Lion Forge Entertainment has secured the rights to adapt Kimberly Ann Harrison’s debut novel, Beyond the Paddock, as a YA series.
Harrison, whose most recent credits include Washington Black for Hulu, will serve as showrunner and EP on the new series. David Steward II, founder and CEO of Lion Forge Entertainment, and Stephanie Sperber, the studio’s president and chief creative officer, will produce.
The YA coming-of-age story follows two teenagers from the Los Angeles foster care system who are forced to relocate to Lexington, Kentucky, and trade in their passion for street racing for the elite world of equestrian competitive riding and jumping.
“When I first read Beyond the Paddock, it hit close to home for me,” said Steward. “My son rides, and over the years, the equestrian world has become a big part of our family’s life. We’ve spent countless hours around barns, competitions, and that incredible community, so I immediately recognized how authentic Kimberly’s story feels. What she’s written isn’t just about the sport. It’s about belonging, discipline, and young people discovering who they are. That’s what made us fall in love with this project and why we’re so excited to bring it to television.”
“From the moment we read the novel, we saw incredible potential for a series that feels both grounded and aspirational,” Sperber said. “The story captures the thrill of discovering a passion while navigating the complexities of growing up, the discovery of an entirely new culture, first loves, victories and defeats, and Kimberly’s voice brings authenticity and emotional depth to these characters.”
“Being able to share an equestrian story from such a unique perspective is both fulfilling and empowering for so many people,” said Harrison. “I’m grateful to be partnering with Lion Forge to bring this heartfelt story to life. Their team has been incredibly collaborative and truly aligned with the vision I set out to achieve with this project.”
