The three Hardcastle children agreed obediently with all the people who told them, practically every day of their lives, what a lovely home it was that they were being given, and when they saw the pony they knew they ought to be feeling enthusiastic about that too.

The Hardcastles' grandmother has a mission in life: all her grandchildren must beat the children of her best friend, Lady Pinkney, in every area of their lives. Charlotte must marry better than Primrose; Priscilla be more cute than Jonquil. Susannah's task is to beat Celandine Pinkney in the show ring, and she has been given a show pony with which to do it. The Hardcastles prefer life next door at the O'Briens', where you get proper ham sandwiches to eat, no one cares if you make a mess, and horses are valued for what they are. But then the O'Briens buy a show pony of their own, and they need it to win too.