About the author
Dawn Dodd (Dawn Dodd-Noble, 1925-2013) was part of the rash of young authors who wrote pony books. She wrote a non-fiction title and the novel John and Jerry at the age of 13. She also produced at least one short story (Green Jade), which was published in the Young Riders’ section of Riding Magazine in 1938. Her own first pony was called either Jerry (according to John and Jerry) or Dickon (as described in the profile in the Equestrian Trade News). I’ve reviewed the books here. Dawn Dodd-Noble went on to run the legendary Sandon Saddlery, working as a governess when times were bad, and taking a job in Marshall and Snelgrove Department Store to learn how to sell – the secret was to make the customer happy.
Finding the books
Both are reasonably easy to find, though Your First Pony can be tricky to track down with a dustjacket.
Sources and links
Dustjacket of John and Jerry
Riding Magazine, February 1938
Dawn Dodd-Noble profiled in Equestrian Trade News, February 2012, retrieved 4 June 2014
Bibliography (horse books only)
Your First Pony
G Routledge & Sons, London, 1937, 85 pp.
Reprinted 1959, Kegan & Routledge Paul
Non fiction, this is a concise treatise on how to manage your pony.
John and Jerry
G Routledge & Sons, London, 1938, 116 pp, illus J D Evans
John learns to ride, and is bought his first pony, Jerry. After an initial burst of enthusiasm, things do not go well for John. However, he makes friends with a group of local children who help him over his difficulties, and together they put on a gymkhana.
SHORT STORIES
Green Jade
Riding Magazine, February 1938
Jerry the pony gives the new pony Toison d’Or some pointers.
