage rider Tyler Russell. Tyler introduces us to her gorgeous dressage pony Lady and her Dutch Warmblood Bolly. She also tells us about some of the successes she's had and what motivates her for riding! When I was introduced to Tyler by Paul Ruffle, the equestrian photographer, she was exactly how I imagined the Sweetbriars character Violet to look! So I was thrilled when I was able to use such a beautiful photo of Tyler with Lady, on the third book cover, Finding Violet.
Read the interview here: https://www.sweetbriarsfarm.com/meet-tyler-fairlady.html Feeling proud. Received my trophy for 'Best Young Adult Fiction,' from the EQUUS Film Festival for Tabby's Big Year. What I'm most proud of though is achieving my goal to write a book from each of my main character's point of view. Especially as I embarked on this creative journey after having a first baby and we also moved country. So a bit going on! Sometimes I was beyond exhausted but I kept on going... plugging along and I think that each book got better, especially as I got more into the characters and the world of Sweetbriars. I also learnt a mountain of stuff. Feeling thankful to everyone that helped me along the way... other equestrian authors have been amazing, friends and family who bought my books, to people who don't know me and took the time to read my books and also to the amazing people that wrote reviews - even if short and sweet, I sincerely appreciate it. Countless hours go into these books and moments like this make it worth it!   Pretty exciting! Tabby's Big Year, the second book in the Sweetbriars series won the Best Young Adult Fiction award at the 2019 EQUUS Film Festival - which took place recently at the Kentucky Horse Park in the USA. I'm so pleased to win this award... especially as the EQUUS Film Festival honours artists, filmmakers and authors who honour the horse. How cool is that?! You can learn more about the EQUUS Film Festival here www.equusfilmfestival.net
Another great review for Tabby's Big Year from Horse & Hound. "This book is charmingly written, a very engaging read, and I would recommend it to almost everyone!"   What age did you begin riding? 7 years old
What is your dream horse like? My dream horse would be either an Arab or an Akhal-Teke for breed and a sweet temperament with a cheeky, lively attitude. What’s your favourite thing about your pony Frankie? My favourite thing about Frankie is his lovable, cheeky character and the fact that he can always make me smile, whether he’s escaped from his head collar {one of his favorite tricks] and is munching away at the hay pile with that pleased expression on his face or has heard me coming with his breakfast and tells the whole world about it with his squeals. What is your favorite horse memory? Ooh, that’s a hard one! There are so many good ones! It’s probably between my first canter and when Frankie came to live with us. How often do you ride each week? Depends. I work on Fridays at a local stable which comes with a riding lesson but that’s the only constant. Normally about 3 or 4 times a week. Do you get lessons with your pony or go to pony club? I have one lesson a week on Friday at the riding school on their horses and I go to pony club there. How do you juggle school, friends and riding? I normally come back from school and spend time with the horses before doing any homework later on. I really only see my friends at school as they live quite far away. However, when they do come around, they’re normally forced to help out. I have tried to get them into horses but with no success! What motivates you to ride? The main reason I ride is because I love horses and developing a bond with them. It’s such an amazing feeling when the horse responds to your lightest touch and you find yourself dancing across the arena. My ambition is to have complete harmony between me and the horse with nothing to control it with apart from my voice. What are you most proud of in regard to riding? The thing I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come with regards to riding different types of horses. When I first started I was on the lunge on a handsome cob called Richard who was the calmest, good willed horse you could think of. Now I can ride all the cobs from schoolmaster Indie, who is currently teaching me how to have a strong leg yield to the newest member, Lady, who is teaching me to not give in when it gets hard. A few years ago I couldn’t have ridden any of them and the fact I can is due to my great instructor, Janice. What is the hardest thing you have experienced in regard to riding / or horses? The hardest part in riding for me is getting back on after a bad experience and getting my confidence back. I’m getting better at it but it can still be a challenge. What might other young riders be surprised to learn about you? When I started riding on Richard the cob, everyone used to call me Richard’s little pea as I was way too small for him and could hardly reach his tummy to kick him on. Nevertheless, he took good care of me and I have now grown into him. What is your favourite part of the new Sweetbriars book, Tabby’s Big Year? My favourite part was when Tabby rescued Nancy from the meat yard. I was cheering her on all the way! Who is your favourite character? My favourite character is definitely Tabby, although I like Violet’s funny quirks. What are your hopes and aspirations for the next 5 years in regard to riding? We have recently acquired two new mares {funnily enough, both are palominos}. Both have had little handling and were only broken in last Christmas. Although it will take a lot of work, I’m hoping to train up my mare, Massenet, to become a nice ride and build up a bond. As with Frankie, my main aim is to be able to hack out without him having a breakdown when a rabbit crosses his path. Yes, it has happened! |
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November 2020
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