2026 March Madness Short Story Contest
Curly [Admin || 737 posts] on 3/23/2026 9:20 am
Welcome to the short story contest! This contest will test your writing ability.
Rules
- All story concepts and writing must be your own. Use of AI or using others stories is not allowed.
- You must follow the theme: A fire horse in an unknown world.
- Stories must be at least 2 paragraphs in length and no longer than 6.
- Stories must be submitted to the form here. You may post your story in the comments or outside of HoFa.
- You must submit to either the novice or advanced group. Novice is <1 year of continuous writing and advanced is >1 year. Continuous writing includes blog posting, journaling, creative writing etc.
- Stories must be submitted by March 30 at 3pm EST/game time. You may submit here.
Judging
Judging will be based on creativity, adherence to the theme, and grammar.
Prizes
There will be prizes for 1st place for both novice and advanced entries. Each winner will be awarded 50 dyes or gems of their choosing, a breed coin, a breeders promise, 3 horse-friendly chocolate truffles, listing on the 2026 Short Story winners list and bragging rights! Winners also receive 5 extra points toward the overall winner for 2026 March Madness.
This contest is worth 10 participation points for the 2026 March Madness. The player with the most participation points at the end will receive a one-year platinum upgrade, 10,000 ingots and 1,000,000 bits. With 2nd receiving 5,000 ingots and 500k bits and 3rd 2,500 ingots and 250k bits.
ooh so fun!!!!
Author ~ Artist ~ Equestrian
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This will be so fun!
Sunset Shore's Irish Cobs, Mustangs and Shetland Ponies
Submitted mine =) haven't written anything serious since I was like 8, so this should be interesting
Edited 1 times
Flower cart by Starberry
ooh I forgot to share my story! I'm not much for fantasy, so I took a slightly metaphorical interpretation of the theme
A BLAZING FIRE IN THE SHOW PEN
Exhibitors lined up outside the arena gate, dust hanging in the hot summer air. The mood was tense, like a storm about to break, as they awaited their turn in a world that didn’t feel like their own. Liehuo pranced and Mei patted her horse's neck. “Soon, boy, soon.”
The blazing chestnut Arabian tossed his head, long silky mane catching in the breeze, turning him into the bonfire he was named for. The first day she’d seen him, he already had a fire in his eye despite being a wobbly colt. Mei’s family might own the breeding farm, but she knew this colt would be hers to keep. Hers to train, and to love, and to show. Never did she think they’d end up here, however.
Perhaps giving him a name that literally meant blazing fire was not her best move, but his eager personality and never-say-no heart made up for any moments of foolhardiness. And after all, it took a certain level of daring to dive into Working Equitation and put it all on the line against horses bred over centuries to excel at the sport.
Liehuo was not like the other stoic Spanish-type steeds that surrounded the in-gate. Not the sturdily built, down to business horse the ancient Europeans would ride into war. But he was brave, if not brazen. Bold, if not unflappable. Quick-footed, if not docile.
Mei’s number was called, and she directed her fiery horse into the arena, sweeping past the sea of Andalusians and Lusitanos to make her round. Liehuo gracefully picked up his canter and lifted his shoulders, collecting beautifully as they completed one obstacle after another. The bridge. The gate. The slalom.
Back outside the arena, she rubbed Liehuo’s withers. “Well done, boy.” They didn’t have to wait long, and as soon as the steward noted the results were in, Mei rushed to the booth. 7.5s and 8s dotted the page; there was even an 8.5. Then she looked up at the overall card: She and Liehuo were in first. So much for an Arabian out of place.
Edited 1 times
Author ~ Artist ~ Equestrian
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