• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 5

Becky Sanderson enters her first endurance challenge, the Wildflower 50. She and her mother's chestnut mare, Windy, must race 50 grueling miles over rough, steep mountain trails. Becky is confident she can do it, especially with the help of her friend, Rob. But Rob unexpectedly gets distracted by another racer, a willowy blonde whose behavior is more than a little suspicious. Will Becky's jealousy get in the way of finishing the race? The competition gets tougher, and for some of the riders it seems there's more at stake than first place. Becky is caught up in a vicious race with riders who will stop at nothing to win.

As a child Sharon Siamon had a passion for three things: horses, mountains, and books. Growing up in Southern Ontario with a family too busy for horses, Siamon pursued her dreams through books and make-believe. She says: “I never ran as a kid, I galloped, trotted, or cantered everywhere.” As an adult, she has spent her time pursuing an adventurous lifestyle, and sharing it in her writing.

The inspiration for her trilogy, Mustang Mountain came while participating in a five-day trail ride near Red Deer, Alberta. There she sat around an open fire at night listening to the wranglers talk. She was also inspired by conversations with young women who grew up on ranches.

Sharon Siamon’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Siamon is now one of Canada’s most prolific writers of fiction for young readers. She has published eleven novels in Canada, two series in England, and a series in Norway. Her Sleepover Series and five books she wrote in the Stage School series under the pseudonym Geena Dare are popular across Canada and Northern Europe.

A mother of three grown up daughters, Siamon now enjoys writing in the early morning hours and then spending the rest of the day outdoors. She and her husband Jeff currently reside in Toronto with their dog, Brio.

Sharon Siamon's profile page

Dark Horse

Because of her mother’s back injury, fifteen-year-old Becky has taken over riding her mom’s chestnut mare in the annual endurance riding race. The race is grueling: fifty miles over steep mountain trails. Becky will be competing against many riders, most notably the beautiful blond Tara and her exceptional grey Arab. Tara is a competitor for the race and also for the affections of Becky’s friend Rob who is crewing for her. The race begins and the competition gets tougher and tougher. Tara and others break rules in their desperation to win, even placing the lives of some horses and riders in danger. This is an exciting addition, #9, to the Mustang Mountain series.

Dark Horse (Mustang Mountain)

In Book Nine, Becky enters her first endurance challenge. When the competition gets tough, Becky finds herself caught up in a vicious race with riders who do anything to win.