2019 Summer Writing Contest by Saddle Up! Magazine

Did Unicorn’s Really Exist?

4TH ANNUAL SADDLE UP! MAGAZINE Summer Writing Contest 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Winners! Children and teens in three different age groups entered our Summer Writing Contest for a chance to win a gift card valued between $10 – $75. Contestants wrote their stories titled “Did Unicorn’s Really Exist?” to enter. Winners were selected for originality, creativity and correct length of story by the staff at Saddle Up! Magazine. All 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive a gift card to be used at a location of their choice, plus a one year first class mail subscription to Saddle Up! Magazine.

1ST

PLACE Ages 6-8

$30.00 Gift Card

2ND

PLACE Ages 6-8

$20.00 Gift Card

3RD

PLACE Ages 6-8

$10.00 Gift Card

Cora S., Cardington, OH – Age 8 I have a special friend, her name is Aidy. She’s really tall and our birthdays are on the same day! She helps me everyday with my chores, sweeping her tail across the floor, picking up toys and closing my drawers. Outside there is still more chores to be done. Watering and feeding my goats hay with her is fun. She takes a bite of hay and grain here and there. I don’t mind because it stops her from nibbling my hair. Her feet make the sound clippity clop, clippity clop. She almost stepped on my foot. Good thing I said stop! She is my favorite color, violet and indigo and a green mane and tail. Her color I know sounds a little insane. Aidy definitely is not a cow. She is a special imaginary unicorn horse if you haven’t guessed by now!

Colette Z., Byron Center, MI – Age 7 Unicorns do exist because I have a horse that believes he’s a unicorn. Mercy, my horse is white with a long curly mane and tail that flows in the wind. His coat is soft and silky. His Appaloosa spots sparkle in the sun. He runs so fast that all his feet come off the ground as if he’s flying. His neighs sound like real words when he talks to me. He is not afraid of anything and he leads the other horses on our walks. When I ride him, he is graceful and he never trips or stumbles. He prefers to ride without a halter or saddle so he feels wild and free. He doesn’t have a unicorns horn because he is hiding his magical powers from everyone that might try to catch him. My horse Mercy makes me believe in unicorns.

Caily S., Cardington, OH – Age 6 I have a blue unicorn. My unicorn is so beautiful. She has a silver mane and tail. She and I play a lot and I ride on her back. My unicorns name is Beauty. Beauty has two wings, three green legs and one blue leg. She has one white horn with 55 blue polka dots on her horn. When I went out to feed her I went out to her stall. Then all of the sudden Beauty was flashing all the colors of the rainbow. Then it all stopped and a rainbow cloud formed in front of Beauty. The I heard a nicker and the cloud disappeared. Beauty had a baby! He was so pretty! All the colors of the rainbow were on him. The we all lived happily ever after.

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Summer Writing Contest Winners!

1ST

Arabella B., Leroy, MI – Age 9

My opinion is that unicorns did exist. The reason I think unicorns existed is because I have lots….I mean LOTS…of unicorn stuff! I love unicorns and I hope that they did exist. My favorite part about unicorns is they will not Ages 9-12 give up no matter what. I love the spirit unicorns have because it makes me feel that they are really here. It’s not what’s on the outside of a unicorn that’s important; it is what is on the inside. What is really cool about the unicorn is their rhino-like horn. I wish I could be a unicorn! If I could be a unicorn the best part would be I wouldn’t have to go to school anymore. $50.00 Gift Card For this writing contest I did some research to find out if unicorns really did exist. I found out some interesting stuff. Tens of thousands of years ago unicorns did in fact exist. Scientists called the unicorn the “Siberian unicorn.” Scientists thought that the Siberian Unicorn had died about 350,000 years ago, but then they found a Siberian Unicorn skull. They found the skull in Kazakhstan. Scientists did tests on the skull and found out that the fossil they had found was only 29,000 years old! That meant that Siberian Unicorns didn’t die out when scientists thought they did. They were on the earth 321,000 longer than they thought! The Siberian Unicorn doesn’t look like the pink, glittery, sparkly horse with a magical horn like most of my stuffed animals. It was fatter and furrier and looked more like a rhino than a horse. Researchers are still trying to discover how the Siberian Unicorn survived so much longer than the other creatures in the Stone Age. Writing this I learned a lot of new things about unicorns. A lot of what I learned was surprising and not what I expected. But I am not disappointed that unicorns were not what I expected, because I believe even more now that unicorns existed and that they were survivors. They lived a lot longer than scientists first thought. Like I said, my favorite part about unicorns is they didn’t give up no matter what. I liked writing about whether unicorns existed because of the things I learned.

