This is a brief, simple book with a very quiet, dreamy feel- even though some exciting things happen near the end. Parts were very reminiscent of that Billy and Blaze book where they get lost in the woods. Jennifer is spending the summer alone with her mother while her father travels for work. They’re staying at a farm her mother’s friend owns (but doesn’t currently occupy) in Connecticut. The owner of the riding stable where she took lessons asks if she’ll take one of the ponies to board over the summer. She realizes the day after they move that of all things, she forgot to bring her saddle! But is determined to ride anyway. The pony isn’t showy, but has a good temperament and is (mostly) patient with young riders. She can be stubborn with a mind of her own though. On one of their rides exploring the woods around the farm, they find a lush pasture in a hidden valley- with a seemingly empty farmhouse and a small herd of beautiful ponies. Who do they belong to? Is anyone taking care of them? Jennifer doesn’t have much time to puzzle over that because she soon has her hands full- her pony wants to join them and finds a weak spot in the fence. Jennifer struggles to control the pony and get it home again. Things are fine for a while after that but later her pony escapes its paddock and runs away to join the valley herd again. When Jennifer tracks her down, she finds the valley ponies are threatened. Can she be quick and brave enough to save them. Nice little story!
Rating: 3/5
92 pages, 1982
