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Other Pony Books:
HORSES AND HEATHER (WARNE & CO 1956) ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE As far as I know not reprinted. Lovely dust jacket. SUMMARY: A group of children arrive at a riding school for a holiday to find the owner has been taken ill - can they manage to run the place themselves? PONYMAD RATING: 2 HORSESHOES
TAN AND TARMAC (EVANS 1958) Reprinted by Dragon paperbacks in the 1960s and 70s SUMMARY: When Steve moves from the country to London it seems the end of a life with horses but then she discovers a stables right in the heart of Kensington! And things get even more exciting when she gets involved with an American rodeo star and his horse! PONYMAD RATING: 1 HORSESHOE
RIBBONS AND RINGS (EVANS 1960) Reprinted by Dragon paperbacks in the 1960s SUMMARY: Showjumping and fast cars collide in this lively story about an Irish showjumper and two very different girls. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
THE STABLES AT HAMPTON (EVANS 1961) ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE GORDON As far as I am aware was not reprinted at all. SUMMARY: One of the few pony books set in the world of dressage. 16 year old Jinny works in the dilapidated stables of shady Vic Tyler and longs to get a more respectable job. It seems like her dreams have come true when Vic disappears and she is asked by superb dressage rider Tamara to work for her instead. Taking with her Flash, the old ex-racehorse she loves, she embarks upon her new life. But although a brilliant rider, Tamara is a difficult and unfriendly person, and when she takes on a new riding instructor, Ginny feels her loyalties being stretched between the two people she admires most. PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
HORSES IN THE GLEN (EVANS 1962) ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT Reprinted by The Children's Book Club with a rather unfortunate dust jacket and also by Dragon paperback in the 1960s. SUMMARY: Fran decides to leave London and return to her Scottish homeland to start a trekking centre with boyfriend Stephen. When her beautiful filly Witchcraft goes missing she makes the acquaintance of gipsy girl Lindy who has fallen in love with the mare. Lindy subsequently spends all her spare time at the stables, much to the disappointment of her old friend Duncan, whose sturdy Highland pony Lindy used to ride. At the same time, Fran is neglecting Stephen and the trekking centre for the excitement of showing Witchcraft. However throughout the course of the book both Fran and Lindy come to learn what is really important in life. PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
THE TEAM FROM LOW MOOR (EVANS 1965) Not reprinted as far as I know. SUMMARY: The local pony club team is a 'poor relation' of the wealthier branch on the other side of the valley. The riders are a mixed bag with an odd assortment of mounts and despite their keenness it doesn't look like they will excel. But then they meet Laurence, a famous show jumper who has had to retire through injury. He takes on the task of instructing the motley crew and they slowly begin to improve, even deciding to put together a team to take part in the Prince Philip Cup (the gymkhana games championship) at the Horse of the Year Show. But as the children improve, jealousy and ambition threaten all the they have achieved. Brilliant story! PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
SWEET ROCK (E J ARNOLD & SON 1966) Hardest to find and least known of her books. Was not reprinted as far as I know. SUMMARY: Sharon can't afford a pony and only has a donkey to ride. Then she meets Chris and his pony Sweet Rock. Although Chris is a tearaway and his bad riding has turned Rock into an almost uncontrollable mount, Sharon can't help but like him. Then he has to go away for a while and leaves Sweet Rock in Sharon's charge. Can she school the mare, and what will happen when Chris returns? One of the author's best stories with some excellent characters. PONYMAD RATING: 4-5 HORSESHOES
SPECIAL DELIVERY (METHUEN 1967) ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT Reprinted by Methuen in hardback and by Dragon in paperback. SUMMARY: Donkey story aimed at slightly younger readers. Sarah, Simon and Margaret have to cope with an obstreperous donkey when its owner has an accident. Some great characters, especially that of Josephine the donkey.
BARGAIN HORSES (J A ALLEN PB 1992) Part of the J A Allen Equestrian Library series. Not reprinted. SUMMARY: All her life Mary Conway has dreamed of buying a real bargain, a horse that would win eventing fame and prove her skills as a trainer. But her daughter Gemma is tired of these bargains which turn out to be anything but. When the latest one proves a terrifying ride, Gemma knows she must do something to escape her mother's obsession. Aimed at older children and adults. PONYMAD BOOKLOVERS RATING: 4 HORSESHOES Read Review
Collectors Info: Rarity varies a lot with these books. Some can be found in paperback (Special Delivery, Ribbons and Rings, Tan and Tarmac, Bargain Horses) and these are in general the easiest ones to find. The hardest to get hold of is Sweet Rock, followed by The Team From Low Moor and The Stables at Hampton, but none are impossible to find.
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