Joan Houston

American author. Born in New York and loved ponies from an early age, becoming a highly accomplished rider. She wrote three pony stories, two of which form a short series. All are fairly rare now. The fact that two of the books are illustrated by the highly collectable Paul Brown also makes them more sought-after!

Tam & Merlin Series:

1) JUMP-SHY
(CROWELL [USA] 1956)
(1st UK edition HEINEMANN 1959)
ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL BROWN
UK edition has new illustrations by Sheila Rose
SUMMARY: Tam and older sister Cynthia become involved with a local stable whilst staying with their uncle. Tam is envious when Cynthia is given a horse of her own. Then she meets and falls in love with Merlin, an ex-showjumper who now refuses to jump. Can she help him overcome his jumping phobia?

2) HORSE SHOW HURDLES
(CROWELL [USA] 1956)
ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL BROWN
Not published in the UK
SUMMARY: Tam and Cynthia are once again staying with their uncle and riding at Frank's stables. But there is competition for Frank from a new posher stable. The girls don't trust the newcomers, but are forced to move their horses there by their uncle. Can they convince everyone that Frank's stable is the best?

Collector's Info:
Only the first book was published in the UK. Both books are rare and may be expensive, in both UK and USA. The first American editions may be very expensive.

Other Horse & Pony Books:

CROFTON MEADOWS
(CROWELL [USA] 1961)
ILLUSTRATED BY ISABEL DAWSON
SUMMARY: School/pony story. Scholarship girl Sheila feels out of place at the exclusive girl's school Crofton Meadows. The only ray of sunshine is that riding is important to the school and she is an excellent horsewoman. But then the horse she has been successfully training is bought by one of the rich girls at the school and she is left to ride Mohawk, an awkward and clumsy gelding. Can she turn the tables on her rich rivals by turning him into a good horse?

Collector's Info:
Rarely seen in the UK, it is however slightly more common and less expensive in the USA than the Merlin series.