Review Detail

Drama and Mystery at the Kentucky Horse Park
(Updated: June 23, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Harper is excited to be attending a competition at the Kentucky Horse Park, but is apprehensive about seeing riders with whom she worked at her previous stable, since they were so mean to her. She loves working with her friend Presley, and is eager to introduce her to competition. Harper's sister Marnie is creating content for Young Rider, an equestrian magazine, and is hoping to interview an Olympic rider who is at the competition. Natalie, the daughter of Tracie, who owns Windy Creek, is along for the competition, but a bit apprehensive, since she is very allergic to horses. Harper is eager to compete with Isolde, so when her horse is colicking in the middle of the night, she is disappointed that the two can't take part, although the health of her horse is the most important thing. When another horse comes down with similar symptoms, the girls decide to investigate to see if something nefarious is going on. The girls from Foxcroft Stables are incredibly mean to both Harper and Presley, even stooping to racial comments, since Presley is black. Are the girls so competitive that they would stoop to sabotage? With the help of Marnie, Harper and her friends identify the culprits and get footage of them. How will this affect the competition?
Good Points
This is a great book for horse fans, and has tons of details about caring for horses, competition, and even equipment and clothing. There's some diversity with Harper and Minerva's two mothers, and even a tattooed Olympic athlete. The covers are great, and I'm sure that my readers who love horses will be looking forward to the third volume, Natalie and the Summer of Surprises (May 12, 2026).

There are some great new books about equestrian pursuits, like Burkhart’s Saddle Hill Academy or Canterwood Crest series, Farley’s The Phantom Stallion book, or Hapka’s Marguerite Henry's Ponies of Chincoteague, but Windy Creek Stables captures all of the drama of vintage series like Pony Pals, The Saddle Club, or Thoroughbred while still feeling updated and relevant.
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