About the author
Janet Rising was an early starter. She started learning to ride when she was nine, spent every spare moment at the stables, and had stories published in PONY Magazine when she was 14. She’s well placed to sympathise with her readers: she’s was the editor of PONY Magazine.
Janet had a mule called Twoy (pronounced Two-ee) since he was weaned. Sadly, he died in 2012, at the age of over 30. She also has an imaginary Dachshund, but is planning to break into the exciting world of real dog ownership soon.
The Pony Whisperer series isn’t her only essay into fiction. PONY Magazine has an ongoing series about Jorja, which is written by Janet. Jorja’s adventures have made it into print, with Jorja and the High Stakes Horse, published by PONY Magazine. Like her Pony Whisperer series, Jorja is written with a wry wit.
Janet’s most recent series is the Blueberry series, written with Carl Hester, about dressage super horse Valegro. She’s since written about a superpony of a completely different sort, and a wild fantasy, The Peculiar Made-up World of Henrietta Marshall.
Janet Rising’s books have a verve that’s missing in a lot of modern pony literature, and she’s well worth reading.
Finding the books
Jorja you will need to order via PONY Magazine. The other titles are all in print.
Links and sources
My interview with Janet Rising
Janet Rising at Hachette Aus
Janet has written several guest posts on my blog: read her on What Not to Wear, The Observation of Horses, Holidays on Horseback and The Vicious Recruitment Drive in Suburbia.
Series
The Pony Whisperer series
The Word on the Yard
Team Challenge
Runaway Rescue
Prize Problems
Pony Rebellion
Stables S.O.S.
The Blueberry stories (with Carl Hester)
Valegro, the Little Horse with the Big Dream
Valegro: The Early Years
Valegro: A Rising Star
Valegro Goes International
Valegro: Going for Gold
Valegro: The Legend
Bibliography
Jorja and the High Stakes Horse
Pony Magazine, 2008, 185 pp.
A lovely grey Arab has appeared in the Drews’ paddock. The Drews are not good news; neither father nor sons. When Jorja and her friends see them mistreating the horse, Matt bets that he can train the horse. If Matt, Molly and Jorja win the bet, Matt wins the horse, but if he loses, Mr Drew takes Matt’s horse.
The Word on the Yard
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2009, 240 pp.
Sourcebooks, New York, 2010, 189 pp.
Pia’s parents have split up, so she, her mother and Pia’s pony Drummer have all had to move. The new yard isn’t the easiest of places for Pia to fit into, particularly when she inadvertently antagonises Cat. Then Pia discovers a statue of Epona which enables her to hear what ponies are saying, and all sorts of mayhem result.
Team Challenge
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2009, 215 pp.
Sourcebooks, New York, 2010, 192 pp.
Everyone on the yard decides to compete in a team competition: Pia’s on one team, and her arch enemy Cat is of course on the other.
Runaway Rescue
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2010, 216 pp.
Sourcebooks, New York, 2010, 192 pp.
Travellers come and set up camp near to the stables, which makes everyone uneasy. Pia makes friends with a traveller girl, Jazz, who has real pony whisperer powers, but also real problems. Pia is caught: she wants to help, but not everyone wants to give Jazz the benefit of the doubt.
Prize Problems
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2010, 218 pp.
Pia’s friend Bean wins a riding holiday for two: she asks Pia to go with her, which Pia is very happy about, even though it means leaving Drummer behind. However, the other girls on the holiday are a complicated lot.
Pony Rebellion
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2010, 209 pp.
The local Riding for the Disabled Association is planning a fundraising event. Dee’s mother suggests everyone get together and do a musical activity ride. Everyone’s perfectly happy with this until the endless practice becomes a bit too much for the ponies. They rebel, and nothing Pia can think of will persuade them to co-operate.
Stables S.O.S.
Hodder Children’s Books, London, 2011, 216 pp.
Mrs Collins, owner of Laurel Farm, is taken ill and hospitalised. While she’s there, her son takes full and dastardly advantage, and plans to sell off the farm buildings and land for development. To add to the general tension, Cat’s pony Bambi’s future is in doubt. Pia and her friends plot to overcome both problems.
Valegro, the Little Horse With The Big Dream
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2016
This is the story of Valegro, or Blueberry as he is known. It’s the story of a small horse who rose from humble beginnings to become the best dressage horse in the world.
Valegro: The Early Years
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017
Superstar dressage horse Valegro, Blueberry – as he is known at home – begins his dressage career. He is schooled by his owner and trainer Carl Hester. The little horse does well, and it’s not long before he gets the chance to enter competitions.
Valegro: A rising star
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017
There is just one thing missing on Blueberry’s journey to becoming a top dressage horse: the right rider. Nobody seems able to quite click with him, and there are other things for Blueberry to overcome too.
Valegro goes international
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2017
Blueberry now has a rider: Charlotte. They’re progressing through the ranks, and the partnership is chosen to represent their country. It’s not only judges who love Valegro: he now has his own fans too.
Not everything is plain sailing, and Valegro needs the support of his dog friend, Lulu, to help him get right to the top.
Valegro going for gold!
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2018
Valegro and Charlotte have been chosen for the UK’s dressage team in the 2012 London Olympics. They don’t have as much experience as many of the other partnerships. Will Blueberry’s determination to do his best be enough?
Valegro: The legend
With Carl Hester MBE, FBHS
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2018
Valegro (Blueberry) is a legend, and this book covers his final competitions as he journeys towards retirement. Is there still something more for him to achieve?
MY HORSY LIFE: an Unconventional equine memoir
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2020, 385 pp, 8 pp colour photographs
Not fiction, but a brilliant read for anyone who loved ponies as a child – particularly for those who never achieved the owning a pony dream.
The amazing adventures of Superpony!
Matador, Kibworth Beauchamp, 2021, 132 pp. Cover Helena Öhmark
Hannah hasn’t been successful at anything. And then she gets a pony – surely now she’ll manage to succeed at something? It’s not that simple. Spike, her pony is full of enthusiasm, but he’s clumsy and a bit of a clown. What, think the riding school girls, is that? But Spike has a secret … when there is danger, he turns into Superpony, and Hannah turns into Pony Girl.
The peculiar made-up world of Henrietta Marshall (it’s out of control!)
Matador, Market Harborough, 2022
Glamorous Estra, with dark curls to die for, and with the loyal companionship of her horse Silverado, and tame wolf, roams the faraway and mystical lands of Azbathria, where she encounters adventures, and is forever being rescued by the dark and handsome Sir Nathan, the Black Knight.
Also
The Bumper Book of Horses and Ponies
Horse & Rider Magazine, 2003
Pony Talk – 50 Ways to Make Friends With Your Pony
Hodder, 2005
I Love Ponies: Big Book of Ponies
Signature, 2007
PONY Magazine Annual
DJ Murphy 2006 and subseqent