We Won!

Hi everyone, Cat here. I still can't fully believe it, but The Magnum Equation, the second book that our friend Lisa Wysocky has written about our adventures, was named Best Equine-related Book at the American Horse Publications Awards!

What an honor that is! So much so that my friends around the barn got pretty tired of me saying "I can't believe it!" over and over––and over. I eventually came down from Cloud 9, though, and asked them what they would have said.

Gigi (yearling filly): I won! Yippee,  I won, I WON!! ME!

Gigi is, obviously, still at that self-centered stage. Sigh.

Jon (barn manager): Why wouldn't the book win? Cat has been through a lot and she deserves this.

Hank (beagle mix): Yee-haw! What's the prize? Is it a stick? I could use a good stick. I chewed up my last one. Do you think Cat will let me bring the stick into the house? I love a good stick. Oh, what if the prize is two sticks! I'd better find Cat. I need a good stick.

Darcy (teenager with a trust fund): I'm like, wow! So this is for real then? Like the best book? That is wicked cool.

Petey (Darcy's Appaloosa gelding): Can I hold the award? I could hold it in my mouth. I wouldn't slobber on it much. I bet Cat would think I looked very handsome holding the award and she'd scratch me right there between my front legs. Yes, right there. Ooohhh, I can feel it now. Cat? Where's the award?

Agnes (Sally Blue's human mom): We love The Magnum Equation, yes we do! We love The Magnum Equation, how about you?

Agnes is seventy, but has never recovered from her high school cheer leading days.

Sally Blue (possibly psychic Appaloosa mare): I told Cat The Magnum Equation was going to win, but, as usual, she didn't understand. Frustrating, but then humans are so primitive in their communications. She is a good person, though, Cat is.

Bubba (neighboring juvenile delinquent): A book? About Cat? Did she get any money for it? I wonder what she did with the money. Not that I would take it. Not from Cat.

Bob and the other horses were too busy eating or sleeping to comment. My boyfriend Brent, and his brother, Martin, were fishing and I had no interest in talking to Bubba's dad, Hill Henley. I am sure that my neighbor Carole Carson would have had something interesting to say, but she is out on tour with her slew of kids and her hunky husband, country music superstar Keith Carson. The good news is I get to start giving Keith riding lessons for a secret project just as soon as he gets back from this leg of the tour!

As for the American Horse Publications award, huge thanks to that organization and to the judges for honoring us.  I still can't believe it!

Cat

A Brand New Adventure!

Our friend Lisa Wysocky just chronicled our latest in a new book called The Magnum Equation. I have to say that I am not completely comfortable in having one of my deep, dark secrets out on the open. I’m such a private guy, but if Cat thinks it’s okay, then I guess it is. Surprisingly, she’s very okay with my little surprise. I wasn’t sure that she would be.

I love working for Cat and I love the horses, but the predicaments that woman gets herself into, well, she’s making me old before my time. I don’t understand why Cat has to be the one to stumble over the dead bodies, or why she feels compelled to poke her nose into things that aren’t any of her business, but apparently that is just who she is. Women.

Anyway, our little adventure takes place at a championship all-breed horse show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I don’t want to give away too many of the details, but in addition to one of my secrets coming out into the open, you’ll meet two of Cat’s dearest friends, and maybe come to understand why I don’t like one of them as much as she does.

Of course, Agnes is there, blue hair and all, and her cartwheel is a highlight of the story. In my opinion. Darcy is a big part of the adventure, too. Cat thinks that girl has grown up some in the past few months, but I don’t see it. Not yet at least. Hank the howling dog; and horses Petey, Bob, and Gigi came with us to the show, too, along with a few new equine friends.

I can’t forget Sally Blue. Agnes again says if we all just paid attention to that mare that Cat wouldn’t get so wrapped up in foul play. She may be right. Agnes swears the mare is psychic and I am beginning to think she is right. But, I’ll let you determine that part for yourself.

The kindle version of The Magnum Equation has been released. Paperback and other ebook formats publish September 24. Let us know what you think. I’d give you our email address, but realistically, we’re slow to answer here at the barn. Instead, email Lisa Wysocky. You can find her at lisainfo@comcast.net. Be sure to tell her I said hi.

Jon Gardner

Stable Manager, Cat Enright Stables