Gillian Baxter

Like many pony book authors Gillian started young, writing her first two books while still in her teens.

Best known for two pony book series. Her most popular is the Bobby and Shelta trilogy, but also well-loved is the series for younger readers featuring the miniature ponies Magic and Moonshine. She also wrote a number of stand alone pony books. Most of the books, with the exception of the Magic and Moonshine series and her donkey story Special Delivery,are aimed at older children/young adults and many have a gentle romance as part of the story. The quality of writing in my opinion improves with the later books, some of which contain real psychological depth in their portrayal of character. However almost all of her books are lively and interesting reads.

She additionally wrote under her married name of Gillian Hirst.

Gillian was also interested in fast cars and acting, both of which appeared in some of her pony books. Additionally she wrote a non-pony book called The Knightsgate Players.

Bobby and Shelta Series:
Follows the adventures of Bobby whom we first meet as a 16 year old schoolgirl who falls in love with beautiful mare Shelta. The first book in the series is set partly in Bobby's school and thus is partly a school story. The rest of the series focuses on the world of working with horses and Bobby's romance and marriage to Guy.

1) JUMP TO THE STARS
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1957
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE GORDON
Reprinted by Dragon paperbacks in the 1960s and 70s
EDITIONS PICTURED:  First edition, 1960s paperback
SUMMARY: Bobby falls in love with chestnut mare Shelta and thinks she can become a brilliant jumper. But Shelta is sold to a poor unsympathetic rider. Will Bobby ever be able to get her back and realise her dreams?
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES

2) THE DIFFICULT SUMMER
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1959
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE GORDON
Reprinted by Dragon paperbacks in the 1960s and 70s
EDITIONS PICTURED:  First edition, 1960s paperback, 1970s paperback.
SUMMARY: Now left school and working at Guy's stables, Bobby and her friends are devastated when a freak accident causes a terrible fire at the stables. Can they ever get back on their feet again?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

3) THE PERFECT HORSE
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1963
ILLUSTRATED BY IVAN LAPPER
Reprinted by Dragon paperbacks in the 1960s and 70s
EDITIONS PICTURED:  First edition, 1960s paperback, 1970s paperback.
SUMMARY: Bobby is envious when her spoilt cousin Ellen is bought a perfect horse to enter for Badminton. She doesn't think Ellen deserves such a horse. And can Minos really be as perfect as he seems? My personal favourite in the series!
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES

4) LOVE AND HORSES AT BRACKEN
FIRST PRINTED (UNKNOWN PUBLISHER): 2019
Paperback original.
SUMMARY: Hugely belated sequel to the original trilogy in which Bobby and Guy are now married. As well as the usual horsy ups and downs, Bobby is now considering whether to have children or not.
PLEASE NOTE: the story has been updated to the 21st century.

5) HORSES AND CHALLENGES AT BRACKEN
FIRST PRINTED (UNKNOWN PUBLISHER): 2019
Available as an e-book only at the present moment (Summer 2019)
SUMMARY: Bobby finds more struggles between family life and the world of professional horsemanship. Minos (The Perfect Horse) also reappears!

Collectors Info:
Books 2 and 3 in the series are fairly easy to come by in paperback, but for some reason the first one is a bit harder to get hold of. First editions are quite rare but not usually very expensive. The belated sequels are in print at the moment and both available as e-books.

Magic and Moonshine Series:
A well-loved series about Ian and Angela, a pair of orphans who are sent to live with their uncle and are overjoyed to discover he has two miniature ponies. The series is set at a much lower age group than most of the
author's other books, nevertheless it is great reading for all ages,
exploring many important issues of childhood and especially the brother-sister relationship of the two children - so please don't be put off if you think these may be too childish. They amongst the best of Ms. Baxter's books and deserve to be read!