PLACE

WHAT’S A SIBERIAN UNICORN? It didn't look much like the dainty unicorns of myth and legend, but the extinct unicorn of Siberia is even more entrancing for palaeontologists. Now, for the first time, scientists have analyzed its DNA - and realized everyone had been wrong about the mysterious beast. The ancient rhinoceros didn’t die off 200,000 years ago, before the last Ice Age - as we previously thought. The strange animals survived much, much longer, only disappearing as recently as 36,000 years ago. In fact, they could have lived alongside modern humans. Moreover, the Siberian unicorn was not, as had been thought, closely related to modern rhinos, but a unique lineage that split from the line that led to modern rhinos over 40 million years ago. Until now, our knowledge of the unicorn (Elasmotherium sibiricum) has been stymied because of the lack of fossil record. Only a few fragmented bones have been recovered, and apart from revealing the size of the beast - around 3.5 tonnes, the same range as a smaller African elephant - those have been difficult to analyze. An international team of researchers collected 23 Siberian unicorn bone specimens and subjected them to radiocarbon dating, to see if they could recover DNA and find out more about the Siberian unicorn and its time on Earth. The results were surprising: they were dated to a range of times after the animals were thought to be extinct, with the most recent being between 35,000 to 36,000 years ago. By this time, humans had started populating the steppe of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Northern China. Read more about the Siberian unicorn at: https://www.sciencealert. com/climate-change-probably-slayed-the-siberian-unicorn SEPTEMBER 2019 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2019

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2ND

Natalie H., Vassar, MI – Age 10

The Bond of the Magical Horn: Once upon a time, unicorns roamed freely on the earth. One of the kindest unicorns was named Shawn. One day while he was drinking at the magical pond, he spotted a blur in the Ages 9-12 distance. As it came to shore, he noticed that it was a small whale. The whale seemed lonely. Shawn neighed to her to get the attention of the whale. Shyly and slowly, she came up to the shore. Shawn waded deeper in. “What is your name?” he asked her. “Rose,” she answered politely, blue eyes gleaming. “Well Rose, how are you?” he asked. “I could be better,” she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “What could be wrong?” Shawn questioned. “Well, no one really likes me,” she $30.00 Gift Card whispered. “Well I like you,” comforted Shawn. “Really? You mean it? You like me?” “Yes,” he said, his golden horn shining in the sun, “and I’m sorry that the other whales are mean to you.” “You are very nice!” Rose complimented. “Would you like to be friends?” Shawn asked politely. “Really? I would love to! Can we see each other tomorrow around the time for my morning swim?” Rose asked enthusiastically. “Definitely. I have to go now.” replied Shawn. “See you!” called out Rose. “Goodbye, Rose!” answered Shawn, as he went back to the lush, green meadow he called home. Rose swam back to her comforting parents’ side. The next day, Shawn came over, as promised. No one had gotten a wink of sleep because of a large ship a person named Noah was making. Shawn and Rose greeted each other quickly before Rose explained what was happening. “There is going to be a big storm Shawn!” she began. “And only two of every land animal are going to make it. I’m really scared we are going to be separated,” Rose explained, downcast. “Well, you know unicorns are magical, right?” asked Shawn. “Right,” agreed Rose. “So I have a way for us to be united forever,” Shawn said mysteriously. “How?” wondered Rose. “Hang on just a second, Rose. Let me get all of the unicorns in on my plan. I will be back soon,” said Shawn. “Okay,” said Rose. “I’ll be here waiting for you.” Soon, Shawn came back with all of the unicorns. “They are all on board with my plan. Now here it is. Before we leave on the ship with Noah, each unicorn, will give his or her horn to each of the whales. This will make it so that we are a part of you forever. Our unity will go beyond the land and sea,” Shawn explained. At that moment, Shawn and Rose took one swift leap at each other: they combined leaving Rose a whale with a horn and Shawn a unicorn without a horn. Rose’s breed became known as a narwhal. It was, however, the end of the unicorns. The bond between narwhals and horses continues to this day.

