Favorite children's horse books

[Lil]

Has anyone read "Pamela and the Blue Mare"? (You are OLD if you have!)
What about "The Crumb" by Doty? (can't remember author's first name)It's a much more contemporary story about showing - and addresses the win-at-all-costs issue. I loved it and when I was teaching, kept it constantly out of circulation from my school's library!
Vicki and the Black Horse?
The Redhead and the Roan?

[Lil]

Has anyone read "Pamela and the Blue Mare"? (You are OLD if you have!)
What about "The Crumb" by Doty? (can't remember author's first name)It's a much more contemporary story about showing - and addresses the win-at-all-costs issue. I loved it and when I was teaching, kept it constantly out of circulation from my school's library!
Vicki and the Black Horse?
The Redhead and the Roan?

[Flash44]

Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley, Billy and Blaze. My all time favorite is King of the Wind.

[Indy]

I'm a big fan of all of Jean Slaughter Doty's books (Summer Pony, Winter Pony, Monday Horses, Crum), as well as all of Marguerite Henry's books. My all time favorite book is A Very Young Rider, but Jill Krementz. I just got a lovely copy of it off of Ebay a few months ago.

[Bumpkin]

Pamela and the Blue Mare was great. It was illustrated by Paul Brown so it is a bit pricey now to find even on Ebay. Lavinia Davis was a real favourite with Hobby Horse Hill, and Sandy's Spurs, (which I read last night, haha!!) Jeannie Mellin and Patsey Grey illustrated and wrote some wonderful stories. Patsey Grey's were centered on horse shows in California. A Paul Brown illustrated book titled, Pam's Paradise Ranch was a nice book about riding in Hawaii. I don't recall the author's but the books titled Scarlet Royal and Pidgie's Surprise were also favourites of mine. I am certain that I will be back with more....:-)

[Sparky]

My 1 year old grandaughter loves "Pat The Pony"! May she discover many more horse books as she grows!

[Clive's Mom]

My favorite was a book called, Can You Get Me There by Candlelight? (I think by JS Doty as well - I also enjoyed The Crumb and others). It's been years since I've even looked at those old great books.

A Very Young Rider was also a FAVORITE. The author did a whole series, A Very Young Dancer, etc. along the same lines. I hope when I have kids I can still find these books at the local library.

Good Thread - now I'm getting all nostalgic...

[Callaban]

"Fritz and the beautiful horses" still makes me cry just thinking about it! Its for young kids. I spent hours reading/rereading it to my daughter when she was little. We had a pony JUST like the one in the book! All the Billy and Blaze books are great - I remember loving Little Black (the pony) and Big Red (the horse) and the trio that started with My Friend Flicka..I wish I had kept those. I never see the rest of them at any equine booksellers at expos any more.

[Jo]

Anything by Jean Slaughter Doty... I made my mom go buy me all of 'em last year (yes, when I was 17) and I read them when I go home on vacations... certainly a change from my macroecon textbook... /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I used to be obsessed with the Saddle Club, but only with like the first twenty of the series, then they got repetitive and dull.

The first couple of Thoroughbred series, but then they changed authors and kept changing the child focus and it got DUMB so I stopped with those. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

There were also two books in the library, I think one was called Fly By Night or maybe that was the horse's name or maybe that has nothing to do with them at all... Anyway, there are these two books in my old libe that I pick out by their cover and can't remember the name of that are my alltime fave...

Also, an Austrailian book name A New Horse for Marny, which is just aweomse... It's more eventing-based but it's still good. I found it in an off-the-wall tack shop when I was like 14.

Yes, yes, I have many many horse... All the M. Henry books, of course... I'll have to consult my collection when I get back to my parent's house and get back to you. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[AMom]

If you have a copy of A Very Young Rider, hang onto it! Not only is it out of print, but I was looking at www.bibliofind.com (http://www.bibliofind.com) last night and a good copy of it was going for up to $100! I remember loving that story. . .What ever happened to the Malloys?

[inthesaddle]

Jo,

The name of the book is Fly by Night- and I loved it. I still have a mine.

I also loved the book "A Horse Came Running" and was absolutely addicted to the Black Stallion series. Being the smallest one in my class I was CONVINCED I could be a jockey /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[dublin]

My favorite was "Afraid to Ride", by C.W. Anderson...good story, beautiful illustrations. I was very happy to find a copy through Bibliofind recently! I'd recommend ANY of his books....

[ThirdCharm]

Fly By Night is an awesome book.

How about "Doodlebug", which is about a girl who dreams of owning a Beatiful Black Stallion with Flying Mane and Tail and ends up buying a scruffy black pony--who turns out to be a champion Hackney Pony stallion who, cleaned up and appreciated for what he is (instead of being compared enviously with her neighbor's pretty mare Daisy), turns out to be her dream horse. *sniff*

A Horse like Mr. Ragman is a great book, loved Scarlet Royal, a Horse named Dragon (wild POAs!), etc. And of course The Black Stallion, Marguerite Henry....

