<< Back to previous page

JANUARY 2020 Story and Poem Contest Rules: Winning stories and poems will be published in Pony Pals Magazine. All entries must be original, meaning that the member who enters them must have written the text. To be eligible the story or poem must have a horse or pony in it someplace. Stories should be suitable for all ages, including younger members. All entries published in the Magazine will earn 500 Wiggins Bucks, the best stories and poems will earn 3000 Wiggins bucks and trophy for the writer. Pony writer quills are awarded every day, remember to quit the scavenger hunt and restart it after you get your quill to earn a higher score. Jane Crandal & JB

JANUARY 2020 Story and Poem Contest Rules: Winning stories and poems will be published in Pony Pals Magazine. All entries must be original, meaning that the member who enters them must have written the text. To be eligible the story or poem must have a horse or pony in it someplace. Stories should be suitable for all ages, including younger members. All entries published in the Magazine will earn 500 Wiggins Bucks, the best stories and poems will earn 3000 Wiggins bucks and trophy for the writer. Pony writer quills are awarded every day, remember to quit the scavenger hunt and restart it after you get your quill to earn a higher score. Jane Crandal & JB	Jane Crandal & JB
2019-12-31 19:58:30
My 14 year old sister had owned her new horse, her first horse, a whopping two whole months. She was very new to horses. So new, in fact, that she only had a few measly hours of riding experience under her belt. She thought the world of her new mare. It was all very exciting. A mix of pure joy and fear. You know what I'm talking about. The thrill of actually owning your own horse. Not a rental horse, not a lesson horse, but your very own living breathing real live horse...injected with bouts of fear.We're talking about the multitude of fears a new-to-horses person has to overcome. Fear of falling off, fear of being kicked or stepped on, worry about weather or not you are picking their feet correctly, or hurting their mouth with the bit, or getting your saddle screwed on too tight or too loose, or knowing how to stop, or argue with a horse that won't do as you say....and the fear of riding in scary places. Namely steep narrow trails and big down hill slopes.Or in my sisters case, our neighbors steep paved driveway... At the time, we did not yet own a horse trailer. All of our riding took place right from our front yard and into our neighborhood. We took the same boring roads, ride after ride. One dirt road in particular was a favorite because it had the least traffic. Well, our favorite, not my sisters mare. The poor horse was getting very bored with it all to say the least. In protest she would try to turn back at every driveway. At every driveway my sister and her horse would have an argument; horse fighting to turn back and rider fighting to press on.My sister would get frustrated and angry and especially mad at me as I would calmly give verbal directions and watch her struggle from the comfort of my own saddle. As if her problems where all my fault! You see, we viewed things completely differently. What she saw as an annoying interruption in our ride, I saw as a training opportunity. These weren't rides. They were riding lessons. And it was high time she learned to control her horse in all circumstances.On this occasion my sister was loosing the battle with her horse. Her mare turned and sidestepped all the way up the long, very steep, paved driveway. I watched patiently giving the usual verbal instruction until they disappeared around the bend. Not wanting to loose sight of them, I followed on up.They had come to the top of the driveway and my sister was fit to be tied. Did I mention my daughter has a temper? Especially when she's scared? Well you might have guessed it, being that she was right smack dab in the middle of those awful puberty years....heaven help us! At the top of the driveway sat my daughter with a death grip on the reins and saddle horn. If looks could kill I would have been blasted right out of the saddle.KATHRYN!" she screamed, "I don't feel physically or emotionally safe!"Now, I don't know what she expected me to say, but what I did do was burst out laughing. Apparently that was the wrong response. "KATHRYN!" she shrieked ,"Don't laugh at me! I'm serious! I don't feel physically or emotionally safe!""What are you talking about? Where did you come up with that?" "That's what they teach us at school. So I'm telling you now, I don't feel physically or emotionally safe! She's going to fall. She can't walk down this! I'm going to get off and walk back!" Now she had my full attention. Are you kidding me? Here you have a person thrown into a situation that calls for a clear head and swift decisive action and she's busy spewing verbal garbage about how she feels about it all? Is this how they are teaching kids at school these days? To handle pressure in the midst of a situation by talking about their feelings?!There is a time for talking and a time for doing. When you're on a horse, talking and book learning doesn't cut it. It's all physical baby. And emotional, because I was getting a little hot under the collar at my daughters cop-out response to a situation that she had blown way out of proportion. "Don't you dare get off that horse!" I barked. "Mind your feet, your seat and your hands and the rest will take care of itself. These horses are perfectly capable of walking down this hill. It's time you put a little faith in your horse. Let loose of that saddle horn