Check out these past seasonal writing contests (2016 - 2023) and the links to the winning stories. If you would like to read the contest entries, go here: Seasonal Contest Entries
Also, check out the "mini" writing contests for more fun "mini" stories.
2024
Winter/Spring 2024 Open Writing Contest
Contestants were given the freedom to create a short story from any genre (topic) they chose: fantasy, personal experience, history, science fiction, or whatever. Young writers could also keep a Circle C fan fiction theme if they so chose. Each winner received a package of fun horse gummies/candy, a horse-themed pair of socks, and the Circle C book of their choice.
Winners:
Ages 9-13 - "Goodbye" by Brianna Boiciuc, age 13
Ages 14-18 - "To Carry a Message" by Emilie Miera, age 15
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2023
Fall 2023 - Picture & Prompt Contest
Contestants chose a photo “prompt,” along with a story starter prompt and wrote their own stories. One winner from each category received a "prize box" of their choice from various items in 3 categories: #1: pen, keychain, magnets, or flashlight, #2 Circle C playing cards, TOOB horses, mini journal, or "horse" candy, #3 winner's choice of Circle C books displayed plus a writing journal. See all of the contest entries on the Seasonal Entries page.
Winners:
- Ages 9-12: Skylar T, age 11 Alone in the West
- Ages 13-17: Lizzy T, age 16, Not All As They Seem
Runners Up:
- Ages 9-12: Ella M. The Quickest Calf and Lizzy B. Gunshots
- Age 13-17: McKenzie C. A Boy Becomes a Man and Moriah L. Mistaken Identity
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2022
Summer 2022 - Picture Prompt Contest
Contestants chose a photo “prompt” to jumpstart a story of their own imagination. There were 19 entries in the ages 9-12 category and 24 entries in the ages 13-17. All six of the runners up received a digital audio book or their choice. The top winner from from each category was chosen by a Reader’s Choice Voting. Prizes included the winner’s choice of (1) any book (autographed by me), (2) a fun drinking tumbler and flashlight key chain, (3) a Circle C journal of your choice (with pen), or (4) horse gummy bears, horse socks, and Circle C Milestones keychains.
Winners:
- Ages 9-12 Naomi Mae Fritts Taffy Goes Missing
- Ages 13-17 Abby Bochnicek From Dawn to Dusk
Runners Up:
- Ages 9-12 Maddy Evans Good Ol’ Andi
- Ages 9-12 Elizah Bruno Seeking to Forgive
- Ages 13-17 Cari Legere The Hunt for the White Stallion
- Ages 13-17 Trinity Santoro A Perplexing Predicament
Spring 2022 - Mystery Horse Contest
Winners:
- Ages 9-12, Trinity Santoro, age 12, Mysteries, Thieves, and a Horse
- Ages 13-17, Arabella Waugh age 14, Wildfire’s Miracle
Runners Up:
- Ages 9-12 Grace Berreth, age 12, Andi and the Dark Dually
- Ages 9-12 Maddy Evans, age 12, The Mysterious Horse
- Ages 13-17 Madison Graham, age 17, Chad’s Palomino Problem
- Ages 13-17 Anaiah Bruno, age 14, A Mystery Horse and a Renewed Friendship
February 2022 - Milestones Writing Contest
57 entries!
Respond in 500 words or less to one of these prompts:
- The moment Andi woke up, she knew something wasn’t right.
- Andi looked out the window and couldn’t believe what she saw!
- Andi is hiding a big secret. What is it and what happens?
Prizes (books provided by Kregel Publications)
- Gold Star: Memory Creek 2-book set, Circle C tote bag, horse socks, keychains
- Silver Star: Memory Creek 2-book set, Milestones journal, keychains
- Bronze Stars: Memory Creek 2-book sets
Read the Winning Entries >> 💖💖💖
February 2022 - Winter Setting
Write any Circle C or Goldtown story you like. The only requirement is that you set the story in a winter setting. For California, settings with rain and floods are good in the lowlands or the valley. However, if you want snow, blizzards, falling through ice, or other winter problems, you will need to take the characters up into the mountains.
Prizes included a Circle C tote bag, a Circle C black pen, and a Circle C journal.