JenniferS

[J. Turner]

Kickapoo (barrel racing)
Working Trot (awesome dressage -- modern -- accurate)
The Thoroughbred -- from a teen romance series -- steamy and good
All CW Anderson! I loved Man O' War. His illustrations are so nice.
Not just Vicki and the Black Horse -- Vicki and the Brown Mare -- she finds horse that ends up being a show jumper that has more talent than she can handle.

[Duffy]

A Pony of my Own (came across it for my kids - both love it)

Dinah and Virginia (Virginia is a talking know-it-all mare who's also done it all! - much older book)

[Coreene]

Gosh, I get all choked up just reading some of the titles - such memories!

I love all the CW Anderson books - all I need still is "Sketchbook" and I have 'em all. Of course, I'd like to find it without breaking the bank, ya know?!

[Weatherford]

Books - my second fave topic!
(and in case anyone lasn't checked it ut, there are several LONG book threads from Dec/Jan)

Pamela & the Blue Mare as well as its sequel, The Blue Mare in the Olympic Trials are the two absoute BEST horse books ever written. I learned more about basic riding, dressage, training, et al from those books when I was young than anywhere else. Most people think riders/trainers were unsophisticated in the 50's & 60's - and these books prove otherwise!

I have tried for years to find out who Alice L. O'Connell was - but to no avail. Even asked some of the Team members from that era, but, it may have been a pseudonym. She does credit and thank Jimmy Wofford's father and Bert DeNemethy's mentor - D'Endrody (author of Give Your Horse A Chance) in the second book!

I repeat, my absolute favorites - and what I wouldn't give for a signed 1st in dustjacket...even unsigned....

Another great one is Nancy Caffery - wonderful stories and fine illustrations... Then there is CW Anderson...Well, as I have said before, I have 25,000 books in my barn, so I could go on and on.

There is an excellent bibliography of horse books by Terri Wear published about 12 years ago. Also worth finding.

[Dee]

I have a ragged old copy of The Horsemasters (Old Disney Movie was made from the book), Afraid to Ride, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Flip, The Horse Show--and the Timber Trail Riders series. There's a bunch more I bought through the Weekly Readers Book Club (remember that, Baby Boomers?) and I'd be so excited when we ordered them (at anywhere from .50 to $1.00 a book!) I love to read them even now!

[Bumpkin]

Oh one of the paperbacks I got from school that I wore out was Golden Soverign. I need to find that one, I recall reading and rereading it, and now I cannot recall the story!! YIKES I'm getting olde!!hahaha

[Harpo]

I have an article that I keep in my copy of the book - it tells when Ready Penny died - she was 20 something. I also saw (in the few years after the book came out) the older sister's name in the Chronicle on occasion - but haven't seen anything lately - and never saw anything about about the little girl.

My all time favorite - Charlotte and the White Horse - a very small book illustrated by, of all people, Maurice Sendak - before he went on to fame and fortune, I think. We're talking the 50s here. I have a badly dog chewed copy still, and am waiting because it is supposed to be released any day now (because it's a Maurice Sendak book). I used to have it memorized - but now only remember the opening "This is the song of Charlotte, and Milky Way, her horse. He was born in a stable." and the ending "she always remembered to give him lots of hay because horses eat all night when they're not sleeping." I've always remembered that when I leave the barn at night. Sorry to babbly on so long.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CWP:
If you have a copy of A Very Young Rider, hang onto it! Not only is it out of print, but I was looking at www.bibliofind.com (http://www.bibliofind.com) last night and a good copy of it was going for up to $100! I remember loving that story. . .What ever happened to the Malloys?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Indy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Harpo:
I have an article that I keep in my copy of the book - it tells when Ready Penny died - she was 20 something. I also saw (in the few years after the book came out) the older sister's name in the Chronicle on occasion - but haven't seen anything lately - and never saw anything about about the little girl.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My trainer has a program from the National Horse Show from the very early 80's (I want to say 1980, but I'm not sure). It has the list of all of the Maclay competetors, and low and behold, one of them is Vivi Malloy. There are a bunch of other people on the list that are big time prix riders and trainers today. It was cool to be able to place her name amongst theirs.

[ShowJumpr]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Clive's Mom:
[B]My favorite was a book called, Can You Get Me There by Candlelight? (I think by JS Doty as well - I also enjoyed The Crumb and others). It's been years since I've even looked at those old great books.

/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif AHHH!!! I LOVE "Can I Get There By Candlelight!!!" also, "Dark Horse" is pretty great too! Jean Slaughter Doty is a wonderful writer!
~Gina

[Lil]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dublin:
My favorite was "Afraid to Ride", by C.W. Anderson...good story, beautiful illustrations. I was very happy to find a copy through Bibliofind recently! I'd recommend ANY of his books.... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me TOO!! I almost forgot about that book. Weren't CW Anderson's illustrations incredible?

[Anne]

Debby Malloy married one of the Winklers and rides jumpers in Germany. Every once in awhile you'll see her name in The Chronicle in the results from the European shows.

