Ann Stafford

Pseudonym of Ann Pedlar. British author. A writer of general fiction (adult and children) who tried her hand at penning a couple of pony books. As far as I know these are the only two she wrote. Both are set in the New Forest area and both were published in the UK and America. Pleasant enough traditional stories.

Horse & Pony Books:

FIVE PROUD RIDERS
(HAMISH HAMILTON 1937)
Reprinted in paperback by Penguin.
Paperback edition was illustrated by Charlotte Hough.
Published in the USA by Knopf in 1939, with illustrations by Bobri.
SUMMARY: Adventure type pony story set in the New Forest. Jill and Andy have been pestering their parents to allow them to go on a riding and camping holiday in the New Forest with some of their friends. Their parents finally give in but only if their older cousin Nigel can accompany them. But Nigel is a rather unpleasant and conceited boy. Will they be able to put up with Nigel or will he spoil their dream holiday? And can roughing it in the countryside turn Nigel into a better person as his father hopes? The children and their ponies set off to find out…
PONYMAD RATING: 2-3 HORSESHOES

A PONY FOR SALE
(HAMISH HAMILTON 1939)
ILLUSTRATED BY MARIAN BRYANT
Reprinted in a revised edition Hamish Hamilton in 1963.
Published in the USA by Knopf in 1939.
SUMMARY: Story about a New Forest pony named Duster.

Collectors info:
A Pony for Sale is the much the harder of the two to find. Strangely enough the American edition seem easier to find than the UK one. Five Proud Riders is easy to find in the UK in paperback, although the first edition is rare. The American edition is also fairly easy to find in the USA.