Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival - Riding Exmoor with Lauren St John

Bestselling author of novels for children and teens, Lauren St John grew up surrounded by a giraffe, warthogs, cats, dogs and horses, on a farm and game reserve in Zimbabwe, the inspiration for her award-winning 'White Giraffe' series as well as 'The Snow Angel'. Her new novel, 'Wild Horse Summer', is a heartfelt celebration of horses, friendship and is set here on Exmoor which is certain to delight teenagers, adults and anyone who has ever loved a great equestrian story.

A damaged horse. A girl with a secret. A race to escape the past… When her young heroine sets out to ride 100 miles across the moor, she embarks on an unforgettable journey of courage, determination and discovery.

Described as “one of the toughest wildernesses on earth” the novel is deeply rooted in the landscape of Exmoor itself. In her research for the book, Lauren received expert guidance from Dulverton’s Exmoor Pony Centre to learn more about our endangered Exmoor ponies, and from the organisers of the Golden Horseshoe Endurance Ride to help her create an authentic riding route across the moor.

Lauren is a passionate conservationist, an ambassador for the Born Free Foundation and a patron for the Mane Chance Animal Sanctuary, an equine rescue facility in Surrey. When not writing, she is a full time valet to four cats!