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  quarter horse: The nickname of the American quarter horse, a versatile breed of horse developed in the early days of the United States. The American quarter horse is the most popular breed in the US today, and its breed association is the largest in the world.

  roping: A rodeo event in which two riders must rope and tie a steer. It’s the only rodeo event in which men and women commonly compete against each other.

  start box: The spot where a horse and rider begin their cross-country course. This is often a three-sided, fenced-in “box” about the size of a large stall.

  stock horse: A type of horse suited for working with livestock. Quarter horses, paints, and Appaloosas are the most common American stock horses.

  transitions: Changing from one gait (or halt) to another. Upward transitions are from a slower gait to a faster one. For instance a rider can do a transition from walk to trot, from halt to canter, and various others. A downward transition is from a faster gait to a slower one—for instance from gallop to canter, from trot to halt, and various others.

  CATHERINE HAPKA has written more than one hundred and fifty books for children and young adults, including many about horses. A lifelong horse lover, she rides several times per week and appreciates horses of all breeds. She keeps three horses on a small farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania, though none of them are Chincoteague ponies—yet. In addition to writing and riding, she enjoys animals of all kinds, reading, gardening, music, and travel.

  The Marguerite Henry’s Ponies of Chincoteague series is inspired by the award-winning books by MARGUERITE HENRY, the beloved author of such classic horse stories as King of the Wind; Misty of Chincoteague; Justin Morgan Had a Horse; Stormy, Misty’s Foal; Misty’s Twilight; and Album of Horses, among many other titles.

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  Simon & Schuster, New York

  Learn more about the world of Marguerite Henry at www.MistyofChincoteague.org

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  Don’t miss the next book in the series!

  Book 8: The Road Home

  Don’t Miss

  MARGUERITE HENRY’S

  Ponies of Chincoteague

  Book 1: Maddie’s Dream

  Book 2: Blue Ribbon Summer

  Book 3: Chasing Gold

  Book 4: Moonlight Mile

  Book 5: A Winning Gift

  Book 6: True Riders

  Coming Soon

  Book 8: The Road Home

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  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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  This Aladdin hardcover edition August 2016

  Text copyright © 2016 by The Estate of Marguerite Henry

  Jacket illustration copyright © 2016 by Robert Papp

  Also available in an Aladdin paperback edition.

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  ALADDIN is a trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc., and related logo is a registered trademark of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Book designed by Karina Granda

  The text of this book was set in Adobe Caslon Pro.

  Library of Congress Control Number 2015957572

  ISBN 978-1-4814-5994-5 (hc)

  ISBN 978-1-4814-5993-8 (pbk)

  ISBN 978-1-4814-5995-2 (eBook)