Overview

For young horse lovers and fans of classics like The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, and Misty of Chicoteague comes Baxter Bay, a heartwarming and hilarious tale of two retired show ponies and friends reliving their glory days through storytelling. Baxter and Windy were once the stars of the show ring--glamorous, graceful, and totally unbeatable. But now? They're retired, furry, a little creaky, and full of opinions. Living out their golden years on a peaceful farm in Virginia, these two ponies spend their days munching hay and sharing stories of their glory days with a group of wide-eyed young colts and fillies. Baxter is the polite, humble hero of his past--a true gentleman. Windy, meanwhile, has attitude to spare and has never had a problem doing whatever it takes to win. Together, they trade tales of young riders, sparkling ribbons, big wins, and bigger flops. Told with humor, heart, and a little bit of sass, Baxter Bay is a story about friendship, growing older, and the adventures that make you who you are--whether you're bay, gray, or somewhere in between--that's perfect for horse lovers, animal fans, and anyone who knows that being different just might be your biggest strength.

Full Product Details

9781646013449

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Reviews

""Baxter Bay is a beautifully written and illustrated story that all who grew up with the love of horses can get lost in. The clarity and detail in which Cynthia writes about how these ponies feel and think as herd animals, and how they respond to their humans, are so spot on. Anyone of any age will certainly enjoy reading this Pony's Tale!"" --Jennifer Fischer, hunter rider, trainer, and judge ""Baxter Bay is a delightful read for all ages. The younger generation will identify with the stories about the riders and the ponies. For others, it will be a walk down memory lane, reading about the shows they knew, trying to figure out who Baxter and Windy are, and reliving memories that made up their childhood. It should be thoroughly enjoyed by everyone."" --Caren Seidle, former pony rider ""As a non-horse person, I really enjoyed Baxter Bay, and it taught me a lot about horse training and the competition environment. It also shows how people and horses are treated can make a difference in how they respond. I think the story is well written and easy to read."" --Monica Cagnet, non-horse person and grandmother ""Cynthia, having lived through the shows both as a trainer and judge, has written a heart-touching story. Bravo."" --Sue Ashe, hunter judge and former pony trainer ""Destined to become a classic."" --Steven D. Price, author of 1001 Best Things Ever Said About Horses, The Outside of a Horse, and the bestselling The Whole Horse Catalog ""In the spirit of Black Beauty and Watership Down, Baxter Bay invites readers into the heart and mind of a beloved show hunter pony reflecting on his extraordinary life. This is more than a story--it's a classic in the making, a gentle reminder that the animals we love often have the most to teach us."" --Tricia Booker, editor of USHJA In Stride magazine, author of Judging Hunters and Equitation ""It's not every day you hear a story told through the eyes of a pony--and certainly not one as full of heart, humor, and wisdom as this. Cynthia reminds us what it means to truly listen to our horses."" --Patricia Griffith, rider, trainer at Heritage Farm, trainer of top pony riders ""Legendary horsewoman Cynthia Hankins touches the heart of the pony lover in Baxter Bay. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is a treasure for every horse person's bookshelf."" --Shane Ledyard, author of Horse Gone Silent ""Such an authentic story from a pony's point of view. I didn't want it to end."" --Vicki Chapin Guidice, US Equestrian Federation steward ""The tale of Baxter Bay has important themes that reach across generations, and the illustrations are simply delightful."" --Jenn Fessler, Emerging Athletes Program clinician, hunter trainer, and rider ""This delightful book should be read by every child or adult who has ever loved a pony. Cynthia has captured perfectly how these ponies might feel. I did not want the story to end!"" --Robin Greenwood, top pony trainer, producer of champion ponies and riders ""This is a delicious, nostalgic portrait of ponies, children, and a simpler life. Fun and uplifting, it will leave all pony lovers starry-eyed."" --Julie Ulrich, author of Packing My Bags

Author Information

Cynthia Hankins is an accomplished author and hunter/jumper with a lifelong passion for horses--she began riding at the age of two. Today, she teaches, judges, leads clinics, and competes professionally both in the US and internationally. Her writing has appeared in publications including The Chronicle of the Horse, Coast, The Practical Horseman, and In Stride magazines. Cynthia divides her time between Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Calvados, Normandy, France, where she lives with her husband and their tricolor Pembroke Corgi, Sushi, who speaks two languages but listens to neither. Kelly Wilkinson Coffin is a native Virginian and a graduate of the University of Virginia. After studying at the Ingbretson Studio of Drawing and Painting and the Charles Cecil Studio in Florence, Italy, she returned to Charlottesville, Virginia, to open her own studio. Before pursuing painting full-time, she served on Active Duty as a Naval Aviator for ten years and later flew as a First Officer with US Airways while continuing to serve in the Naval Reserve. Kelly lives with her husband, Tad, and family on a farm in Ruckersville, Virginia.

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