PLACE

WHAT’S A NARWHAL? The narwhal or narwhale, is the unicorn of the sea, a pale-colored porpoise found in Arctic coastal waters and rivers. Narhwal Tusks: These legendary animals have two teeth. In males, the more prominent tooth grows into a swordlike, spiral tusk up to 8.8 feet long. The ivory tusk tooth grows right through the narwhal’s upper lip. Scientists are not certain of the tusk’s purpose, but some believe it is prominent in mating rituals, perhaps used to impress females or to battle rival suitors. Females sometimes grow a small tusk of their own, but it does not become as prominent as the males.

COMMON NAME: Narwhal SCIENTIFIC NAME: Monodon monoceros TYPE: Mammals

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3RD

Ethan K., W. Bloomeld, MI – Age 12

Unicorns have starred in many books and movies, making them a common and well known fantasy beast. Like in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle, Jewel (a unicorn) held an important role. Personally, I do Ages 9-12 not believe in unicorns. But I think that unicorns make good characters in novels. Since the unicorn has never been seen, I believe that most people do not believe in the horse-like creature. As described in pictures, the unicorn is very much like a horse. It is usually snow white, and has a spiral (or horn) on its forehead, which is normally pink or a bright color. Its mane is usually the same color as the horn. Most of the time, the unicorn is on the good side, not the evil side. I think if the $20.00 Gift Card unicorn actually existed, it would be related to the horse. Unicorns, in fact, are very much like horses. They look exactly like them, except for the horn. They can be ridden, and they make a protective mount, for their horns can prove deadly in the heat of battle. Jewel, from The Chronicles of Narnia, used his horn as a weapon. In the modern day era, they could be used as police mounts, because police use horses, and unicorns are horses with horns. These horns would ensure protection for the rider. I do not think unicorns would like to be saddled; I do not believe the majority are saddled in books. I have yet to see a unicorn in racing or on the race track in a book or movie, but I think some would prove excellent runners, like horses. It would be quite a sight, the unicorns running, their veins glistening in the sun, and their majestic horns charging for the finish line. I like the idea of unicorns as track stars. In conclusion, unicorns are loved throughout the world, and even if I do not believe in them, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to.

PLACE

4TH

Eli M., Ruth, MI – Age 9

Did unicorns really exist? Are they myths or are they real? There is no proof that they are real but there is no proof that they are not. There are no remains, bones, foot prints etc., so that is why some say they are fake. Ages 9-12 Others say they are fake because they are nonsense. To some it is just another hoax, but to others they just have just not been found yet. There is no right or wrong to believing in unicorns. Personally I do not think unicorns are real. I do not think unicorns are real because they are imaginary and are only in fairy tales. There is no scientific data such as bones, DNA or photos as proof that unicorns are real. Unicorns are only a theory and a theory is like a assumption. In order for a theory to be true $15.00 Gift Card you need evidence and proof. I have not seen a unicorn before so that is why I do not believe in them. If unicorns were real we would have saw them evolve from horses or deer. If unicorns were real we would have probably found by now. If they were real you would see them in a zoo. Also if they were real they would be on the news. We would also be riding them at the fair or anywhere else we ride rides. We probably may even be hunting them if they are like deer. Everyone would want to own one and not a dog or cat. There would be a special saddle for them. Instead of cow farms there would be unicorn farms. Unicorns would be popular all around the world from movies to farms to school, they would be popular everywhere. But there are none of those things so that is why I do not believe in unicorns. We may never know if they are real or if they are just another myth.

PLACE

WE HAD OVER 40 ENTRIES FOR THE 2019 SUMMER WRITING CONTEST! Thank you to everyone that entered, we enjoyed reading your entries! Your friends at Saddle Up! Magazine SEPTEMBER 2019 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2019

