Catherine Hunter, equestrian author, journalist and trainer, writes to be a voice for the horse.

She will speak about finding the harmony and joy in balancing the two driving forces in her life ― horses and words — at the next Live@Lanier talk at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

From a young age, Hunter trained with some of the top instructor’s of classical and traditional horsemanship and, as young as 5 or 6 years old, knew she wanted to write.

A nationally rated rider/instructor, a licensed trainer and former police horse trainer, she has worked with horses for more than 50 years.

As the “Peace Rider,” Hunter rode her Thoroughbred, Count of War, 900 miles from South Carolina to ground zero in New York City. A pioneer of “Energy Based Riding,” her experience combines the best of classical riding, the wisdom of the ancient horsemen and her study of mind, body and spirit to create a new way of empowering horse and rider into a full, enlightened partnership.

The partnership is explored in her book, “Sacred Connections Horsemanship,” published in 2017.

As an award-winning journalist, Hunter has published in national and regional equine publications, such as The Chronicle of The Horse, The Western Horse, John Lyons Perfect  Horse, the Tryon Daily Bulletin and Foothills Magazine. Some of her most recent work can be read in the Foothills 2018 World Equestrian Games commemorative edition.

“Writing about Riding” is the second in the Felburn Nature and Wildlife Collection series. Members and visitors can browse the collection at The Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon. During September, a rare collection of Paul Brown illustrated equine books will also be on display, on loan from Tryon Fine Books.

For more information, people may visit thelanierlibrary.org or may call 828-859-9535.

– Submitted by Vince Verrecchio