I believe someone once posted that Vivi grew up to to do the jumpers as well, with a string of AO horses? http://www.chronofhorse.com/ubb/confused.gif

[wtywmn4]

King of the Wind, Lord Buff and the Silver Star, and Dinah and Virginia (all time fav.)How bout Horses Round the World, by Slaughter..Then we have 2 really old ones, /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Harlequin Hullabaloo and Charm of the Shadows. That will date you! Oops, completely forgot, Album of Horses, by Henry & Dennis....

[This message has been edited by wtywmn4 (edited 05-13-2000).]

[J. Turner]

A Filly for Joan -- I think that was my favorite CW Anderson book. I wanted to be Joan sooo bad.

[Dee]

Anyone remember "Jill Enjoys Her Ponies"? I checked out that book so many times in our Elementary School library. That was my all time favorite. I think it was printed in England.

[Becca]

When I was little, I fell asleep EVERY night reading the Billy and Blaze. And then the next morning I would go out, ride Taggy, and pretend we were saving the barn from fire, or the robbers, or whatever Blaze had done in last nights story. I learned to read from them /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

And of us "Youngsters" We must have ALL read The Saddle Club books!!

I am yet to have gotten my hands on a copy of Horsemasters the book, nor Horse In The GRey Flannel Suit- two of my all time favorite movies.

[Marnye]

Walter Farley and Marguerite Henry were among my favorites. How about Will James and Smoky the Cowhorse? One of the first books I ever read was called "Polly's Oats." I loved it and always got it from the library. I found it a few years ago. Thans for the fun trip down memory lane.

[Harpo]

I am yet to have gotten my hands on a copy of Horsemasters the book, nor Horse In The GRey Flannel Suit- two of my all time favorite movies.[/B][/QUOTE]

Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit was actually originally called "The Year of the Horse" one of my all time favorites - it was, of course, slightly different from the movie - much more real and true to the horse show world, but basically the same story.

[N&B&T]

Harlequin Hullaballoo!!! Yes, wtywoman, that didn't even make it to the two (?) old books threads (worth reviewing for those who like this one)! You know, I still have my old copy of that one! Again, Farley and Henry, King of the Wind and Smoky (I read Smoky so many times my brother could open it at random and I could recite it by heart, wish I could do that now, you know?). BTW, what about a book called, "The Happy Year"? Came to mind when looking at the Margaret Cabell Self thread...anyone else remember that one?

[M. O'Connor]

WOW is this thread bringing back some memories! CW Anderson, Marguerite Henry, Walter Farley, all favorites of mine...Does anyone remember a book (I got it from one of those Weekly Reader school order forms when I was in about 5th grade) about a pony who was lost, and found by a brother and sister who took it to a show where it was reclaimed by its rightful owner after winning the works? The kids ended up with the pony in the end of course, and I think the pony's name was "Top Honor." That was one that I read and re-read when I was young, and I can remember keeping my eyes peeled for ages afterwards, looking for a "lost" pony to claim as my own.

[Louise]

These are all bringing back memories to me too. And, I have another that I cannot remember either the title or the author. It was another one of those weekly reader books, about a young prehistoric boy whose family hunted horses for meat. He found a young, injured horse in a box canyon and ended up barricading it in so he could cure it. Of course, in time he tried to ride it and that was (ta da) the beginning of the partnership between man and horse! I read that book until the covers fell off.

[Pony Fan]

In my family we have two seperate levels of "horse" books"...the ones I read and loved as a young girl and the ones my daughter and I together have read and fallen in love with. And in many cases these overlap. But one had a profund influence. We read so often when my daughter was little that my husband said it bordered on brainwashing.....

FRITZ AND THE BEAUTIFUL HORSES by Jan Brett. It's a wonderful little kids book about a fat shaggy pony who lives outside a city that values beautiful, elegant, high-strung horses. When all the children of the village and their parents are out riding one day, the bridge to their walled city breaks leaving the children stranded on one side of a steep ravine. Their fancy horses don't want to get their feet wet, or get their manes tangled or are simply afraid to cross and the children are afraid of their horses bucking and shying, leaping and prancing. But then Fritz comes to the rescue and as the story goes...

"Fritz was not beautiful but he was gentle and kind. He was sure footed and always ready to work. The children were not afraid to ride him..."

Fritz safely carries all the children across the ravine and through the river to their parents where he is made a hero.

Today my daughter is an ardent and enthusiastic pony rider. She and I together raise and train ponies for other children to enjoy. Looks like the brainwashing took!

[J. Turner]

I forgot about "The Blind Connemara" by CW Anderson! That was the first one of his I read, after the Billy and Blaze series. I've always wanted a Connemara after that book.

A poll: What is your favorite Black Stallion book?

[Louise]

My favorite Black Stallion book, hmm. I think its a tie between the original book and the book that brought The Black and the Island Stallion together, "The Black Stallion and Flame". The vampire bat in that last book scared the willies out of me!

[Twister]

M. O'Conner, I think the book you are talking abut was 'Somebody's Pony'. It was published under two different titles and I don't remember the author. It was a great one!
All of the Dorothy Lyons books were great. Silver Birch, Dark Sunshine, Blue Smoke.
Afraid to Ride, A Horse of Her Own, Scarlet Royal and what was that one about the girl who is raised on a racing farm? They breed a filly who wins the Kentucky Derby. The filly's name was Whickery. The Silver Brumby books, The Horsemasters, and one about a girl with an anglo/arab mare who does the jumpers. The authors first name was Gillian.
I have got to unbox those things.

