Overview

The Thrilling and Emotional Memoir from Endurance Horse Racing Legend Sanoma Blakeley Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion is the incredible, action-packed memoir of Sanoma Blakeley’s 2019 Tevis Cup championship, won while riding her beloved horse Goober, and the tale of how she became the youngest woman to ever become a Tevis Cup champion. Beginning her endurance riding career at the age of seven, Blakeley writes about the years of training and teamwork required to win the most challenging and famous 100-mile horse race in the world aboard a horse she had originally acquired for free off of Craigslist. Blakeley places readers on the ride with her so that they can experience the thrill of the most exciting horse endurance race in existence. Blakeley and Goober survive narrow mountain trails winding through the Sierra-Nevadas, containing over 19,000 feet of elevation gain; three steep, grueling canyons; crossing the shoulder-high American River; riding at night with only the light of the moon to guide them; temperatures that soared over 115 degrees; and, most excitingly, the final neck-and-neck sprint to the finish against a four-time Tevis Cup champion and world class competitor after 100 miles of some of the most rugged mountain trails in the world. When Blakeley and Goober cross the finish line just a few feet ahead of their competition and Blakeley becomes the youngest woman in history to win the Tevis Cup, a lifetime of hard work that began when the author started training as a small child and who had long dreamed of winning the Tevis Cup was finally rewarded. Chasing Dreams contains action, heartwarming twists, and an epic ending that will leave readers in tears.

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9781595801234

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Reviews

Chasing Dreams is a very fun ride. Sanoma Blakeley is a vivid writer and you feel like you are right there on the trail with her-covered in dust, in the forest, racing along the course with her and her family. I stayed up way too late reading this book as I just couldn't put it down! -Heather Reynolds, legendary endurance rider Chasing Dreams is a remarkably personal journey of a girl and her horse as they chase their dream. Sanoma Blakeley's engaging tale-from little tyke's first ride on a big horse to Tevis Cup champion-recounts what it takes along the way to make that dream come true: hard work, perseverance, and wonderful family support. She tells of the joys, heartbreaks, fears, and, ultimately, the bravery it takes to put it all on the line in the world's toughest 100-mile endurance ride, the Tevis Cup. -Merri Melde, The Equestrian Vagabond

“Chasing Dreams is a very fun ride. Sanoma Blakeley is a vivid writer and you feel like you are right there on the trail with her—covered in dust, in the forest, racing along the course with her and her family. I stayed up way too late reading this book as I just couldn’t put it down!”—Heather Reynolds, legendary endurance rider “Chasing Dreams is a remarkably personal journey of a girl and her horse as they chase their dream. Sanoma Blakeley’s engaging tale—from little tyke’s first ride on a big horse to Tevis Cup champion—recounts what it takes along the way to make that dream come true: hard work, perseverance, and wonderful family support. She tells of the joys, heartbreaks, fears, and, ultimately, the bravery it takes to put it all on the line in the world’s toughest 100-mile endurance ride, the Tevis Cup.”—Merri Melde, The Equestrian Vagabond “An improbable underdog story that belongs alongside Rocky and Rudy.”—Central Oregon Daily News “Chasing Dreams is a remarkable book. Having known Sanoma Blakeley personally from a very young age, I always felt that she had it in herself to make history in the future. Sanoma’s writing style displays humbleness and a deep respect for her family and her horses. What a pleasure and eye opener it is to follow her through one of the greatest accomplishments in her life: Winning the famous 100-mile Tevis Cup! Chasing Dreams is worth reading from the very beginning to the last word at the end; it’s a book that reveals all the experienced drama and emotions of a young woman who is sharing her adventures with us all, and, at the same time, teaching us a thing or two about life.”—Christoph Schork, endurance rider and owner of Global Endurance Training Center “In Chasing Dreams, Sanoma Blakeley opens up a whole new world of excitement and insider details about the sport of endurance riding. Sanoma takes you with her on her long-distance training rides as well as competitions, highlighting the 100-Mile Tevis Cup. You experience the thrills and the disappointments, the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and her partnerships with her horses. Sanoma shares so many interesting facts about the sport that you will find it hard to put this book down!”—Genie Stewart-Spears, equine photographer and journalist “Chasing Dreams is a brilliant book about the outdoors, sports, and achievement. Sanoma Blakeley tells, and demonstrates, how success is about preparation, determination, and team effort, but most of all about showing up to do the work.”—Fresh Fiction “Who doesn’t love a great story where hard work and determination pays off!”—Cowgirl magazine

Chasing Dreams is a very fun ride. Sanoma Blakeley is a vivid writer and you feel like you are right there on the trail with her-covered in dust, in the forest, racing along the course with her and her family. I stayed up way too late reading this book as I just couldn't put it down! -Heather Reynolds, legendary endurance rider

Author Information

Sanoma Blakeley is the youngest woman to have ever won the Tevis Cup, the most famous 100-mile endurance horse race in the world. Blakeley began competing in endurance horse races when she was seven years old, and has since competed in 99 competitions with 31 different horses. She has won 25 races, placed second 11 times, and finished third 14 times. When she won the Tevis Cup in 2019, she was 18 years old, and was featured on CNN and dozens of other media outlets. Blakeley’s writing has appeared in Endurance News, Tevis Forum, and Arabian Horse Life Magazine. She regularly blogs for Riding Warehouse. Blakeley lives near Bend, Oregon, where she works at her family’s renowned horse training facility, Blakeley Endurance Stables.

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