Horse Books for Holiday Giving 2026
Author, Laurie Berglie of Maryland is best known for her equestrian romance series, “Maryland Manor.” All titles take place in the rolling hills of Maryland, and follow three main characters – Molly, Macy, and Erin.
“My characters are three grown-up horse girls who are figuring out life together while still chasing their dreams and passions,” Berglie shared. “And while there are plenty of accurate riding scenes and some romance to spice things up, the love and friendship between the three main characters is the overarching theme of the whole series.”
Berglie hopes readers will feel like they’re part of the barn family.
All books are available on Amazon. Signed paperbacks are available on her website at themarylandequestrian.com.
Writing from Virginia, author Katrina Balding Bills says her book, “Dragon: the story of a Fiery Thoroughbred and the Girl who Loved Him,” a true memoir of her heart horse.
“We have all had, or wished we had, that horse that changed us, molded us, helped us become who we needed to be,” Bills said. “He was that horse for me. Our bond was forged in the fire of his temperament and steeped in the tincture of time.”
She said her “strong, capable, athletic and gorgeous” horse was also “spooky, unpredictable, and a rank biter,” and she loved him. She says their journey changed her life.
Available on Amazon. Autographed copies can be purchased at www.katrinabaldingbills.com
Virginia author, Sarah Hickner’s book, “Finding Gideon” won the Readers Favorite Gold Medal Winner, a Best Book Winner for 2023 – Pencraft Awards and was a cover finalist in the 2023 Wishing Shelf Book Awards.
“This is a story about leaving home to chase a dream that was so deep in my bones I couldn’t quit, even when it nearly killed me,” she said. “It’s about the horse who held my heart suddenly disappearing. It’s about love finding me when I least expected it, and learning to trust a God who gives and takes away.”
Hickner’s book, “All the Things That Come Between Us” is a rally cry for the mom who has lost herself in motherhood, but also a romance between husband and wife.
Available at: www.liveridelearn.com/books and on Amazon.
Jennifer Kelly writes books about racing from her home in Alabama.
In “Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown,” meet Sir Barton. Born to be a champion, his winless two-year-old season and a near-fatal illness started things shaky. That was changed by a surprise victory in the Kentucky Derby, followed by pioneering wins to seal the first Triple Crown. After a 1920 match race with Man o’ War, he was nearly was forgotten… until now.
“The Foxes of Belair: Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown” shares the story of William Woodward, who turned his childhood dreams into reality as his Belair Stud chased and won racing’s biggest prizes in both the United States and England. Then his Maryland breeding operation produced multiple Triple Crown winners.
After years of researching the Triple Crown, Kelly knew something was missing, leading her to write both books.
Available at www.kentuckypress.com
The fastest growing demographic in riding today is women over 60. Delaware’s Fran Severn addresses this in “Riders of a Certain Age: Your Guide to Loving Horses Midlife and Beyond”.
“The book welcomes them into this special sorority with advice, encouragement, information, and inspiration to follow your dreams,” she said.
An honest look at the realities of starting with horses in your later years, the curated guide includes, tips, lessons and advice for older women, including what the older body can do in terms of fitness, weight, and fear. It’s understanding the realities of arthritis, menopause, and changing vision, hearing, and breathing. Find information on buying, leasing, boarding, horse-related finances and more.
Winner of the “Best Inspirational Book Award” from Equus Film and Arts Festival.
Available on Amazon or www.ridersofacertainage.com
Maryland author, Valerie Ormond says her series for teens, “Believing in Horses” has something for everyone – horse rescue, therapeutic riding, show scenes, horsemanship, and even a riding adventure in the wild west in “Believing in Horses Out West.” Maryland and Virginia equestrians may also recognize several locations in “Believing In Horses, Too,” bringing back memories of their own.
This series has won many awards, including with the Military Society of Writers, the Authors’ Zone, EQUUS Film and Arts Festival, Stars and Flags and more, and has the Official Seal of Approval and Best Product Award from Parent Tested Parent Approved.
Available on Amazon.
Maryland author, Lois Szymanski has written a multitude of horse books for all ages.
Her picture book Wild Colt is used in schools and homeschools as part of the wetland unit. Illustrated by Linda Kantjas, it follows a wild Chincoteague Pony colt from his birth until he’s sold at auction, introducing readers to the wetlands through the eyes of a foal.
Szymanski’s series, Chincoteague Pony Tales are short inspirational stories about Chincoteague Ponies for teens and adults. Many tales come from the saltwater cowboys who care for these ponies, including rescues, orphaned foal stories, and tales of purchased ponies succeeding in the show world today.
Available at www.lulu.com/shop or Amazon.
Maryland author, Lisa Trovillion writes the YA series, “Maryland Equestrian” under L.R. Trovilion. Her books represent young, realistic, edgy heroines grappling with today’s tough issues.
The three books in the series, “False Gods,” “Horse Gods,” and “Just Gods,” capture the high-pressure world of competitive horse showing where ambition, rivalry, and secrets can turn dreams into danger. Each book follows young women fighting to overcome troubled pasts and uncertain futures while pursuing their dreams in and out of the saddle. Along the way, they discover courage, friendship, and the healing power of horses – and learn that sometimes the greatest rescue goes both ways.
This series won 2nd place overall for the Equus Film and Arts Festival, and was a IndieBRAG Medallion winner – Readers Favorite 5-Star Award winner.
“Believing there’s more to this world than meets the eye, I wanted to create stories about real young women facing tough problems, who discover their own power through magical relationships with horses,” Trovillion said.
Available on Amazon.
New Jersey author, Heather Wallace writes the Green Mountain Romance series.
In “Back Door Horse,” New Jersey girl Imogen Grey relocates to Vermont to help her aunt recover from an injury. There she comes face to face with an escape artist masquerading as a performance horse, a quiet but steady veterinarian named Gabe, and a rekindled childhood passion. Suddenly, she is questioning everything she thought she wanted.
Imogen continues her journey in “Shadow on the Mountain,” with new love and more complications on the horizon.
“This series was inspired by my own horse, Delight,” Wallace said. “Some horses touch your heart in a unique way. Once I began writing, I fell in love with the characters. True love is hard to find and sometimes it takes a while to recognize. Other times, it ends up at your back door.”
Available on Amazon or at https://books.bookfunnel.com/greenmountainromance
Massachusetts author Kim Ablon Whitney writes the series Show Circuit.
With the glamour, intensity and heartbreak of international show jumping, her latest book, “World Cup” follows five people at a turning point – where ambition, love, and identity collide.
Chris is competing on one of the biggest stages in show jumping, but pressure at this level can crack even the strongest partnerships. Hannah’s dream has been the World Cup, but now she’s questioning where she really belongs, and whether love is enough to build a life around. Jed is working behind the camera while facing a past he’d rather leave buried. Zoe is working to move forward, but Morgan’s pull is hard to ignore, even when she knows the danger. And Audrina is left to figure out what comes next, when the life she counted on no longer exists.
“I wanted to show that real life doesn’t stop for riders when the competition starts,” Whitney said.
All books in the series tackle complicated issues all riders face while taking the reader along on the show circuit, to therapeutic riding and into the barn – where you will find the heart of every horse-lover.
Available on Amazon.
From the show world to race horses, from romance to nonfiction, to books for kids – with inspiration and horse education here are some books our local authors offer. We hope you find just the gift you are looking for!
