It Began With Picotee

 

This is the PT’s first book, and was jointly written by them. This book also has the most characters.

 

Olivia Douglas - a girl, 15 years old. Main character.

Bridget Douglas - a girl, 12 years old. Main character.

Griselda Douglas - a girl, 14 years old. Main character, the story is told from her perspective

Picotee - a roan mare of 12.2hh. Owned by the three girls

Tony - a 13hh pony.

Mrs Chantry - owner of Tony

Jennifer - Mrs Chantry's daughter, was rider of Tony until she gave up riding

Rose - the family's cook

Juniper - a blue roan cocker spaniel puppy

Lorna - a Sealyham (dog), 7 years old

Pamela Wright - a girl that the three girls know

Gypsy - Pamela Wright's mount

Ann - a sister to Pamela Wright's

Jane Turner - a friend of Ann & Pamela Wright's

Jack Aiton - a farmer (referred to)

Mr Taylor - a man who gives Griselda directions

Mr Ballard - owner of a tack shop

Pengo - a foal that the girls buy at an horse sale

Mr Spratt - an horse box owner, delivers Pengo to the girls

Mr Carter - Pengo's former owner

Mr Wise - the family's gardener

Colonel Banks - a man who joins the local hunt, later crops up in a horse show

Tom Pitt - a son of a local farmer (referred to)

Topper - Tom Pitt's horse

Colonel Dunlop - a man whose garden Pengo escapes into

Jim - Colonel Dunlop's gardener

Effie Dunlop - Colonel Dunlop's wife

Mrs Hitchcock - a woman who participates in a hunt (referred to)

Mrs Christabel Douglas - the girls' mother

Miss Adams - Jennifer's school teacher (referred to)

Miss Pimms - Jennifer's school teacher (referred to)

Colonel Selcombe - a friend of the girls' father (referred to)

Imp renamed Angus - a brown pony, half Shetland, owned by Colonel Selcombe

Peter - a friend of Ann & Pamela's

Claire - a friend of Ann & Pamela's (referred to)

Mrs Baxter - a woman who borrows 2 ponies to the girls

Flash - a chestnut pony belonging to Mrs Baxter

Star - a bay pony belonging to Mrs Baxter

Mrs Granville - Claire's mother

Mrs Greenwood - a woman who lends the girls a pony

Bronx - a dark brown, part bred Hackney gelding, 13.2hh owned by Mrs Greenwood

Lord Chigwell - a man who owns some nearby woods (referred to)

Phillip - a boy in the story, later becomes Angus' rider

Tango - Claire's pony

Mrs Wright - Pamela & Ann's mother

General Saxon - a buyer of Star

Mr Feversham - a man senior to their Daddy at work (referred to)

Mrs Okeham - a woman who helps Bridget when she falls off

Tuppence - General Saxon's daughter

Judy - Ann's mount

Tom - Jane's mount

Daydream - Colonel Banks' thoroughbred

Judy Campbell - a competitor in a show (referred to)

Quicksilver - a grey pony, Judy Campbell's mount (referred to)

Shamrock - Claire's mount

George Banks - Colonel Banks' son (referred to)

Mr Symonds - a local horse dealer (referred to)

Mr Arthur Grey - a potential buyer of Flash

Mrs Edie Grey - Mr Grey's wife

Elizabeth-Ann - Mr & Mrs Grey's daughter

Doctor Maxton - the Grey's doctor

Clementine - a Sealyham (dog) belonging to Phillip

Mr Adrian Latimer - a potential buyer of Flash; also a friend of General Saxon

Mrs Latimer - Mr Latimer's wife

Guy - Mr & Mrs Latimer's son

Major Granville - Claire's father

Mr Gilet - a man in the story (referred to)

Mrs Furness-Orpington - a competitor in the show (referred to)

Sally Bishop - a friend of George Banks (referred to)

Twilight - a grey horse belonging to Colonel Banks, loaned to the girls

Gillian Laverock - a competitor at a show (referred to)

D Price - a competitor at a show (referred to)

J Price - a competitor at a show (referred to)

Grace Symonds - a horse-dealer's daughter (referred to)

 

 

The girls’ Daddy and Phillip's mother is mentioned, but they are not given any specific names.

 

There are three horses mentioned frequently: Imperial Tokay, Oleander and Corymeela: however they are fantasy horses in the girls’ minds.

 

Some of this book appears to be based on fact as Bronx is probably based on real life. In January 1941 the PTs had an article published in Riding, about them re-schooling a pony that they were lent. This horse, called Cocktail, was a small brown cob, 13.2hh. Bronx is sent to them, because he can’t stop bucking: Cocktail was also leant to the PTs because of his bucking. Bronx is hogged and docked, and when they first meet him is dripped with sweat, poking his nose into a snaffle bridle. An similar theme occurs; when they first meet Cocktail he has a docked tail and "dripping with sweat, and poking his nose into a snaffle bridle" (these exact words both appear in the Riding article and the book).  When Griselda starts Bronx off: he goes straight into an extremely fast unbalanced trot. He also goes sideways when legs were used: the exact same thing happened with Cocktail. Before Griselda mounts the groom says "Mind you sit tight, Miss," " 'e didnt 'alf cut some capers in the yard this morning", which is the same exact words as Cocktail's groom said to the PTs.

