For those of you who don’t own horses, you might be saying, “But I need a horse to have a horse party!” That’s not true. I had a horse party, and there wasn’t a horse there. And NO, it wasn’t boring! Ha ha.

It’s fun. It’s exciting, and there wasn’t a horse! Want to hold the ultimate horse party? Let’s get a move on, then!

INVITATIONS. The invitation is part of what attracts your friends to going to your party. Homemade invitations are WONDERFUL. All you need is sparkle glue, brown construction paper, and envelopes. Cut out the cards in any shape you like (example: horseshoes), and decorate. List the time, date, RSVP, and end date/time. It can even be a sleepover!

ENTERTAINMENT. Horse games, crafts, and activities are fun to do for all ages. Board games, and Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Horse is a fun one, even for me, and I’m turning 11 soon! (I KNOW… I’m so old, right? Just kidding.) When I was the host of my first horse party, my friends and I made trail bags. To make one, all you need is small paper bags, sparkle-markers, crayons, and cut-out pieces of binder paper. Glue the piece of binder paper to the bag, with your “Dream Horse” on it. They can be printed out, or drawn by your friends. Decorate them, and put goodies in them. You’ll need them for the next activity as well…

HIDDEN HORSE. This game is simple, and fun. A horse isn’t hidden, but treats and candy are. Hide candy in your backyard or throughout the house. Tell your friends to look everywhere for the candy, and how many are hidden. Depending on how many there are, give your friends a time limit in which they must find all of them. It’s really a fun game!

SNACKS, DINNER. If you’re holding a sleepover, give your friends a nice dinner, and let them relax before playing the final game. Not a sleepover? Have little snacks in the kitchen for them to grab anytime, and they won’t be starving.

RUNAWAY! I “invented” this game of my own, and it is a little bit like Hide-and-Go-Seek, but different. One of your friends writes clues (that are numbered, 1, 2, 3, etc.), each telling where the next clue is, and leaves them around the house. The first clue stays with you, and REMEMBER that the last clue is to where they are hidden. For older girls, it should be more challenging to find where the clues are and where the person is hiding, and for younger girls, more easy. You can rotate who gets to hide, and make up rules of your own if you like.

MOVIE TIME! (Note: This is recommended for sleepovers, and should be watched late at night for extra fun!) Ending the day or party with a movie is great. Sitting on the couch, or laying on the floor with popcorn getting passed around. Movies such as National Velvet (a classic all-time horse movie), Black Beauty (a tear-jerker, but wonderful movie), and others are great to watch and are sure to be enjoyed.

PARTY’S OVER. It comes around either sooner or later — eventually the party ends and your guests leave. Be sure to thank your friends for coming, and say that you hope they had fun. And if the next day at school they ask you, “Hey! When’s the next party gonna be?” you’ll know they had hay-loads of fun.

And there you go. The best horse party ever, without a real horse there! Who would’ve imagined that?

More to read...

• Games Horse Girls Play
• Rainy Day Horse Fun and Crafts
• PREVIEW: My Horse and Me

The three Easter eggs shown in the blog banner are hidden within three blogs. Who will be the first to find them and comment with links to each blog?

Since there are hundreds of blogs at GHC, here’s a hint to help narrow down your search:

No one likes eggs that are so old they’ve become smelly (peeeee-yewww!). The Easter eggs are hidden in three blogs that were written this year…

Have fun!

Sincerely,

More to read...

• Scavenger Hunt Surprise
• Calling All Detectives: Scavenger Hunt
• Let the Contest Begin!

If you’re a fan of the international TV series The Saddle Club, you might be interested to know there’s a new online horse game on the way. Last month Canadian company GS New Media announced they are developing The Saddle Club 3D Virtual World for launch in 2009. As details emerge I’ll be sure to share them at GHC.

Last year I told you about Wind Rider by Susan Williams, a riveting story set in prehistoric Asia about a young girl who tames a wild horse. Good news for anyone interested in this book — Wind Rider is now available in paperback with a beautiful new cover featuring the Przewalski’s Horse (click here to read Julia’s blog about this breed).

Wind Rider is one of the featured picks in the newly spiffed-up catalog. I’m slowly but surely remodeling this section so it’s easier to keep it updated with the latest Girls Horse Club picks. If you have favorites to recommend, please let me know.

More to read...

• REVIEW: Wind Rider by Susan Williams
• A Horse Rider
• The Wonder of Riding a Horse

INSTRUCTIONS

1) BREAK THE CODE. A cryptogram is a type of code where each letter of the alphabet is replaced by a different letter. For example, everywhere you see the letter ‘L’ in the cryptogram below it’s replacing the letter ‘M’ (that’s a hint…).

