By Laura Clark, Children’s Librarian

     Chicago had the Year of the Cow, Cincinnati celebrated the Year of the Pig and this summer Saratoga Springs enjoyed its second round of the Year of the Horse. While Saratoga’s animal identity is an August no-brainer, our event spurred a trotting tour for tourists and source of pride for residents.  The Saratoga Arts Council corralled the first fiberglass works of art in 2002 and, back by popular demand, this latest roundup featured thirty-four equine mounts decorated by artists from all over the Northeast.

     Yet the folks at the Arts Council sensed that something was missing from this year’s starting gate lineup; it was time to invite local kids to assume an ownership role. And so, under the direction of Tanya Tobias, program coordinator for the Arts Council, the search was begun for a suitable horse.  No stable was left unturned, but the $2,000 Fasig-Tipton style price tag was a bit steep even with ownership shares being divided among some eighty summer campers.  To the rescue came Gail Kort and Jerri Moore who had taken part in the 2002 event with their entry, Uncommon Valor, a medieval jousting horse.  They generously donated their creation, stripping him down to pristine white horse status. Over the course of  six weeks  participating artists taught the campers to professionally groom, paint and varnish their charge.
     Still, one hurdle remained.   The Arts Council already had a horse and had no room in their stable for yet another resident.  So the young artists decided to donate their creation to the Saratoga Springs Public Library since the library, located near the Arts Council, was frequented by children of all ages.  The nameless but much loved horse was escourted from the studio to the library by way of Ben and Jerry’s where all enjoyed an ice cream cone and some horsing around in the outdoor area.

     Immediately, a search was begun for a suitable name and children  twelve and under were invited to cast their ballot.  Zoe Rowe produced the winner’s ticket with her imaginative “Page Turner” and received a Border’s gift certificate.

     View a slide show of Page Turner’s journey by going to www.sspl.org  clicking on Youth Services and then Children’s Library Horse.

     Page Turner will be wintering at SALS.