and mind your reins!" "No Kathryn, I'm scared, I'm getting off!"Now my inner Equine Trainer was in full swing. "Stop whining and get a grip on yourself...NOW!" "But Kathryn..." she shrieked. "SHUT UP AND RIDE!" I bellowed. Together we rode the horses down the steep driveway. Once at the bottom I watched all the tension drain from her body. I shot her a big smile, "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" I said gently,"I knew you could do it. Now make her continue up the road..." Several months later....... We were on a trail ride deep in the woods. Now it's wasn't just the two of us, but her younger friends sisters were riding their own horses too. "Kathryn? Do you remember when I was so scared to ride down that stupid little hill?" "Yes dear."I'm sure glad you made me do it anyway." "Um hm..." "When are my friends going to quit being such babies? I'm sick of it! They're afraid of every little thing...the little whiners!"Give 'em time. They'll learn." "Hey ,Kathryn guess what Nicole said at school.......blah, blah, blah...." After a full 10 minutes of non-stop teenage blathering.... Hey kid, my little darling dear... will you please...please... just shut up and ride?"	Equestrian_ForLife & Lizzy
2020-01-02 04:15:37
Five Star Ranch by Adeline HC The truck and trailer bumped down the road, it’s lively hum breaking the stillness of the hot, summer day. The truck was neither impressive, nor glamorous, but it could get any ranch job or errand done. The horse trailer held no precious cargo at the moment, but it would soon. Right now, Amy Michaels was on her way to Fairview Ranch to pick up a trainee. Amy sang along with the song on the radio. She didn’t care if she was out of tune, she felt good. And nothing would make her lose her happy mood. It wasn’t every day she got to go pick up a horse. She usually stayed on the ranch. Technically, her sister, Saige, was the trainer and was the one that picked up the horses that needed her training. But, today, she had been busy with a veterinarian visit. All of the animals were receiving their vaccinations, and one horse that she was currently training was sensitive to needles. So, she’d stayed to help, and had asked Amy to go pick up the horse. Amy hadn’t been off Five Star Ranch for almost two weeks, except for going to church. Her mind wandered, her eyes looking blankly at the road. “You should get out more,” her other sister Ori had told her a couple of days ago. “If you don’t, you’ll probably turn into a hermit.” Well, at least that won’t become a reality. Finally, she was out and about. Amy looked into the rearview mirror, and flashing lights met her eyes. Oh, great! She pulled over. Saige is going to kill you. She turned the truck off. You’re a terrible driver. She placed her hands on the steering wheel. Maybe it’s better I become a hermit. David Shepherd walked up to the passenger side window. At church, David was a kind neighbor friend, and but when David wore his official uniform he was a deputy sheriff with responsibilities, a man that had sworn to an oath to keep the law and order in the fair town of Fish Creek. He was still a friend, but one that could arrest her. “Hello, Amy.” He said, tipping his black cowboy hat. “I was expecting Saige to be driving with the horse trailer. This is the first I’ve pulled you over.” “This is my first time, too. So, what do I do? You need the vehicle registration papers, right? And the insurance papers?” Amy wondered. “Well, first things first,” he cleared his throat. “The reason I pulled you over was that the lights on your trailer aren’t working. No break lights could cause an accident, Amy.” David said. Amy winced. “I’m sorry.” “Relax. That can be fixed. Now, I will need the vehicle's papers, your truck’s insurance, and your driver’s license.” David said. “They’re in that compartment.” David waited patiently as she fiddled to open the compartment door. After a while, he said, “Did you unlock it?” Amy looked up. “Unlock it?” Well, you’re not the brightest bulb in the bunch. Amy thought. No doubt, David thought the same thing. After she finally got it open, she handed him the papers. “Are there any animals in the trailer?” David asked. “No.” “Great. Now, wait here, while I look these over.” David walked back to his patrol car. Amy covered her eyes, leaning against the steering wheel. You could have, at least, checked the lights before you so eagerly left the ranch! She scolded herself. She gripped the steering wheel as if it was the only thing that could keep her from going to prison. A first driving offense was the worst kind, right? How could she be such an idiot? David tapped on the door. “Well, everything looks in order. I’m going to let you go with a warning. But, first, I’m going to check to see if the trailer is connected.” “Are you allowed to do that?” Amy stared at him. “Shouldn’t you keep on keeping the peace?” David looked at her, his eyebrow raised. “Well, I don’t have to check it.” “Okay, sorry, I was just wondering. You can check it. Do you need help?” Amy said. She should learn just to accept help and run with it. But, no, she had to open her big mouth! “Thanks, but no. If your lights aren’t working after I’m done, though, you should probably head to a mechanic.” David said. “I will do that,” Amy promised, nodding. He went to the back of the truck and fiddled with some wires. After that, he walked to the back of the trailer. He called to Amy, “Try it now.” She turned the key, and the truck rumbled back to life. She pressed the brakes. David gave her a thumbs up and made a shewing motion. I guess that means it’s working. “Thanks, Dave!” Amy yelled to him. She pulled back out onto the road. Relief overwhelmed her. She let out a deep breath. Don’t beat yourself up about it, but next, check that the trailer’s hooked up. You’ve been living on a farm for how long? Yeah, exactly. Now, remember that. Amy drove away the thoughts that fought in her mind, and just concentrated on driving. No need to be pulled over twice.	Adeline HC & Esprit Ellis
