Appaloosa: A breed of horse most recognized by its several distinctive spotted coat patterns. The breed was developed in the 1700s by the Nez Perce tribe of Native Americans, and is popular to this day in Western riding and many other disciplines. It is the official state horse of Idaho.
cross rail: A type of jump in which two poles are crisscrossed to form an X. Cross rails are often used for horses and riders who are just learning to jump, due to their (usually) low height and inviting shape.
flat class: There are various types of flat classes at different types of horse shows; however, in a hunter show like the one in this book, a flat class could also be called an “under saddle” class. It’s a group class in which horses are judged on the quality of their gaits (walk, trot, and canter). At a student show, the judge might also take a horse’s manners and suitability into account.
hunter competition: A type of English horse show in which horses are judged on their form over fences and quality of movement. Hunter classes were originally developed to show off horses used for fox hunting, though there is little overlap between modern American show hunters and field hunters.
mounting block: This term can refer to any object a rider steps onto to mount a horse, from a specially made step-shaped block to a stump, boulder, or truck tailgate. While many riders can and do mount directly from the ground, a mounting block helps to minimize wear and tear on the horse’s back as well as the rider’s tack.
opening circle: Sometimes called a “hunter circle” or “courtesy circle,” this is when a horse and rider trot and/or canter a circle before beginning a course of jumps. It helps to establish the proper pace for the round.
paddock: In the United States and Canada, this term usually refers to a relatively small enclosure for horses. A larger enclosure would normally be called a pasture.
saddle seat: This is a particular type of English riding developed mainly on plantations in the American South. Saddle seat riders normally prefer breeds with an upright neck carriage and a flashy, high-stepping trot, including the American Saddlebred, the Tennessee Walking Horse, the Morgan horse, and others.
sidesaddle: This form of riding was developed in the Middle Ages as a way for women to ride modestlin a skirt. The rider sits with both legs on one side of the horse, instead of astride. There are special saddles used to make this easier, and even today sidesaddle classes at shows are popular with competitors and spectators alike.
warm-up ring: A separate ring set aside at a horse show where competitors can warm up before their classes.
CATHERINE HAPKA has written more than one hundred and fifty books for children and young adults, including many about horses. A lifelong horse lover, she rides several times per week and appreciates horses of all breeds. She keeps three horses on a small farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, though none of them are Chincoteague ponies—yet. In addition to writing and riding, she enjoys animals of all kinds, reading, gardening, music, and travel.
The Marguerite Henry’s Ponies of Chincoteague series is inspired by the award-winning books by MARGUERITE HENRY, the beloved author of such classic horse stories as King of the Wind ; Misty of Chincoteague ; Justin Morgan Had a Horse ; Stormy, Misty’s Foal ; Misty’s Twilight ; and Album of Horses, among many other titles. Learn more about the world of Marguerite Henry at www.MistyofChincoteague.org.
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MARGUERITE HENRY’S
Ponies of Chincoteague
Book 1: Maddie’s Dream
Book 2: Blue Ribbon Summer
Book 3: Chasing Gold
Coming Soon
Book 5: A Winning Gift
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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This Aladdin paperback edition April 2015
Text copyright © 2015 by The Estate of Marguerite Henry
Cover illustration copyright © 2015 by Robert Papp
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Library of Congress Control Number 2014959031
ISBN 978-1-4814-0346-7 (hc)
ISBN 978-1-4814-0345-0 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-4814-0347-4 (eBook)
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