Rosettes for Jill

Jill's Ponies #6

by Ruby Ferguson

ISBN 0-340-17224-X alternate cover
Twelfth impression 1988

'There's no question of it,' said Mummy in her most determined voice. My spirits flopped into my sandals and ran out through the toes because I knew what was coming - 'Of course the grils must come here.'

Melly and LIndo Cortman are staying with Jill for the whole summer. They can't ride. They hang around asking stupid questions and making horrible remarks about Jill's riding. Then suddenly they get interested in ponies themselves...

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Horses, Juvenile

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Ruby Constance Annie Ashby Ferguson
aka
Ruby Ferguson and R.C. Ashby

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always a slight moral dilemma in these books, since, being Properly Sporting, Jill and her friends strongly decry 'beastly pot-hunters' & but, on the other hand, if Our Heroine doesn't win a few ribbons then it rather undermines our belief in her riding ability. Anyway, this is mostly about poor Jill being, yet again, lumbered with a couple of un-horsey visitors Jill is even more fannish about horses than most of us are fannish about fandom who very soon decide that anything she can do, they can do, and better. The results are inevitable. There is a worrying moment for Black Boy here, but don't worry, he's all right.

[Gillian]

happy days! Huge part of my childood spent on this and all the Ruby Ferguson 'Jill' books. Loved this one, loved most of them

[Dark-Draco · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latest Jill adventure, she has to cope with the arrival of the Cortman Kids. Daughters of a friend of her Mum, she is expected to spend the summer keeping them entertained. But all they are interested in is winning prizes and accolades with their dogs, which is even worse when they turn their attention to horses. Jill is horrified when they are bought an expensive showjumper and everything seems to be against her own efforts to do well.

I personally wouldn't have put up with the two kids - especially when they take Jill's horses out without permission and get one of them injured. Still, it was a nice story and funny, while reminding the reader, even me, that winning isn't everything!

[Prudence and the Crow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a strange Jill book - sort of a greatest hits of many elements of the others; awful visitors (gosh they are awful), a disrupted summer, a show or two, and a great gymkhana...I know I really liked this one when I was small, and there's a scene that used to make me absolutely weep, and I can still see why... I have no real objective understanding of whether these are good books or not, now, but Jill was a hero to me, and thoroughly realistic in my childhood mind, and I'm fascinated now by how completely herself she is, full of decisive personality, whether for better or worse, and absolutely dedicated to the pursuit of equation. It's been great revisiting, but those Cortmans, the horror, my goodness.

[Emma Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much, it’s such a comfort!! Jill and her mum welcome two house guests who are Jill’s age and not at all interested in horse riding but a lot of competitions happen (including a dog show) and everything is alright by the end. Jill sets the standard for obsession, she lives and breathes horses which is insane and hilarious to read about. Love this!! 🥰

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

oops

I’m supposed to be writing reports.. I’ve just read this instead.

I need to get them done and then I can read the other 4, no worries.

[Lainey Grieve Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosettes for Jill was first published in 1957 by Hodder and Stoughton

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill's hopes for another fun summer are slightly dashed when her mother announces that the two daughters of her dear old friend will be coming to stay with them.

Jill is understandably not so keen on this and once the Cortmans arrive they don't exactly get off to a flying start.
Melly and Lindo (great names btw) are not horsy people, they prefer dogs and dog showing and they love winning. There is quite a bit of clashing between them and Jill and honestly I'm on Jill's side, they're pretty awful.

Eventually they take up riding and a lovely mare is purchased for them, the kind that Jill can only dream of owning.
Hijinks ensue and all in all it is a fun read, seeing more of Jill's world is always nice but it's not one my favourite books in the series.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always a slight moral dilemma in these books, since, being Properly Sporting, Jill and her friends strongly decry 'beastly pot-hunters' … but, on the other hand, if Our Heroine doesn't win a few ribbons then it rather undermines our belief in her riding ability. Anyway, this is mostly about poor Jill being, yet again, lumbered with a couple of un-horsey visitors – Jill is even more fannish about horses than most of us are fannish about fandom – who very soon decide that anything she can do, they can do, and better. The results are inevitable. There is a worrying moment for Black Boy here, but don't worry, he's all right.