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Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
by Susan Count
Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
Middle-Grade Horse Novel
Reading age : 8 – 12 years
6th in Series
Publisher : Hastings Creations Group (October 8, 2024)
Hardcover : 190 pages
ISBN-10 : 1952371201
ISBN-13 : 978-1952371202
Digital ASIN : B0DGS287C7
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Will what the pony needs break Hannah’s heart?
Freckles can’t be convinced to trot sometimes, and even though that’s fine with Hannah, she suspects something must be wrong with the pony. The barn manager thinks it’s time to retire him, so the vet is called and tests are run.
But Hannah enjoys being with Freckles even if they only walk down the trails.
She ignores the facts. When all her efforts to help him fail, she tries desperately to write a happy ending to her pony story.
Will she have to put on her big girl breeches and let Freckles take his own trail, or is she the real problem?
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Enjoy this peek inside:
Riding into the forest was like stepping into a magical wonderland. Hannah tilted her head back to enjoy the activity in the tree canopy. A cardinal family chattered and fluttered through the branches. “What’s your story today? Do you worry about anything? Life for you is finding something to eat and not get eaten.”
“You talking to me ’cause I can’t hear you?” As Grace trotted up beside them, her ponytail bounced on her back.
“Just wondering if the birds could write a story, what it would be.”
“They spend their day hunting for food. It would be a boring story. Imagine—I flew to the ground and ate a bug. Then I flew to my branch and looked for another bug.” Grace used her most dramatic voice.
“But then! A mean cat leapt from the brush, and I narrowly escaped with my life.” Hannah wiggled about in the saddle. “Now, it’s not boring.”
“No. It’s still boring and very short.” Grace urged Preacher to walk out, and in two strides, he was in the lead.
“I signed up for writing composition this term, so maybe I’ll learn how to write more interesting stories.”
Grace called over her shoulder. “You’re going to make me read them all, aren’t you?”
“Oh, would you?” Hannah mocked. A moment later, she felt herself falling. She threw her arms around her pony’s neck. She heaved a deep breath and righted herself in the saddle. Were her eyes closed just now? Did Grace notice? Grace seemed occupied with her pony.
“He’s too nervous up front. I’m going to put him back behind Freckles again. Summer is just too short. I’m sad school is starting already.”
“It was our best summer ever. Me and Freckles. You and Preacher. I should write a story about our summer.”
“It would make a journal entry, but not a story. You know why?”
“You’re going to tell me so, go ahead.” Stopping short of rolling her eyes, Hannah repositioned the ball of her foot in the stirrup.
“Because nothing bad happened all summer—everything was perfect, great, wonderful, the best.”
“I get the idea, but I like good stories.”
“You mean, you like happy endings. Without terrible, bad things happening to your character, a story is boring.”
“I don’t see it that way. Anyway, I had no idea you knew so many story-writing rules.”
Grace puffed up her lungs with hot air. “I’m talented!”
“And humble.”
“Want to trot?”
“I’ll ask Freckles, but he’s not been wanting to lately. I’m happy to just walk.” Hannah gathered her reins and squeezed her legs against his side. When Freckles ignored her, she heaved a deep breath as she lightly flicked the persuader strap from one of his shoulders to the other. His head came up, and he began to trot without enthusiasm or energy.
Grace kept Preacher behind Freckles, but the trot faded away after a few strides. “Can’t he go any farther? This slow trot is so smooth. It’s great for Preacher to learn to trot that slow.”
“I don’t think he can. He can walk if he wants—I’m okay with it. I don’t feel like trotting either. Guess I’m kinda tired anyway.”
“Makes you wonder if he doesn’t feel good or if he hurts somewhere.”
“He’s fine. He’s never had much go. Remember when Abby told us about the time Glory disappeared? She tried to follow Glory but couldn’t get Freckles to trot for anything. Boy, was she mad. But that’s who he is.”
“Guess you’re right.”
“Isn’t that the best sound ever?” Hannah twisted in the saddle so she could see Grace.
“Sound?”
“You know. The ponies’ hooves on the ground. I love the thud they make. I love it on concrete too.”
Grace pulled on one rein and circled Preacher when he got too close to Freckles. “He’s going slower and slower. Let’s head back before Freckles needs a nap. Maybe I’ll ride Preacher in the round pen.”
Freckles wasn’t the only one who needed a nap. Hannah needed one too. She’d been asking and asking the pony to walk out, and he was having none of it. At least they were almost back to the barn. She was exhausted from pumping her legs and actively asking him to please walk. Then he stopped completely, and none of her urging could get him to take another step.
She slipped from the saddle and laid her head on his neck. “It’s okay, boy. I understand. I’m tired too. What do you say we just walk together?”
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About Susan Count
Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.
She prefers to create stories in a quiet zone. Out her window, her mind wanders through the forest and keeps her in a grateful, contented state of being. Susan writes at a fabulous antique desk that has secret compartments filled with memories, mysteries, and story ideas. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers and Alliance for Independent Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously.
Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. She is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.
You are invited to saddle up and ride along. www. susancount.com
E-mail a comment: susancountauthor@yahoo.com Hearing from readers is a great delight and encourages
me to keep writing.
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