Hola! Jolene Navarro here. If you know anything about me, you know I’m proud to be a seventh generation Texan. Part of that heritage it deeply rooting in raising and training horses. This is a picture of my great-grandparents.
Hodge Crawford trained horses for the Army.
As I was doing the at fact sheets for the cover of my fifth Clear Water Texas book, Texas Daddy, I realized each of my books has at least one horse trotting across the pages. Some forming into strong secondary characters. I love horses, and each one that walked into my life had it’s own backstory and personality.
I have three covers with horses on them. Two share a few of the same ones.
In these two books, one horse makes a reappearance from A Texas Christmas Wish and Texas Daddy. An old Appaloosa gelding that was rescued from a horrible situation. He is so gentle and calm that he becomes a babysitter horse. A horse you can put anyone on, and he’s not going to move any faster than a slow walk – if he even moves that fast.
My hero’s daughter, Mia gets very frustrated with her dad when that is the only horse he will let her ride after a rodeo accident that shattered her leg. Her and the heroine bond over the horses. As a single father Adrian has to find a balance between protecting and letting go.
He has the same problem with his heart. He has a hard time trusting.
Texas Daddy is up for preorder, and I will be giving one copy away to someone who leaves a comment.
I started thinking about how the horse I grew up with helped me shape the horses in my stories.
On my tenth birthday, I was given my very own horse. Smokey was a quarterhorse/welsh mix. I had been riding my mom’s before then.
Over the years there were more horses that joined the family and by the time I was in high school I was working part time as a trainer at Hill View Stables. I tried barrel racing but didn’t enjoy the speed it took. Did some horsemanship but it was a little to tamed. I fell in love with was American Endurance Riding. (through AERC).
You ride about fifty miles in two days. There are checkpoints where your horse goes through a physical. If there is anything wrong, you are held until you are given the okay to continue. There are obstacles along the way: ditches, water, jumps, steep hills.
This is the mare I did most of my long distance riding with, Mariya. My mother, Cindy Guinther is with her a few days after her foal was born. She had at least one horse her entire life. My youngest sister carries on the tradition and still has the last horse my mom owned at the time of her death.
I have not owned a horse since 1998, but now that my four kids are grown I might rediscover the love I had for hitting the countryside on horseback.
Or maybe I’ll just keep writing about them. It’s cheaper that way.
Thank you for allowing me to take this trip down memory lane. To show my appreciation, I will give a copy of A Texas Christmas Wish one person that leaves a comment and an early copy of Texas Daddy to another I pull randomly.
I love this story of Adrien De La Cruz and Nikki Bergamnn. They are both passionate people that have been deeply hurt.
Have you ever owned a horse or dreamed of owning one. I think at one point every little girl wants a pony?
Jill Weatherholt says
I enjoyed your trip down memory lane, Jolene. Great photos! When I was a little girl, there was a horse farm outside of our housing development. I remember an adorable Shetland pony that I dreamed of having as my own.
Wemble says
Hi Jolene, thanks for sharing your memories. I have never owned a horse, but a family at my childhood church did, so occasionally I would get to ride their horses. One of my favourite movies growing up was The Man from Snowy River, and I LOVED the horse scenes in it- it inspired a dream to one day do a multi day ride through the high country! The endurance racing sounds like a lot of fun- would you include that in a story?
Blessings:)
Renate says
Thanks for sharing your memories about owning and riding horses! Driving the back roads in Michigan, and northern Indiana especially in Amish country, one sees many farms with horses. A magnificent animal. Best wishes and happy writing.
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Jolene, Your horse photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us :)
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
Shetlands are so adorable, but have some of the worse attitudes! LOL Growing up a friend had one and when he was finished he would just drop to the ground and refuse to get up – we would be miles from home.
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
I love love love that movie! It was my mother’s favorite too. You know I never thought of putting the endurance race in a story – great idea.
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
There is something very romantic about horses – even in this modern age we love being around horses.
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
Thank you Narelle
Merrillee Whren says
Jolene, thanks for sharing your love of horses. When I was a kid our neighbor had horses and my grandfather had horses on his farm. That was as close to owning a horse as I came. I always loved horses, too. I loved reading stories about horses. My mom read me Old Bones the Wonder Horse when I was a kid, and that cemented my love for race horses. Last year I fulfilled a bucket list wish when I went to the Kentucky Derby.