2020-01-02 20:46:35
Most people only dream of true love…. I lived it. When I was fourteen, my Mother let me adopt a wild Mustang from the Bureau of Land Management. We drove three and a half hours inland to the holding corrals in Susanville, California. Each corral held dozens of nervous Mustangs milling about like a school of fish avoiding prey. Immediately I spotted a beautiful black stallion in the bunch. Mom said no. “Come look at this little bay over here,” she said. “ I've been watching her. Not too aggressive, not too fearful….and look at those legs.” She was pretty! A signature on the dotted line and a fifteen dollar fee later, she was mine. 20 months old and very underweight, I could hide my fingers between her ribs under that dried out matted coat. Skinny chest, narrow hips and legs that seemed too long she was like a big awkward puppy. She grew. By the time she was three I was riding her all over the neighborhood and into town. Mostly bareback, sometimes with a saddle. She continued to grow. She had a case of the long tall skinnys, like you see with teenage boys in High School. By the time she was six years old she was a twelve hundred forty five pound, sixteen hand tall powerhouse. That’s five foot, three inches too the top of her shoulder. Her chest and hip had filled out. Not the big bulky Quarter Horse kind of muscles, but the long lean Thoroughbred kind. Deep chest and legs a mile long, I was riding her everywhere. We had to ride over the Highway 101 overpass to get into town. It was the only way to the candy store. After all, a girl has got to get her chocolate fix! Diesel trucks, motorcycles, traffic, dogs, chainsaws…she feared nothing. We used to joke that she would make a great prospect for the New York Mounted Police. But she didn't belong in New York City. She belonged with me; riding the trails, beaches and backwoods of Northern California. We spent countless hours riding, exploring every nook and cranny; trespassing private properties I never told my Mother about….barrel racing, parades, trail rides, pack trips…. we did it all. I went to her when I was happy. I went to her when I was bored. I went to her crying my eyes out with teenage injustices. She was a good listener. She was my best friend. She was perfect. She was more than perfect. As far as I’m concerned, she was the most beautiful creature on four legs to ever walk the Earth.	Equestrian_ForLife & Lizzy
2020-01-03 03:36:35
Loss An emotional poem By: Wind drummer Love and loss Hope is all gone You listened You loved You lived In light Of everything That happened In your Life You were by My side Through thick And thin Though fire Though rain Though hail Though storming You were my rock My shelter My hideout My outlet Someone to tell My innermost Feelings And thoughts Inside and out Not just my horse My hope My home My dream You were Everything To me And you And those three Next door I would do anything And Everything To have you back But all I can do Now Is say goodbye Forever And I'll Look back Someday And remember your face When fears And tears Were falling Down mine And your Soft whisper In my ear To love And to lose Is better Than having Never loved at all And I'll come to the end with this No matter what, I will always say This is My greatest loss	Wind drummer & Renaria
2020-01-05 06:20:02
Dreams.They can sometimes be worthless and never come true.But that's what I thought until I met Joey.I didn't learn much about riding from trainers or live clinics,it mostly was my family's collection of horse books.I used to actually think I could own a horse while living in suburbian Maryland,but I discovered-or rather,was told-we couldn't. By and by I watched my sisters get their dreams and thought:Why are Horses so expensive?But THAT was before the big move.We bought a home in the country,purchased a goat and a chicken or two,and gradually settled down to the country way of living. And then Joey came along.I was out walking the dog when I heard shouting and frightened horse squeals.A large man and what looked to be his son were forcing a horse out of a shed, which was next to a large arena,lined with hot wire.The horse was a deep bay,and when he squealed again I caught sight of his teeth.I figured from his teeth he was about three.The men finally got the horse out to the arena.The son disapeared and came back with a well-groomed horse and a lasso.The man mounted and charged his mount toward the other horse.The bay reared and bolted.The other horse kept chase and then threw the lasso at the bay hind legs.The rope tightened and Joey-oh,great-I named him already-fell to the floor with a thud. "Hmm,"The son said with a wicked grin,"Starving him helped."I watched them loose the lasso,load the other horse into a trailer and drive away,leaving Joey lying in the dust. YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL FEBRUARY FOR THE NEXT PART OF THIS STORY.	Kaya Stone & My Pony
2020-01-13 01:32:25
First Horse Your first horse Is your first true friend Your first horse Is with you till the end Even after all is said and done Your first Horse is still with you Saying goodbye is hard Because you can never truly let go	nightsong & Dream Catcher
2020-01-26 23:33:04