Announcing the Finalists and Winners
of the 2024 TSB and Young Rider
Youth Fiction Contest!
For the last few years, one theme has emerged from the “Dear YR” letters in YOUNG RIDER magazine: You wanted a writing contest. In the magazine's January/February 2024 issue, the moment finally arrived! We announced a partnership to award prizes to the best "horse fiction" stories in two age categories. You worked hard and met the April 1 deadline—hundreds of you, in fact! We were overwhelmed by the amount of talent and hard work that you poured into this contest. Every one of our submissions demonstrated immense creativity and boundless passion for all things "horse."
Each division was judged by publishing professionals with experience in writing, editing, and book and/or magazine production. Winners not only receive publication of their stories, but also subscriptions to YOUNG RIDER and a curated collection of Trafalgar Square Books.
Please enjoy reading the winning entries published here and in the September/October 2024 print issue of YOUNG RIDER magazine (find your copy where equestrian magazines or sold or online HERE). It is so cool to see ages all the way from 8 to 16 represented in our top choices! (Note: All published submissions have been lightly edited for spelling and grammar.)
And the Winners Are...
1st: “Adventures of King Pharaoh” by Paige Goyke, age 11
2nd: “Willow and Breeze” by Aura Czuba, age 10
3rd: “Sunset Surprise” by Lilly Belle Kalinauskas, age 8
In the 12 to 16 age division:
1st: “The Chicken Won’t Eat You” by Natalie Mertz, age 12
2nd: “Gallop Work” by Emmary Vale McCall, age 16
3rd: “Unexpected Twists” by Evelyn Wagner, age 13
Click the link in the title of each winning story to read it in full.
Thank you to all who participated in our inaugural youth fiction contest in partnership with YOUNG RIDER and HORSE ILLUSTRATED magazines!
Questions about this contest? Please contact TSB Managing Editor Rebecca Didier (rdidier@trafalgarbooks.com).