* * * *
Wednesday, December 18th, 3:30 p.m.
Today, while I groomed, saddled, and bridled up Aladdin, I shared my plans with him. I was going to ride him for the entire class. We only had four more days until the official Shamrock Stable Holiday Party on horseback. We had a lot of work to do if I expected him to be ready to participate in all the games. “There’s no reason why you can’t do it,” I told him between pieces of carrot. “You just have to concentrate. We have time, and if you’re not ready by this Sunday, then we’ll do it next year.”
He nosed me, and I handed over another treat. “F is for focus. That’s the secret.”
I led him out to the indoor arena. Jack sat on the bleachers watching us. I took Aladdin a bit closer. He snorted, pinned his ears, and stomped a front hoof.
“Manners are nice,” I told the horse, tugging gently on the reins to get his attention. “Jack isn’t the guy who hurt you, so quit hassling him.”
“Got that right.” Jack offered up a carrot and after a moment, Aladdin took the goodie.
“Don’t get used to the vacation.” I rested an elbow on the rail and smiled at Jack. “I’m going to need your help with the next horse.”
“I’m always here for you.”
“Right answer,” I said. “I’m liking ‘always.’ It’s my favorite word, and you’re my favorite guy.”
About the Author
Shannon lives and works at her family business, Horse Country Farm, just outside of Granite Falls in Washington State. Teaching kids to ride and know about horses since 1967, she finds in many cases, she's taught three generations of families. Her life experiences span adventures from dealing cards in a casino, attending graduate school to get her Masters in Teaching degree, being a substitute teacher, and serving in the Army Reserve - all leading to her second career as a published author. Visit her at her website, www.shannonkennedybooks.com to learn about her books.
Shamrock Stable Series
Book 1: No Horse Wanted
Book 2: No Time for Horses
Coming Soon
Book 3: Nothing But Horses
Deck the Stalls, a Shamrock Stable Holiday Novella
Coming Soon!
Nothing But Horses
Book 3 of the Shamrock Stable Series
If the going gets tough, the tough exit stage left. Before, her life was nothing but horses. Now, sixteen-year-old Sierra has a new car, (new to her), a new puppy, a new school, a new coach and a new basketball team. She doesn’t realize that she brought the same old pattern with her into this ‘new’ life. She still doesn’t have any patience for stupid people who are a waste of time, space and oxygen. This includes her team-mates, the other members of her ‘teens at risk’ therapy group and the wanta-be cowboys or customers at the family riding stable.
When she and her 4-H leader come to an angry parting of the ways, Sierra decides her mother should start a new riding club at Shamrock Stable for Sierra and her friends. Her mother agrees on one condition. Sierra needs to develop patience and tolerance for two-legged people, not just the four-legged critters she loves. It’s an uphill struggle, but once she gives her word, Sierra’s determined to keep it. She will learn to ‘be nice’ to stupid people even if it makes her crazy. Of course, she didn’t plan on the senior who wants to take her to the Spring Fling or her mom’s new fiancé.
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from Fire and Ice Young Adult Books
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Piper and Addie, looking for another horse, find the perfect one in Nickel, but discover the owner is part of a gang of criminals. Nickel's life is in danger. Can the girls save him from the slaughterhouse? Will they be able to save their friends and family as the vicious criminals take revenge?
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Robin figures she'll nurse him back to health, sell him and have the money for her car. Rescuing and rehabilitating the Morab gelding might be a bigger challenge than what she planned. He comes between her and her family. He upsets her friends when she looks after his needs first. Is he just an investment or is he part of her future? And if she lets him into her heart will she win or will she lose?
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A rogue. An outlaw. An unlikely hero. Viking is the sole offspring of a savage and vicious mare. The colt is the pride of the stable until his dam kills a groom in her stall. Viking is a painful reminder of the tragedy, and so he is sold off.
The black colt has a coarse face and a mean curl to his nostrils, but he is beautifully proportioned with magnificent gaits. With his teeth and thick weapon of a tail, Viking brutalizes everyone who handles him and humiliates the best trainers in the world until Anne O'Neil from the United States tries him.
The first time she rides him, she declares that she will not buy him if he was the last apple in the barrel. The second time, she rides him with a different philosophy, as if he is as sensitive as one of her Thoroughbreds, and she is amazed by the results. Kindness and sugar turn out to be the keys to Viking's heart. Viking and Anne become rising stars until a cruel and brutal trainer seeks to crush his spirit.
A Horse Named Viking follows the life journey of an incredible, unforgettable horse.
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