“PINTO!” Creatively Tells 100-Year-Old Adventure

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Pinto front cover


FOXFIELD, CO – Horse-enthusiast and award-winning author, M.J. Evans, has brought a new dimension to historical fiction in her new novel, “PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History,” was released October 15.

Humanizing a horse as only a lifelong rider and riding teacher could, Evans gives voice to a spunky mount as narrator of an adventure that had been forgotten for decades.


In 1912, four men from Washington State, calling themselves the “Overland Westerners,” decided fame and fortune awaited if they visited all forty-eight state capitals over the course of three years. Their goal was to complete their journey at the San Francisco World’s Fair on June 1, 1915.

Facing rugged roads, raging rivers, thieves and near starvation, the men went through seventeen horses. Only one horse completed the entire journey: Pinto. “I’m a little horse with big dreams,” he begins. From there he recounts successes and disappointments of this unique odyssey, while also capturing the discomfort of ill-fitting saddles, the frustration of being unable to report a horse thief, the unpleasant taste of musty hay, the panic of nearly drowning and many other thoughts and feelings.

Evans began her research of the epic, but long forgotten, ride by visiting The National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City which is in possession of a large collection of original photographs. Eager to know more, she traveled to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. There she found the original journals written during the trip, along with newspaper stories published as they visited various cities.

Margi Evans and Jazz


Reviewer Diane Donovan wrote for Midwest Book Reviews: “PINTO! deserves a spot on the reading lists of not only young, horse-crazy readers, but adults who like horse tales ala Black Beauty.”

M.J. Evans is the author of more than a dozen titles, most of which are centered around horses. As a life-long equestrian, she loves combining her passion for horses with her love of reading and writing. Her book, “In the Heart of a Mustang,” in addition to garnering numerous national and international awards, is a frequent #1 Best Seller on Amazon. Learn more about “PINTO!” and the author at: www.dancinghorsepress.com
“PINTO! will be available wherever books are sold. Pre-orders will be available on Amazon beginning October 1. Autographed copies can be ordered through www.dancinghorsepress.com.