Canterwood Crest

Former Connecticut student Sasha Silver plans to join the school's equestrian team. However, she is met with resistance from three popular members known as the "Trio" (Heather, Julia, and Alison), who view her as a threat to their social status. Internal conflict sets the stage for the story, with the initial focus being Sasha's efforts to make the team and sustain her morale and good academics. In the midst of things, Jacob begins to earn her romantic attention. But eventually starts a fight with her best friend Callie that changes everything However, other romantic interests also enter the story, leading to love triangles and other personal matters.[1]

Burkhart was inspired by a combination of equestrian experience during her youth and a fondness for writing as she grew older.[1] After much of her freelance work was published by numerous magazines, she entered 2006's National Novel Writing Month and completed a first draft of Take the Reins. In January 2007, a literary agent offered to read the story after viewing the author's blog. Burkhart was later signed by the agent, which eventually led to a four-book deal with Simon & Schuster.[2]

While promoting the first novel, Burkhart maintained an online presence throughout 2008,[3] blogging and vlogging with regard to the production of her work and the publishing process. In April, the author reported that photoshoots for her covers had been set in motion. By September, Burkhart had received an advance reader copy of Take the Reins while working on the subsequent novels.

In December, it was announced that an additional four novels would gradually follow the fourth book, Triple Fault. Later in the month, an online video trailer for Take the Reins was released, featuring photos of scenery and the character models. Trailers for other releases followed.[4]

Sasha Silver — a girl who comes to Canterwood Crest, Sasha used to ride at Briar Creek in Union. She has a horse named Charm, who is a chestnut Belgian cross Thoroughbred gelding. Sasha loves lip gloss. She is from a small town called Union and is usually teased about being from a small town by Heather Fox. Her roomie and BFF is Paige Parker. Sasha soon meets a boy named Jacob, who she has a huge crush on. That's how their relationship was started until they broke up at the Sweetheart Soiree in Chasing Blue (book two), after Heather Fox tormented and tried to break Sasha and Jacob up. Sasha is 7th grade, and hates biology.

Callie Harper — Sasha's best friend, who clicked with Sasha in book one. Before Callie started at Canterwood, she rode for the elite New England Saddle Club. She has a black Morab gelding named Black Jack. Later in the series, Sasha and Callie are no longer friends but only teammates. Callie ended up missing out on a spot in YENT at first because of Jacob, who she had a relationship with. Callie and Sasha eventually become best friends again.

Heather Fox — A cruel teammate and friend, Heather Fox is not someone to be enemies with. She hates Sasha at first, but begins to like her throughout the series. She is the leader of the clique called 'The Trio'. She has a dark chestnut Thoroughbred gelding called Aristocrat. She is very serious about riding and despises Jasmine King. She is a ringleader of trouble and plots plans to break Jacob and Sasha up at the beginning of the series. Heather's parents put a lot of pressure on her to get good grades and win horse shows.

Julia Myer — the second member of 'The Trio'. Friendships come second to her, riding being the first. Her and Alison are somewhat "sidekicks" of Heather. She has a compact bay mare named Trix. Julia gets expelled from Canterwood Crest after creating a blog in Scandals, Rumors, Lies after she was not picked for the YENT team.

Alison Robb — the third member of 'The Trio'. She's very quiet, but she observes everyone and everything around her with great detail. She and Julia are somewhat "sidekicks" of Heather. Alison is a lot kinder to Sasha and her friends than Julia. She has a beautiful palomino Arabian horse named Sunstruck.

Jasmine King — a mean girl who Sasha and the Canterwood gang met one day at a show. She takes great delight in insulting students from Canterwood Crest. She has a horse named Phoenix. She will do anything to win, even putting her horse at risk. She shows up in the third book at a Canterwood clinic and therefor makes Sasha and the trio miserable.

