Horsey short story competition has special prize for Yorkshire writers

Keen creative writers will have the chance to win a wealth of goodies by entering a short story competition that is sponsored by leading equestrian retailer Derby House.

Pippa Ireland, a mature equine student at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire, has launched the competition as part of an investigative project for her equine management course.

“The aim of the project is to be creative with an equine theme,” said Pippa. “I decided upon a writing competition because of the wealth of writing expertise in this country. With Derby House on board I am hoping to attract a massive entry.”

The theme, which can be interpreted widely, is ‘equine and countryside’, and writers have a limit of 2,000 words. The competition, which closes on 14 May, features special prize sections for Pony Club members and Yorkshire residents.

The competition judge Penny Grubb, crime writer and local show judge, said, “I will be looking for well-written prose and a story to capture the imagination.”

Award-winning author and writing coach Linda Acaster will also offer entrants a critique of their work.

The competition has attracted an impressive list of sponsors, including horse feed manufacturers Dengie Feeds, event riders Oliver Townend and William Fox-Pitt and renowned saddlers E Jeffries, offering an array of prizes.

As well as cash prizes for overall winners, writers will also be vying to win a Jeffries English leather bridle, a Derby House Samber saddle, a weekend pass to Bramham International horse trials (3-6 June) and autographed saddle cloths, amongst other goodies.

“My ideal would be to offer a prize for every Pony Club member who enters,” said Pippa, “and I’m optimistic at this stage that I will be able to.”

Schedules, rules and entry forms can be downloaded from http://lascalastudios.photium/com or requested via e-mail: shortstory@lascalastudios.photium.com