The Red Filly Continues

On October 21, 2025 By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, CC On Writing, Dreaming of Arabians, The Red FillyLeave a comment

It’s been a rough year, maybe two. I have done virtually no writing. A few months ago, I re-read the chapters of The Red Filly I had written so far and was not impressed…so, of course, my first instinct was to give up. Believing in oneself is one of the hardest things for many people to do. I’m aware that this is not the greatest blog post. It fails even at achieving mediocrity. But I’m writing, so there’s that.

I’ve struggled with this novel because it started out as a story that pays homage to books like, The Black Stallion by Walter Farley or For Love of a Horse by Patricia Leitch. At its heart it is still about the love for a horse and specifically an Arabian horse like in the books I mentioned above which helped inspire this story.

But a lot has happened since I was just a girl who loved horses, especially Arabian ones. Because of my life experiences this book has evolved and it’s still evolving. That also stopped me in my tracks. I’m not sure how the finished story will be received and that scares me. I spend way too much time worrying about what other people think. I have many flaws and that may be the biggest among them. So, because I am flawed, this story is as well.

The Red Filly continues…

The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter by Steven Farley

On December 14, 2023 By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Book Reviews, The Black StallionLeave a comment

So, I picked up this little lovely awhile back at Half Price Books and finally got around to reading it. It was a nice little find. It’s a first edition even.

As you all know, I have loved The Black Stallion series all my life, so I wasn’t sure about reading a story about the Black not written by Walter Farley. Well, it turns out his son, Steven, has taken up the mantle and handled it well. I loved this story! I’m partial to stories with a supernatural bent too, so I was enamored even more with this book.

Alec Ramsay and the Black head to Ireland so the stallion can exhibit his racing talents to a new audience. The Black is injured in the race, so Alec and his horse end up at a farm near the shore for recuperation. At first their visit is quiet and relaxing, but soon Alec begins to witness sights that can’t be easily explained. There is a long mystical history in this ancient place and Steven Farley has written the story in a believable way.

I really enjoyed this story because as always, a beautiful Arabian horse is at its center, but also a magical shapeshifting horse and lonely horse loving girl who Alec befriends and helps. These are all elements that I love, so I was very happy I came across this book. I highly recommend it to all lovers of horses and the mystical!

The Black Stallion and the Shape-shifter on Amazon

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley

On December 8, 2021February 1, 2023 By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Just Fun Horsey StuffLeave a comment

Picked up this little beauty at Half Price Books! It’s a little beat up, but being the 1968 edition, it really brings back memories. I first read this glorious story about a young boy and wild black stallion when I was in elementary school in the 1970s, so pretty sure this is the edition I first read. You can read about my introduction to this wonderful book series, here.

I’m re-reading this story for about the 50th time and love it as much as the first time! When I finish it this time, I’ll post a review, but spoiler alert…it will be a 5-star review for sure!

I hope all of you are well and staying safe. My plan is to re-read the entire series, so, many reviews will be forthcoming. Also continuing to work on The Red Filly and hoping to have the first draft finished by the end of winter. I hope 2022 will be a good year for all of us!

Much Ado About Horses

On October 14, 2021 By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horse History, Arabian Horses, Just Fun Horsey StuffLeave a comment

This post is just for fun because I received these beautiful books from Much Ado About Horses today! I haven’t read them yet of course, but wanted to post a few pictures because I love them so much! Much Ado About Horses is a website that sells hard to find and out of print Arabian horse books. They mailed these to me within a couple of days of ordering them and in excellent condition so I highly recommend them! Check out, muchadoabouthorses.com.

NH Fyrecracker-Franch Bred Arabian

On December 8, 2018February 1, 2023 By Carla ConorinoIn Arabian Horses, Franch Bred Arabians, The FranchLeave a comment

It was love at first sight for me and this sweet boy! He was introduced to me as Fyrecracker, but I couldn’t resist calling him Flame because of his fiery, red color which brought to mind Walter Farley’s Island Stallion of the same name. The name also seemed fitting because his sire is the black stallion, known as Spirit around The Franch.

Spirit’s sire is the beautiful, Affirmativ:

Flame is a Polish Arabian and he has the great, Bask in his pedigree three times on both his dam and sire’s side. He also has several Varian Arabians in his bloodline. He has Bay El Bey on his sire, Spirit’s side who was well known in Arabian horse circles as “The Kingmaker”. Bay El Bey’s descendants are stamped with his distinctive look, intelligence and excellent disposition, which is definitely true with Flame because he possesses the long arched neck, kindness and intelligence that has been passed down to him through the generations. To learn more about Bay El Bey, check out The History of Bay El Bey.

On his dam, Fyrelite Bynite’s side, Flame has in his bloodlines the following Varian Arabians, Khemosabi (Khemo as he was known, was actually raised by Ruth and Bert Husband, but his breeding career was launched by Sheila Varian.) and the mare, Bayanka.

Flame is the stuff of a little girl’s dreams!