Welcome back, race fans!Last time, we got to know talented illustrator, Hayley Mullins, who is bringing to live the story of Blue Blue Sea. That image above is another of her delightful drawings. Now, we had some questions for Blue Blue Sea's human, Miranda N. Prather, the writer of the tale.How long have you been involved with horses?
I say before I was born, but definitely not long afterward. My maternal grandfather, his brother and father and son all loved horses and were involved with them. One of my first words was "sorey", my attempt at saying "horsey". I had pictures of Seattle Slew and Alydar as a child and probably too many horse stuffed animals and toys. Blackie, an ornery Shetland, was my first equine partner when I was about four. When we moved from Louisiana to Kentucky, I started taking lessons. I rode many horses from Arab to Appaloosa to OTTB to Quarter Horse during that time, primarily jumping. My next equine partner was a Quarter Horse named What-a-Twist and then came Beble AKA JoJo, an Argentinean Bred OTTB. I can't imagine a life without horses. What made you want an OTTB and what particularly about Blue Blue Sea? When I was very small, I wanted to be a cowboy, but then my mother took me to the backside of a track in my native Texas, and something clicked. I wanted to be a jockey, part of me always will, even though I didn't go for that. The big draw was always the horse for me. There is no other horse like the Thoroughbred, full of fire, pride and intelligence, yet at the same time, they are horses that will give it all to humans. Most of them are simply beautiful, too. I looked at Blue Blue Sea for all the wrong reasons for possibly purchasing a horse. First was pedigree. While Seattle Slew was my first horse racing love, Alydar the next year became my all-time favorite. I'm a real fan of the red-heads, and all but one of my horses has been a chestnut. When I saw the CANTER listing, it said Alysheba, so that led me to click the ad. When I saw Blue's picture, I was struck by how much he looked like Alydar. I downloaded that picture, one of only two that I ever did from the CANTER site. For several weeks, I would open that picture and look at him. There was certainly something there, a connection that I can't explain even through a picture. How did owning Blue Blue Sea change your life? Blue taught me more than any other horse or person could or did about horses. That knowledge has been put to use in helping other horses and people. So there's a very practical way that living with him has changed things. He also taught me that you can have a fulfilling relationship with a horse that doesn't involve riding. Riding was an important part of my time with any horse in my life previously. When Blue got sick, I made a choice to decrease any riding and eventually to do away with it altogether. We had a great time learning tricks and just spending time with each other. I guess how he really changed my life was in teaching me what is important in life. To enjoy a moment for what it is and to treasure those who make your life better. I miss him every day, but I have gained hundreds of new friends through sharing his story that I never would have known otherwise. Do you only write children's books? No. This is the only children's book I have ever written. It was quite a challenge, too, with the economy of words and the rhyme scheme. I am finishing up a novel and have published articles, short stories and poetry. Why a book on Blue Blue Sea? I had so many people say that there should be a book based on his story. He inspired so many and brought together a community of wonderful people. Blue himself was an inspiration, and though he might have just been a washed-up claimer, I didn't want him to be forgotten. I also wanted his story to be out in as many ways as possible to help other people and their horses who might have the same problems he did. Just to let them know that there is hope. His book is also offers a chance to give back, as I will be donating some of the proceeds to charitable horse organizations. The illustrations are now half-way done and mock-ups of the book are already being set. On Blue Blue Sea's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/blueblueseaottb) you can vote for your favorite font! We want our fans involved in the entire design of the book, so please be sure to vote for your favorite font soon! The Blue Blue Sea Team
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