To break the code, you need to figure out the replacement scheme by looking for letter patterns in words. For example, one letter words can only be ‘I’ or ‘A’. Also look for patterns that reveal common words like ‘THE’ or ‘AND’. You probably want to print this blog and use a pencil to start figuring out the code. If you need additional instructions or tips, check out this article How to Solve a Cryptogram.

2) GO ON A SCAVENGER HUNT. Once decoded, the cryptogram reveals 10 questions with answers that can be found throughout GirlsHorseClub.com. Once you’ve found all the answers…

3) ENTER THE QUESTIONS (THE SOLUTION TO THE CRYPTOGRAM) AND THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS INTO THE COMMENTS FIELD. Entries will be posted on JUNE 9th for everyone to see who completed the puzzle and in what order.

READY FOR SOME FUN? Here’s the cryptogram:

XNRC XRD CNS CBCES IP CNS MSTO PBTDC WEIY UIDCSJ RC YBTED NITDS HEFW?

XNI XRD CNS PBTDC SMST AFGBIT WEIYYST?

XNI BD CNS IEJSDC NITDS BG CNS DCRWESD?

XNRC BD CNS GRLS IP DNRNRT’D JRL?

XNRC BD CNS GRLS IP CNS TRGHN XNSTS DFG JRGHST XRD WITG?

BG CNS EIPC WIIV HEFW, NIX LRGO DCITBSD IT HNRUCSTD NRMS CNS XITJ ‘FGBHITG’ BG CNS CBCES?

XNRC BD CNS GRLS IP CNS YBTED NITDS HEFW MBTCFRE WRTG JIY?

XNRC WEIY HNRGGSE NRD CNS NBYNSDC GFLWST IP UIDCD?

XNRC BD R ‘HNFVVR’?

XNRC BD CNS GRLS IP CNS AFGBIT WEIYYST XNI EBMSD IG CNS XITEJ’D DLREESDC HIGCBGSGC?

Hint: Most questions start with who, what, when, where, why or how…

More to read...

• Calling All Detectives: Scavenger Hunt

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Delivering all the excitement and fun of the equestrian life, from sports and leisure riding to horse care, My Horse and Me is a unique gaming experience for anyone with an interest or passion for horses. The game features the most accurate horse models and animations yet realized in a video game, alongside a richly rewarding game play experience, all set against a beautiful backdrop of charming indoor and outdoor environments.

The Championship mode lets the player take part in competitions at indoor and outdoor locations around the globe ranging from rustic stables and classical riding schools to world-class tournament locations. A series of fun mini-games offer a variety of game play experiences alongside rewarding horse care game play and extensive customization.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• The only horse game with the official FEI license
• The only horse game to offer official tracks and official leagues (including some bonus cinematics) in game
• Ability to manage every aspect of the character day (feeding, grooming & stable management)
• Varied gameplay (dialogues, time management, minigames and the tutorial aspect)
• Ability to play in first or third person view
• Multiplayer mode (alternative play) will be implemented
• Replay of your courses can be watched with or without the trainer comments
• Players can take pictures during the game and print them from her/his computer

I have not played the game so can’t say what makes it different or better than the other horse games out there. The description says it’s ‘a unique gaming experience’ but the features sound similar to games like Equestrian Challenge, which also has licensed courses (Adelaide, Kentucky, Badminton, and Burghley) so I’m not really buying some of their claims…

But regardless of that, it looks beautifully done and they’ve put together a good website. (UPDATE: looks like the website is no longer available). It’s available for Windows PC, Nintendo DS and Wii (which could be great fun if the controls actually function like reins). For horse girls who can’t get enough of games like this, it may be worth a try.

Have you played My Horse and Me? Please rate it: [ratings]

More to read...

• Preview: Horsez PC Game
• Games Horse Girls Play
• PREVIEW: My Dream Stable

by Madelaina, age 12

So maybe there isn’t such thing, but who said we can’t make one? It might not be official enough to be on a calendar, but it certainly would be on mine, and it would be more than once a year. But first, I’ll just let you know what a horse-lover’s day is–

It’s a day for all horse-lovers you know, and the best part is that anyone can arrange it! It’s a time when horses are number one, and there wouldn’t ever be a loss for apples or carrots. Here’s the basic outline of what is needed to be done (you are welcome to add more thoughts in the comments):

1. Be a vegetarian for a day (if you aren’t one already) and have a look at how a horse eats. Fill yourself up with carrots and apples, maybe some oats as well! However, eating only carrots and apples would be a negative for your health, so don’t even think about it even if it is tempting!
2. Wake up feeling fresh and think “I’m going to be let out on the pastures today!” In other words, think horse-like. Here’s a challenge for you: try imagining things ten times bigger.
3. Give a whicker or a whinny instead of your usual greeting. Now that’s what I call horse-crazy!
4. It wouldn’t be horse-lovers day without horses, so try to arrange a day at the stables. Maybe a trail ride or two, but make sure there’s plenty of tack-cleaning, feeding, mucking out stalls — all the basic horse care stuff — to show just how horse-loving you are!
5. Grab a good book or two and a plentiful snack of carrots and apples for a day spent outside. Try your best to find some grassy areas (even a paddock!) and sit down with all your friends to talk about nothing but horses! There’s food to keep you busy and books if you need some tranquil time to enjoy Mother Nature.
6. Dress up like a horse or in riding clothes. Get into the spirit of a horse day!