 

I also find it ironic that part of the last sentence is "for now, we had Plenty of Ponies" which is the name of JPT's second solo book.  DH

 

 

Black Princess

 

Black Princess, generally known as Princess - a black mare, main equine character in the story. The story is told from her point of view. Renamed Emily during the course of the story.

Will Aken - Black Princess' first groom. Also cares for her mother

Black Countess - Black Princess' mother

Marigold - a strawberry van mare owned by Black Princess' owner

Flyaway - a smart hackney owned by Black Princess' owner

Seascape - a local stallion, Marigold's foal's father

Seaspray - Marigold's grey foal and Black Princess' companion when she was growing up

Tomtit - a brown cob owned by Black Princess' first master

Bert Brown - a former driver of Tomtit

Mollie - a brown mare owned by Black Princess' first master

Doctor Miller - Black Princess' second master

Alec - Black Princess' second groom

Albert - Doctor Miller's valet

Lady Louisa - a patient (referred to)

Joshua - a local blacksmith

Carter - a local person, owns a horse (referred to)

Ma Bunbury- a local person, owns a donkey (referred to)

Sweetbriar - a bay mare, that Doctor Miller borrows

Mrs Drummond aka "The General" - a woman Sweetbriar sees when she used to live in London

Maharajah - a carriage horse recently bought by Sweetbriar's owner

Snow King - a grey stallion that Black Princess meets

Fred - Black Princess' new groom at Doctor Miller's place

Moonlight - a grey horse at Black Princess' new place (she lives at a dealer's yard)

Lady Angela - a woman who comes to look at Black Princess' & becomes her new owner

Lord Charles Wareing - Lady Angela's brother

George - a groom at the dealer's yard

Duke of ...., generally just referred to as Duke - Lord Wareing's father

Venus - a bay horse owned by the Duke

Mercury - a bay horse owned by the Duke

Jupiter - a bay horse owned by the Duke

Gemini - a bay horse owned by the Duke

Flotsam - a grey pony owned by the Duke

Jetsam - a grey pony owned by the Duke

Terence - Black Princess' groom

Jim Watkins - the Duke's stud groom

Nutcracker - a gelding who lives at the Duke's place

Napoleon - a dun hunter owned by the Duke

Augustine Appleyard - Black Princess' next rider (the army owns her)

Pioneer - an artillery horse

Floss - an artillery horse

Joey - an artillery horse

Sampson - an artillery horse

Piper - an army horse (referred to)

Blossom - an army horse (referred to)

David Bellamy - Augustine's friend, a gunner officer

Big Ben - an gun carriage horse

Monsieur Bernard Forel - Black Princess' next owner

Madame Forel - Monsieur Forel's wife

Rosemary - Mrs Appleyard's daughter

Mrs Appleyard - Black Princess' next owner

Punch - a bay Clydesdale, owned by a local farmer

Judy - a bay Clydesdale, owned by a local farmer

Daniel - a donkey that keeps Princess company

Harvest Moon - a grey stallion (referred to)

 

There is a foal mentioned, but no name is given to her.

 

 

 

Black Romany

 

Black Romany - a black mare, main equine character in the story. This story is told from her perspective

Pioneer - a bay with black points, half brother to Black Romany

Mark Bampton - a man who breaks in Black Romany & Pioneer

Paddy - Black Romany's groom

The Duke Of Rutland, generally referred to as "The Duke" - owner of Black Romany and Pioneer (referred to)

Lord John Manners - son of the Duke

Emancipation - a thoroughbred hunted by Prince Albert (referred to)

Prince Albert - a Prince in the story (referred to)

Charlie Daintree - second son of the Duke, also the Duke of Wellington

Lord George Manners - a man who is referenced to in the story, not clear if he is related to the Duke

Queen Adelaide - a queen that crops up during the story (referred to)

Lord Wilton - a man who crops up during the story (referred to)

Lord Forrester - a man who crops up during the story (referred to)

Lord Jersey - a man who crops up during the story (referred to)

Archie Hickstead - a rival to Charlie Daintree

Stanley - a servant at a place which Charlie Daintree stops at, also groom to Pioneer

Skip - a terrier that is found by Charlie during the course of the story

Rosie Greg - a woman who had a baby during the course of the story (referred to)

Martha - a woman who lives in the same house as a local doctor who crops up during the course of the story

Cedric - a man who crops up during the course of the story

William Pardoe - Black Romany's second owner

Winifred - William Pardoe's daughter

Rosalie - William Pardoe's daughter

Mirabelle - William Pardoe's daughter

Rosabel - William Pardoe's wife

Daisybel - a dun mare, owned by William Pardoe

Buttercup - a cow, owned by William Pardoe

Sir George Wrightson-Smith - a potential new owner of Black Romany

Floss - a dog belonging to William Pardoe

 

 

There are various people, such as farmers and ostlers who are not given any specific names.

