The world of animals has always been a source of fascination for humans, and what better way to express this fascination than through creative writing? The Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the University of East Anglia (UEA) recently collaborated on a writing competition that encouraged children to tap into their imagination and write about an animal with an extraordinary ability. The competition was judged by renowned children’s author Joyce Dunbar, and the winners have just been announced. In the six to 12 category, seven-year-old Rosie took the top spot with her poem “Neigh Neigh,” a heartwarming tale about a horse. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Annabel won first place in the 13-18 category with her piece “Bella,” a beautiful story about a dog. The winning entries can be read on the Redwings website, and they are a testament to the creativity and talent of these young writers.
The competition was inspired by Anna Sewell’s classic novel “Black Beauty,” a special edition of which was published by Redwings and the UEA Publishing Project to raise funds for the charity. Redwings is one of the largest horse welfare charities in the UK, with visitor centers in Norfolk, Essex, Warwickshire, and Forfar, Scotland. The charity is also the custodian of Anna Sewell House, the birthplace of the beloved author. The competition encouraged children to think about the special abilities that animals might possess, and the entries were judged on their creativity, imagination, and overall writing quality. The judges, including Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, Dr. Hilary Emmett, and Dr. Daisy Henwood from the UEA, along with Nicola Knight from Redwings, had a tough time shortlisting the entries, but ultimately, Joyce Dunbar selected the winners. As Joyce noted, “This ought to be easy, but it isn’t – they all have merit and have all done well.”
The winners of the competition were overjoyed when they heard the news. Rosie, who has a passion for horses and hopes to work with them one day, said, “I did this poem because I like horses and I maybe want to be a person that helps horses one day, like the people at Redwings. I wanted to tell a happy story about a magic horse.” Rosie’s love for horses is evident in her poem, and her family’s own horse, Mr. Flint, a Cob cross, was a big inspiration for her writing. Annabel, on the other hand, found inspiration for her piece “Bella” through discussions with her tutor and the themes suggested on the entry form. Annabel’s mum, Kerrie, noted that her daughter was thrilled to have her story shared widely and was proud of her accomplishments, especially given that she struggles with dyslexia and dyspraxia, which makes writing a challenge. Despite these challenges, Annabel loves writing and has written many short stories that often feature animals.
The competition also recognized the talented runners-up and honorable mentions in each category. In the six to 12 category, Beatrix, aged 11, took second place with her piece “Confusion,” while Sophia, aged seven, came in third with “The snake who could read.” In the 13-18 category, Maja, aged 13, took second place with “Milo, the cat of the crossroads,” and Rhiannon, aged 15, came in third with “Prey.” The honorable mentions included Niamh, aged seven, with “I am a Cheetah,” Katie, aged nine, with “Black Beauty,” and Abigail, aged 12, with “Rhythm of the Ride.” These young writers demonstrated a remarkable range of creativity and talent, and their entries were a joy to read. As Charlotte McMorran-Stock, Education and Youth Publications Officer at Redwings, noted, “We want to thank each and every one who entered our competition. Every entry entertained and amazed our judges, and we hope you keep up with your fantastic writing!”
The Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the UEA are thrilled to have been able to provide a platform for these young writers to showcase their talents. The competition not only encouraged children to think creatively about animals but also raised awareness about the important work of Redwings in promoting horse welfare. As a charity, Redwings relies on the support of the public to continue its vital work, and initiatives like this competition help to engage the next generation of animal lovers and writers. By inspiring children to write about animals, the competition aimed to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. As Joyce Dunbar noted, the entries were all of a high quality, and it was a tough job to select the winners. However, the winning entries, along with the runners-up and honorable mentions, demonstrate the incredible talent and creativity of these young writers.
In conclusion, the Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the UEA’s writing competition has been a resounding success, showcasing the talents of young writers and promoting a love of animals and creative writing. The winners, Rosie and Annabel, are an inspiration to us all, and their writing is a testament to the power of imagination and creativity. As we congratulate these talented young writers, we also look forward to seeing what the future holds for them. Will they become published authors, or will they pursue careers in animal welfare? Whatever their path, it is clear that they have a bright future ahead of them, and their love of animals and writing will continue to inspire and delight us. As Charlotte McMorran-Stock noted, “We hope you keep up with your fantastic writing!” and we couldn’t agree more. The world of animals and writing is full of endless possibilities, and we can’t wait to see what these talented young writers come up with next.
