Jane McIlvaine

Also known as Jane McIlvaine McClary. US author whose books are set an older readership than the norm. Most have an element of romance in them. Also wrote a few other non-pony books, mainly under her full name.

Was born in Pittsburgh and worked as a journalist, magazine writer and even had her own newspaper, as well as pursuing a career as a successful author.

Was a keen rider, especially in the hunt field, and hunting plays a large role in many of her pony novels.

Cammie Series:
Series set in the world of the American Pony Club and centring around Cammie's relationships with a mare called Sabrina and the problems of growing up and becoming interested in boys. Slight element of romance.

1) CAMMIE'S CHOICE
(BOBBS MERRILL 1961)
ILLUSTRATED BY WESLEY DENNIS
UK 1ST ED COLLINS 1963
SUMMARY: Sabrina is a beautifully bred mare, grand-daughter of the great Man O'War, and the Squire thinks she will be a perfect mount for his daughter. But she isn't interested enough in horses to ride a highly strung horse like Sabrina and soon the mare becomes out of control. After a series of unsympathetic trainers trying to force the mare into submission she goes from bad to worse. Then Cammie comes on the scene. Despiter her inexperience,, can her natural ability and gentleness succeed where others have failed?

2) CAMMIE'S CHALLENGE
(BOBBS MERRILL 1962)
ILLUSTRATED BY WESLEY DENNIS
UK 1ST ED COLLINS 1964
SUMMARY: Cammie is overjoyed to have Sabrina as her very own. But can Cammie show everyone that Sabrina can be reliable enough to take part in the Pony Club Team. At the same time she is feeling confused over her changing relationship with Win.

3) CAMMIE'S COUSIN
(BOBBS MERRILL 1963)
ILLUSTRATED BY EDWARD SHENTON
As far as I know not published in the UK.
SUMMARY: Cammie unexpectedly gets to ride a horse in the Dublin Horse show! In Ireland, she then visits the home of some Irish relatives including her handsome cousin Tim. But she is not made to feel welcome there and feels her only friend is a wild stallion who is also an outcast. Can she solve the family secret and win her relative's friendship?

Collectors Info:
Cammie's Challenge is the only one regularly seen in the UK. The two others in the series, especially Cammie's Cousin (as it was not published in Britain) are very hard to find in the UK. These two are not exactly easy to find even in the USA!

Other Pony Books:

COPPER'S CHANCE
aka BLUE RIBBON ROMANCE
(McRAE SMITH 1951)
ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL BROWN
Re-published as BLUE RIBBON ROMANCE  in paperback by Berkely in 1951.
SUMMARY: As the title suggests an element of romance in this story of a girl, a boy and a horse.

CINTRA'S CHALLENGE
(McRAE SMITH 1955)
SUMMARY: The once-great Shelbourne Hall is now the venue for organised hunts. Cintra looks after the horses and the guests. When the Bakers and Gary Townsend arrive from New York for the hunting, romance develops.

TO WIN THE HUNT
(BARRE 1966)
SUMMARY: Amusing adventures of a Virginian who goes to Ireland to hunt. Adult.

A PORTION FOR FOXES
(SIMON & SCHUSTER 1972)
Reprinted in paperback.
SUMMARY: Adult foxhunting story set in Virginia

Collectors Info:
The only one of these which is commonly seen in the UK is A Portion for Foxes, which was reprinted as a paperback. Far easier to find in the USA however, with none being particularly rare.