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A Perfect Christmas & Other Horse Stories
"Candle flames flicker in the lamps on the flanks of our governess cart as a silver moon and sprinkled stars illuminate the driveway ahead." This collection of short stories begins with a midnight cart drive through the snow to Midnight Mass. Other true and fictional tales of horses follow, based on Hilary's personal experiences with her son's naughty Welsh Mountain pony and a huge catalog of embarrassing incidents with her own equines. This selection includes humorous accounts of what can go wrong at a show, sudden swimming pool accidents, uninvited horse entry into church, rescuing an unwanted racehorse and how a skinny neurotic Thoroughbred mare became the author's equine soulmate. If there's one thing Hilary has learned, it's that you never know what might happen next with horses.
206 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2019
About the author
Hilary Walker
70 books29 followersHilary lives on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina with her husband and English bulldog.
She is the Christian author of 'The Jack Harper Trilogy: The Story of a Wounded Horse Healer,' its sequel, 'The Father Michael Trilogy: A Pastor Who Preaches through Horses,' and the concluding trio, 'The Laura Harper Trilogy.'
The Sinclair Island Romances are her Christian equestrian romance series.
Besides writing, Hilary's other passion is riding and competing in dressage on her home-bred gelding, Cruz Bay.
She is the Christian author of 'The Jack Harper Trilogy: The Story of a Wounded Horse Healer,' its sequel, 'The Father Michael Trilogy: A Pastor Who Preaches through Horses,' and the concluding trio, 'The Laura Harper Trilogy.'
The Sinclair Island Romances are her Christian equestrian romance series.
Besides writing, Hilary's other passion is riding and competing in dressage on her home-bred gelding, Cruz Bay.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 4, 2019
A Perfect Christmas & Other Horse Stories Hilary Walker
Collection of loving horse stories. Starts with table of contents where other works are highlighted as chapters.
Once Upon A Time is an introduction to the chapters that follow. Horses have their own minds and how the author handles them after she understands what she wants.
.
A Perfect Christmas by Hilary Walker
Loved this story for many reasons: it not only involves horses but the love the father has for his family and work.
Winter scenes are also so perfectly described with so many details, you can picture yourself in them.
The sleigh arrives at church on Christmas eve with all brightly lit windows as they pass by.
..
The Horse Who Hated Christmas by Hilary Walker
Like this story because Paula and her friend are able to spend a night n the barn to do some investigations.
The horse is fine except at Christmas. The horse totally hates the holiday and they are able to find out why.
...
The Horse Who Went to Church by Hilary Walker
Author rode her horse to church as it was a dressage day after and the horse got away and ended up walking into the church.
...
Felicity's Show Flair by Hilary Walker
Reporter is out after her to take pictures of the escapades of the horse.
She meets a man who is there at every turn and she has no idea who he is til the very end.
Horse has a mind of its own...
..
Cracklin' Ginger by Hilary Walker
Story of a horse waiting to be adopted but others find their antics offensive and they don't wnat the horse.
Nelson has worked with the horse and formed a bond but now he's heading off to another job...
...
The End of the tail by Hilary Walker
Rules are very specific when ti comes to competitions. One is accused of a whip too long but they had won the competition...
Rules are brought forth showing about the tail section of a horse...
..
The Horse Who Dined Out by Hilary Walker
Horse has run into a restaurant at the hotel and by the time she finds him after attempting to fix a flat tire he's in the pool.
No way can she afford to pay for damages and she learns of his widespread antics on the computer...
Love how the report saves them from having to pay for damages.
..
Shoestring Rider by Hilary Walker
The story starts out with Emma and how she was with
Wisdom her horse and just refuses to jump. The horse
trainer had tried different things to no avail and she was
the one that was supposedly very knowledgeable about
this subject. Emma took it upon herself after working at
the bank all day everyday to go online and research and
she found out that there was a man in England who had
overcome these obstacles with horses and she printed them out.
She tried a few to actually find one that worked. She replied back to
him to thank him for his knowledge. She started looking at the
woman trainer doubting she was a qualified trainer.
I love how at the end we learn the people at the stable stopped shunning
her and she was basically treated as a celebrity.
I am not a horse person have never been on a horse hope to ride one
someday. It's just so interesting a subject for me to learn all these
things about horses and people and just everything surrounding the
subject. Love where the title comes from.