Kimberly Rose Johnson says
I never had a horse but we did have a pony. I loved horses when I was a kid and took every chance I could to ride.
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
My sister went a few years back. She loved it so much she now throws a Kentucky Derby party every year.
Jolene Guinther Navarro says
Ponies are horses! LOL – Try to tell a pony he is not a horse and he’ll prove you wrong. Thank you for stopping by
Valerie Comer says
I’m with Wemble! Basing a novel on the endurance ride sounds like a cool premise! I didn’t grow up around horses and haven’t ridden much. Last time I was near a horse was probably 25 years ago. But I definitely see the romance of horses and have written them into a story or two – not pretending to be an expert, for sure!
Linda says
I loved your trip down memory lane.
I love horses and Texas. My 3rd great grandfather settled in East Texas in 1836.
I am only the 4th generation born in Texas.
My sister in law beats me, she has ancestors that were part of the Austin 300 colony.
Julianne Archer says
Thanks for sharing! I think horses are beautiful animals and enjoy brushing them and letting them take treats from my hand. I just never felt comfortable on horseback. My grandfather had a shetland pony when I was young and yes Frosty could have an attitude, but I wasn’t concerned that he would hurt me and he gave the best sulky rides. I hope you have the opportunity to have your own horse again :)
Gail Estes Hollingsworth says
I’ve never owned a horse or pony. Never had a place to keep one. My husband got a pony when he was a little boy for his birthday. I have the sweetest picture of him sitting on it!
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Margaret Nelson says
I loved reading horse stories growing up (Marguerite Henry, Trixie Belden, etc), and envied a neighbor that had a horse. My few times of going horseback riding were memorable only because the horse was so eager to get back to the stable!
Priscila says
I have a faint memory for riding a pony during a family vacation when I was a kid. Being born in the city and not really knowing horses, this was more like a scary experience than a dream. My parents did think it was an important experience just like milking a cow (and drinking its milk), which we did during the same vacation. I think I appreciate the novels more than the real life experience. (I’m okay being a city girl.)
jolenenavarro says
I think the idea of owning a horse is much more romantic then the daily work it takes to care for one. In high school I was part of a horse group that helped with rescues. SO many times the people were just in over their heads and would turn the horse over – not knowing how much money and time it takes to take care of a horse properly.
jolenenavarro says
My family came in with the DeWitt colony. Annie the one in the picture was third generation – David Burkett was her grandfather. Her father was Little B Green – he built the first Opera house in south Texas and donated last for the first school and church. . LOL Sorry I love Texas history.
jolenenavarro says
I think the last few years that my mom had horses, she just went out and played with them. Being around horse just feels nice. Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
jolenenavarro says
Yes you need the right place or enough money to keep it boarded. It seems some people don’t understand that. I have a picture of my husband on a horse too with one of his brothers. Bareback and just a rope and halter! He grew up working on a ranch.
jolenenavarro says
LOL. I have never milked a cow and I’m Okay with that! Horses can be scary. This is way we write what we write – so others can have a nice safe experience
. :)
Paula says
Great memories. Never wanted a horse but I loved to read about them. They can be quite a good character in a book! National Velvet anyone?
Jill Weatherholt says
LOL! That’s funny, Jolene. I had no idea. :)
KAREN J RUSSELL says
Hi, Jolene. I enjoy reading your books.
I’ve only had the privilege of horseback riding 5 times in my life. A severe allergy to hay now as well as a deteriorating spine prevent me participating in that activity. At least I can still get enjoyment from reading about horses without putting my health at risk.
Laura says
Thanks for sharing your memories! I’ve had few opportunities to ride horses, I would love to have more chances. But being a city girl I don’t think that will be a reality.
Jessica B. says
I used to take riding lessons at a local stable and it was fun to get to know each of the horses and their personalities and quirks. I enjoyed riding and being around the horses but I was glad to leave them at the stable at the end of the day and not have to be responsible for their care day in and day out.
Andrea Byers says
I love, love, love horses. My parents finally got me some lessons in high school, and a horse (1/2 arabian palomino). Loved her to pieces and she became a very good friend. Spent most of my time in high school riding and going to horse shows, mainly for 4h, but a few bigger ones. I will have to look into your books. :)