Billy and Blaze by C W Anderson

Billy and Blaze by C W Anderson is the first in a series of stories about a young boy and his horse. We are introduced to Billy and Blaze in the first story. Thereafter, each of the stories centers on an adventure that the two share together.

Billy, like many a young child, loves horses. Because he does not have a horse of his own, Billy takes any chance that he gets to ride a nearby farmer’s horse. Until one day when, for his birthday, Billy receives a pony of his very own. He names the pony Blaze and that is the beginning of a friendship between a boy and his horse. Billy and Blaze go on many rides through the woods, and Blaze learns to jump over fallen logs. While out riding, Billy sees a sign for a “best pony” contest. Does Blaze have what it takes to win?

Billy and Blaze take a little winding road through the woods that is seldom used. It is summer, and there has not been much rain. As Billy and Blaze travel along, Billy sees smoke rising from a pile of brush at the side of the road. While he watches, the pile bursts into flame. Billy knows that if it is not put out immediately that a forest fire could destroy the woods that he loves so much. Billy and Blaze race to give warning at the nearest farm. Will they get help in time?

Billy and his parents have gone out West for the summer. Of course, they bring Blaze along. As they near the ranch where they are staying, they meet a local cowboy named Jim. The next day, as Billy sets out to explore, he mets up with Jim. While they are talking, they are distracted by the sound of thundering hooves. Thunderbolt, the last wild horse in the area, is being chased by some other cowboys. Billy thinks that Thunderbolt is the most beautiful horse that he has ever seen. Can Billy and Blaze convince Thunderbolt that they will do him no harm?

Billy and Blaze are out West for the summer. They love exploring the wide open countryside. Billy is friends with a cowboy named Jim who warns him about a mountain lion that is attacking the local calves. Shortly thereafter, Billy notices mountain lion tracks in the soft earth. Then he sees the bones of a calf. Finally, he encounters the mountain lion itself. Will Billy and Blaze get away to warn Jim of the mountain lion’s location?

While out for a day of exploration, Billy and Blaze come upon an old man sitting in front of his house. He tells Billy of a quarry that he used to frequent when he was a boy himself. They now call it the Lost Quarry because no one seems to know where it is. The old man gives Billy directions to find it, and Billy and Blaze set out in short order. They follow the old man’s directions and look for clues along the way. Will Billy find the way to the Lost Quarry?

Tommy is a little boy who lives down the road from Billy. He loves horses! He has received toy horses as gifts for Christmas and for birthdays. Still, he dreams of live horses. Billy teaches him how to ride Blaze and how to care for a horse. Right before Tommy’s birthday, his father comes to see Billy and asks him if he will help find a gray spotted pony for Tommy. Will they find a pony in time for Tommy’s birthday?

Billy and Blaze and Tommy and Dusty spend a lot of time riding through the woods together. But there is one problem. Blaze loves to jump over downed trees; Dusty does not. Dusty always pulls up short fearful of making the leap. One day, a fierce storm comes up while they are out on the trail. Billy and Tommy need their ponies to get them home quickly. Will Dusty trust Blaze’s example and jump the downed trees to get them safely home?

Billy and Blaze by C W Anderson, and the subsequent books in the series, are classic tales about a boy and his horse. Those who love horses will especially enjoy this series of books.