1) PANTOMIME PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1969
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon, Methuen and Methuen Magnet in the 1970s and by Mammoth in 1994.
EDITIONS PICTURED:  First edition, paperbacks by Dragon, Methuen, Methuen Magnet and Mammoth
SUMMARY: Orphaned brother and sister Ian and Angela must go and stay with their Uncle Arthur in London. They are thrilled when they find he owns two miniature ponies called Magic and Moonshine who perform on stage!
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Chat forum reading group discussion of the book

2) SAVE THE PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1971
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon, Methuen and Methuen Magnet in the 1970s and by Mammoth in 1994.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, paperbacks by Methuen, Methuen Magnet and Mammoth.
SUMMARY: Ian and Angela love their new life with their Uncle Arthur and the two ponies Magic and Moonshine. But when Arthur's old landlord dies, his son decides the ponies are lowering the tone of the neighbourhood and its property values: the ponies may have go to go!
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

3) PONIES BY THE SEA
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1974
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon, Methuen and Methuen Magnet in the 1970s and by Mammoth in 1994.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, paperbacks by Methuen, Methuen Magnet and Mammoth.
SUMMARY: The children are delighted when Uncle Arthur tells them they are all off for a holiday by the sea for the summer. Even the ponies are
included as they are to be starring in a Summer show. But things don't go well for Angela when Ian makes friends with a gang of children from the theatre and she is left out.
PONYMAD VIEW: This is slower in pace than the other stories in the series and probably the least horsy. It concentrates more on the difficult situation of outside friendships intruding upon a brother-sister
relationship, as Angela learns to accept that Ian must have independence from her. A very thoughtful, insightful read.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

4) PONIES IN HARNESS
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1977
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Methuen and Methuen Magnet in the 1970s and by Mammoth in 1994.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, paperbacks by Methuen, Methuen Magnet and Mammoth.
SUMMARY: Magic and Moonshine are to take part in a driving
competition at The Horse of the Year Show. But then Uncle Arthur breaks his wrist. Who will drive the ponies now?
PONYMAD VIEW: This instalment focuses more on Ian than do the other books so is ideal for young male pony lovers. It is one of the best stories in the series too, and the most faced paced and exciting.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

5) PONIES TO THE RESCUE
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1983
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
As far as I know never reprinted.
Rare.
SUMMARY: When Ian and Angela take Magic and Moonshine to a local hospital to cheer up the sick children there, they become involved in a scheme for helping disabled children to ride. Wheel-chair bound Gina falls in love with the ponies but her over-protective mother won't allow her to see them, thinking that ponies are dangerous. Ian and Angela want to help Gina, but their efforts only seem to cause more trouble. Will Gina ever be allowed to be with the ponies she loves?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Other editions:

MY BOOK OF PONY STORIES
FIRST PRINTED: DEAN 1991
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Hardback omnibus edition with pictorial boards containing 3 of the series: Pantomime Ponies, Save the Ponies and Ponies in Harness. With original illustrations.

Collectors Info:
First editions/hardbacks are fairly rare but usually low cost. The paperbacks and the hardback omnibus edition are very easily found in the UK and fairly easy to find in the USA also. The last book in the series, Ponies to the Rescue, is quite rare.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

HORSES AND HEATHER
FIRST PRINTED: WARNE & CO 1956
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
As far as I know never reprinted.
SUMMARY: A group of children arrive at a riding school for a holiday, only to find the owner has been taken ill - can they manage to run the place themselves?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

TAN AND TARMAC
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1958
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon in the 1960s and 70s
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, 1960s paperback, 1970s paperback.
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 VIEW: The only one of the author's books I have never been able to finish, despite many attempts. Although some people have enjoyed the book, most others share my view that this is not her best. However it is interesting in that it shows how a riding school can operate right in the heart of a big city, giving the story an air of novelty.
PONYMAD RATING: 2 HORSESHOES

RIBBONS AND RINGS
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1960
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon in the 1960s.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Dragon paperback.
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
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1961
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE GORDON
As far as I am aware never reprinted.
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 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. When Tamara 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
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1962
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in hardback by The Children's Book Club with a rather unfortunate dust jacket!
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon in the 1960s.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Book Club edition, Dragon edition.
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 finds the mare and falls in love with her. 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
FIRST PRINTED: EVANS 1965
As far as I am aware never reprinted.
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.
PONYMAD VIEW: Brilliant story with real depth of character.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES

SWEET ROCK
FIRST PRINTED: E J ARNOLD & SON 1966
Not reprinted at all.
Rare.
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 Chris has to go away for a while and leaves Sweet Rock in Sharon's charge. Can she school the flighty mare, and what will happen when Chris returns?
PONYMAD VIEW:  Not a comfort blanket read, yet one of the author's most accomplished stories with some excellent, well-rounded characters.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Chat forum reading group discussion of the book

SPECIAL DELIVERY
FIRST PRINTED: METHUEN 1967
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in hardback by Metheun
Reprinted in paperback by Dragon in the 1960s and 70s.
Reprinted in paperback by Methuen in the 1970s.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Methuen reprint, Dragon & Methuen paperbacks.
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.
PONYMAD VIEW: One of the best donkey stories you will read. Full of humour and has great characters, especially the donkey Josephine.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

BARGAIN HORSES
FIRST PRINTED: J A ALLEN PAPERBACKS 1992
Paperback original, not reprinted.
Part of the J A Allen Equestrian Library.
SUMMARY: Young adult horse story. 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.
PONYMAD BOOKLOVERS RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Read Review

E-Book only:

WITH VACANT POSSESSION
FIRST PRINTED (E-BOOK FORMAT): 2018
SUMMARY: Unusual adult horse story. Widow Patsy buys a delapidated farmhouse in Wales where she starts a new life with her daughter's two ponies and a Welsh cob mare and foal. She soon becomes aware of strange happenings in the house...could it be haunted by the crusty old previous owner?
PONYMAD RATING: Highly recommended read for older children and adults! Baxter breaks the mould of the pony book with a middle aged  rather than teen heroine, and in-hand Native Breed showing takes the place of jumping and gymkhanas. Likeable characters, a beautiful setting, Welsh Cob mayhem and a touching story of friendship across the barriers...all the ingredients for a great reading experience.
PONYMAD BOOKLOVERS RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Chat Forum Reading Group Discussion of the book

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 are Sweet Rock, The Stables from Hampton and The Team From Low Moor.
With Vacant Possession is as of March 2019 only available as an e-book, however it is possible it may be reprinted in paperback. If so I will update the publishing status here.

As Gillian Hirst:

SUE-ELAINE DRAWS A HORSE
(With Marion Coakes)
FIRST PRINTED: PELHAM 1970
SUMMARY: Famous showjumper Marion's young friend Sue-Elaine loves horses and, as a talented artist, also loves to draw them. Accompanying Marion to Hickstead, she draws some of the horses there, including a beautiful but excitable palomino called Sea-Blond, with whom she immediately falls in love. When Sea-Blond is injured his owner allows Sue-Elaine to have the horse on loan until he is healed and re-schooled. A close bond form between the pair and with Marion's help, the palomino's nerves begin to be cured. But his competitive owner is impatient for the horse to get back into the ring. Will her desire to have him competing again at all costs spell disaster for the horse and how will Sue-Elaine cope without him?
PONYMAD VIEW: Similar to the Three Jays series by Pat Smythe in that Marion Mould (nee Coakes), the real life famous show jumper, is a main character in a fictional story, along with her real horses and some fictional characters. Athough the premise of the book is akin to that of Pat Smythe's stories, this is somewhat better written and has more depth. Perhaps the experience of Ms. Baxter contributed a lot to this, but the story and characters (especially the equine ones) are more realistic and there is a much closer bond between the characters and their horses than in Ms. Smythe's books. I particularly like the little moments between Marion Mould and her famous horse Stroller, whom she seemed to love deeply.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
Not reprinted as far as I am aware. Although not a common book, it can usually be picked up without too much trouble for a low cost. A bit harder to get hold of outside the UK however