Catching up with Terrebonne’s Sanoma and Goober after book flies off shelves

CentralOregonDaily.com - Full Story

by Eric Lindstrom | Central Oregon Daily News
Friday, September 15th 2023

You may remember the story we brought you a couple weeks ago about Sanoma Blakeley and her horse, Goober. They improbably won the world’s most-prestigious endurance horse race — the Tevis Cup — back in 2019.

That story of the youngest female Tevis Cup champion and the horse she got for free on Craigslist is now a book — written by Sanoma — that is flying off shelves, bringing her newfound fame.

“Last week has been pretty crazy. It’s been it’s been a busy week,” Sanoma said.

The Cinderella story of Sanoma and Goober continues.

“It was so incredible to see the support of the community that had come out and really showed their support in buying my books, just telling me that they enjoyed my story, Goober’s story, that they were proud of us. And it was amazing to see this the community step up...”

Read more here:
https://centraloregondaily.com/tevis-cup-terrebonne-sanoma-goober-book-signing/

Youngest female Tevis Cup winner releases book ahead of 2023 ride

GoldCountryMedia.com - Full Article

Sanoma Blakely's book, Chasing Dreams, chronicles her 2019 Tevis Cup victory.

Jordan Georgeson
Jul 25, 2023 3:00 PM

Sanoma Blakely was 18 years old when she won the Tevis Cup in 2019, crossing the finish line at McCann Stadium in 14 hours, 12 minutes.

Blakely was an underdog when she won the race, as she was neck and neck with former champions Jeremy and Heather Reynolds down the stretch.

The story of Blakely’s perseverance and resilience touched the hearts of endurance riding fans across the country, prompting her to write a book about her experience.

Blakely started writing "Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion" in early 2020, and it was released July 25, 2023...

Read more here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/294791/youngest-female-tevis-cup-winner-releases-book-ahead-of-2023-ride/

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion - Sanoma Blakeley

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion

by Sanoma Blakeley (Author) - 2023

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion is the incredible, action-packed memoir of Sanoma Blakeley’s 2019 Tevis Cup championship, won while riding her beloved horse Goober, and the tale of how she became the youngest woman to ever become a Tevis Cup champion. Beginning her endurance riding career at the age of seven, Blakeley writes about the years of training and teamwork required to win the most challenging and famous 100-mile horse race in the world aboard a horse she had originally acquired for free off of Craigslist.

Blakeley places readers on the ride with her so that they can experience the thrill of the most exciting horse endurance race in existence. Blakeley and Goober survive narrow mountain trails winding through the Sierra-Nevadas, containing over 19,000 feet of elevation gain; three steep, grueling canyons; crossing the shoulder-high American River; riding at night with only the light of the moon to guide them; temperatures that soared over 115 degrees; and, most excitingly, the final neck-and-neck sprint to the finish against a four-time Tevis Cup champion and world class competitor after 100 miles of some of the most rugged mountain trails in the world.

When Blakeley and Goober cross the finish line just a few feet ahead of their competition and Blakeley becomes the youngest woman in history to win the Tevis Cup, a lifetime of hard work that began when the author started training as a small child and who had long dreamed of winning the Tevis Cup was finally rewarded. Chasing Dreams contains action, heartwarming twists, and an epic ending that will leave readers in tears.

Three Steps Up to Mediocrity: A woman afraid, a tough little horse and the man who brought them together - Pamela Reband

Three Steps Up to Mediocrity: A woman afraid, a tough little horse and the man who brought them together

by Pamela Reband MD (Author) - 2023

“I couldn’t stop reading it. It is well written with good imagery and appeals to those of us who have dealt with fear on any level…” ~ Bruce Weary, D.C., endurance rider

Sometimes raw, sometimes humorous, but always honest, this is a true account of a woman’s struggle to overcome a paralyzing fear, get back into the sport she loves, and the friendships she develops along the way.

After a lifetime of riding and owning horses and performing both in the show ring and on the trail, a difficult fall off her own horse on her own property leads Pam to realize age is catching up with her and she has become afraid to get back in the saddle. She embarks on a journey to find he perfect horse to help her get back into the tough sport of endurance riding, never knowing she would find help, both physically and emotionally, in a trainer and fellow rider who becomes a great friend.

This is a book for anyone who has fear or aging issues, anyone who loves riding horses, and anyone who needs a bit of hope.