[Becca]

Oh, and of course theres National Velvet! I adored that one.

And I forgot to mention Jame HErriot. I used to read every one of those books over and over again (By the time I was about 8 I had read Every Living Thing 10 times-But hyis best was Bonnie's Big Day. I LOVED it.

However, I have a confession to make- I have NEVER read the Black Stallion books. I have them all sitting on a book shelf in my room, the complete series. But I have never read any of them.

[Bumpkin]

I have Somebody's Pony, it is by Nancy Caffrey and illustrated by Jeanne Mellin. The dustjacket is a bit ragged but the horse/pony on it is lovely. The dustjacket also states that both the author and the illustrator were taught by Margaret Cabell Self. There is a photo on the back of them sitting bareback and hatless on a Morgan looking horse with tennis shoes and rolled up jeans. hahaha pretty cool dustjacket I must say.:-)

[LoriO]

Choose a favorite??? AUGH!!!!! No way. I love them all. One day a few years ago I happened upon a copy of a horse book I remembered reading as a kid and that was the start of my childs horse book collection! I've got a huge bookcase at home packed with almost all of the books that have been mentioned so far.

Someone asked about the book with Whickery, that was Born to Race, I can't remember the authors name off hand. If you want it let me know and I'll have to check when I'm at home.

No ones mentioned any of Marjorie Reynolds books...Dark Horse Barnaby, Keep a Silver Dollar....etc

Or how about the Sunbonnet books by Barbara Van Tuyl? A Horse Called Bonnie, Sunbonnet, Fily of the Year, Sweet Running Filly...etc.

Two other fabulous books were by Diana Walker, Horse of the Year and A Horse for Mother. Anyone remember reading those???

How about Pony Farm by Paul Brown?

I could go on and on and on..but I'll refrain for know. There are just so many wonderful horse books out there.

[AHC]

Agree with most, especially about Walter Farley, Marguerite Henry and James Herriot.

A couple of others...

I can't remember the author of Born to Race either, but I loved that book. Another good one was Black Gold -- again don't know the author's name.

Another one I read as a kid was Come on Seabuscuit.

[Finzean]

I'm so glad someone mentioned Doodlebug! I'd forgotten about that book and if you haven't read it..run to the library now! I loved all of Jean Slaughter Doty's books but I must say I'm addicted to CW Anderson's Billy & Blaze series. The illustrations are just lovely. Would you believe that as a grown up I was given 2 illustrations done by Anderson?! A friend had a set of 12 that her grandfather had purchased in NYC many years ago, before the books were written. Seeing them in her house I commented on the artist and she surprised me with my two favorites as wedding gifts! Imagine my delight!!! Every time I look at them not only do I think fondly of my friend, but I remember the horseless time of my childhood and living vicariously through Billy and the forest fire, etc.

Another book that I don't remember seeing on here is Anna Sewells Black Beauty...cliche but such a tearjerker! A Very Young Rider made a huge impression on me...I must have studied every picture down to the most minute detail...except for the picture of her going down the swimming pool slide - there weren't any horses in that picture. does anyone know what ever became of Vivi Malloy?

[Specks]

Thelwell! i loved those books... i really hope they're still at my parents house and not lost forever. i tried to find them for a friend when i was in England, but the lady at the shop (a totally equnie bookstore!)said they're long out of print, and they're snatched up immediately if they ever come in used.

[HuntJumpSC]

Oh, I LOVE the Thelwell books~ have quite a collection! But no one mentioned "The Rain Cloud Pony"~ about a girl down the road who rides her friend's pony dressed as her friend while she sneaks to see her boyfriend. Geez, I can't believe I remember that! I read the book in 3rd grade & always wanted a copy, but never found one. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif And of course, I still have my "Danny" book that I got from the Troll Book club back '82, that poor thing is just about worn out! http://www.chronofhorse.com/ubb/tongue.gif SUZ

[Squirt]

Has anybody heard of or read a book called "Everyday friends"? It's about a couple of pre-teen girls and horse shows. I can't remember who wrote it though.

[Twister]

And a book called Rider By Night, whichg was set I believe in a Scandanavian country. A girl who could no longer afford to ride snuck out at night and rode her friend's horse.

[speedracer]

The Horse Tamer by Walter Farley. Light Horsekeeping (I can't remember who wrote it). The Green Grass of Wyoming (the last book in the My Friend Flicka series).

To those of you with A Very Young Rider-- the woman I bought my mare from is one of the kids, as is my current trainer (the only little boy).

[Lionheart]

I have A Very Young Rider from when i was a kid. I think i too studied all the pictures. I wanted a pony club pin to put on my riding helmet too!

I cried thru the Crum although now i cant really remember the entire story.

I must've read every Walter Farley book in my jr. high's library.

Several of my favories...
Ruffian
the Panky and William series of books
Danny
For the Love of a Horse
Thunder
A Very Young Rider
All Walter Farley books
The Crumb

my gosh there are so many more that i know arent listed here but i just cant think of the names.