Received this review copy from the author and htis is my honest opinion.
.
The Horse I Didn't Want by Hilary Walker
Author had purchased a horse for their neighbor and he is all enthusiastic about it and finds he is not able to jump the horse at all.
He is humiliated when he is tossed before the jumps or over a trench. She takes the horse on and figures out what the horse needs, with time and care.
....
How Not to Rescue a Race Horse by Hilary Walker
Life of the new pony and how he is weaned and hurts himself...
Author uses a lot of different means and advice from the vet in how to care for him.
.
About the Author is included at the end. Acknowledgements are enclosed.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with links on how to connect to the author.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Collection of loving horse stories. Starts with table of contents where other works are highlighted as chapters.
Once Upon A Time is an introduction to the chapters that follow. Horses have their own minds and how the author handles them after she understands what she wants.
.
A Perfect Christmas by Hilary Walker
Loved this story for many reasons: it not only involves horses but the love the father has for his family and work.
Winter scenes are also so perfectly described with so many details, you can picture yourself in them.
The sleigh arrives at church on Christmas eve with all brightly lit windows as they pass by.
..
The Horse Who Hated Christmas by Hilary Walker
Like this story because Paula and her friend are able to spend a night n the barn to do some investigations.
The horse is fine except at Christmas. The horse totally hates the holiday and they are able to find out why.
...
The Horse Who Went to Church by Hilary Walker
Author rode her horse to church as it was a dressage day after and the horse got away and ended up walking into the church.
...
Felicity's Show Flair by Hilary Walker
Reporter is out after her to take pictures of the escapades of the horse.
She meets a man who is there at every turn and she has no idea who he is til the very end.
Horse has a mind of its own...
..
Cracklin' Ginger by Hilary Walker
Story of a horse waiting to be adopted but others find their antics offensive and they don't wnat the horse.
Nelson has worked with the horse and formed a bond but now he's heading off to another job...
...
The End of the tail by Hilary Walker
Rules are very specific when ti comes to competitions. One is accused of a whip too long but they had won the competition...
Rules are brought forth showing about the tail section of a horse...
..
The Horse Who Dined Out by Hilary Walker
Horse has run into a restaurant at the hotel and by the time she finds him after attempting to fix a flat tire he's in the pool.
No way can she afford to pay for damages and she learns of his widespread antics on the computer...
Love how the report saves them from having to pay for damages.
..
Shoestring Rider by Hilary Walker
The story starts out with Emma and how she was with
Wisdom her horse and just refuses to jump. The horse
trainer had tried different things to no avail and she was
the one that was supposedly very knowledgeable about
this subject. Emma took it upon herself after working at
the bank all day everyday to go online and research and
she found out that there was a man in England who had
overcome these obstacles with horses and she printed them out.
She tried a few to actually find one that worked. She replied back to
him to thank him for his knowledge. She started looking at the
woman trainer doubting she was a qualified trainer.
I love how at the end we learn the people at the stable stopped shunning
her and she was basically treated as a celebrity.
I am not a horse person have never been on a horse hope to ride one
someday. It's just so interesting a subject for me to learn all these
things about horses and people and just everything surrounding the
subject. Love where the title comes from.
Received this review copy from the author and htis is my honest opinion.
.
The Horse I Didn't Want by Hilary Walker
Author had purchased a horse for their neighbor and he is all enthusiastic about it and finds he is not able to jump the horse at all.
He is humiliated when he is tossed before the jumps or over a trench. She takes the horse on and figures out what the horse needs, with time and care.
....
How Not to Rescue a Race Horse by Hilary Walker
Life of the new pony and how he is weaned and hurts himself...
Author uses a lot of different means and advice from the vet in how to care for him.
.
About the Author is included at the end. Acknowledgements are enclosed.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with links on how to connect to the author.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
November 18, 2021
This book is a collection of memoirs and short stories that highlight equine adventures of the author, friends, and horses. Each one is a gem and the overall feeling is warmth and wonder at some relationships of people and the special horses who came into their lives. The following is a list of chapters (essays or stories) in this book.
* A Perfect Christmas - Elderly father and daughter go to Christmas Eve service in a sleigh. Winter scenes are beautifully rendered.