The Adventures of Hot Wheelz the Horse: Lessons from a Majestic Beast - Lori McIntosh

The Adventures of Hot Wheelz the Horse: Lessons from a Majestic Beast

Lori McIntosh (Author), 2023

Lori was often hushed as a young girl, the youngest of four with busy parents who sometimes didn’t notice her. With three much louder and bigger older sisters, Lori didn’t have much say in what she wanted. It would be years before she could be herself, develop self-worth and self-esteem, and use her athletic skills to their fullest. Yet, she persevered throughout her life to become as independent as possible. She discovered horses at age eight, where she could sense how their energy, loyalty, and sereneness helped mold her into a successful leader as an adult. 30-plus years later, her life collided with Hot Wheelz, which led to big adventures.

Hot Wheelz was a lonely, neglected horse, too hot, too difficult to handle, with a mind of his own, and too quick for his own good. Many friends suggested that Lori sell him because he was a bit dangerous on the trail. He had several accidents, lost too much weight, nearly lost his life, was bullied by other horses, and rarely stood up for himself. Today he is the leader of his herd, and Lori is in full charge of her life with the support of her husband, Nigel. Together they all share the joy of day-to-day ranch living with their family of best friends.

About the Author
Lori McIntosh has been riding horses since she turned eight, starting as a camper at Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake, Virginia. She rode one hour every day over six days when at camp. The other hours she spent waiting for those six hours of riding.

After moving from Virginia as one of the most popular girls in junior high to a high school in Dallas, Texas, she became one of the most unpopular girls in school. Later, after graduating, she competed for the intercollegiate team at the University of Texas at Austin. Soon, she did a foolish thing, or not, and bought her first horse, Sorab, an experienced chestnut Thoroughbred using a brand new credit card she magically got as a student. She was judged in the arena for equitation and handling of the horse at Universities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and all over Texas.

She and her husband, Nigel, enjoy horse camping vacations. Lori “stole” Hot Wheelz from Nigel and rode three 100-mile races with him, plus many 50-mile rides along with several other disciplines. The family of horses expanded to Groovy, Jasper, Johnny Cash, and Donkey Oti. Sadly, Finn passed away in 2019.

Lori lives in Northern California, surrounded by trails. She rides her horses and has a business called Lori McIntosh Properties, helping people live in the country with their horses like her.

Find out more about Lori and her adventures at www.lorimcintosh.com.

Follow the Ribbons, Missy - Ann Cofield

Follow the Ribbons, Missy

Ann Cofield (Author), 2021

Come along with Moria and the folks in Cherry Valley as they plan for an event in their community. On the Fourth of July, Jada announces that the local horse people will host an endurance ride. Soon the riders learn there are only three months to prepare 25 miles of trails in the National Forest. Things get hectic, both on the trails and in relationships as the summer unwinds. True to form, Jada wants all the glory and none of the responsibility. The planning falls to Moria, and her friend Maxine, who want to be sure the ride is a success. Their husbands, Jackson and Jeremy and the horse community are soon roped into preparations. As trail issues face the managers, the new Forest Ranger becomes a valued ally. Two young girls, who witnessed a murder, are sheltering in place at Rodney's farm, guarded by a member of the US Marshall Service. The youngsters are learning to be cowgirls and much more! A grumpy old guy with an inholding in the National Forest must be persuaded to let the ride come through his property. What is he growing in the hen house besides poinsettias? Will sparks fly between Moria and Jackson's old flame when she attends the ride and camps in their pasture? The Cherry Valley Ride comes to an unexpected finish as lives and relationships change in this sequel to Put Your Boots On, Missy.

Race Against Time: A girl, a pony, & the toughest 100-mile race in the world - Claire Eckard with Kyla & Natalie Law

Race Against Time

Claire Eckard, Kyla Law, Natalie Law (Authors), 2023

Flash was a pony that had fallen between the cracks-too small for most to ride, even for a Hackney pony, and too feral to be shown. What he needed was a person as small as he was-who had the guts and the patience to give a wild pony a chance. Then along came a little girl with a sensitive soul and a big heart.

Kyla Law was just nine years old when she met Flash, and neither of them could have anticipated that their partnership would make history.

In an inspiring true story of family, faith, and perseverance, Kyla and Flash's relationship mirrors the journey we must all take in life: one of highs and lows, successes and failures-theirs just happens to be along a hundred-mile historic trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains-the setting for the most famous endurance race in the world. From the moment they met, to the moment they crossed the finish line, their tenacity exhibits pure spirit: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the fire-in-the-soul kind of spirit that helps us climb mountains and cross rivers, literally and figuratively.

This story is about a girl and her pony, and how in one amazing day they inspired an international community, as Flash became the smallest horse to ever finish the Western States One-Hundred-Mile, One-Day Ride-the Tevis Cup.