06 April 2025

Winners of the latest Redwings-UEA Writing Competition revealed!

Rosie - writing comp winner
Competition winner Rosie

The wait is over, as Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the University of East Anglia (UEA) are pleased to announce the winners of our second collaborative writing competition.

Join us in congratulating Rosie, age seven, for coming first place in the six to 12 category with her poem ‘Neigh Neigh’ and Annabel, age 15, for first place in the 13-18 category with her piece called ‘Bella’. 

This year, children were encouraged to write a story or a poem about an animal (real or mythical) that has an extraordinary ability, with the themes taking inspiration from Anna Sewell’s beloved book Black Beauty, as well as the amazing selection of children’s books being revived by Professor Thomas Ruys Smith and Dr Hilary Emmett (from the UEA) as part of the UEA Publishing Project. 

The entries were shortlisted by judges Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, Dr Hilary Emmett and Dr Daisy Henwood from the UEA and Nicola Knight, Head of Communications and Campaigns, from Redwings. The winners, first to third place, were then selected by wonderful children’s author Joyce Dunbar. 

 Read the pieces here:

 

Rosie and Annabel were very worthy winners with these fantastic pieces:

'Neigh Neigh' by Rosie (PDF 518 KB)

'Bella' by Annabel  (PDF 75 KB)

Now let’s hear from the winners themselves about the competition and hearing the exciting news…

Rosie said: “I did this poem because I like horses and I maybe want to be a person that helps horses one day, like the people at Redwings. I wanted to tell a happy story about a magic horse.  I entered because I like to help charities and I love the horses at Redwings.  It feels amazing to be the winner of the competition and I feel proud of myself.”

Winner Annabel’s mum Kerrie said: “The inspiration for Annabel’s poem came from discussing ideas with (tutor) Victoria and discussing themes suggested on the entry form. Annabel is happy to have her story shared as widely as possible and is very proud of her accomplishments as she is dyslexic and struggles with dyspraxia which makes writing hard. However, Annabel loves writing and has written many short stories which often include animals.”
 

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"What a tough process this was. This ought to be easy but it isn't, they all have merit and have all done well.” 

Joyce Dunbar

Children's author, and judge

“We want to thank each and every one who entered our competition. Every entry entertained and amazed our judges, and we hope you keep up with your fantastic writing!”

Charlotte McMorran-Stock

Redwings 'Education and Youth Publications Officer

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Runners up in each category, and honourable mentions, went to:

Six -12 years old category
2nd Place – Beatrix, age 11, with ‘Confusion’
3rd Place – Sophia, age seven, with ‘The snake who could read’

13-18 years old category 
2nd Place – Maja, age 13, with ‘Milo, the cat of the crossroads’
3rd Place – Rhiannon, age 15, with ‘Prey’

Honourable mentions
Niamh, age seven, with ‘I am a Cheetah’
Katie, age nine, with ‘Black Beauty’ 
Abigail, age 12, with ‘Rhythm of the Ride’

We want to thank each and every entrant of the competition - you all entertained and amazed our judges, and we hope you keep up with your fantastic writing! 

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The Redwings-UEA edition of Black Beauty

For every special Redwings edition of Black Beauty sold, half of the proceeds will go directly towards the care of our horses and ponies. 

The book has been produced by the UEA Publishing Project, with a foreword by Dame Jacqueline Wilson and an afterword from Professor Thomas Ruys Smith.

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