Jacob Schwartz — A kind, charming, thoughtful boy that Sasha meets at Canterwood Crest. She has a very big crush on him. He likes her and ends up sitting right next to her in Mr. Ramirez's class. He is afraid of horses. Jacob has an on-off relationship with Sasha, but in Unfriendly Competition, has a permanent relationship with Sasha.

Eric Rodriguez — another boy Sasha meets. They both become good friends, as Eric is a mid-year transfer student. Eric has a relationship with Sasha, but they break up in Little White Lies after he sees Jacob kissing Sasha in her dorm. They agree to still be friends, and later in the series, Eric helps Jacob do something for Sasha. Eric is a rider, but doesn't own a horse, only riding a school one called Luna.

Paige Parker — Sasha's roommate, and other best friend. They both met in Take the Reins but things got out of hand and Paige moved out. Paige now lives in the dorm with her friend Geena from cooking class. Paige stars in a show called "Teen Cuisine" and she always baked goodies for Sasha.

Brittany "Brit" Chan — Sasha's new roommate in Orchard Hall. She arrives in Elite Ambition and is called the new "IT" girl. She specializes in dressage and clicks with Sasha in day one. She is a transfer student. She is also from a small town, like Sasha, which is why they click as friends so fast. She rides a horse called Apollo.

Lauren Towers - a straight-A student who works hard at everything. She loves decorating her dorm in soft colors and loves the decor. Lauren has had an accident in the past, but nothing is going to stop her. She looks up to Sasha and is best friends with Khloe, Lexa, Clare, Brielle, and Ana. Her boyfriend is Drew Adams, and her ex-boyfriend is Taylor. She loves tea; her favorite kind being Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride from the Seasonal Collection. She owns a gorgeous young grey Hanoverian cross Thoroughbred mare called Whisper. Lauren is the main character after Sasha graduates from 8th grade and moves up to high school at Canterwood.

Khloe Kinsella — Lauren's friend, and a drama queen. She loves acting and wants her name to be on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Khloe is fierce and loyal to her friends and is the person to keep Lauren laughing. Khloe is Lauren's dorm room-mate. She also owns a bay Hanoverian mare called Ever. Khloe and her horse Ever have a great bond.

Lexa Reed - one of the sweetest girls on campus, Lexa is serious about riding but never gets competitive with her friends. She and Lauren share an addiction with Hob Nobs. Lexa previously lived in London. She owns a strawberry roan mare called Honor.

Clare Bryant — best friends with Khloe and Riley, and is often caught stuck-in-the-middle whenever Riley and Khloe are not getting along with each other, which is all the time. She's a great mediator and the kind of girl who's a true friend. She has a liver chestnut gelding called Fuego.

Riley Edwards — Riley is enemy number one at Canterwood. She and Lauren have never gotten along. She is tough in the arena and lets everyone know she means business. Like Khloe, she loves acting. The shared love of theatre with Khloe causes some serious off-stage drama between Riley and Khloe. She owns a grey gelding called Adonis.

Taylor Frost — Lauren's ex-boyfriend from Yates Preparatory Academy in Union, Connecticut. He makes an unexpected appearance and admits to Lauren in the 18th book that he had been secretly dating Brielle the last summer Lauren was in Union. Lauren learns to retrust him and Brielle and they all become better friends by the day.

Brielle Monaco — Lauren's best friend from Yates Preparatory School, and in Union. She makes an unexpected appearance at Canterwoood and admits alongside Taylor that they dated over the summer.

Carina Johansson — a transfer student from Sweden. She came over to CCA, to train with Mr. Conner in the foreign exchange program. She excels in dressage, but when Lauren and Khloe dig into Carina's past, they realize there is more than meets the eye. They become good friends when they bond over their love of horses and dressage.

Drew Adams - Laurens boyfriend at Canterwood. They clicked over their love of horses. Drew owns a calm-natured blood bay Arabian cross Thoroughbred gelding called Polo, who is a strong jumper. Drew and Lauren have a big blow out at the beginning of the 17th book over Taylor, but they come around toward the end of the book.