And if you’d really go to the extremes:

1. Speak nothing but neighs and snorts for the whole day. See if your friends or family can understand you (I doubt it).
2. Walk on all fours! Pretend to be a horse and use your four dark-coloured socks on your four limbs and have a joyful horsey day.

So what are you waiting for? Check out your calendar for this new year, and plan a fun-packed day. Whether invite your friends over or celebrate on your own, the horse-lover’s day is a day for any and every horse girl!

More to read...

• A Day in the Life of a Horse Lover
• Tasty Homemade Horse Treats
• A Horsey Halloween

The scariest night of the year is rapidly approaching. It will soon be October 31st. That’s right, very soon it will be Halloween. The one and only night of the year when you go out and get candy and dress up in a spooky, funny, or weird costume. But this year, remember to save a little bit of the Halloween fun for the horses.

HORSE COSTUMES

The Ghost — To make the ghost you need a huge horse sized sheet. Cut a big whole for the horse’s head to stick out of. If your horse spooks when you put it on, be sure to take the costume right off. The horse will be wearing a white blanket, and in the dark might remind some people of a ghost.

Horse Bags — For horse bags you need to put on a bareback saddle pad. Get or make two little bags and attach them with Velcro to the sides of the horse’s pad. Once you do, your horse will be able to go trick-or-treating and put all of his yummy apples and carrots in bags right by his sides!

And remember, if a horse spooks, take it off. And also, never leave on your horse’s costume while you aren’t there, even if your horse is calm. It’s always better safe than sorry.

HORSE COSTUMES FOR YOU

The Rider — To be a rider, just wear what you do when you ride horses! Your boots, helmet, and everything so you look just like a rider. With this easy costume, you will be showing everybody just how much you love horses. For a variation on this costume, apply white make-up to your face and be a ghost rider!

The Horse — Buy a white coat with a zipper and hood, a white pair of pants, black yarn, hot glue, and brown spray paint. Spray the white clothes brown. Attach the black yarn to the hood and back of the pants with hot glue, and then you have a bay horse costume, just like that.

HORSE GAMES FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE

Bobbing for Apples — Get a big tank of water and drop apples into it. Then your friends and horses can bob for apples and enjoy a tasty treat all together. Everyone will be happy, both humans and horses.

Costume Party — Invite your friends and their horses to a party where you just play, talk, and ride in your costumes. Then you can dress your horses up and have a costume competition, for both humans and horses.

Remember to let the horses have some fun this Halloween. And you might like it so much that you and your horse will celebrate Halloween together every single year.

RATE THIS: [ratings]

More to read...

• Mommy, Can I Have a Horsey?
• Girls and Horses: True Friends

Let’s try something like this, but within the Girls Horse Club blog. Perhaps we’ll learn something interesting about one another! So no one feels pressured if they don’t want to participate, and so we have the possibility of hearing from readers who are usually silent, instead of tagging we’ll just voluntarily step up to answer through comments.

QUESTIONS: :-/

1. If you could star in a remake of your favorite horse movie, what movie would it be and what part would you play?
2. If you could ask any horse just one question and hear their answer, what horse would you choose and what question would you ask him/her?
3. If you could travel back in time and meet a horse from history, what horse would it be?

HOW IT WORKS:

• This is open to everyone, not just Girls Horse Club bloggers and authors.
• Only comments that answer all three questions will be published.
• One response per person please — let’s hear from a variety of readers.

If you have a blog or web site of your own, feel free to start your own meme. You’re welcome to use the text and/or images from this one, or come up with your own idea.

RATE THIS: [ratings]

More to read...

• Calling All Detectives: Scavenger Hunt
• INTERACTIVE VIEW: Templeton Thompson
• INTERACTIVE VIEW: Toby Bishop

UPDATE: The scavenger hunt is over — hope you had fun! See below each clue for the winning answers from Animalsrkool, who found everything just hours after the hunt was posted. Congrats Animalsrkool, Grand Prix Detective.

Hay gumshoes, get ready to use your sleuthing skills for a virtual scavenger hunt!

