Another popular series, although it is really more of a general animal series rather than pony one, it does include a strong pony element, as the main character is horse-mad! If you like Follyfoot I would recommend these books.

The series, which was filmed on the Harewood family estate, was set at a home of rest for horses. Despite an apparent appeal limited to young girls with an equine interest, Follyfoot was actually aimed squarely at the teenage market and often had challenging things to say about the treatment of horses and animals generally in British society. The ethos of Follyfoot generally was to give another chance to both horses and people who had been rejected by the rest of society: the stance of the series was recognisably pro-animal, and characters who resembled the archetypes of the Pullein-Thompson sisters et al [ clarification needed] were overwhelmingly shown in a negative light. Continuity in the series was assured by the use of mainly one writer, Tony Essex, who wrote 34 of the 39 episodes. Monica's 1963 book, Cobbler's Dream, thrust her into the spotlight. It brought together her caring attitude towards horses and people. The lead character, an ex-borstal boy, was trying to live down his past. He meets an ex-showjumping horse, who is now blind and living at a home for horses that can no longer work. Both rejected by society, they began to love and support each other. A much-loved children's television series, Follyfoot was set in a sanctuary for abandoned horses. Aimed at making a statement about the poor treatment of horses and other animals in British society, it carried a remarkably hard-hitting modern message, despite being a product of the early 1970s.

Cast: Rio Fanning (Reporter), Len Jones (Willy Willens), John Lyons (Photographer), Margery Mason (Mrs. Willens), Bryan Sweeney (Gip Willens)

Cast: John Cater (Clem Barrett), Betty Turner (Mrs. Barrett), Ron Welling (Horse Owner), Peter Whitbread (Auctioneer), Ray Witch (Shopkeeper) Cast: Veronica Quilligan (Hazel Donnelly), Gretchen Franklin (Mrs. Porter), Garfield Morgan (Brian Donnelly), Geoffrey Morris (Vet) Monica led an interesting life. She was born in London in 1915. As a child she was expelled from school. She has worked as a cook and a nurse in the second world war, these experiences resulting in her humourous autobiographical works including One Pair of Hands and One Pair of Feet . After these books she began writing novels. She has also worked as a journalist, and with various chariites such as the RSPCA, NSPCC and The Samaritans, expeirences which once again are reflected in many of her books. The Follyfoot series is deeply concerned with the maltreatment and rehabilitation of horses and her adult book The Listeners is about the Samaritans. In 1951 she married an American and lived in America for many years, returning to England for the last few years of her life. The first episode was broadcast by Yorkshire TV, on the ITV network, on 28th June 1971. Based on Monica's idea, most of the episodes were written by scriptwriter Tony Essex. The famous theme song of the series, The Lightning Tree, was written by his brother Francis and sung by the famous folk band, The Settlers.

Author (1915 - 1992)

Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing - When her parents move abroad, Dora (Gillian Blake) – a lonely horsey teenage girl – goes to stay with her uncle, The Colonel (played by Desmond Llewellyn – Q in the Bond movies).

The series' theme song, "The Lightning Tree", written by Francis Essex, the brother of Tony Essex and sung by The Settlers, is well-remembered, sometimes more so than the series itself. The song reached No. 36 in the UK charts in 1971. [2] An album featuring music from the series was also released. Gip continues to look after their horse but as Steve becomes involved, he is worried that the family don't know how to properly care for it. The older brother wants rid of the horse so Gip runs away with it. Steve finds them and persuades him to give up the horse to Follyfoot where it can be properly looked after.Gillian Blake (born 10 May 1949) is a retired British actress who became well known in the early 1970s as Dora in Follyfoot. One Pair of Hands (Michael Joseph, 1939; re-published by Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, and Penguin Books Pty Ltd, Mitcham, 1961, book number 1535) Ron Stryker ( Christian Rodska): the third of the trio of young workers at Follyfoot but also the shadiest. He is known to the police and one of his friends is Lewis Hammond, member of local miscreant gang the Night Riders. His father persuaded the Colonel to give him a job at Follyfoot to help keep him out of trouble, yet Ron is workshy and ignores constant warnings not to burst through the main gate at Follyfoot with his distinctive Triumph Tiger motorbike. Despite the rough exterior, Ron is essentially warm-hearted and loves the horses as much as everyone else. Ron is already working at Follyfoot when Dora, then Steve, arrive. And while the interviews with the stars are welcome, the answer to almost every question asked begs a follow-up question that is not asked. This is frustrating. It’s rare to hear these actors talk about Follyfoot, so it feels like an opportunity missed.

Joe and the Gladiator 1 9 7 1 (UK) 3 x 25 minute episodes Joe Darling (Dennis Lingard) is an apprentice on the Newcastle shipyards… Cast: Clare Kelly (Katherine Ross), Joe Ritchie (Bert), Ivan Beavis (Liverpool Policeman), Michael Collins (Garage Owner), Leslie Dwyer (Mr. Wimble), Maggie Flint (Mrs. Widgeon), Janet Hargreaves (Lady Millicent Longchild), Andrew Sweeney (Small Boy) The Follyfoot Quiz book is fairly easy to find in the UK, although not as common as the Follyfoot titles themselves. It is hard to find elsewhere.A young boy asks Dora if she can stable his horse, which he claims is a Grand National winner worth a hundred pounds. The boy's father runs the local amusement fair and says that he has to sell the horse, which is worthless. Dora and the others intervene, but as the boy runs away with the horse, his father desperately tries to find him. Once found, they tell the boy his horse is indeed very special. Cast: Maxine Barrie (Nurse), Terry Cantor (2nd Bystander), Lynne Perrie (Woman), Sammy Sharples (Simpkins), Bryan Sweeney (Gip Willens), John Swindells (Policeman) SUMMARY: 2 in 1 volume containing the first two books in series: The House at World's End & Summer at World's End. Soon after this, she moved from her home in Hinxworth in Hertfordshire to the United States after marrying a United States Navy officer, Roy O. Stratton, who died in 1985. They adopted two daughters, Pamela and Prudence. The family lived in Washington, D.C., and Falmouth, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, producing the 1972 book of the same name. She continued to write, most of her books being set in Britain. She was also a regular columnist for the British women's magazine Woman's Own for twenty years (without admitting to being an expatriate).