Wendy Douthwaite aka Elizabeth Wynne

Despite being a fairly recent pony author, there seems to be little information about her.  She also writes under the name of Elizabeth Wynne and has ghost-written at least one of the Animal Ark animal series.

She has written a number of pony books, all traditional and well-written pony stories. Some she has illustrated herself. The books are a little confusing for collectors as most of them were re-titled in various editions.  As well as these pony stories the author has also written two quiz type books: Pony Puzzles and Pony Crosswords.

Polly Series:

PONYMAD SERIES RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

1) OTHER PEOPLE'S PONIES (original title)
aka SUMMER PONIES (later Macmillan paperback edition)
(MACMILLAN 1989)
Reprinted in paperback a number of times by Macmillan
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan and re-titled as SUMMER PONIES
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan in 2000 with original title
Reprinted as part of an omnibus with books 2 and 3 in series (see below)
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Macmillan paperback editions
SUMMARY: Jess longs for a pony of her own but money is tight so she finds herself instead looking after other people's ponies. One day she falls in love with a beautiful grey Arab she sees at a show. Later, when Polly's young owner has an accident and is in hospital, Jess is overjoyed to be able to look after her dream pony. But she knows this time it will be harder than ever to say goodbye to the horse she has taken to her heart.

2) ALL BECAUSE OF POLLY
aka DREAM PONY
(MACMILLAN 1990)
ILLUSTRATED BY JEAN THOMPSON
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan and re-titled as DREAM PONY
Reprinted as part of an omnibus with books 2 and 3 in series (see below)
EDITIONS PICTURED:: Macmillan paperbacks, later Macmillan paperback with title change
SUMMARY: For Jess owning Polly, her beautiful grey mare, is a dream come true. And Beckie, Polly's previous owner, now in a wheelchair, can also join in the horsy fun when her parents buy her a trap and a pony to drive it. Along with friends, the two girls form a riding club and are looking forward to a great Easter holiday. But then Polly falls ill...

3) POLLY ON LOCATION
(MACMILLAN 1995)
Reprinted as part of an omnibus with books 2 and 3 in series (see below)
EDITION PICTURED: Macmillan paperback edition
SUMMARY: Beckie has recovered enough to be able to ride once more. She, Jess and their friends and ponies are asked to become extras when a film crew are on location nearby. They are also involved in organising a gymkhana for the riding club. But sparks fly as Beckie and Rachel, one of the riding club members, seem to always be at loggerheads.

4) RUNNING FREE
(MACMILLAN 1997)
EDITION PICTURED: Macmillan paperback edition
SUMMARY: Jess and Polly are enjoying a riding holiday in Devon. Then they find that some beautiful wild badgers are in danger...can they save them?

Other editions:

A HORSE CALLED POLLY
(MACMILLAN PB 2001)
EDITION PICTURED: Macmillan paperback edition
Omnibus containing: Summer Ponies, Dream Pony, On Location.

Collectors Info:
A fairly confusing array of titles - please check the above list to make sure you don't buy the same book twice! The paperbacks are reasonably easy to find in the UK and usually cheap. They are slightly harder to track down in the USA, but once again usually cheap. The hardback first editions are quite rare, although usually not very expensive.

Other Pony Books:

A VERY SPECIAL PONY
(HUTCHINSON 1979)
ILLUSTRATED BY AUTHOR
I don't think this was ever reprinted
There was also a German language edition published by Muller
EDITION PICTURED: 1st edition
SUMMARY: When Sue hears the riding stables are going to close she is afraid she will never see her favourite pony Candy again. Can she save up enough money to buy her beloved pony?

A PONY AT MOOR END
aka THE LOST PONY
(BLACKIE 1984)
ILLUSTRATED BY GAVIN ROWE
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan and re-titled THE LOST PONY
EDITION PICTURED: Macmillan paperback edition
SUMMARY: When Sarah's Dad is made redundant the family have to move and Sarah's pony is sold. Desperately missing her beloved pony, she finds solace in friendship with equally pony-mad Sally. Then when three ponies need help...the girls must try and save them…
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

THE CHRISTMAS PONY
(BLACKIE 1985)
ILLUSTRATED BY PETER GREENLAND
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan
EDITIONS PICTURED: 1st edition, Macmillan paperback edition
SUMMARY: Seasonal pony story. After her mother dies, Lindy is finding it hard to adjust to life with a new step-mother and spends all her time dreaming of a pony of her own. Will Christmas make her dreams come true and help her come to terms with her step-mother?
PONYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

THE ORANGE PONY
(MACMILLAN 1988)
ILLUSTRATED BY AUTHOR
Reprinted in paperback by Macmillan
EDITION PICTURED: Macmillan paperback edition
SUMMARY: Kate is worried that she will not be able to ride the difficult 'orange' pony Tania, but when a girl is hurt she must overcome her fear.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
Like the Polly series, some of the books' titles were changed in later editions - please check above for details. Hardest to find of these books are A Very Special Pony (which I don't think was reprinted in paperback) and A Pony At Moor End  in its original title - although they are both usually fairly cheap to buy. The others are reasonably easy to find in the UK and to a lesser extent in the USA. Harder elsewhere.

Heronsway Series: (as Elizabeth Wynne)
Written under the name of Elizabeth Wynne. Short series about the Heronsway Equestrian Centre and the girls that ride there, Sandy, Tessa and Chrissy.

1) PONY QUEST
(ARMADA PB 1989)
Sandy longs for a pony of her own and when she starts riding at the Heronsway Equestrian centre and meets the lovely chestnut mare Quest, she knows this is the pony for her. Will Quest ever be hers?

2) RESCUE TEAM
(ARMADA PB 1989)
SUMMARY: Sue, the owner and instructor of the Heronsway centre has been taken to hospital. Will the centre survive her absence? Sandy and her friends determine to save it.

Collectors Info:
Both paperbacks and not reprinted as far as I know. Although not particularly common titles they can be found without too much trouble in the UK and are usually very cheap. Quite hard to find elsewhere however.