About the author
Mona Sandler wrote three books that I have been able to trace. Riding with Simon, with the wonderful cover illustration by Michael Lyne, is a non-fiction story about Simon, a grey Anglo-Arab whom Mona bought in a very poor state, and whom she eventually learned to ride. Her other two books are fictional, and are about the same two characters, who start a dealing stable.
Finding the books
Riding with Simon is reasonably easy to find. The two Horse Dealer books are harder to find, and appear to be getting more and more difficult.
Bibliography
Riding with Simon
Country Life, 1955
Cover by Michael Lyne. Other illustrations: b/w photographs
This is a true story about Simon, the grey Anglo-Arab Mona Sandler bought. She didn’t know much when she bought him, and it all nearly went disastrously wrong. However, with the help of experts, she learned to ride Simon and to care for him.
The Young Horse-dealers
Country Life, 1957, illus David Rook
Jean Connaught and Moyra Brent start up in business, running a dealing stables. They are both quite determined to sell the horses and ponies that come into the stables, and this sometimes leads to some quite questionable sections!
Steep Farm Stables
Country Life, 1958, illus Sheila Rose
Jean Connaught and Moyra Brent are still running their dealing business out of Steep Farm Stables. They are doing so well they take on an employee, Effie, though she is sometimes more of a hindrance than a help, and pulls a hapless palomino’s tale so badly it will take months to grow out. The girls look set for success, despite a dreadful setback when the Steep Farm house burns down.
