Patience McElwee (1910–63) wrote three pony books, and several adult novels. She was terrified of horses, and never willingly went near one, but her daughter Harriet and her husband William were keen riders, and Patience McElwee was a merciless observer of what went on in the horse world.

If you have ever been to a Pony Club event, you will recognise the machinations of the children and their mothers in Match Pair. It's so well observed.

I think much of her biting observation reads better with an adult audience than the children for which they were intended. Having met the books as an adult, I enjoyed them very much indeed.

Picture copyright Harriet Hall