I too would love to know what happened to the Malloy's. I'll keep checking back to see if someone has posted info on them!

I think i'm going to print off this post so i can go to the library and get all the books i havent read! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[AHC]

Have found the authors of two books I posted earlier. Black Gold was written by Margeurite Henry. Come on Seabiscuit by R. Moody.

Another favorite was Margeurite Henry's Born to Trot about a horse that won the Hambletonian.

[LoriO]

Ok, I dug into my collection and check on a few of the authors names we couldn't remember.

For Rider by Night, the author is Karin Anckarsvard.

As for Born to Race, that is by Blanche Chenery Perrin. I have a feeling a lot of people don't realize there is a second book to Born to Race called Hundred Horse Farm. It begins with Whickery coming home after her successful win in the Kentucky Derby!

Anyone else remember Hard Luck Horse? it was about a horse named Woody Dip that needed an operation to save his sight?

Another real old story that I loved was Star Crossed Stallion about an arabian stallion that was labeled a bad luck horse. Ring a bell with anyone?

I love talking about all these stories, it makes me feel a little bit more like a child again!!

[CAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by J. Turner:
A poll: What is your favorite Black Stallion book?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Black Stallion's Filly. By far the best!!!!!

[AMom]

Did anyone read that book "Last Junior Year"? It's about a girl whose parents are not really that supportive about her showing and so she goes and grooms in Florida to get to the shows with her junior hunter. She ends up doing some catch riding for a former Olympian and is asked to come ride at Gladstone.

The other one I just remembered was "Tic-Tac".

[Lionheart]

CWP - YES! YES! I LOVED THAT BOOK! I read that book about the same time i read The Crumb. It was a great book. It was one of those that i couldn't remember the name of!

[Fivensevn]

Well, you all bring past memories to me. Jean Slaughter Doty who passed away a few years ago is my mother. She wrote many books and most of them about horses. "The Crumb" "Can I get there by Candlelight" "The Monday Horses" "Dark Horse" "Summer Pony" "Winter Pony" "Horses around the world" "Pony Care" and "Horsemanship for begginers" and many more childrens books. Many of my ponies (and myself) and her childhood have been mixed around in these books.

She was a wonderfull writer and a wonderfull horsewoman. She grew up with George Morris, Victor Hugo-Vidal and Ronnie Mutch. She judged the Maclay finals twice.

I miss her dearly and loved to read on this board how many of you remembered her.

She also wrote for the Chronicle.

Thank you!

[This message has been edited by Fivensevn (edited 05-17-2000).]

[Goodyfourshoes!]

edit

[Becca]

I have never read a Very Young Rider- I need to someday!

I too loved Born to Run, it was classic! Ruffian- That made me cry so many times over.

CWP- Who write the Last Jr Year?? I need to read that one too! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I own every thelwell Puzzle EVER made, those books, the cartoons, framed in our front hall is one of the huge family- its JUST like us /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I LOVED those.

[Twister]

What a wonderful thing for you to post about your mother! Thank you for sharing...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fivensevn:
Well, you all bring past memories to me. Jean Slaughter Doty who passed away a few years ago is my mother. She wrote many books and most of them about horses. "The Crumb" "Can I get there by Candlelight" "The Monday Horses" "Dark Horse" "Summer Pony" "Winter Pony" "Horses around the world" "Pony Care" and "Horsemanship for begginers" and many more childrens books. Many of my ponies (and myself) and her childhood have been mixed around in these books.

She was a wonderfull writer and a wonderfull horsewoman. She grew up with George Morris, Victor Hugo-Vidal and Ronnie Mutch. She judged the Maclay finals twice.

I miss her dearly and loved to read on this board how many of you remembered her.

She also wrote for the Chronicle.

Thank you!

[This message has been edited by Fivensevn (edited 05-17-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Regalmeans]

I LOVED Marguerite Henry - there is an obsure out of print book she wrote called Dear Readers and Riders which answers questions about all her books and has many awesome photos! I found it in the library when I was in 3rd grade and checked it out about 1000000 times! It was my favorite b/c it gave all these neat details about all her books and introduced me to some I had never read. Like the one about 5'oclock Charlie - loved that one too!

And of course a Very Young Rider - another one for the memories! I was shocked when I got older and realized that all the people she talked about like the USET team and George Morris were all real! I would LOVE to find a copy of that book!

Sarah

[AMom]

Becca, Last Junior Year was written by Barbara Morgenroth. You can find out of print books both on Amazon and bibliofind, but be prepared to pay for them! I am waiting for a copy of A Very Young Rider, but can't find it for less than $50!

[LoriO]

Thank you Fivensevn for sharing with us. Your mother has made so many children (and adults it seems) happy over the years through her gift of story telling. I know when I started my collection of childrens horse books, hers were the first ones that I HAD to find, and of course read again.

I used to dream of what it would be like to own and ride Mokey or Crumb, Cat Burglar and all the rest of the wonderful horses she wrote about!!

[CarrieK]

I loved Silver Birch, Midnight Moon, and Golden Sovereign, which my mom had bought when she was younger. And when I moved out of the house, imagine my joy (and my sister's annoyance) when she gave those books to me!

National Velvet and King of the Wind were favorites, too.

And the first horse book that I bought at school with my own money was Hold The Rein Free. Now, I can't recall anything about it except that it had a yellow cover and I read it a zillion times.

[Lil]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nancey Phillips Fisher:
Harlequin Hullaballoo!!! Yes, wtywoman, that didn't even make it to the two (?) old books threads (worth reviewing for those who like this one)! You know, I still have my old copy of that one! Again, Farley and Henry, King of the Wind and Smoky (I read Smoky so many times my brother could open it at random and I could recite it by heart, wish I could do that now, you know?). BTW, what about a book called, "The Happy Year"? Came to mind when looking at the Margaret Cabell Self thread...anyone else remember that one?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[sprite]

oh, boy does this thread bring back memories. i absolutely adored jean slaughter doty- the monday horses is one of my all time favorites, i still read it every now and then. my copy is VERY battered, lol. i read every one of the black stallion and the misty series, as well as the flicka series...found a very young rider in the library the other day and spent half an hour in memoryland...
also loved a horse called mr ragman, and one called the year of the horse which takes place in canada- about a teenager who strikes up a friendship with the rich boy next door and his farm...
anyone remember a british book called the fields of praise?? that one was great too...

[FlightCheck]

God, I'm getting old!

Wasn't "Hold the Rein Free" about a 2 year old purebred filly that became pregnant with a wild horse's foal...kids had to hid the mare until the foal was born???? Or was that another one?

The name "Scarlet Royal" keeps sounding familiar...what was that one about?

[FlightCheck]

Oh, and my favorite was "Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West" by Marguerite Henry. I actually began corresponding with Velma Johnson (Wild Horse Annie's real name) until her death...what memories THAT brings back!

[Becca]

CWP- Thanks. Its crazy that they cost so much. My dad buys books for me, because he likes to encourage the reading habit, but I'm not sure if I could Slide a 50$ horse book under Mr. I hate horses' nose...

[Bumpkin]

Scarlet Royal was one I read more often than I like to admit. haha The story is the usual family was rich and had the best horses until the father died or went bankrupt and left the family debt ridden. Scarlet Royal is the heroines horse who is going to win the big Hunt Club show....I'm just kind or guessing along here, I believe the wealthy new girl buys the mare or wants her. And of course she steals the heroines boyfriend in the process. I recall the only thing about Scarlet Royal that was wierd was a horse show chapter that had one of the younger sisters competing in a gaited and hunter class on the same horse??? haha Now does anyone recall the story line on Golden Soverign? Hobby Horse Hill is one of my all time favourites though. The Hobby Horse Hill paperback is also illustrated by Paul Brown.

[ThirdCharm]

Golden Sovereign was a NEAT book:

Girl owns fabulous Palomino stallion who she is convinced will be an amazing sire. She also rescues a sorry old mare from a slaughter sale and becomes intrigued when the horse "parks" like a Saddle Horse and decides to track the mare's history down with the help of her stalwart boyfriend /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif. Most of the story is about that, really. Mare turns out to be a rather succesful show horse who was sold to gypsies by an unethical trainer who told the owner the horse had died. Grateful former owner of COURSE sells the mare to the girl for a pittance, despite her obvious value as a broodmare. (maybe they made a deal about foals, I dunno!) Anyway, along the way the stallion gets out with the mares, breeds every one of them (I think five!) and the mares (blacks, bays, chestnuts) ALL produce palomino foals! *LAUGH* Then at the end there is a big show and a trotting under saddle race, and Golden Sovereign is so miffed that his "pet goat" has been left home that he almost blows the whole kit and kaboodle ("NO one will buy foals sired by a killer!" is a near quote, I think), but JUST IN TIME the girl figures it out, gets the goat to the fairgrounds right before the race, and the horse goes on to win and prove how wonderful and gentle he is. Real cute story, if a bit farfetched. But aren't they all?

Anyone remember Sabre, The Horse From The Sea? It's about a girl who finds a horse on the beach and nurses it back to health--it's a stallion, of course--and enters a local point-to-point race, I think wins, at which point the rightful owners recognize and claim him, and she's left with his filly out of some backyard mare who goes on to be similarly marvelous, but they just don't have the same bond. I think it ends up that the stallion's owners see the filly (at a race maybe?) and offer to trade her the stallion back for the filly, I don't remember why.

JenniferS

[MsRidiculous]

Becca- I must have about 35 Saddle Club books and about 20 Throughbred ones. I do have to credit the Thoroughbred series with helping me get interested in racing (although way back in 7th grade my friend borrowed the Christmas special one and never gave it back. grrr). Do you remember the series' Pony Tales and Riding Academy?

I loved Smoky the cow horse, Black Beauty, Brighty, King of the Wind... all those that tell the life story of a horse.

Does anybody remember this one book about a girl that can't afford a horse but she gets to show one named Lucas for these really rich snobby people... the older daughter has it out for her, lands her in the hospital, then later the girl (whas her name- Cara?) ends up getting the horse???? I think it's called A horse of her own or something equally cheesy.

[This message has been edited by lobito (edited 05-19-2000).]

[Becca]

Lobito- we have about a hundred Saddle Club books /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif ANd I have up to about 20 and a bunch of the specials of TB series- still sitting in my closer /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gifI used to think of them like MY books, my own series- when i met soemoen ewlse who read thme i got mad, because i thought I should be the only one to really know them.
And thye got me into racing too /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I used to loathe it, and now I actually wouldn't mind becoming involved in it.
My little sister had Pony Pals and riding academy, and I never really liked them, I think I had outgrown that age by the time they came out.

I used to LIVE through some of those characters.
And when Ashleigh "died" in the christmas special, I criedfor the first time ever in a book.

[Regalmeans]

Becca- et all - yep I grew up with the Saddle Club - and actually I've read some of the Pine Hollow ones to - saddle club 30 Autumn trail where Pepper died made me cry :-(

Loved those books....

Sarah

[MsRidiculous]

The one where pepper died is one of the ones my friend never returned!!!!!! AUGH!!! I loved that one, but I only got to read it once. Geesh. She took the one when Belle was still No-Name, and the Flying Changes one, the one where Veronica gets that gray horse, and the one where Cobalt dies! I'm getting madder by the minute.

Becca- don't tell anyone, but I actually liked Riding Academy. Although I read one a few months ago and they are kinda pathetic.

[Miss Withers]

I've been lurking on these boards for a bit but now have to chime in. The Doty books are the BEST! I first read "Summer Pony" at about age 9 -- found it through Scholastic Book Club. Now, at age 34, I always cry when I re-read The Crumb; it is so sensitive and honest and really captures the joy and sadness of a relationship with a horse.

Regarding A Very Young Rider: I don't know about the family, but the child's trainer, Jonathan, (who at the time was, I think, George Morris' assistant) is my former trainer and he is now working outside of the horse business.

[MsRidiculous]

I found the name of the one I was talking about with "Lucas". It's called (get ready, this is really corny) The most Beautiful horse in the World. Despite the name, it's a good book. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Janet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Worthy:
Oh, fivensevn, if you only knew what joy your mother brought to my 3rd grade year! I took "Summer Pony" out of the library and was addicted to it. I never knew there were others. I will look for them.

My favorites: A Very Young Rider.
...
I too, would love to know what happened to Vivi Malloy...wonder if she had any idea what impact she would have! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The last time I saw her she was riding a jumper in a clinic with Hans Guenther Winkler, at Morven Park. That has to be at least 10 years ago.

finensevn- its a small world. I know who you are because my mother taught at Long Ridge.

I am very sorry to hear about your mother. She has left many good memories, which is as much as we can ask of anyone.

[thecowboyway]

I loved the Sunbonnet books!! I think I read them at least 100 times! The very young rider book still brings tears to my eyes when Vivi gets rid of Penny....

[Good to go]

How about Misty of Chincoteague..one of my all time favorites......

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Flash44:
Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley, Billy and Blaze. My all time favorite is King of the Wind.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Kryswyn]

Yes fellow bibliophiles, it's time to resurect this topic. I just can't resist chiming in although it was originally posted before I knew you all existed!

"Sabre the Horse from the Sea" for years I thought the horse's name was pronounced "say-bree" instead of 'say-brr' like the sword. What can I say? I also thought Jim Kjelgaards' book about an Irish Setter was called 'Seen' instead of the correct 'Shawn' /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Kryswyn (edited 09-24-2000).]

[vineyridge]

Found a bibliography of horse books for young people.

Here's the URL: http://www.prairienet.org/jjahiel/resources/ficjuv.txt

It sure brings back memories.

[davidgud - equestrian jihad]

Attention M. O'Conner:

Hi. I still have a copy of "Lost Pony" (Somebody's Pony)!! Its home in Canada at the moment (I'm in Seoul) More on it when I get home at Xmas!

Next: Re; Authors - what about the Pullein Thompson sisters??

Among my favourite were "Goodbye to Hounds" and "Showjumping Secret", both by Christine Pullein Thompson

All the best DG/Seoul ROK

[Sleepy]

OK, I know some of you are as old as I am and should remember my favorites, The 3 Jays by Pat Smythe. This was a series of 3 or 4 books involving the ficticious horsey exploits of her young cousins and their friends while living in her household.

[Applesauce]

Ahhhh memories. My all time favorite was A Very Young Rider. I used to read that book over and over from cover to cover. I also loved Summer Pony by Doty.

But who could forget the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley? I had all the books in the series and would go on a kick and read them all from start to finish.

[AvalonGirl]

I will always love "The Lucky Pony"! I wore that fake metal neckalace every day for a year when I was little!

