The Magnum Equation

by Lisa Wysocky

  In-gate: Term for the side of the gate horses and riders use to enter a competition arena.

  Jumper: A horse or class that is judged only on whether the horse gets over the fence.

  Junior: A horse four years of age or under; a youth rider at this show aged thirteen or under.

  Made the cut: Able to continue on in the competition, versus getting the gate (not being placed)

  Open class: A class without age or status restriction for entries. Youths and adults, as well as amateur owners and professional trainers, can enter.

  Out-gate: Term for the side of the gate horses and riders use to exit a competition arena.

  Own daughter: A next generation descendant; daughter.

  Reining: The process of steering the horse; also a western class that focuses on flying lead changes, sliding stops, and spins.

  Ring steward: An assistant to the judge who also directs traffic and keeps control of the arena during the class.

  Round pen: A sixty-foot “round pen,” usually made of pipe panels, used for training horses on the ground and under saddle.

  Scratch: Canceling an entry in a class at the last minute.

  Senior: For the purposes of this show, any horse over the age of four.

  Stock horses: Horse breeds traditionally used for cattle, or stock work. Typically Appaloosas, Quarter Horses and Paints.

  The gate: Term meaning a horse and rider did not place in, or was eliminated from, a judged event; a generic term for the entrance and exit to an arena.

  Weanling: For horse show purposes, a horse born in the current year.

  APPLE BUTTER FROM THE APPLE TREE

  Ingredients

  3 pounds of apples

  1 cup sugar

  1 cup brown sugar

  1 cup water

  1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

  Zest and juice of 1 lemon

  2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

  1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  Use a slow cooker (crock-pot) so you don’t have to be concerned with the apples burning. Plus, your house will smell so good with the aroma of the apple butter.

  Choose the variety of apple according to your taste. Cat likes a crisp, tart apple, but you may prefer a sweeter apple. You can also use some sweet and some tart.

  Instructions:

  Wash, peel, core, and slice apples.

  Place in slow cooker and stir in all remaining ingredients.

  Cover and cook on high until apples are soft.

  Mash the mixture into a buttery consistency.

  Uncover and continue to cook on warm until the apple butter thickens and is an amber color.

  Seal in jars, or keep in refrigerator.

  Makes about 2 pints.

  Yummy recipe courtesy of Letha Botts.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  After the publication of the first of Cat’s adventures, The Opium Equation, we were honored with not one, not two, but four prestigious book awards, plus many positive reviews. Cat and I were both blown away with the accolades, and hope you find this adventure just as worthy.

  When I began writing about Cat, this book, The Magnum Equation, was actually the first book in the series. I had finished about 40 percent of it when I realized that Cat and her crew had a previous story that must be told first. I’m not quite sure how I came to that conclusion, but Cat was very insistent.

  Thank you to our publishers, Neville and Cindy Johnson at Cool Titles, for taking another stab at Cat and me. Their commitment to excellence made me strive harder to deliver. Special thanks to Cindy for suggesting the title! Cat and I also very much appreciate Anjuli Harary’s eagle eye on the proofing.

  Thank you also to Middle Tennessee State University and the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. Both are very real and I have attended many events there. Patrick Kayser and Travis Emore took time out of their busy schedules to give me a comprehensive tour of the venue, and the layout and description are very similar to what you will find when you visit. However, I made a few small adjustments to better adapt the facility to the story.

  I also made a sincere attempt not to use real names of horses in any given breed. I could not find any evidence of an Arabian stallion named Jubair, for example. If I erred, and named one of the horses in this book the same name as your horse, my apologies. It was not intentional. On the other hand, my mistake might give your horse something new to talk about at the watering hole.

  Thanks to Richard Valdez and Sadler Car Care; and to Jamie, Glenn, and Jenn of the Horses in the Morning crew for being such good sports about allowing themselves to be part of this story. Thanks, too, to Danny Haber, DVM, who took time to debate items that might cause Starmaker and Temptation to colic while he gave annual exams to several horses, and who gave me the idea for the specific substance. I also am appreciative of Monty McInturff, DVM and all of the veterinarians and staff at Tennessee Equine Hospital. They treat horses at several therapeutic riding centers that I work with and I know they give those horses the same fabulous care that Starmaker received. I have come to realize that there is a fine line between Cat’s world and our real world, and all of these people are important in both.

  Special thanks to my cat, Bailey. Without her paws chasing my fingers around on the keyboard, this book would not have been nearly as much fun to write, although I might have been able to complete it much sooner without her “help.”

  To Wrangler/VF Jeanswear, huge thanks for providing my wardrobe for booksignings and appearances. Otherwise, I might arrive in my 1995-era barn jeans and a horse-slobbered shirt. Many thanks also to Procellera.

  Special kudos to Letha Botts (for her apple butter recipe), and to Mary Isenman for all they both do for me.

