Firstly, I must thank Nick Daws for bringing this competition to my attention in his regular newsletter. 
The Equestrian Short Story Competition 2014 is a good one to enter if you’re trying to get break into horse-based fiction. But be aware that the publicity and exposure will be worth more than the actual prize.
The competition is looking for, ” … stories that have an equestrian background rather than solely about just being a horse. Maybe a crime novel set in the horse world or perhaps a fantasy novel or an equestrian Harry Potter? How about an equestrian romance which is ideal for the Jilly Cooper addicts!”
The winner’s story will be published as an e-book with the profit from sales going to World Horse Welfare. The winner will also get a Haynet logo hoody.
Two runners up will get their stories published on Haynet and Lavender & White Equestrian Publishing websites.
Word limit is 6,000 words plus a 500 word synopsis. Entry is by email and the closing date is 11th August 2014.
Please check all the terms and conditions before entering.
And if you’re wondering what the photo has to do with the competition – absolutely nothing!
This is me after walking 26 miles, up and down dale (and steep hills!), in the Peak District on Sunday as part of the Leaden Boot Challenge. I look happy because I’ve finally finished (and just eaten a massive plate of pie and peas). But the pain kicked in on Monday morning and I’ve been hobbling around with sore muscles and blistered feet since then.
Any sort of physical challenge like this reminds me of writing, i.e. actually doing it is hard work and not always enjoyable. But that feeling of having completed a challenge or having written something, can’t be beaten!
Do you understand where I’m coming from?
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by Julia Thorley on May 21, 2014 - 4:45 pm
Well done on the walk. Gotta love the Peak District. Not sure about that comp, though. One for the hobbyists, I think.
#2 by Sally Jenkins on May 22, 2014 - 8:07 am
Yes, Julia, I think it’s for those with a special interest in breaking into that area. And lots to love about the Peak District – the hills are tough though!
#3 by susanjanejones on May 21, 2014 - 6:25 pm
Hi Sally, well deserved pie and peas, you did well. I love horsey fiction. Dick Frances novels were my favourite and I like Jilly Cooper. Might have a go at this, thanks for the link.
#4 by Sally Jenkins on May 22, 2014 - 8:08 am
I haven’t read any Dick Francis, Susan but in my younger days I loved Jilly Cooper. Good Luck if you have a go!
#5 by Tracy Fells on May 22, 2014 - 8:47 am
Well done on the walk, Sally – that’s a long way! Once upon a time (when I was pony mad teenager) I would have loved to enter this competition, but sadly my horsey days are over.
#6 by Sally Jenkins on May 22, 2014 - 12:37 pm
Tracy, I wonder why so many teenage girls go through a horsey phase? My sister did – she was up at the local stables helping out.
#7 by P. Douglas Hammond on May 23, 2014 - 7:58 pm
Good evening Sally
I have a horsy piece that I wrote last year; perhaps I could enter that. Not sure it is quite what they will be looking for, but you never know. I wrote it for my sister when her ageing Imp was put down, and it is from the horse’s point of view – with his memories and understandings.
I’m writing to thank you (it was you, wasn’t it?) for mentioning the Open University course Future Learning. I’m finding it very good – I’m already getting far more from it than I have from the Writers Bureau in all the time I have been struggling with that.
Many thanks,
Peter
#8 by Sally Jenkins on May 24, 2014 - 9:40 am
Thanks for taking the time to drop by, Peter. I did mention a Future Learning course some weeks back and I’m really glad that you’re getting on well with it.
And there’s nothing to lose by entering your horsey piece in the competition – if you don’t enter then you definitely won’t win!
Best wishes.
#9 by snowdog on May 24, 2014 - 4:09 pm
Peter, I’m doing the FutureLearn course, too. I agree: it’s really good stuff.
#10 by Julia on May 24, 2014 - 4:10 pm
Don’t why I’ve been renamed ‘Snowdog’!. (Julia)
#11 by Sally Jenkins on May 24, 2014 - 7:04 pm
That is odd – but you appear to be back to Julia now!
#12 by P. Douglas Hammond on May 25, 2014 - 8:04 pm
Evening Julia.
I have just completed week three, and have had my first story review – great fun.
I’ll keep an eye out for you.
Peter
#13 by Julia Thorley on May 27, 2014 - 8:34 am
Peter, I’ll keep an eye out for you, too. Enjoy!
#14 by Carl D'Agostino on May 24, 2014 - 2:43 pm
Competitions – I sent 5 entries political commentary to a political newspaper holding the contest to be judged by 15 internationally renown cartoonists. I have not heard from them. It is in Ukraine – I hope the people are OK. Thanks visit my cartoon blog.
#15 by Sally Jenkins on May 24, 2014 - 7:04 pm
Fingers crossed you’ll hear something eventually, Carl. I suppose all the upset there doesn’t help anything run smoothly and a writing competition will come low down on people’s priorities.
#16 by hilarycustancegreen on May 25, 2014 - 10:08 am
Well done for completing the walk. I think I’ll give the equestrian challenge a miss, though.
#17 by Sally Jenkins on May 25, 2014 - 6:54 pm
Thanks for dropping by, Hilary. You’re obviously, like me, not a horsey person.
#18 by Linda on May 26, 2014 - 4:59 pm
Well done on the walk, hope the aches and pains have eased now.
I’m not as fit as you but, yes, I know what you mean about completing a challenge. It always feels good when I write END on a piece of writing.
#19 by Sally Jenkins on May 26, 2014 - 6:24 pm
END is definitely a good feeling Linda!
#20 by P. Douglas Hammond on May 28, 2014 - 10:35 am
Its one thing writing END in a piece, but is it ever possible to write FINISHED?
#21 by Sally Jenkins on May 28, 2014 - 5:25 pm
It’s so easy to keep tinkering with a piece, isn’t it Douglas? I don’t know how we know when it’s finished, probably when the competition deadline looms!