Baxter Bay: A Pony’s Tale
By Cynthia Hankins
For young horse lovers and fans of classics like The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, and Misty of Chicoteague comes Baxter Bay, a heartwarming and hilarious tale of two retired show ponies and friends reliving their glory days through storytelling.
Upcoming Events
Headed to Kentucky!
Come visit the set up at the Kentucky Summer Classic, July 28- August 2 and then, of course, the USEF Pony Finals, August 4-9. Books and merchandise with the cutest logo. Tees, baseball caps, a very limited number of trainer tips notebooks, jute bags and useful teal pouches for make up, hairbands, pens/pencils (and make great Christmas gifts).
In addition, for those who buy a Baxter Bay book, you are entitled to participate in a contest to answer questions found in the book to win a navy blue back pack with the Baxter and Windy logo, as well as a second and third place prize.
A Heartwarming Tale
Baxter and Windy were once the stars of the show ring―glamorous, graceful, and totally unbeatable. But now? They’re retired, furry, a little creaky, and full of opinions. Living out their golden years on a peaceful farm in Virginia, these two ponies spend their days munching hay and sharing stories of their glory days with a group of wide-eyed young colts and fillies.
Baxter is the polite, humble hero of his past―a true gentleman. Windy, meanwhile, has attitude to spare and has never had a problem doing whatever it takes to win. Together, they trade tales of young riders, sparkling ribbons, big wins, and bigger flops.
Told with humor, heart, and a little bit of sass, Baxter Bay is a story about friendship, growing older, and the adventures that make you who you are―whether you’re bay, gray, or somewhere in between―that’s perfect for horse lovers, animal fans, and anyone who knows that being different just might be your biggest strength.
June Book Signings
A heartfelt thank you to all who came to my first two book signings ever. The first was held when I had newly arrived from France the day before at the Lahaska Bookshop. Along with a couple new faces who wanted to buy this new title, I saw some friends I hadn’t seen in decades. Betsy Fineberg came by to buy a book and try to catch up in a short time. I remember Betsy showing a bay mare at the old Pineway Riding Club Horse Shows when I was a child. And then Debra Baldi Matz stopped by, picking up a book for herself and her brother, Fred. Both of them rode with my mother, Debra on Mr. Chink, a paint from Chincoteague Island and Fred has a gray mare, Silver Tassel. After riding, we’d spend hours cantering around on foot over fences we created.
On July 4th, Karla Maynes’ Bucks County Saddlery was open for a children’s clothing sale, but Karla tells me that many people came in the store to catch up with me and buy a book. More catching up with faces I’d not seen in donkey’s years. We remembered old trainers from the area and ponies we’d had.
I went out to the Kocher’s Horse Show for a Monday-Tuesday show and had a proper set up for the first time. I needed a practice run before I tackle the hordes of pony riders in Kentucky! Come on! I’ll be ready.
Free Library of New Hope
The Free Library of New Hope added Baxter Bay, A Pony’s Tale to their shelves today, putting it right up with the new arrivals. That was a good step. Now to work on Doylestown and beyond.
Farley’s Bookshop in New Hope
Before heading off to give an EAP (Emerging Athletes Program Clinic for USHJA) and judge at Traverse City, MI., I went to New Hope to see if I could convince the bookshop there to carry Baxter. I had out numerous one-page letters – old snail mail – to various bookshops and tack stores. One paid off. “We have your book!” I had to go back and see for myself. So, hats off to Farley’s bookshop. I Stopped in the Frenchtown Bookshop as well to convince them that in such a horsey area, Baxter was a must. If you live in near Frenchtown, NJ (first, lucky you! What a cute town.) Please call them or stop in and see if they have Baxter. I’m hoping to get some ground swell in the brick-and-mortar shops. We all use Amazon, but spending time in a wonderful bookshop can’t be beat.
About The Author
Cynthia Hankins
Cynthia Hankins is an accomplished author and hunter/jumper person with a lifelong passion for horses—she began riding at the age of two. Today, she teaches, judges, leads clinics, and competes professionally both in the US and internationally. Her writing has appeared in publications including The Chronicle of the Horse, Coast, The Practical Horseman, and In Stride magazines. Cynthia divides her time between Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Calvados, Normandy, France, where she lives with her husband and their tricolor Pembroke Corgi, Sushi, who understands two languages but listens to neither.
About The Illustrator
Kelly Wilkinson Coffin
Kelly Wilkinson Coffin is a native Virginian and graduate of the University of Virginia (Col “88).
She returned to Charlottesville, VA to open her own studio after completing three years of full time study at the Ingbretson Studio of Drawing and Painting, an atelier in the tradition of the Boston School, which combines the drawing and discipline of the Academies of 19th Century Paris with the color and light effects of the impressionists.
Additionally she completed a semester studying portraiture and figure painting at the Charles Cecil studio in Florence, Italy.
Prior to pursuing painting full time she served on Active Duty as a Naval Aviator for 10 years and later flew as a First Officer with US Airways while continuing to serve in the Naval Reserve.
She is an avid horsewoman, who loves the Virginia countryside.
Married to Tad Coffin, Kelly lives on a farm with her family in Ruckersville, VA.
Get in Touch
For questions or appearances contact Cynthia Hankins at, baxterandwindy@outlook.com.
