Pine Mountain Horse Park (books 1-3) Q&A

 

Is Pine Mountain a real place?

No, Since I needed so many specific things for the series, and wanted to leave options open for future books, Pine Mountain is not a real place, but it is based on a few real world show venues in New England. The idyllic setting is homage to Green Mountain Horse Association showgrounds in Vermont. I’ve not been able to go there yet, but have several friends who show there regularly and I drool over their pictures every time. Lush green spaces, rings for every discipline, and even a charming brook on the way to warmups. The indoor arena at Pine Mountain is based heavily on the Three County Fair showgrounds in Massachusetts, a ‘home show venue’ for me that I have shown at all my life—4H, jumpers, hunters, dressage... they do it all there, western events too (will those come to Pine Mountain????) And finally, the rolling cross country course has elements from King Oak Farm where I rode in college. They used to host huge eventing events and getting to jump around the cross country course in lessons were always the best days!
 

 

You’re an equestrian, but how much research did you do on other aspects?

I love getting my hands dirty in research, and at the best times... it’s total serendipity. While thinking about what Evan should have for a horse-adjacent job in 2CatWJ, an old friend put me in touch with a show photographer who needed help one weekend. She had no idea I was writing, but knew I was ‘artsy’ and figured it would be a good fit. I spent the weekend in the photo trailer sorting his shots and selling riders their photos. It was so interesting to see the process and I snuck in some questions about how he built his business and... hey Evan has a job now!

For other characters, it’s been much the same. I look for behind-the-scenes moments anywhere I can get them. Hanging out in show offices, grooming for friends at horse shows... it happens with side characters too. Adele’s travelling tack shop is a stand-in for my book table when I set up at horse shows. 

 

So, do you ride any of the disciplines featured?

Over the years, I have tried lots of types of riding. As a youth, I showed hunters and jumpers traveling around with my friend to whatever show she could get her grandpa to drive us to. We didn’t always win, but we always had a great time, though there is a giant box full of ribbons in my closet, so we had our moments. In college, the riding instructor at school was an eventer, so I gave that a try. Competing wasn’t for me, but getting to feel the differences from jumping out in the field to the rings of my youth was enlightening, to say the least. When I graduated and started teaching beginner lessons, I got the opportunity to take dressage lessons on some very well-trained horses. Along the way, I also did some training for people, ponies mostly, since I’m short and fit on them.

I just love trying new things with new horses and I hope I can keep that up as I expand the PMHP universe.

 


*clockwise from top left: ~ jumping Doodlebug in a hunter lesson ~ dressage show on Whiz ~ gymkhana with Pogo ~ cross coutnry lesson on Unique ~(center) a year of ribbons with Otis*

 

Are any of the horses based on real horses?

Just like Pine Mountain, the answer is... not really—but they have elements of many horses from my life. Little quirks and habits of horses I’ve known find their way into my fictional horses to make them that much more loveable. It would be no fun if every horse was perfect and did everything exactly right—that’s not why we ride. If it were, we’d get a bicycle. Equestrians are there for the connection and the personality, so I think about what stood out about horses in my past and memorialize them in the horses in my books. Since sometimes those quirks aren’t exactly flattering... I make up new names and breeds for them and hope no past owners catch on.

 

 

Who is your favorite horse from the first 3 books?

That’s a tough one. If we are going with ‘horse I’d most like to ride as if I were their rider from the book’, it would be Borris from Faking It on the Center Line. He’s got all the fancy dressage moves, a fun personality and a great connection with Rebecca. More realistically, though, I’d go with Maya’s horse Inky in Hassling the Show Manager. He’s an adorable government lined Morgan (based on a few horses I rode in college). I like smaller horses, and Morgans are my favorite breed! Inky might not be so flashy, but I think day to day he would be a great buddy.