  To you, the reader, I have to say that Cat and I so appreciate you picking up The Magnum Equation. I hope you enjoy Cat’s story. If you do, please tell others about it, and her. Many adventures lie ahead for Cat, but she has told me that public demand is the only reason she will agree to share them with you. So, let us know what you think. In the meantime, please visit Cat at CatEnrightStables.blogspot.com, and me at LisaWysocky.com.

  IF YOU ENJOYED THE MAGNUM EQUATION, YOU MAY ALSO

  ENJOY THESE, AND OTHER, AWARD-WINNING

  BOOKS FROM COOL TITLES.

  Learn more at CoolTitles.com

  From award-winning author Jonathan Miller: The Rattlesnake Lawyer, Dan Shepard, finally popped the question to his girlfriend, former judge Luna Cruz. Unfortunately, the father of Luna’s child is back in the picture and Dan is representing him on a felony. But, Dan doesn’t know if he wants to win the case. Worse, he finds Luna and himself on opposite sides. Rattlesnake Wedding is the seventh in Miller’s award-winning series. There’s even a free dessert!

  Mom’s Choice Medalist! IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book of the Year Award Medalist! ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist! Human reason tells her she’s crazy; the voice she hears tells otherwise. Emerald McGintay experiences dreams and visions and is diagnosed with schizophrenia. When she stumbles upon a trail of hidden secrets, her father decides to send her away to a special clinic. She flees her luxurious home in Philadephia to a safe haven in the Colorado Rockies where she meets a rancher who suggests he recognizes the voice she hears. Battered by a relentless storm of strange encounters, Emerald struggles to discover her reality.

  An American Horse Publications, IBPA Book of the Year, and Mom’s Choice Silver Medalist; and National Indie Excellence Finalist! When retired movie star Glenda Dupree was murdered in her antebellum mansion in Tennessee, there was much speculation. Prior to leaving life on earth, Glenda had offended everyone, including her neighbor, a (mostly) law-abiding horse trainer named Cat Enright. Cat finds Glenda’s body, is implicated in the murder, and also in the disappearance of a ten-year-old neighbor, Bubba Henley. An unpopular sheriff and upcoming election mean the pressure to close the case is on. With the help of her riding students, a (possibly) psychic horse, a local cop, a kid named Frog, and
an eccentric client of a certain age with electric blue hair, Cat takes time from her horse training business to try to solve the case and keep herself out of prison.

  John Wooden was arguably the greatest coach and the greatest leader of all time. These Woodenisms, a collection of his wisdom and sayings, inspire, motivate, and prepare you for any challenge. Woodensims provide common sense, assist you in being a leader and a team player, and also give you strength. Many of these Woodenisms have been distributed individually. They have also been used in print, and in presentations by Coach and other speakers. Now they are collected here, yours to cherish and enjoy as you strive for success.

  Coming Soon:

  The Fame Equation

  Join Cat and her crew for their third adventure! Back home in Ashland City, Tennessee, Cat preps hunky Keith Carson and his duet partner, an innocent, up-and-coming female country music star, for a music video by giving them riding lessons.

  When the sweet young thang is found floating face down in the river soon after, it is discovered that Cat was the last person to see her alive. Well, the last person except for the person who murdered her … or did she just fall?

  Raves for the Cat Enright Equestrian Mystery Series:

  “From the first page to the last The Opium Equation will keep you engaged and wanting more, horse lover or not.”

  ––Glenn the Geek, founder, Horse Radio Network

  “A murder, a mystery, and a psychic horse. What’s not to love?”

  ––Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar

  “Wysocky puts out an excellent product. Readers will be waiting to lap up more Cat Enright adventures. And there is that hunky country singer.”

  ––Midwest Book Review

  “This quick and entertaining read will amuse fans of Carolyn Banks’s equine mysteries.”

  ––Library Journal

  Special Offers for Friends of Cat Enright

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  EQUESTRIAN OR CORPORATE EVENT?

  20% OFF

  any booking of a keynote, workshop, seminar, break-out, or clinic with Lisa Wysocky. Mention code: TME-SPEAK

  www.LisaWysocky.com/speaking

  lisainfo@comcast.net

  Travel not included in discount. Valid while supplies last.

  Tax Deductible!

  Blue 1/4” Charity Rope Halter™ by PNW Select

  When you make a tax deductible purchase of this rope halter, know you have made a difference. Halters benefit Colbyʼs Army, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that assists in the areas of mental illness, addiction, the environment, and the welfare of animals (including needy horses). Halter only, lead not included. ColbysArmy.org

  Go to colbysarmy.org/get-involved/donate.html. Click on donation button at bottom of page. Donate $19 (includes shipping). Click “Enter Your Referral Code Here” then put PNW and the name and address halter should be mailed to. Questions? Email info@colbysarmy.org (Valid while supplies last.)