Blue Ribbon Trail Ride is the fourth book in Miralee Ferrell’s middle grade Horses and Friends Series. While you could read this book as a stand alone I highly recommend reading all the previous ones first. It greatly enhances your connection with and understanding of the characters and relationships in this story.

Horses and Friends Series

A Horse for Kate – Book One

A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather’s farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with.

When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that’s perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers? Maybe. If she can convince her dad … and figure out what’s going on with that horse.

Silver Spurs – Book Two

Kate’s dream of owning a horse has finally happened. But now her best friend Tori has no money to buy a horse. So Kate comes up with a plan—she’ll raise money by boarding horses and hosting a show in her family’s barn.

It seems the perfect solution until Melissa, the girl who disses Kate and Tori at school, shows up to board her horse, determined to compete in their show and win the silver spurs. Will their plan be ruined—or does God have something better in store for them all?

Mystery Rider – Book Three

Thirteen-year-old Kate Ferris has a problem. Melissa Tolbert, a wealthy girl who has been snotty to Kate and Tori at school, is one of the boarders at Kate’s family’s new boarding stable. When Melissa suddenly turns nice, Kate is suspicious. The last thing she needs is more trouble. Then a stunning black horse and mysterious rider trot up the road past Kate’s house at dusk. Is it Melissa, playing a dangerous game? Or might the horse be stolen? Kate and friends Tori and Colt are determined to solve the mystery.

About Blue Ribbon Trail Ride:

Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.

But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.
Purchase Blue Ribbon Trail Ride

Disclaimer: I want to thank Miralee Ferrell and Litfuse Publicity for supplying me with a copy of Blue Ribbon Trail Ride for me to review, as well as the previous three books in this series. While I received this free of charge in exchange for my review, my opinions are my own, and have not been influenced in any way.

About Miralee Ferrell

Miralee Ferrell is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. She and her husband live along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where she enjoys riding the wooded trails and spending time with her grown children. In addition to horses and dogs, Miralee once owned two cougars.

Connect with Miralee: Website, Twitter, Facebook

What I Thought

I have a horse loving 9 year old that just devoured these books! Miralee has done a fantastic job or weaving in solid character traits and realistic life lessons in a manner that is fun and entertaining for kids and adults.

Blue Ribbon Trail ride focuses on Kate’s little brother Pete who has autism. Not only do she and her friends create a plan to raise money for him to go to camp, but for other kids like him!

{Side Note: Due to the character of Pete, my 9 year old daughter began asking questions about autism. It spurred great discussion as well as spurring me to find some books that were on her level to help her understand autism better.}

They set out to raise money through a scavenger hunt on horseback which turns into a mystery to solve when Kat’es mother’s jewelry box holding the money disappears.

With great character traits such as family values, patience, forgiveness, hope, problem-solving, compassion and good values demonstrated, this is a great book for kids to read, and for you to know they are receiving a positive message!

We are looking forward to reading the two more books that Miralee has planned for this Horses and Friends series!