Winners:
- Ages 9-13 Trinity Santoro, Storms, Searching, and Snowball
- Ages 14-17 Christiana Thomas, Once Upon a Blizzard’s Tale
Runners Up:
- Ages 9-13 Tori H., Below Freezing
- Ages 14-17 Elizabeth Tompkins, Sorrow with the Storm
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2021
Fall 2021 - Wanted Ads for Orphans
Contestants from two age categories (ages 9-13 and ages 14-18) wrote “what if” stories about an orphan from the 18th or early 19th century being put up for adoption (or a distraught parent giving up a child). Prizes included any two of the following: Long Ride Home expanded edition, Circle C Christmas short-story collection, Circle C journal & pen (striped), a Circle C hat, Circle C journal and pen (blue), or a large Safari Ltd. horse.
- Ages 9-13 Winner: Ellie Kiel, age 12. Violet Wensheskey
- Ages 14-18 Winner: “Bree” (pen name), age 14. Rosemary’s Race
Runners Up Ages 9-13
- Second Place: Ruth Drake, age 9. Everything I Need
- Third Place: Arabella Waugh, age 13. Firefly
- Second Place: Anne Elder, age 15. The Train
- Third Place: Abigail Creamer, age 14. Mia’s Journey
Summer 2021 - Pick a Picture
Contestants from two age categories (Ages 8-13 and Ages 14-18) chose one of the pictures shown below. Prizes included a Circle C ceramic mug and an audio book, as well as a vial of gold or a plastic horse. The judges presented the top 3 stories and then readers voted for the winners.
- Ages 8-13 Angela K, Jem and Ellie and the Incredible Find
- Ages 14-18 Hunter M. A Present for Andi
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2020
Fall 2020 - Gentling Whirlwind
Contestants watched the video then wrote stories about gentling the big, dappled gray horse from Dangerous Decision. Prizes included (first place) a Circle C Journal, a Circle C ceramic mug, and an art engraving kit. (Second place: A journal and a pen). The judge presented the top 5 stories and then readers voted.
Winners
- First Place Naomi B. Gentling Whirlwind
- Second Place Charis O. Loyalty Tested
Spring 2020 - Finish San Francisco Smugglers
Contestants wrote an epilogue to San Francisco Smugglers, based on the promise the young Mexican stable boy made earlier to Andi about taking her riding along the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. Prize: a $10 gift certificate to the Circle C store. A judge found the top 5 and then readers voted and chose these winners.
Winners
- First Place Trinity S. Just a Ride on the Beach
- Second Place Paul Ertzberger The Not-So-Lucky Ride
- Runners Up:
- Rockets and Beaches
- Andi's Wild Race
- Andi's Exhilarating Ride
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2019
Spring 2019 - Andi's Orphan Calf Contest
Contestants in TWO age categories wrote stories based on a writing prompt and a picture of Andi finding and raising an orphan calf. After the top 4 stories were selected by the judge, readers chose first and second places for both age groups. Prizes: AGES 7-11, a suncatcher to paint, and your choice of any audio book; AGES 12-16: Art Engraving kit and any audio book.
- Ages 7-11 Rebekah Hanson The Challenge
- Ages 12-16 Abigail Jones El Toro
Runners Up
- Ages 7-11 Elijah Santoro Assumptions, Mistakes, and Trouble
- Ages 12-16 Izzy Davis Coal Dust
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2016-2018 Winners
June 2018 - Photo Fun
Fans begged for a Circle C photo contest for a change. There were over 34 beautiful photos!
You can see them ALL here: Photo Fun Contest >> The winner was Brooklyn N. with her photo: ROSES ARE RED
Spring 2018 - Andi, Sadie, and a Horse
Contestants wrote stories based on this photo prompt of Andi and Sadie with a paint horse. Prize: Art Engraving kit and any Circle C Adventures or Stepping Stones book.
Winner
- Branden, Andi and Sadie Get Rich
2017 Valentine's Day "Riley's Point of View" Contest
Sixteen contestants created stories from Riley Prescott’s point of view, based on a photograph. First place won a mini-jewel box and a plastic horse. Three tied for an honorable mention as second place. Sixteen great entries.
Winners
- First Place: Olivia Jane Surprise
- Second Place: Alena Scene from Courageous Love
- Second Place: Carissa The Best Valentine’s Day
- Second Place: Mariah Lost and Found
June 2016 - Caring for Andi
Contestants created stories based on the photo and writing prompt above. Prize: Horse Art Etching set and the Circle C book of her choice.
Winner
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Encourage these young authors!