The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) announced author Valerie Ormond as one its 2023 grant program recipients to distribute her latest novel Believing In Horses Out West to all of Maryland’s public library systems. Believing In Horses Out West tells the story of young Sadie Navarro venturing from her home in Maryland to a dude ranch in Montana to ensure a horse she rescued is safe.
The goal of the grant project was to help readers discover more about horses through this fictional story by providing them free information about horse rescue, natural horsemanship, and trail and vacation riding. The book includes information about real life Maryland horse-related organizations including Freedom Hill Horse Rescue, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Maryland High School Rodeo Association, and more.
MHIB awarded similar grants for Ormond’s previous two young adult novels, Believing In Horses and Believing In Horses, Too, both set in Maryland.
Ormond said, “It is a pleasure when speaking across the state to be able to tell readers the books are available at no cost to them at their local libraries. I feel fortunate that the Maryland Horse Industry Board values the arts and has been supportive of my writing career and the endeavors of other local artists and filmmakers.”
Believing In Horses, Too also won MHIB’s prestigious Touch of Class award in 2020. The Touch of Class Award honors Maryland horses, individuals, teams, organizations, or events that demonstrate national or international excellence. Ormond’s three books in the Believing In Horses series have won multiple awards including Gold Medals from the Military Writers Society of America, First Place from the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest, and Winnie Awards in EQUUS Film and Arts Festival Literary Award competitions.
About Valerie Ormond
Valerie Ormond is the author of the award-winning novels Believing In Horses, Believing In Horses, Too, and Believing In Horses Out West. A Navy veteran, she founded and runs her own business, Veteran Writing Services, LLC. For additional information about her and her writing, please see Veteran Writing Services and Believing In Horses – Valerie Ormond.
About the Maryland Horse Industry Board
The Maryland Horse Industry Board was established in 1998 under the Maryland Department of Agriculture to promote and develop the equine industry in Maryland. For more information about the Board and the grants program, please visit the MHIB website at Pages – Home (maryland.gov).
Media Contact:
Valerie Ormond
ceo@veteranwritingservices.com
(443)994-5651
Images and review copies available by request