We’re very excited to welcome Pamela Britton-Baer here today. Pamela is a multi-published author with eighteen novels under her belt, over a million copies of her books in print, and tons of awards. She’s written historical, cowboy series, single title and has carved out a new genre in the NASCAR industry, with lots of authors in hot pursuit. 
In addition, she’s chasing points on the American Quarter Horse show circuit with her chestnut gelding Bippidy Boppin Along, in the hunter under saddle and showmanship classes. If you are familiar with the American Quarter Horse Journal, you’ve most likely seen her bi-monthly column about her switch from the open Hunter/Jumper shows to the Quarter Horse circuit, something that’s been—according to Pamela—both hysterical and wonderful and, um…confusing. (To the amusement of many.)
She’s married to a real life cowboy and lives on a working California ranch with their daughter and horses. Thanks, Pamela for taking the time out of your busy day to stop by and answer some questions for our equine, historical and now NASCAR racing fans!
Q: First, were you a horse person before meeting your future husband?
I was a horse person before HIM. Yes, it’s true. Michael had only ever ridden bulls when we first met so I guess you could say I’ve taught him everything he knows. I’ve been riding horses since I was ten, and showing them since I was thirteen. Over the past thirty-plus years, I’ve worked with some of the best hunter/jumper trainers in the nation. I’ve been show champion at some of California’s most prestigious hunter/jumper shows, and state champion three times now. 
Not that I’m bragging or nothin’, just that a lot of people don’t realize just how into horses I’ve been all my life.
Q: Is your place primarily a horse ranch or do you run cattle too?
We raise Quarter Horses and cattle, but we have a very small operation compared to many of our friends who own hundreds of head of cattle and thousands of acres. We have five horses at the ranch right now, and only a few head of cattle. But those numbers change as we buy and sell throughout the year.
Q: Best moment in the show ring?
Absolutely, hands down, winning the state championship this year on a horse that I purchased as a baby (six months old) and that I raised and trained for the show ring myself. 
That was just the neatest thing in the WORLD!
Q: Best moment involving writing?
Walking into a store at the Daytona Speedway and realizing that the line around the store were people who’d come to see me. Apparently, I signed more autographs that day than Jeff Gordon. 
Q: How did you get involved with the Quarter Horse Journal? How long have you been there?
That was one of those things that just kind of happened. I’d competed on the open Hunter/Jumper circuit for my entire life, but I recently made a switch to the Quarter Horse circuit. I was making so many mistakes, and having such a good time, that I thought people might enjoy reading about it. So I wrote a couple of sample articles, sent them off to the JQURNAL and the rest, as they say, is history. I’ve been doing it for about a year now and still LOVE it. I hope they keep me on. So far, they’re still publishing me.
Q: What are your dreams and aspirations regarding publishing? Showing?
Showing’s easy, so I’ll take that one first. I want to win a World Championship. I just won the state and so that’s my next goal.
As far as writing, five years ago I would have said I want to write books about NASCAR, but I’ve accomplished that goal. So I guess I would say I want to continue to write about car racing and cowboys for as long as the publishing industry will have me.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your NASCAR book series…?
I’ve actually been a NASCAR insider since the early nineties. By that I mean I got to know the crews and their families through a friend of mine, Doug Richert, and his wife, Robin. He’s a long-time NASCAR crew chief and so it was a natural fit to want to write about a sport I’d gotten to know from the inside out. Unfortunately, it took me awhile to convince New York that it was a good idea. But I’m glad they finally came around because I so enjoy my little race car books.