* The Horse Who Hated Christmas - Every Christmas, when Paula returns from Christmas travel her horse is ill from fear and tension. Paula and friend spend Christmas Eve in stable and are surprised by special visitor.
* The Horse Who Went to Church - Horse escapes from trailer and joins congregation during Mass.
* Felicity’s Show Flair - Horse has a mind of its own makes up its own rules.
* Cracklin’ Ginger - Dangerous horse offends potential adopters and plays matchmaker to man who tames him and a special adopter.
* The End of the Tail - Owner and friends work to prepare horse in need of hairdresser for before show.
* The Horse Who Dined Out - Horse visits a high end restaurant patio for brunch then takes a dip in hotel pool.
* Shoestring Rider - Owner with limited means struggles to find a competent trainer.
* The Horse I Didn’t Want - Woman adopts horse and trains as a wing show horse.
* How Not to Rescue a Race Horse - Woman rescues a neglected retired race horse who becomes a treasured friend and companion.
I read this book in one afternoon. I laughed and cried and envied each of the humans the special relationship with a very special friend. Would recommend to any one wanting a short story for the holidays and anyone who loves or has been loved by a special horse.
Stories are suitable for children or young adults. No mistreatment of horse as part of the stories.
* A Perfect Christmas - Elderly father and daughter go to Christmas Eve service in a sleigh. Winter scenes are beautifully rendered.
* The Horse Who Hated Christmas - Every Christmas, when Paula returns from Christmas travel her horse is ill from fear and tension. Paula and friend spend Christmas Eve in stable and are surprised by special visitor.
* The Horse Who Went to Church - Horse escapes from trailer and joins congregation during Mass.
* Felicity’s Show Flair - Horse has a mind of its own makes up its own rules.
* Cracklin’ Ginger - Dangerous horse offends potential adopters and plays matchmaker to man who tames him and a special adopter.
* The End of the Tail - Owner and friends work to prepare horse in need of hairdresser for before show.
* The Horse Who Dined Out - Horse visits a high end restaurant patio for brunch then takes a dip in hotel pool.
* Shoestring Rider - Owner with limited means struggles to find a competent trainer.
* The Horse I Didn’t Want - Woman adopts horse and trains as a wing show horse.
* How Not to Rescue a Race Horse - Woman rescues a neglected retired race horse who becomes a treasured friend and companion.
I read this book in one afternoon. I laughed and cried and envied each of the humans the special relationship with a very special friend. Would recommend to any one wanting a short story for the holidays and anyone who loves or has been loved by a special horse.
Stories are suitable for children or young adults. No mistreatment of horse as part of the stories.
December 1, 2025
This is a splendid collection of short stories about horses, based on the author's experience. Some are memoirs and some fiction. Whether one-day eventing or rescuing a neglected ex-racehorse, they all ring true and remind us to keep repaying the debt we owe to this wonderful animal.
The first story is about Christmas but the others are spread out around the year. I notice a lot of chestnut mares appear, there is also a grey horse and the usual riding school mixture.
I'm a horsewoman and I knew the answer to the problem an over-keen horse posed in the early story; the character bravely got determined to research an answer on the net when her local trainer was not helpful. This is a good message for young riders to keep learning from as many sources as possible.
I read an e-ARC from the author. I was not asked to write a review. This is an unbiased review.
The first story is about Christmas but the others are spread out around the year. I notice a lot of chestnut mares appear, there is also a grey horse and the usual riding school mixture.
I'm a horsewoman and I knew the answer to the problem an over-keen horse posed in the early story; the character bravely got determined to research an answer on the net when her local trainer was not helpful. This is a good message for young riders to keep learning from as many sources as possible.
I read an e-ARC from the author. I was not asked to write a review. This is an unbiased review.
December 1, 2019
Tender, funny and sweet
What a delightful set of horse stories! Naughty ponies, Christmas mysteries, mistreated rescues and beautiful dressage horses show the deep bonds between humans and their horses.
What a delightful set of horse stories! Naughty ponies, Christmas mysteries, mistreated rescues and beautiful dressage horses show the deep bonds between humans and their horses.
December 18, 2022
These stories were hilarious and heartwarming 💗💗💗
September 9, 2024
A delightful selection of stories, packed with countless laughs and heartfelt moments. I loved everyone of them, but my favourite was “Shoestring Rider”. The cover is adorable!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews