Thanks to Dawn Harrison for writing this section.

 

 

Fortunately from a character list point of view, Samantha Alexander has taken the trouble to write out who the characters are, so I have mostly copied out from what she has written (and also handily she has included a "definition-packed glossary of horsey terms at the back of the book" (her words, not mine) )

 

 

Will To Win

 

Major characters (definitions mostly written by Samantha Alexander):-

 

Alexandra Johnson, generally known as Alex. Our heroine. 14 years old. Blonde, brown eyes. Ambitious, strong-willed and determined to become a top eventer.

Barney - a 14.2hh dun with black points.

Ash Burgess. Our hero. 19 years old. Blond hair, blue eyes, flashy smiles. Very promising young eventer. He runs the livery stables for his parents. Nick named Flash in eventing circles.

Donavon - Ash's star horse, a 16.2hh chestnut

Zoe Jackson. Alex's best friend. 14 years old. Sandy hair, freckles.

Lace, full name Midnight Lace - a 14.1hh grey pony owned by Zoe.

Camilla Davies. Typical Pony Club high-flyer. 15 years old.

The Hawk - a 14.2hh bay owned by Camilla. An Irish racehorse x Connemara.

Judy Richards - Ash's head groom and sometimes girlfriend. 18 years old.

Eric Burgess - Ash's uncle. Around 50 years old. His legs were paralysed in a riding accident. Former chef-d'equipe.

Daisy - a basset hound owned by Eric.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

 

Mrs Maplin - careers officer at Alex's and Zoe's school. (referred to)

Nigel - a duck at Ash's yard

Reggie - a duck at Ash's yard

Jenny - another person who stables her horse at Ash's yard

Gypsy, full name Gypsy Fair - a horse owned by Jenny

Jane Kingston - an eventer (referred to)

Road Warrior - Jane Kingston's horse (referred to)

Mary Underwood - an eventer (referred to)

Saint Peter - Mary Underwood's horse (referred to)

Beatrice Prescott - an eventer (referred to)

Mrs Burgess - Ash's mother

Miss Sandra Brown - former groom to Eric (referred to)

Jack Douglas - a vet in the story

Mrs Jackson - Zoe's mother

Mrs Brayfield - the Pony Club Secretary

 

 

 

Team Spirit

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters:-

Mrs Brayfield, Ash's mother, Jenny, Gypsy Fair, Nigel, Jack Douglas, Mrs Jackson all return.

 

Mark Preston - a boy who attends the same school and Pony Club as Camilla, Alex and Zoe.

Mr Stanley Preston - Mark's father & Ash's sponsor

Satan originally named Snowball- a 14.2hh jet black cob with a hogged mane. Is Mark Preston's mount. Is stabled at Ash's yard

George - Ash's new horse, has a Roman nose and dished feet.

Goliath, shortened to Golly - a chestnut Shetland who lives briefly at the yard

Professor John Daniels - an Professor of Archaeology at a local University. Also referred to as JD

Mr Jackson - Zoe's father

Jessica - a 4 year old girl, her mother comes to have lessons with Ash

Crispin Bevan - a boy who attends Zoe and Alex's school, on a rival Pony Club Team to Zoe, Camilla and Alex.

Justin Bevan - a boy who attends Zoe and Alex's school, on a rival Pony Club Team to Zoe, Camilla and Alex. Is Crispin's brother.

Damien Bevan - a boy on a rival Pony Club Team to Zoe, Camilla and Alex. Is Crispin and Justin's brother.

Jasper Carrington - a rival at a Pony Club competition (referred to)

 

 

There is a mistake on Samantha Alexander's part: on page 4 Donavon is described as a bright bay. However in the character lists (for this book and all the other books in the series) he is described as a chestnut. Barney's breeding is described in more detail: he is an Arab/Connemara cross & a yellow dun. Zoe's mother is given a first name: Patsy.

 

 

 

Peak Performance

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

Nigel, Reggie, Mrs Brayfield, Jasper Carrington, Toukie, Patsy Jackson, Mr Jackson, Jack Douglas, Damien Bevan all return.

 

Joel O'Ryan - champion three-day eventer, twice Badminton winner

Star - a liver chestnut ex-polo pony. Is Jasper Carrington's mount

Candy - a pony. Is Toukie's mount

Sunny, full name Sunshine Girl - a grey horse, about 16.3hh. Stabled at Ash's yard

Ruth Hanson - owner of Sunshine Girl

Anna, nicknamed Spanner - a girl at Jasper's birthday party (referred to)

Tanya O'Neil - a former fiancée of Eric's (referred to)

 

 

 

Rising Star

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

George, Reggie, Nigel all return. Jasper Carrington also returns, but as a proper character not a reference. He is a spoilt horse rider.

 

John Evans - a bank manager (referred to)

Sasha Fennington - a potential buyer of Donovan, also groom to Jack Landers

Toukie - Jasper Carrington's girlfriend (referred to)

Sir Charles - a local owner of a polo yard

Mr Dawes - a local farmer

Jack Landers - a rival, also an eventer.

William McNally-Smith - an rival eventer (referred to)

Casino - a former horse of Jack Lander's (referred to)

Chrissy Mitchell - a rival eventer (referred to)

Maggie Weston - a rival eventer (referred to)

Sir James Burnley - organiser of a three day event (referred to)

Ian Jones - a rival eventer (referred to)

Julian - a friend of Jack Landers (referred to)

Dolly - a grey polo pony, owned by Sir Charles

The Terminator - a liver chestnut horse, is Jack Lander's mount.

Blake Kildaire - a showjumper (referred to)

Wally - an Australian groom

 

If anyone has not read the Hollywell Stables series (also by Samantha Alexander) Blake Kildaire is a main character, and also a top class showjumper in the book.

 

 

 

In The Frame

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

Dolly, Reggie, Nigel, Jasper Carrington, Toukie, Jenny, Gypsy Fair, Damien Bevan, Spanner, George, Jack Douglas all return. Ian Jones, Walter McNally-Smith, Jack Landers are also referred to. This is Blake Kildaire's, Colorado's and Mel's first appearance in the series.

 

Helen Taylor aka Jade Lamond - a new groom that comes to work for Ash

Beachball - a piebald horse that belongs to Helen Taylor

Simon - Camilla's boyfriend (referred to)

Mrs Davis - Camilla's mother

Monty Brentford - Jade Lamond's manager

Mrs Carrington - Jasper's mother (referred to)

Nobby - a black part-bred cob. Is Ash's mount.

Red - a chestnut mare. Is Ash's mount.

Happy - a makeup artist

Pete - a person who is on the same college course as Helen Taylor

Brian - a person who is on the same college course as Helen Taylor

 

 

 

Against The Clock

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

Mrs Brayfield, Dolly, Jasper Carrington, George, Sir Charles, Star, Nigel, Reggie all return. Jack Landers, Spanner are referred to. Alex's mother also appears, but is not given a specific name.

 

Aaron - a boy that Camilla is trying to impress (referred to)

Sid Shackleton - a dressage judge and in charge of dressage junior team

Arkle - a Shetland stabled at Ash's yard (referred to)

Claire Robinson - a girl who claims to be Barney's owner (she calls him Dino)

Wheatcroft Angelic Delight - Barney's mother (referred to)

Dinerella - Barney's father (an Arab - referred to)

Susan Hamilton - a former owner of Barney

Graham - a friend of Claire's

Mrs Clarke - a woman who bought a horse from Sid Shackleton

Saffy - Mrs Clarke's horse

Mr & Mrs Green - a couple who buy a horse from Sid Shackleton

Red Cloud - the Green's horse (referred to)

Jesse - Sid Shackleton's head groom (referred to)

Tracey - a groom at Sid Shackleton's place (referred to)

Jed - a former owner of Barney (referred to)

Sid - a horse that Mr & Mrs Green that are given

Elissa Donahue - a actress who has set up a three day event (referred to)

Ben McCarthy - Elissa Donahue's boyfriend (referred to)

 

 

Barney's papers are found, which confirms his breeding. He is a Arab/Connemara cross. Hollywell Stables are also referred to.

 

 

 

Perfect Timing

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

George, Reggie, Nigel, Sir Charles, Mrs Brayfield, Toukie, Jasper Carrington, Spanner (Anna), also return.

 

Dominic Davidson - a boy who has recently joined the Pony Club

Mrs Beryl Davidson - Dominic's mother

Cherry Davidson - Dominic's sister (referred to as she is deceased)

Mungo - a pony belonging to Dominic and Beryl. A 17 year old part-Exmoor 14.2hh

Tony Lucas - an 18 year old, former member of the Pony Club

Jack - a farmhand Dominic and Alex meet

Nigel Oakes - an rival competitor to Ash (referred to)

Tic Tac - a piebald pony at a show (referred to)

Bobble - a pony Alex & Eric meet at a show

Sarah - Bobble's rider

James Donahue - a chief selector for the Junior (eventing) team

 

Another mistake: on page 3, Judy's surname is given as Richardson, but in the character list in this (and the other books) her surname is stated as Richards. Camilla's mother is also referred to, but not given a specific name.

 

 

 

Winning Streak

 

Major characters:-

All the major characters from the previous book return.

 

Minor characters (not on the Samantha Alexander's character list):-

Zoe's mother, Jack Douglas, George, Dolly, Reggie, Nigel, Jasper Carrington, Toukie, Spanner, Mrs Brayfield, Damien Bevan, Jason Donahue, Star, all return. Sir Charles, Tony Lucas, Jenny, Gypsy Fair, Ash's parents are referred to.

 

Blake Kildaire - an showjumper

Colorado - a skewbald part Mustang, 14.2hh. Is Blake Kildaire's mount

Mel - a girl, rumoured to be his girlfriend (referred to)

Charlie Hathaway - a man who owns a cross country course (referred to)

Jason Smythe - a leading showjumper of the year

Stinky - a 17hh, 5 year old iron grey horse. Is Ash's mount.

Winston - a bay horse. Is Ash's mount.

Elle Dickenson - a rival to Alex (referred to)

Sprighter - Elle Dickenson's mount (referred to)

Angus Fisher - a rival to Alex (referred to)

Victoria Redwood - a rival to Alex (referred to)

Hercules - Jason Smythe's mount

Clyde Ferguson - Camilla's new love interest

Derek Smith - an competitor at a horse show (referred to)

Fatty Taylor - a friend of Blake Kildaire's

Sarah Foster - a spectator at a horse show, also a novelist (referred to)

Trevor - a spectator at a horse show (referred to)

 

As previously mentioned, Blake Kildaire appears in the Hollywell Stables series. Colorado also does appear in the same series. Mel also appears in the Hollywell Stables series. Louella Fielding, Colorado's previous owner is referred to, and information given about some of the Hollywell Stables history, which ties up with what is written with the Hollywell Stables series. Both Sarah Foster and Trevor also appear to be connnected to the Hollywell Stables series.

 

There is also an inconsistency about Barney's breeding: in this book he is described as a Welsh/Connemara cross, whereas before he is described as an Arab/Connemara cross.

 

 

Hollywell Stables series

 

Hollywell Stables, is for anyone not familar with the story, is about a rescue centre.

 

Flying Start

 

Melanie, generally referred to as Mel - a girl, main character. The story is told from her perspective.

Ross - a boy, aged 14. Main character, brother to Mel.

Katie - a girl, aged 9. Main character, young sister to Mel & Ross

Sophie - a little Welsh Mountain pony mare. Described as "chocolate coloured coat and three white socks".

Sarah Foster - Mel's stepmother, main character. Mel, Ross and Sarah live with her.

Jigsaw - a golden coloured labrador (dog) belonging to Mel's family

Mrs McMillan - local horse owner, grazes her daughter's pony at Hollywell Stables. Also referred to as Mrs Mac. First name Gladys.

Fenella - a 13.2hh Palimino (spelling is copied from book) Show Pony belonging to Mrs McMillan

Sparky - a pony belonging to Hollywell Stables

Bluey - a roan pony belonging to Hollywell Stables. Described as approaching twenty and wall eyed (has a blue eye instead of brown)

Mr Sullivan - a local businessman.

Louella - Mr Sullivan's daughter. Befriends Mel after Mel helped her.

Colorado - a 14.2hh skewbald gelding, half Mustang. Belongs to Louella

Uncle Will - Louella's uncle, American. Original owner of Colorado, referred to only.

Blake - Louella's groom.

Royal Storm - a 14.2hh chestnut with a blaze and three white socks. Ridden by Louella. Male (presumably a gelding)

Wizard - a bay gelding. Ridden by Louella.

Angela - a friend of Louella's

Danny Reeves - a young boy, helps the Stables to rescue a pony

Mrs White - a neighbour (referred to only)

Queenie - a 12.2hh elderly pony with a little star on her forehead , dusty brown, rescued by the Stables. Is alerted to their presence by Danny Reeves

Bazz - local scrapyard dealer, original owner of Queenie

Revhead - a local scrapyard dealer, partner to Bazz, also original owner of Queenie. Brother to Bazz

Patrick - Louella's brother

James - the Hollywell Stables' vet

Oswald - a kitten owned by the Stables

Matilda - a kitten owned by the Stables

 

Louella's mother appears, but is not given a specific name.

 

 

The Gamble

 

Mel, Ross, Katie, Blake, Sarah, Oswald, Matilda, Danny, Sophie, Queenie, Jigsaw, James all return from the previous book. Colorado now belongs to the Stables and is described as a half Mustang half Thoroughbred. Blake no longer works for Louella. Mr Sullivan does also appear, but is referred to only.

 

Rocky, real name Ronny Barraclough - a pop star, and supporter of the Stables. Main character in this book.

Terence - a bay throughbred racehorse owned by Rocky

Tom Richards - Terence's trainer

Hannah - a girl, responsible for Terrence

Dancer - a horse, ex racehorse, used to be stable at Tom Richards' stables

Colin Jensen - Tom Richards' star jockey (e)

Marcus - Sarah's ex-fiancé (referred to only)

Reg - a manager of a racecourse and friend of Rocky's

Sue - Reg's wife

Fiona Cunningham - a showjumper (referred to only)

Desdemona - a black Shetland (referred to only)

 

 

Revenge

 

Mel, Ross, Katie, Sarah, Oswald, Matilda, Danny, Sophie, Queenie, Jigsaw, James, Dancer, Colorado, Bluey, Mrs Mac, all return from the previous book. Bazz from Flying Start also appears. Bluey is described as a strawberry roan, 12hh.

 

Charles Stonehouse - local huntsman of the local hunt

Big Boris - Charles Stonehouse's black hunter, 17hh. Goes to live in the Stables during the course of the story

Roddy Fitzgerald - local newspaper reporter

Zac - a hunt saboteur

Timmy - a mouse belonging to Danny

Paul - a friend of Bazz

Chloe Taylor - little girl in the story, fosters Bluey

Mrs Taylor - Chloe's mum

Mr Taylor - Chloe's father, husband to Mrs Taylor

Oscar - a kitten, belongs to the Stables.

 

 

 

Fame

 

Mel, Ross, Katie, Blake, Sarah, Oscar, Matilda, Danny, Sophie, Queenie, Jigsaw, James, Dancer, Colorado and Mrs Mac all return from the previous book. Rocky who appeared in the book The Gamble also appears and Boris now lives in the sanctuary. Charles Stonehouse is referred to.)

 

Dominic - producer of a children's tv show

Cassandra - Dominic's assistant

Jed - a circus manager

Isabella - a pig, owned by Rocky

Rose -an actress friend of Rocky's (referred to only)

Pandora Paris, nicknamed Polka Dot Pandora - rival singer to Rocky (referred to only)

Jakey - a piebald pony

Mr Richardson - Jakey's owner

George - a camel in a circus (referred to only)

Fluffy - an Falabella Foal

 

Mr Richardson has a son, but is not given a specific name.

 

There are some real life celebrities mentioned, such as Harry Enfield but I have not detailed them, as they are purely referred to. As they don’t add a major amount of detail to the story, I have decided to leave them out. Similarly, a fictional pop band is mentioned a couple of times.

 

 

 

The Mission

 

Mel, Ross, Katie, Jigsaw, James, Danny, Mrs Mac, Sarah, Queenie, Fluffy,Oscar, Matilda and Isabella all return from the previous book.

 

Trevor - a new YTS* groom

Dusty - a pony rescued during the course of the story

Sally - a chestnut pony in the story

Walter - a mule in the story

Pierre Duval - a Frenchman who appears in the story

Jean-Paul - Pierre Duval's brother

Fifi - Jean Paul's Poodle

Celestine - a girl who lends Pierre a car (referenced only)

Monsieur Renaldo - a French policeman

Des Chapman - a thug in the story

 

*  YTS was a government training scheme most popular in the 1980s, where people aged 16 and 17 had training on a specific job. That meant they worked for an particular employer, but the government paid their wages. It was meant as a short term option, as the government only paid up to 2 years, and the pay was low. It was meant as an incentive, as the government wanted to make sure all school leavers went on either further education, employment or training. It is no longer as popular as it was effectively abandoned during the late 1990s.

 

 

 

Running Wild

 

Mel, Ross, Katie, Oscar, Trevor, Queenie, Mrs Mac, James, Sarah, Colorado, Walter, Boris, Isabella, Jakey, Jigsaw, Terence, Dancer, Sally and Fluffy all return from the previous book. Rocky, Danny, Blake and Bluey also return from earlier books in the series, and Mr Sullivan who was referred to in earlier books also appears.)

 

 

Mrs Binny Alderidge - local horsey person

Angel - a Welsh palomino pony mare, belongs to Binny Alderidge

Frank - Mrs Binny's husband (referenced only)

Mrs Barrat- Danny's mother (referenced only)

Jimmy O'Connor - a friend of Binny's

Blackie aka Jet - an black Anglo Arab Stallion in the story

Mr Dave Parker - Blackie's original owner in the story

Mr Barrat - Mrs Barrat's husband (referenced only)

Tina - a friend of Blake's (referenced only)

Rachel - Dave Parker's daughter

 

 

There is an animal called Arnie, but it is unclear what it is. The book suggests it may be a pig. Similarly, there is a pony called Snowy  about which very little detail is given.