Stanford, Don

About the author

Don Stanford, like William Corbin, was a prolific author who wrote very few pony books. His Horsemasters, though, has remained popular for 50 years, and is much sought after. Aimed at older readers, it is the story of two girls who are taking their British Horse Society Horsemasters certificate. The BHS does not still do this examination; it was the equivalent of today’s BHSAI, and was still available up until 1986, though possibly in an altered form from what Don Stanford describes.

Porlock Vale Riding School used to teach the Horsemasters’ course, and the book is dedicated to the Horsemasters of Porlock Vale. Having come across the Porlock Vale site before I started researching this author, I thought “Goodness, that sounds like The Horsemasters!” and now I know why. Porlock Vale alas has fallen victim to the increasing costs besetting riding schools.

The Horsemasters is a riveting read, with interesting character development, and well-drawn horse characters too. I particularly like Dinah’s cob, Cornish Pastie, who turns into another horse entirely once he is out hunting, making her revise her previously rather negative opinion about him. Opinions are changed on human characters too; the head girl, Mercy, is not quite what she seems.

There was a Disney film based on the book. Released in 1961, and starring Annette Funnicello as Dinah, it seems to have songs (The Strummin’ Song is one) which suggests it perhaps doesn’t follow the book that closely.

Finding the books
No edition of The Horsemasters is cheap, but both American and English first editions are very expensive. Must be Good Riders can be expensive as a very good first edition, but ex library copies can be had reasonably (at least, at the time of writing!)

Links and sources
Many thanks to Susan Bourgeau for the picture of the US edition.