Parsons E H

About the author

E H Parsons (Elizabeth Helen Parsons) was well known in the pony world in the 1950s and 1960s. She bred New Forest ponies, and lent a pair of ponies, Garth Remus and Deeracres Sally, to the Queen. They were regularly driven by the Queen and her family, and did much to popularise the breed. Mrs Parsons donated the Parsons Silver Challenge Cup to the New Forest & Hampshire County Show for the Private Driving Champion, and this is still competed for today.

She and her family were stalwarts of the Ponies of Britain Shows, and made spectacular appearances in the costume classes. She was, I think, vice chairman of Ponies of Britain during the 1960s, as well as being chairman of the National Pony Society.

E H Parsons wrote three pony books, all set in the New Forest. I haven’t yet read one, but they certainly have their fans.

Finding the books
None of the books are exactly common, but do turn up. They are usually reasonably priced when they do appear.

Links and source:
Jenny Balston reminisces about The Twins in the New Forest (and lots of other books as well): Folly Magazine (link no longer extant)
Ponies of Britain Magazines, vol 3 and vol 8


Bibliography


The Twins in the New Forest

Hutchinson, 1955, illus Joan Wanklyn
 
The blurb:

“Susan and Gillian are eleven-year-old twins who live in London, but each year they spend their holidays with their aunt in the New Forest, who has taught them how to ride and care for ponies. When their boarding school burns down, they are given an early holiday, and are able to help their aunt school the younger ponies for the summer shows. They have friends that they ride with in the New Forest, with whom they share many adventures including getting involved with a gang of pony thieves. “

Quest for a Pony

Hutchinson, 1956, illus Joan Wanklyn

The blurb:

“A caravan adventure in search for a new pony.  Four children – two ponies!  The Knight children had to do something about it, so they set off in their horse-drawn caravan from Haslemere to the New Forest. The book is a story of all the odd jobs four enterprising children can undertake to make money – the money was for the new pony – and just when it seemed that their quest was ending in failure, a most surprising thing happened!”

Family in the Saddle

Hutchinson, 1958, illus Joan Wanklyn

The blurb:
 
“The Charlton family spends most of their days in the saddle. Point-to-point races, horse shows, and breaking in wild ponies are all taken as a matter of course. But behind the glamour and rosettes is a lot of hard work caring for and schooling their mounts. Besides the adventures found in this story, there is a lot of valuable information about riding and stable management.”