I’ve found no biographical information as yet on Valerie Beales.  Under that name, she has written one pony book, Emma and Freckles.  The book has appeared in several American printings.  The story appears to be a variation on the theme first used by Josephine Pullein-Thompson in I Had Two Ponies:  a pony is sold, and the more or less ungrateful first owner then regrets it and looks for the pony so they can make reparations.

Finding the book:  easy to find in all its printings

Valerie Beales

Emma and Freckles

Simon and Schuster, 1990, pb, 170 pp.

Simon & Schuster, New York, 1990, pb, illus Mary Lonsdale, 170 pp.

Simon & Schuster, New York, 1992, HB - laminated boards
Reprinted 1993 and 1995

Emma has always longed for a pony but Freckles proves rather more than she bargained for... She can’t
cope with the pony, who is sold and mistreated.  Emma and her friend decide to try and get him back.

Bibliography - pony books only