The stories of The Saddle Club have been enjoyed by many children (and adults) over the world. In total there are 111 books written by Bonnie Bryant. 101 standard editions, 7 Super editions and three special ones featuring a story on each of the members of the Saddle Club and all the books have been translated into many different languages.
The books main characters are three girls, 12 year old's Carole Hanson and Stevie Lake, and 13 year old Lisa Atwood. The ages of the girls do not change throughout the series, in spite of the number of summer vacations they have. Each live in the town of Willow Creek and are members of the Pine Hollow Riding Stables and are all horse and pony mad.
Covers
The Saddle Club books were printed in the US and the United Kingdon by Bantom books. The UK books had a horseshow design on the front with a photograph, I think with professional models, in each one. The US versions just having a drawing in a coloured box below the title of the book.
UK Version | USA version |
However, to date I have not seen a copy of any Saddle Club book with the UK Horseshoe design beyond book number 49, so I believe that this design did not extend over the whole series of books.
A second UK design was a more modern looking affair. Again with a photograph on the cover. The photo is similar to the first versions on some books but not all. They all seem to be newly comissioned photographs.
Second UK version
A third version of a photograph cover was also produced with a coloured band down the right hand side of the cover, extending horizontally above the photograph
Third UK version
Meanwhile, in the US, Bantam book, reprinted the whole series under the 'Skylark Books' name. The covers for these were the drawing from the first US series, inserted into the horseshoe design of the UK first edition books.
'Skylight' version
'Yearling Book' have also printed copies of the Saddle Club books. Whether this is another name used by Bantam I do not know. These books have line drawings with three black horse riders at the top
'Yearling' version
In Australia, a TV series was commission, loosely based on the Saddle Club books. The books are currently being re-printed, with two book in one edition, in Australia to co-inside with the screening of the TV programmes. The covers being photographs of the actresses playing the main roles of the main characters. However, as the whole cast is changed with each series the photographs reflect only the current cast at the time of publication. More details of this to come
'Oz version' version
Also in Australia, Random House Publishing Group have printed editions of the Saddle Club series which another change to the cover design. Wavy line patterns top and bottom with a photo in the centre. Some of the editions are two-books-in-one format, others are just a single book.
Random House version
TV Series
On 6th Febuary 2001, Australian TV network ABC started brocasting a TV Series based on the Saddle Club Books. To date there has been 3 Series each with 26 episodes.