Below is a list of clues pointing to 10 things located around GirlsHorseClub.com. Your goal is to be the Grand Prix Detective by finding each one and being the first to contact us with all 10 correct.

RULES

1. All items must be found within GirlsHorseClub.com.
2. In addition to the answer, you must include where you found the answer. It’s OK to include links. See the sample question/answer below for clarity.
3. Each person has just ONE shot at listing where you found *all* items, so do your detective work thoroughly before contacting us. Answers sent one at a time or in batches of less than 10 do not qualify.
4. During the mini break, comments will be closed and we won’t be answering questions — you’re on your own!
5. We’ll announce the winner as early as possible after the break. Some clues aren’t easy, so if we don’t have a winner by then we’ll post some hints.

SAMPLE QUESTION: What does the name ‘Shahar’ mean?

SAMPLE ANSWER: Shahar means ‘by the moon’. Answer found here:
http://www.girlshorseclub.com/stables/shahar_story03.html (chapter 3 of Shahar’s story).

READY DETECTIVES? HERE ARE YOUR CLUES…

1. The Thoroughbred’s ancestry goes back to three foundation sires. Who are they?
   Answer: Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian, and the Byerly Turk.
   Found: Destiny’s pedigree in the Stables
2. What is the Lakota word that means ‘thank you’?
   Answer: ‘Pilamayaye’ means ‘thank you’ in Lakota.
   Found: Chapter 4 of Sun Dancer’s story.
3. Find an instance where Girls Horse Club is shown in the plural possessive Girls’ Horse Club.
   Found: Girls’ Horse Club Winner’s Circle on the Barn home page (the answer we intended) or here in this blog (the answer given by Animalsrkool, which is technically correct — very clever!).
4. What is the name of the only remaining wild horse breed in the world?
   Answer: Przewalski’s Horse
   Found: Przewalski’s Horse blog by Julia
5. What are the names of Lone Star’s grandparents?
   Answer: Lucky Star, Dusty Rose, Solitary Sir Nick, Shady Lady
   Found: Lone Star’s pedigree
6. Who is hooteeny’s best friend?
   Answer: Jackson
   Found: Comment #37 of hooteeny’s blog
7. What Loft Book Club story has the most chapters?
   Answer: Chelsea’s Life (currently 42 chapters)
   Found: In the Loft Book Club
8. The average horse drinks how many liters (or gallons) of water per day?
   Answer: 20 to 30 liters (8 gallons)
   Found: Chapter 2 of Shahar’s Story
9. What equestrian sport does NOT involve riding?
   Answer: Showmanship
   Found: You Don’t Have to Ride to Win blog by Rebecca Shyly
10. What Junior Blogger wrote a chapter story that ended with poetry.
    Answer: Madelaina
    Found: In the last chapter of Fernwood Valley, found from Madelaina’s Meet the Bloggers bio by clicking the link for ‘chapter stories’.

More to read...

• Read, Think, WRITE! – Story Relay #1
• PREVIEW: My Dream Stable

Reviewed by Julia, age 13

I think one of the best web sites for horse people is Howrse. Howrse is a stable simulation game where you breed, train, buy and sell your own horses or ponies as well as run your own Equestrian Center. It’s all free except for buying passes, which uses real money, but you can win passes for free in the game. Passes allow you to buy magical items that will increase your horse’s skills or have another beneficial affect.

In order to advance in this game you pass riding levels. For every riding level you pass more and better features are unlocked to you. To pass riding levels you take quizzes with questions pertaining to horses. There are true and false as well as multiple-choice questions. The questions get harder as you advance in the game. As I stated before, more features become unlocked as you pass riding levels. For example, at level two you can become a groom, but at level eight (the final level) you can become a saddler — the highest paying job on Howrse. At level three you can open your own Equestrian Center etc.

Once you retain your own EC (Equestrian Center) you can host jumping, cross-country, and race competitions. For jumping and cross-country you design the course yourself by laying down obstacles and setting the price and level of the required skills to qualify. You can breed horses to produce the top foals and at level four you can view all sorts of info on genetics in the game and breed status. Depending on what your goal is and how far you are in the game, things can get complicated so for the best information read the help files on the game.

Unfortunately, Howrse is only open to English speaking countries, but it is very enjoyable and definitely my favorite horse sim game out there because of the realism it offers.

Editors Note: There’s also a French version of this game called Equidio.

If you have something to add to Julia’s review of Howrse, feel free to submit a comment.

If you’re looking for help with or want to tell others about your status in the game, please do that on the Howrse site. Thanks!

RATE THIS GAME: [ratings]

More to read...

• Games Horse Girls Play
• Preview: Horsez PC Game
• REVIEW: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell