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Josephine Pullein-Thompson (1924-2014)
Along with her two sisters and mother (Joanna Cannan) Josephine forms part of the most famous pony book writing dynasty of all time. Born in 1924. She and her two younger sisters, twins Christine and Diana, wrote a pony book together when still in their teens. From then on the rest, as they say, was history. The girls' knowledge and experience of ponies - they ran their own riding school - shines through in their books.
Josephine's books are a little different in style to that of her two sisters, tending to be more humourous and they also contain more technical riding information. For example the character of Major Holbrooke in the Noel and Henry series imparts his knowledge to the riders, and also to the reader, who learns at the same time as enjoying a great pony story. This reflects the attitude of Josephine herself who was probably the most interested in the theory of riding of the three sisters. In her role as riding instructor and pony club worker, she realised that standards had to be raised, and her books were one way of doing so. Her novels are full of dedicated characters like Noel Kettering who try to improve their riding and are rewarded for doing so.
An interesting aspect of riding technique which appears in The Noel and Henry series in particular, is the development of the forward seat to replace the old fashioned backwards variety. The 'Continental' seat as it was also called was adopted by the top British riders as they realised that this European form of riding was far superior. However it caused a controversy amongst riders of the time, many seeing it as a new-fangled fancy. Josephine was obviously on the side of the new riding technique and was not above promoting it in her books. John's father in Six ponies is a staunch supporter of the backward seat and is scornful of the Major who favours the continental style. However it is only when John moves away from his father's viewpoint and learns the new way, that his riding dramatically improves.
It is testament to the author's skill that she managed to convey all this instruction without ever sounding didactic or dreary. In fact it is this very detailed approach to the riding aspect of the books that makes them so interesting for many readers.
Unfortunately this highly successful combination of great story and riding instruction was for the most part abandoned by Josephine in the 1970s and 80s when she instead wrote a series of adventure type stories which are in my opinion far inferior. These included the 'Moors' series, some of which are the hardest of her books to find today. The adventure stories are not bad books but are not in the same league as her earlier novels. Josephine did write a few non-adventure books in this period including The No Good Pony, The Prize Pony and The Woodbury Pony Club series, which, if not scaling the heights of her halcyon writing days, are a lot more entertaining than the adventure novels. Her last pony novel A Job With Horses was written for an older readership.
Josephine additionally wrote a couple of adult novels, one under the name of Josephine Mann.
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Noel and Henry/Pony Club Series:
Possibly the best pony book series ever written! An array of disparate characters cause mischief and mayhem in their local pony club. Mixes serious themes and horsemanship with a dash of humour.
PONYMAD SERIES RATING: GOLDEN CUP FOR AN OUTSTANDING READ!
1) SIX PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1946
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift in 1987.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1971 and 1979 (revised editions).
Reprinted in paperback by Fidra Books in 2007 (original text).
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, 1971 and 1979 Armada editions, Swift hardback edition, Fidra paperback.
SUMMARY: Six pony club members are chosen by Major Holbrooke to break in some wild young ponies. Noel is despondant as she feels her riding is too bad to have a pony to train. June and her mother are sure their pony will be the only one properly trained, and the Radcliffes see the undertaking as a chance to have fun. Richard on the other hand sees the pony as an obstacle to his enjoyment of the summer holidays. But even as the pony club members teach their youngsters, they find they learn about life and themselves at the same time.
PONYMAD RATING: GOLDEN CUP FOR AN OUTSTANDING READ!
Read Review
Read/join in with a discussion of Six Ponies in our reading circle
Play the Six Ponies Quiz
2) PONY CLUB TEAM
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1950
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Collins in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library (number 11).
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift in 1987.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1973 and 1977 (revised editions).
Reprinted in paperback by Fidra in 2009 (original text).
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Collins Pony Library edition, Armada paperbacks, Swift hardback, Fidra paperback.
SUMMARY: Noel and her friends must compete in a pony club event to help the Major win a bet. He allows some of the members to stay at Folly Court but soon regrets his kindness, as the children get into fights, ruin his crops and let out his wife's prize parrot! Great fun.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read/join in with a discussion of Pony Club Team in our reading circle
3) THE RADNEY RIDING CLUB
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1951
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift in 1987.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada ?
Reprinted in paperback by Knight in the 1970s and 80s.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Knight paperback editions, Swift hardback.
SUMMARY: Noel goes to stay with Heny and they start up a riding club. But all does not go well, half the members are hopeless and their first instructor is terrible. Henry asks the Major for help and he recommends one of his friends. Can he transform the club and its members?
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read/join in with a discussion of Radney Riding Club in our reading circle
4) ONE DAY EVENT
FIRST EDITION COLLINS 1954
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Collins in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library (number 12).
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift in 1987.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1974 and 1979.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Collins Pony Library edition, Armada paperbacks, Swift hardback.
SUMMARY: The pony club members rally together to help when the Major has an accident. But the Major isn't content to convalesce peacefully and against his long-suffering wife's advice starts up an eventing course for the pony club members.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read/join in with a discussion of One Day Event in our reading circle
5) PONY CLUB CAMP
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1957
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Collins in 1972 as part of the Collins Pony Library (number 10)
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift in 1987
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1973 and 1980
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Collins Pony Library edition, Armada paperback, Swift hardback.
SUMMARY: At last Noel and her friends are off to pony club camp. There are plenty of laughs as Christopher loses his cool trying to win the camp competition, Nicholas falls head over heels in love with Noel and Gay turns match-maker. A very funny feel-good read.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read Review
Read/join in with a discussion of Pony Club Camp in our reading circle
Collectors Info:
First editions are quite rare, with Radney Riding Club being the hardest one of all to find. Pony Club Team, One Day Event and Pony Club Camp were republished in hardback by Collins in the 1970s as part of the Collins Pony Library and these editions are a little easier to find than the firsts. The full series was also republished in hardback with pictorial boards by Swift, once again fairly hard editions to find. All were reprinted in paperback many times by Armada/Knight - these are the easiest copies to find, especially outside of the UK. although many of these were revised. Six Ponies and Pony Club Team have also been more recently published in paperback by Fidra Books with original text and illustrations.
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Moors Series:
A series of mainly adventure-orientated stories set on fictional moors which seem to be an amalgamation of Bodmin and Exmoor. New characters are introduced and older ones phased out in the later books, which has not proved a popular move with readers. The earlier books in the series are, in my opinion, the best.
PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
1) STAR RIDERS OF THE MOOR
aka STAR RIDERS (J A Allen paperback edition)
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER AND STOUGHTON 1976
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Knight in 1979.
Reprinted in paperback by J A Allen in 1990, when it was re-titled.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Knight and J A Allen paperbacks.
SUMMARY: First in the series about Frances and Louisa Burnett and their friends the Mitchells and the Jacksons, who all live on the moors and enjoy riding their ponies together. In this story the children are asked to help with a crew making a film about smugglers, but is there something more sinister behind the film making?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
2) FEAR TREKS THE MOOR
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER AND STOUGHTON 1978
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in hardback by Hodder and Stoughton in 1979.
Reprinted in paperback by Knight a number of times from 1979 onwards.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Knight paperback.
SUMMARY: When Mr. Jackson has an accident the children all pitch in to help run his trekking business. But one of the trekkers, a mysterious boy called N. Hutchinson is terrified of some strange men who say they are his uncles. What is the truth behind the mystery?
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
3) RIDE TO THE RESCUE
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER AND STOUGHTON 1979
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Beaver in 1984.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Beaver paperback.
SUMMARY: Frances has a new pony, the high spirited Orlando. Because of his unruly behaviour her friends are not sure about her choice. However it is Orlando who is vital in solving the mystery of old Mrs. Hathaway's intruders.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
4) GHOST HORSE ON THE MOOR
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1980
ILLUSTRATED BY ERIC ROWE
Reprinted in paperback by Beaver in 1984
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Beaver paperback.
SUMMARY: There are rumours of a mysterious ghostly horse running on the moors. The children, however, are certain that the horse is real and are determined to catch him and solve the mystery.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
5) TREASURE ON THE MOOR
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1982
ILLUSTRATED BY JON DAVIS
Not reprinted.
Rare.
SUMMARY: Frances and Louisa team up with some new friends to search for a mysterious treasure.
6) MYSTERY ON THE MOOR
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1984
ILLUSTRATED BY CHRIS ROTHERO
Not reprinted.
Can be hard to find.
SUMMARY: This story centres upon the new characters, including Sukey and Chris, who get involved with an oil spill and a mysterious kennel owner.
Read Review
7) SUSPICION STALKS THE MOOR
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1986
ILLUSTRATED BY GLENN STEWARD
Not reprinted.
Can be hard to find
SUMMARY: Sukey and her friends are certain that a missing stallion is being kept at a nearby farm and set out to solve the mystery.
Collectors Info:
The first four were reprinted as paperbacks and are fairly easy to find in the UK. The last three in series were not reprinted and are rarer, with Treasure on the Moor being the hardest to find. These three can be expensive but price does vary a lot. All the series are hard to find in the USA, Australia and elsewhere.
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Black Beauty's Family/Clan Series:
(With Josephine & Diana Pullein-Thompson)
A series of historical pony novels following in the hoofprints of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Written by all three of the Pullein-Thompson sisters. The novels are set from the horse's point of view and are the life stories of a number of Black Beauty's supposed relatives/ancestors.
The books were originally published as omnibus editions containing three novels/novellas in each. Four of these novels were also published as single volumes.
Original Omnibus Editions:
1) BLACK BEAUTY'S CLAN
aka BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY (Red Fox paperback)
Includes:
BLACK VELVET (by Christine)
BLACK PRINCESS (by Diana)
BLACK EBONY (by Josephine)
FIRST PRINTED: BROCKHAMPTON 1975
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Red Fox in 2000 when it was very confusingly (and rather stupidly) re-titled Black Beauty's Family - which is also the name of the second instalment in the original series!
USA edition published in hardback by McGraw-Hill in 1980.
The three stories were also published separately in paperbacks by Knight. (See 'Single Volumes' section below)
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Red Fox paperback, USA edition.
SUMMARY: Follows the stories of Black Beauty's younger brother Black Ebony who falls on hard times when he is injured, and two of his later descendants Black Princess, who takes part in the First World War and Black Ebony, who is a show jumper.
Read Review (off web-site)
2) BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY
aka MORE FROM BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY (Red Fox paper-back)
Includes:
BLACK NIGHTSHADE (by Josephine)
BLACK ROMANY (by Diana)
BLOSSOM (by Christine)
FIRST PRINTED: HODDER & STOUGHTON 1978
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Reprinted in paperback by Red Fox in 2001 and re-titled.
USA edition published in hardback by McGraw-Hill in 1980.
Black Nightshade was reprinted as a single volume in paperback by Knight in 1980. (See 'Single Volumes' section below)
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Red Fox paperback, USA edition.
SUMMARY: Three stories of Black Beauty's relatives from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Read Review (off web-site)
3) BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY 2
Includes:
BLACK RAVEN AND THE WITCH (by Josephine)
BLACK PIPER (by Diana)
BLACK PIONEER (by Christine)
FIRST PRINTED BEAVER PAPERBACKS 1982
Paperback original.
As far as I know. Not reprinted at all.
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
SUMMARY: Shorter than the other omnibus editions: the three stories are novella size rather than full length novels.
Other Omnibus Editions:
BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY 1
FIRST PRINTED: BEAVER PAPERBACKS 1981
ILLUSTRATED BY ELISABETH GRANT
Paperback original.
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
SUMMARY: Paperback 2 in 1 containing: Black Romany and Blossom
BLACK BEAUTY'S FAMILY
FIRST PRINTED: CHANCELLOR PRESS 1986
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
SUMMARY: A large hardback omnibus edition with pictorial boards. Contains Velvet, Princess, Ebony, Nightshade, Romany, Blossom.
Single Volumes:
BLACK VELVET
FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979
Reprinted in paperback by Knight in 1983
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, reprint
BLACK PRINCESS
FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979
Reprinted in paperback by Knight in 1983
Also a Swedish and Danish edition.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, reprint, Danish edition
BLACK EBONY
FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1979
Possibly reprinted by Knight - need confirmation.
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
BLACK NIGHTSHADE
FIRST PRINTED: KNIGHT PAPERBACKS 1980
EDITION PICTURED: First edition.
Collectors Info:
If there is a more confusing series to collect (or explain!) I've yet to encounter it. I'm not sure what the various publishers were thinking, but for a start there were three omnibus editions, all completely different, all entitled Black Beauty's Family and this is only the start of the confusion! I have tried to make sense of this publishing nightmare so that nobody ends up buying duplicates of the stories. I hope I have succeeded!
The series was first published in omnibus form, each volume containing three stories (novel or novella length), making a total of nine stories in all. Four of these were then published as single volume paperbacks. The first six stories appeared in a number of different omnibuses, although the last three were not reprinted at all and are only available in Black Beauty's Family 2.
The first two omnibus editions were also published in the USA under their original titles and mercifully don't appear to have been reprinted or their titles changed! The series is reasonably easy to find, especially the paperback editions and the American editions are easy to find in the USA. Black Beauty's Family 2 is probably the hardest edition to find, especially outside of the UK, although it is not usually expensive.
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Other Horse & Pony Books:
IT BEGAN WITH PICOTEE
(With Christine and Diana Pullein-Thompson)
FIRST PRINTED: A & C BLACK 1946)
ILLUSTRATED BY ROSEMARY ROBERTSON
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Fairly rare, especially with dustjacket.
SUMMARY: Early collaboration by all three sisters, written when they were just teenagers.
PONYMAD RATING: 2 HORSESHOES
I HAD TWO PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1947
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1974 as part of the
Collins Pony Library (number 27).
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1963.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: First edition rare, Collins Pony Library edition fairly hard to find, paperback edition easiest, but rarer than most of the author's other paperback titles.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperback, Collins Pony Library edition.
SUMMARY: A horrid spoilt brat does not want to look after her own ponies, so her father sells them. However, whilst staying with her father's friends and their children she learns the errors of her ways and is determined to get back her ponies.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
PLENTY OF PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1949
ILLUSTRATED BY ANNE BULLEN
Reprinted in hardback a number of times by Collins.
Reprinted in hardback in the 1960s as part of the Collins Seagull Library.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1970 and 1979.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Most editions are easy to find, even the first is not that rare.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Seagull Library edition, Armada paperbacks.
SUMMARY: Humourous story about a group of unruly kids trying to improve their riding and behaviour!
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
PRINCE AMONG PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1952
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLOTTE HOUGH
Reprinted in hardback as part of the Collins Seagull Library.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1970 and 1981.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Most editions, apart from the first, are easy to find.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Seagull Library edition, Armada paperbacks.
SUMMARY: Two children fall in love with a beautiful grey pony but he belongs to their cousins.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
Read/join in with a discussion of Prince Among Ponies in our reading circle
SHOW JUMPING SECRET
FIRST EDITION COLLINS 1955
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback as part of the Collins Seagull Library.
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1974 as part of the
Collins Pony Library (number 28).
Reprinted in hardback by Chivers.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1969, 1978 and 1981.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: The first edition and the Chivers edition are quite hard to find, the other editions fairly easy.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Collins Seagull Library edition, Collins Pony Library edition, three different Armada paperbacks, Chivers edition.
SUMMARY: After contracting polio, Charles has health problems but is determined to overcome them and show jump his mare Secret.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
PATRICK'S PONY
FIRST PRINTED: BROCKHAMPTON 1956
ILLUSTRATED BY GEOFFREY WHITTAM
Reprinted in paperback by Beaver in 1985.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: First edition quite rare, paperback edition a bit harder to find than most of the author's other paperbacks.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Beaver paperback.
SUMMARY: Aimed at a slightly younger readership than the other books. Orphaned Patrick's only friend in the world is Taffy, his scruffy little pony. He has a chance at happiness by becoming adopted and living in a wonderful home with a lovely pony to ride...but if the cost is giving up Taffy, he will turn his back on happiness for the sake of his beloved pony.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Read Review
THE TRICK JUMPERS
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS 1958
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in hardback in 1970 as part of the Collins Seagull Library.
Reprinted in hardback with pictorial boards in 1973 as part of the
Collins Pony Library (number 22).
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1965, 1975 and 1979.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Seagull Library edition, Collins Pony Library edition, 1960s and 1970s Armada paperbacks.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: First edition quite rare, the other editions easier.
SUMMARY: Lightly humourous story about a misfit family of hopeless riders who earn the respect of the local kids by becoming trick jumpers.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
ALL CHANGE
aka THE HIDDEN HORSE (later paperback editions)
FIRST PRINTED: BENN 1961
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
Reprinted in paperback by Armada under original title in 1963 and 1972.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada under new title in 1982.
Reprinted in paperback by J A Allen under new title in 1989.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Armada paperbacks, J A Allen edition.
SUMMARY: Humourous story with serious undertones. A new owner takes over the farm which a group of children's father manages. The kids conspire to save a condemned horse whilst worrying that their father may lose his job and their home.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Read/join in with a discussion of All Change in our reading circle
RACE HORSE HOLIDAY
FIRST PRINTED: ARMADA PAPERBACKS 1971
Paperback original.
Reprinted in hardback by Severn House.
Reprinted in paperback by Armada in 1977 and 1979.
Reprinted in paperback by Cavalier in 1996.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Paperbacks are fairly easy to find. The Severn House hardback edition is quite hard to find.
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Armada & Cavalier paperbacks.
SUMMARY: Children on holiday at a racing stables get mixed up in a plot to nobble racehorses.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
THE NO-GOOD PONY
FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1981
Paperback original.
Reprinted in hardback by Severn House in 1982.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Paperbacks are fairly easy to find. The Severn House hardback edition is quite hard to find.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Severn House edition.
SUMMARY: Two sets of kids have to overcome their dislike of each other when their parents marry.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
THE PRIZE PONY
FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1982
Paperback original.
Reprinted in hardback by Severn House in 1983.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Hardback is rare, paperback not common but usually cheap. Can be hard to find outside of the UK.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Severn House edition.
SUMMARY: A girl is delighted to win a pony in a competition but the reality is far from the dream when she can't manage the pony.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
SAVE THE PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: SPARROW PAPERBACKS 1982
Paperback original.
Reprinted in hardback by Severn House in the 1980s, exact date unknown.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: The hardback is rare, paperback not common but usually cheap. Can be hard to find outside of the UK.
EDITIONS PICTURED: First edition, Severn House edition.
SUMMARY: Children on holiday in Greece get caught up in a plot to save some ponies.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
BLACK SWIFT
FIRST PRINTED: CANONGATE PAPERBACKS 1991
Paperback original.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Not reprinted. Quite easy to find in the UK & USA.
SUMMARY: Historical pony story, not part of the Black Beauty's Family series as could be thought from the title.
A JOB WITH HORSES
FIRST PRINTED: J ALLEN PB 1994
Paperback original.
COLLECTOR'S INFO: Not reprinted. Quite easy to find in the UK & USA.
SUMMARY: A girl finds leaving home to work with horses more than she bargains for when she gets involved with a business arranging jousting demonstrations. She also learns that people may not be what they seem.
PONYMAD VIEW: Ideal for older readers as features a young adult heroine. The unusual content makes it a good choice for someone wanting something a bit different from a run of the mill pony story.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Collectors Info:
See above for more detailed info on specific titles. All of these except for It Began With Pictoee were published as paperbacks. Most of the paperback editions are fairly easy to find. First editions of the older titles can be rare and may be expensive.
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Short Stories in Other Books & Collections:
Includes stories by the author published in various annuals and other books. For collected stories by the author please see The Pullein-Thompson Treasury of Horse and Pony Stories above.
Please note: this is not an exhaustive list, there may be more stories I do not know about. If you know of any others please do contact me.
For more information about the various books themselves please visit the British Short Stories section and the Pony Club Annuals web page.
IF I HAD THAT PONY
in COLLINS CHILDRENS ANNUAL
FIRST PRINTED: COLLINS UNDATED, CIRCA 1950s
ILLUSTRATOR UNCREDITED - POSSIBLY SHEILA ROSE?
SUMMARY OF STORY: Colin's dreadful riding ruins his pony Bramble and she is sent to a sale where she is bought by horse mad Judy. Judy's care and sympathetic riding transforms Bramble and gives Colin a nasty shock at a jumping competition!
PONYMAD VIEW: An excellent horse story with a great twist in the tale. Very nice uncredited illustrations which look to be by Sheila Rose.
PONYMAD RATING: 5 HORSESHOES
THE FAILURE
in PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1966
FIRST PRINTED: MAX PARRISH 1965
ILLUSTRATED BY SHEILA ROSE
SUMMARY OF STORY: Phillipa feels a failure next to her much more successful sisters.
COWARD ON HORSEBACK
in DAILY MIRROR BOOK OF HORSES AND PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: HAMLYN 1970
ILLUSTRATOR NOT CREDITED
SUMMARY OF STORY: Lyn feels she is hopeless as she is such a nervous rider, but when show off Nigel is hurt she must show her true colours to get him help.
PONYMAD RATING: 2-3 HORSESHOES
IT ISN'T FAIR
in DAILY MIRROR BOOK OF HORSES AND PONIES
FIRST PRINTED: HAMLYN 1970
ILLUSTRATOR NOT CREDITED
SUMMARY OF STORY: Philippa spends her time feeling jealous of other people and their wonderful ponies. Even when she gets a pony of her own she is not satisfied. However experience teaches her to cherish what she has instead of envying other people.
PONYMAD VIEW: A good moral message wrapped up in an excellent pony story with a realistic main character.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
A HORRIBLY HORSEY DAUGHTER
n PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1971
FIRST PRINTED PURNELL 1970
ILLUSTRATED BY JANET JOHNSTONE
Also in HORSE AND DOG STORIES
FIRST PRINTED: CAVALIER PAPERBACK 1995
Paperback original.
SUMMARY OF STORY: Miranda is horse-mad but her father thinks that all horsy people are bores and refuses to let her have her own pony.
THE SCAVENGER HUNT
in PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1972
FIRST PRINTED: PURNELL 1971
ILLUSTRATED BY JANET JOHNSTONE
THE BIRDWATCHER OF BEACON HILL
in PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1973
FIRST PRINTED: PURNELL 1972
ILLUSTRATED BY SIAN WILLIAMS
SUMMARY OF STORY: Longish mystery/adventure story. Riding out on the moors in their new home on their new ponies, Marcus and Rosie befriend a birdwatcher, but later wonder if he is all that he seems.
PONYMAD VIEW: A good start and good characters, but marred a little by the overly melodramatic plot and the ending peters out a little, leaving the reader wanting to know more.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES
CHOP AND CHANGE
in PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1974
FIRST PRINTED: PURNELL 1973)
ILLUSTRATED BY SALLY WEBB
BONE OF CONTENTION
in PONY CLUB ANNUAL 1976
FIRST PRINTED: PURNELL 1975)
ILLUSTRATED BY SALLY BELL
SUMMARY OF STORY: A horsy family start a feud with a local man when he stops them using a bridleway next to his house.
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES
Collectors Info:
Some of these are easier to find than others. In general the 1970s Pony Club annuals are reasonably easy to find, in the UK at least, the 1960s ones are a bit harder. The Daily Mirror book is fairly easy to find in the UK and usually cheap, but a lot harder elsewhere. Horse and Dog Stories is a paperback which is, as of March 2019, still in print and available from the publisher's website Cavalier Paperbacks. Collins Children's Annual is quite rare.
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