SEPTEMBER 2017 THE RIDER /3


Christmas At Saddle


Creek New book in the


The Saddle Creek Series by Shelley Peterson


Bird returns to


Saddle Creek and her beloved horse Sunny for Christmas


Bird has always dreaded Christ-


mas. For as long as she could remember, her mother Eva would go into a tailspin of selfishness and drama as the holiday approached. This one was no different, and Bird is once again dumped at Saddle Creek Farm with her Aunt Hannah while Eva parties. At midnight on Christmas Eve, in


the midst of an ice storm, Cody (the loyal coyote) alerts Bird that elderly Laura Pierson is in danger down the road. Bird mounts champion show jumper Sundancer, and with Cody, they head out to save her. The family’s plans fluctuate due to the storm, but people fi- nally gather for Christmas dinner. Bird unwittingly triggers an emotional firestorm, and a dark, long-held memory surfaces, throwing off the tenuous good cheer.


While the after-dinner bonfire


burns, Sundancer pulls the sled for chil- dren, and neighbours arrive to witness a blessed surprise. A Christmas miracle unfolds, but at great cost to a loved one. In CHRISTMAS at SADDLE CREEK, Bird beholds the magic of the universe and the circle of life, and learns the true meaning of Christmas. Shelley Peterson is the bestselling


author of seven published novels for young readers: Dancer, Abby Malone, Stagestruck, Sundancer, Mystery at Saddle Creek, Dark Days at Saddle Creek, and Jockey Girl. She raises horses at Fox Ridge, her family’s stable in Caledon.


Royal Fair Continued from Page 1.


Having joined the Longines FEI World Cup™


Jumping North American League in 2015, the Royal Horse Show has excelled in attracting top show jumping talent from around the world, making it one of the most coveted events for top-ranked ath- letes. The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Toronto has been won in both 2015 and 2016 by Royal Horse Show fan-favourite and two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist, McLain Ward, who went on to capture the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Omaha, USA. The Royal Horse Shows hosts more than


1,000 competitors and offers more than $950,000 in prize money over the course of its ten-day run. In- ternational show jumping action is highlighted by the $150,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping


Toronto, traditionally held on Wednesday evening. This year’s competition will be a qualifying event for the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Paris, France, next April. When the new three-year cycle begins, the


2018 Royal Horse Show, scheduled for November 2-11, will be a qualifier for the 2019 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Swe- den, while the 2019 Royal Horse Show, held No- vember 1-10, will give competitors opportunities to earn points for the 2020 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas, NV. The host city for the 2021 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final has not yet been announced. In addition to international show jumping


competition, the Royal Horse Show is a true cele- bration of horse sport, featuring the $125,000 Cana- dian Show Jumping Championships, which take the stage during opening weekend. The $20,000 Horse- ware Indoor Eventing Challenge and the $20,000


Royal Invitational Dressage Cup, presented by But- ternut Ridge, also highlight the multi-discipline schedule each year. For more information on the Royal Horse


Show, the marquee event of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, please visit www.royalfair.org/horse- show.


Funding support for The Royal has been pro-


vided by the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario.


About The Royal The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the


world’s largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian event. The 95th Royal Agricultural Win- ter Fair runs November 3-12, 2017, at Exhibition Place, Toronto, Canada. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.


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