Ann Henning

Also known as Ann Henning Jocelyn. Born in Sweden in 1948. Worked as a Lecturer in Gothenburg for a short while before leaving for England where she studied drama and did some acting and playwriting. Also worked as a translator, translating many novels, films and plays to Swedish.

After a stay in Ireland she fell in love with it, making her home there and marrying an Irishman. She also fell in love with the Irish ponies, learning she had a talent for breaking and training them, and ended up working with the local breeders to help add value to their ponies. Through this, she was then commissioned to write The Connemara Whirlwind. The character of Cuaifeach is based on her own stallion. 

Two more books followed, making up the Connemara series.The books are excellent and very funny  (especially the first book). They are aimed at an older readership than the norm and are particularly suitable for adults. A very interesting backdrop of the Irish coast/customs of the people who live there, and the problems of pony breeding: make for an out-of-the-ordinary and thought-provoking read. Also one of the few pony book series to feature in-hand showing.

Connemara series:
Humourous series for older children and adults set in Ireland, and in particular in the world of Irish in-hand showing.

1) THE CONNEMARA WHIRLWIND
(POOLBEG PB 1990)
Reprinted in paperback.
SUMMARY: Marty's pride and joy is his beautiful Connemara mare, Vanessa, a supreme champion show pony. When he breeds from her he expects the foal to follow in its mother's footsteps. But Cuaifeach is born in the whirlwind from which he takes his name, a peculiar wind which comes from nowhere and strikes havoc where-ever it blows. It is an ill-omen for the Irish people, and one which seems to come true for poor Marty. His foal is a bundle of mischief who brings nothing but trouble and shame to his owner. But the foal who is such a trial to Marty is surprisingly the dream pony of somebody else!
POMYMAD RATING: 4 HORSESHOES

2) THE CONNEMARA STALLION
(POOLBEG PB 1991)
SUMMARY: Twelve year old Doreen is overjoyed when she finally becomes the owner of Cuaifeach, the lovely but mischievous colt. And as he grows into a stallion, there are new problems and decisions for Doreen to make concerning her pony's future.
POMYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

3) THE CONNEMARA CHAMPION
(POOLBEG PB 1994)
SUMMARY: What is happening in Connemara? Why is the region in danger of losing the beautiful ponies for which it is renowned? And who is sabotaging Julia's efforts to bring about better conditions for the pony breeders? This sub-plot, based on very real Irish problems, provides a backdrop for the culmination of Cuifeach's story, in which he and Doreen must prove to the world he is a true champion.
POMYMAD RATING: 3-4 HORSESHOES

Collectors Info:
The first book in series is still in print. The others are not too hard to come by, the last being the hardest to find.