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1ST

Ava N., Paw Paw, MI – Age 13

One Magical Debate: It was finally here. The week Anna had been anxiously waiting for all year...Debate Week! The one special week in May where all the ninth grade debate teams in the county gathered to debate on exciting new topics each year. The teams used the debate to Ages 13-16 practice all the things they had learned that year. The exciting topics for this year were “Are dinosaurs really extinct?”, and “Did Unicorn’s really exist?” Personally Anna was looking forward to the Unicorn debate most. This year it was Anna’s schools turn to host the debate. The debate team at Anna’s school, PawTaw High, had decided on how it would run. Finally $75.00 Gift Card after a long meeting, the team had decided that Debate Week would look like this, Monday and Tuesday: Schools debate on first topic, Wednesday and Thursday: schools debate on second topic, and Friday: end of debate party and awards. The first topic of the week was “Are dinosaurs really extinct.” It was nine o’clock and all the debate students were gathered in the school auditorium ready to begin the exciting day. The debate started out with the Principal from PawTaw High and the debate team coaches from the three schools each giving a similar, long and drawn out speech about what to do and not do, remember to be respectful of your opponent and there ideas. The first two students to debate were from Hartford Prep and St. James academy, which meant Anna’s school was watching the first round. To be honest Anna was glad to be watching first because she could hear what the other students thought on the topic, and possibly add more to her side of the debate when her school’s turn came. The first two days went by quickly, each team having a chance to debate against each one of the other school teams. So far there had been no hurt feelings or major eruptions from over opinionated teammates. Wednesday started out normal like the past two days except that the teams started debating on the second topic “Did unicorn’s really exist?” Most started out by stating a good point and saying something reasonable like, “Unicorns had to have existed, otherwise where did people get the idea?” But there were a few who had no points like “I believe unicorn’s existed because they just had too” or “Unicorns had to exist because if they didn’t where would sparkles and rainbows come from?” On Thursday Anna got her first turn to debate on the second topic. She had been working on her argument for the past six months and had been adding to it while listening to the other team’s debates. It was the last debate round of the week, Anna was up against Brielle from Hartford Prep. Anna started the debate by saying, “I believe Unicorn’s existed in some form, at some time in history.” Her opponent stared blankly back at her, dumbfounded by the statement. Anna knew she should continue, “I say this because many legends and myths have been made up around them. Unicorns are even the national animal of Scotland. Although I do not believe they existed in the form we generally think of, or the way they are portrayed in cartoons and artwork, I do believe the inspiration came from some creature at some time.” To this Brielle simply said, “I agree,” the auditorium went silent. This was the first time all week that two opponents had agreed with each other. Anna didn’t even know how to respond. After a few moments of silence Brielle said, “It makes complete sense what you’ve said. There had to be some inspiration for this mystical creature. But that does not mean it looked exactly way we think of them looking like.” To that Anna answered, “Yes, I agree,” and it was just in time because five seconds after she finished her sentence the debate timer went off. The auditorium erupted in applause and cheers. Anna and Brielle shook hands and congratulated each other. “You made some really good points” Brielle said as they walked to the directors table. “Thanks you did great too!” Anna responded. The next day was Friday, the last day of debate week. It was mostly a day to talk with other students about the debate and share what they liked and things that would make it better. There was also an award ceremony for those who showed good sportsmanship, were respectful, etc. Friday night as Anna walked home from the bus stop she thought over the week and how the debate had gone. She thought of her side of the debate and everything she had presented. She believed it all, Unicorns existed at some time and place in history. They didn’t look the way we think of them now, but Unicorn’s existed. It certainly had been a magical debate.

PLACE

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Summer Writing Contest Winners! Kaitlyn D., Springport, MI – Age 13

1ST

HONORABLE

MENTION PLACE Ages 13-16

$35.00 Gift Card

Kaitlyn worked very hard on her summer writing contest submission, but unfortunately it was 10 pages long and I was unable to publish it in our September edition. I have given Kaitlyn’s entry “Honorable Mention” for all of her hard work and effort and awarded her a $35.00 gift card. Although I received over forty entries for this year’s summer writing contest, I only received two in the 13-16 age group. I have only awarded two gift cards, because of the lack of entries in that category. I have though chosen four winners in our 9-12 age group, so there are still 9 winners for our summer writing contest.

I received many entries this year that were too long to be considered for the contest, since I publish them within our September issues printed pages. Next year, I will not only have a minimum word count, but also a maximum word count for all entries. All winners of this year’s contest received a monetary gift card, a one year subscription to Saddle Up! Magazine, and a little surprise that I couldn’t pass up getting for all winning contestants...enjoy! Thank you to everyone that entered our contest, I truly enjoyed reading all of your submissions. Best Wishes, Cindy Couturier, owner/editor

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Saddle Up! Magazine, 8415 Hogan Rd., Fenton, MI 48430 | 810.714.9000 | Fax 810.714.1465 | saddleupmag@gmail.com Since postal delivery procedures are out of our control, we cannot guarantee receipt of your magazine by the ﬁrst of the month. SEPTEMBER 2019 • C & C PUBLISHING, INC. ©2019

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