[yellowhorse]

I can't believe nobody mentioned Danny, aboutthe gray pony....Morgenroth's Last Junior Year is still a favorite as is Lucy Diggs' Everyday Friends. I adored Doty because her portrayal of the show circuit was so real. I am sad to hear of her passing.
Here is a list of some others not mentioned that are worth picking up if you spot them:
Ride a Dark Horse, Mystery of Pony Hollow (and anything else) by Lynn Hall
Taming the Star Runner- S.E. Hinton- WONDERFUL
A horse for XYZ- Louise Moeri
The Secret Horse- Marion Holland
Not on a White Horse- Nancy Springer
Somebody's horse- Doroth Nafus Morrison
I Don't Want A New Horse- Marion Holland
Pretty Penny Farm- Joanne Hoppe
and also there was a neat series that they never concluded called Blue Ribbon about girls who evented.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[ClemsonGraduateRider]

AAAAAHHHHH, what about The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses . I may not be about riding show ponies or anything like that but I cried everytime I read that book, I still have a copy of it and love it dearly!!

[Weatherford]

Jessica missed a few on that bibliography list - the 5 or so Lavinia Davis come to mind immediately. Not to mention the at least dozen Paul Brown's.

Glenn Balch was AHSA Alan's parent from what I've been told (Californians correct me, please!)

Eleanor May's BUCKLE HORSE is one of my favorites, right along with Paul Brown's HI GUY - The Cinderella Horse. Both are real tearjerkers - but Hi Guy (probably because he looks JUST like my retiree) is beyond words.

George & His Horse Bill by Alsop is also wonderful - wild horse winds up winning Maryland Hunt Cup..

Of course, all the above are illustrated by Paul Brown (need I say more??)

[Paddys Mom]

Not about showing, but "Beat the Turtle Drum" makes me cry every time. I recently found a copy on eBay too!

To anyone who has read it - I never did find anyone who would rent me a horse for a week, but I saved my money just in case!

[Everythingbutwings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bumpkin:
Pamela and the Blue Mare was great. I don't recall the author's but the books titled Scarlet Royal and Pidgie's Surprise were also favourites of mine. I am certain that I will be back with more....:-)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have Pamela and the Blue Mare and Scarlet Royal! How about "Hold the Rein Free"? I also have one I can't recall the name of but involved a girl who inherited Gazelle and Bluebird from her uncle. Gazelle died in a stable fire and the girl went on to successful jumper showing on Bluebird.

[Everythingbutwings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Marnye:
Walter Farley and Marguerite Henry were among my favorites. How about Will James and Smoky the Cowhorse? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have a signed copy of Born to Trot. Did you know that the farm where Walter Farley lived while illustrating Misty of Chincoteague is up the hill behind Ben and Mary's Steak House on Rt. 17 outside of Warrenton? A friend of ours lives there now.

On our "honeymoon" my second husband and my son and I went to Goshen New York to the famous harness track and went to the birthplace of Hambletonian - just like the illustration in the book!

[Janet]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Everythingbutwings:
I have a signed copy of Born to Trot. Did you know that the farm where Walter Farley lived while illustrating Misty of Chincoteague is up the hill behind Ben and Mary's Steak House on Rt. 17 outside of Warrenton? A friend of ours lives there now.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Huh? Are you sure about that?

I don't think of Walter Farley as an illustrator. Most of Marguerite Henry's books were illustrated by Wesley Dennis.

[Kryswyn]

Pony Jungle by Lavina Davis!!!! I still think the reason I love gray ponies is because of Grey Mouse!

Wesley Dennis not Walter Farley, like Janet said.

[Finzean]

Good call, Clemson Rider! If memory serves, that's a Caldecot winner.

You should also read "Fritz & the Beautiful Horses" by Jan Brett. It is a great read for younger children with a great message. I know you love ponies, so you'd love Fritz and all that he stands for!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[NeverTime]

I can't believe only one person mentioned it, but I LOVED "The Secret Horse" when I was growing up... it was my absolute fantasy as a horseless little girl. It was about a girl who sees a skinny horse at the pound (because we all know neglected horses get sent to the pound!) and sneaks it out. She and a friend clear out an old, unused barn on the neighbor's overgrown property and keep the horse there, pulling out handfuls of long grass and drying it into hay to feed him... oh the memories, I used to imagine how I could keep a horse in the woods behind my house! In the end, the owner of the house spots them, and then lets them keep the horse there...
And, other favorites were "Fritz" (always loved the illustrations), "Afraid to Ride," "Candlelight" and Thelwell. Also, did Marguerite Henry write a book about "Exterminator" the race horse, or was that someone else. I loved that book about the skinny excercise horse that won the Kentucky Derby. OK, rambling down memory lane now.

[CAH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NeverTime:
Also, did Marguerite Henry write a book about "Exterminator" the race horse, or was that someone else. I loved that book about the skinny excercise horse that won the Kentucky Derby.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, I am not sure who wrote the book but it was titled "Old Bones". That was the nickname given to Exterminator - the skinny ugly racehorse that won the Derby. Great book!

[Everythingbutwings]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Janet:
Huh? Are you sure about that?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well duh, I must have my head on backwards, I meant Wesley Dennis. He had Misty at the farm while doing the illustrations. A friend of ours lives there now but won't let me peek into the attics!

I have Old Bones the Wonder Horse. Not by Marguerite Henry, though, a different author. Wonderful story.