 

 

Black Piper

 

Piper, full name Black Piper - a black horse. Main equine character and the story is told from his perspective

Rory O'Donavon - Piper's first master

Galway Lass - Piper's mother

Sean - Rory O'Donavon's son

Paddy - Rory O'Donavon's son

Shep - a mongrel collie (dog) belonging to Rory O'Donavon

Mrs O'Donavon - Rory O'Donavon's wife

Black Musican - Piper's father (referred to)

Thistledown - a grey mare belonging to the dealer that Piper is sold to

Shamrock - a roan horse belonging to the dealer that Piper is sold to

Laddie - a bright bay gelding belonging to the dealer that Piper is sold to

Harkaway - a horse, the dealer's mount

Biscuit - a dun belonging to the dealer that Piper is sold to

Mistletoe - a grey belonging to the dealer that Piper is sold to

Geoff - a man who works for the dealer

Horace Birchington - Piper's new owner after the dealer

Bert - Horace Birchington's groom

Brigadier - a blue roan gelding belonging to Horace Birchington

Joshua - a donkey belonging to Horace Birchington

Prunella - a bay mare that Horace Birchington takes hunting

Major - a Great Dane (dog) that belongs to Horace Birchington

Nightcap - a liver chestnut that Horace Birchington hires

Dick - the owner's trainer (Piper is sold to another dealer after Horace Birchington)

Guardsman - a black gelding at the dealer's place, paired up with Piper

Rod Pickering - Guardsman & Piper's new coachman

Diplomat - a bay gelding that Piper pulls a coach with

Fred - a stableboy

Sailor Boy - a gelding that Piper pulls a coach with

Stan Eagle - another coachman that drives Piper

Mayfly - a chestnut mare at Piper's new place (Piper is sold elsewhere after an accident with Stan Eagle)

Ladybird - a dark brown mare at Piper's new place

Victor - a gelding at Piper's new place

Seth Fletcher - Piper's new coachman

Merryman - a horse that works alongside Piper

James Mackeson - Piper's new owner after being driven by Seth Fletcher

 

There are more characters not given any particular names, and Piper spends his years with a farmer, who is not given a name either.

 

 

Riding with the Lyntons

 

Lesley Warren - a young girl. Main character in the story. The story is told from her perspective.

Mary - a friend of Lesley's, goes to the same boarding school as her (referred to)

Susan - a friend of Lesley's (referred to)

John - a friend of Lesley's (referred to)

Toots - a dog belonging to the Lyntons

Annette Lynton - a girl, 9 years old, neighbour to Lesley. Main character

Paulla Lynton - a girl, 13 years old, sister to Annette, neighbour to Lesley. Main character

Jon Lynton - a boy, brother to Annette & Paulla, neighbour to Lesley. Eldest Lynton, main character

Gillian Lynton - a girl, 12 years old, sister to Annette, Paulla & Jon, neighbour to Lesley.

Donald Lynton - a boy, 10 years old, brother to Annette, Paulla, Jon & Gillian. Neighbour to Lesley

Mercury - a chestnut horse belonging to the Lyntons. Is Paulla's mount.

Brecon - a black & white sheepdog belonging to the Lyntons

Rupert - an ancient golden cocker spaniel (dog)

Cloudy - a dapple grey pony belonging to the Lyntons. Is Gillian's mount

Bucanneer - a black horse belonging to the Lyntons. Is Jon's mount

Firelight - a bay pony.

Jingle - a Dartmoor pony belonging to the Lyntons, ridden by Donald

Jangle - a Dartmoor pony belonging to the Lyntons, ridden by Annette

Frank Lynton - father to all the Lynton children

Mrs Lynton - mother to all the Lynton children

Magic - a black labrador, belongs to Lesley

Mr Whitbury - an local vet

Doctor Phillips - an local doctor

Miss Statford - a former teacher at Lesley's school (referred to)

Miss Noodle - a teacher at Lesley's school (referred to)

Gladsome - a hound

Mr George Paterson - a local horse dealer

Polly - girl groom to George Paterson

Jim Chattaway - Lesley's father's publisher [he is a writer] (referred to)

Master Robin Down - a boy who moves nearby to Lesley during the course of the story

Adrian Warren - Lesley's father

Mrs Downs - Robin's mother

Mr Walton - a local vet

Leary - a black pony, belongs to Lesley

 

Lesley's Mummy, and the old woman who works for the Lyntons, the man who runs the Stags Head (local pub) are mentioned but are not given any specific names.