Pauline Devine was born in Loughrea, County Galway, and studied at University College, Dublin, Trinity College and Sydney University.   During her career she has been a Writer-in-Residence in Ireland, Wales and the USA, and has worked variously as a journalist, teacher, adjudicator and editor.  She was involved with her local pony club, and has exhibited (successfully) at the Dublin Horse Show.  Pauline Devine has written several pony books, two of which, Best Friends and Best Friends Again, are about the same characters, Sarah and Paula.  The author felt that many pony books read like straight instructional manuals; or if not this, were too light on realistic detail.  Her books, she hoped overcame both these problems.  She said:

“Pony lovers have other sides to their lives besides mucking out at 7 am, skipping out at 9 am, feeding at 11 am, and exercising at noon.  They live in a family, have neighbours and friends, and sometimes meet strangers who lead them into adventure.”

She has been Writer-in-residence in libraries and schools (Ireland, Wales, USA) and has worked as journalist, teacher, adjudicator and editor.

Finding the books:  all titles are still in print, and are very easily found on the secondhand market.

Sources and links:

Some biographical information on the author

Biographical information in Riders by the Grey Lake, 1996

Pauline Devine

Riders by the Grey Lake

The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1996, illus Terry Myler. 144 pp.

Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,

Eithne and Mandy are cousins, but they’re very different, as are their ponies and their parents.  Eithne’s
mother wants to stop the plan to mine in the mountain of Knocanore, whereas Mandy’s father is looking
forward to the prosperity the mine will bring.  One day, next to the grey lake, Eithne sees a boy on a
wonderful white horse...

Bibliography - pony books only

Best Friends

The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1994, illus Terry Myler. 192 pp.

The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1999, illus Terry Myler. 192 pp.
Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,

Sarah and her pony Bluebell experience triumph and near-tragedy.

Best Friends Again

The Children’s Press, Dublin, 1996, illus Terry Myler. 128 pp.

Anvil Books Ltd, 2000

Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,

Sarah and her friend Paula are looking forward to the Junior Hunt, but a newcomer sets their world by the ears.

The Hungry Horse:  The Land of Inbetween

Glendale, 1988, 64 pp.

The Children’s Press, Dublin, 2001, illus Terry Myler. .

Mercier Press, Blackrock, Ireland,

A wise king lived in the Land of In Between.  When he died, his kingdom was divided between his 2 sons, and this
meant trouble.  Huff and Puff divided the kingdom.  King Huff’s horse was put under a spell, and when this happened,
only Peaky and Princess Pom Pom, King Puff's daughter, can save him.