E H Parsons

Jane Badger Books

E H Parsons

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. The picture to the right shows Mrs Parsons driving Garth Remus. She did indeed sew every sequin on herself. She and her family are the bathing beauties below.

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. See the link below for Jenny Balston’s fond thoughts on The Twins in the New Forest, which she was given when she was ten.

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 Sources:
Jenny Balston reminisces about The Twins in the New Forest (and lots of other books as well)
A photograph of Mrs Parsons’ Deeracres Sir Anthony
New Forest Pony
Ponies of Britain Magazines, vol 3 and vol 8

The Twins in the New Forest
Hutchinson, 1955, illus Joan Wanklyn

“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 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.”

Bibliography - pony books only