Eleven-year-old Jess is distraught that she has to leave her beloved Exmoor when her widowed mother, Pam, takes a nursing job in Surrey. Her one consolation is she can take her pony, Marmalade, as her mother's employer, Mrs Carey, loves all equines. At her first Pony Club Rally, Jess is teased by smartly mounted children and resolves to have no more to do with them. She discovers that Mrs Carey's retired horse, cared for by Sam, a very elderly groom, is poorly and, when he is rushed into hospital, she and Pam take over as carers. The vet, now regularly involved, has a twin son and daughter, who are pony-mad and become Jess's close friends. With their support Jess decides to learn more about dressage and show jumping and gradually life improves. Suddenly, things change; there is a horse attacker in the neighbourhood. Keeping their ponies safe is the most important job now and they are not convinced the police are doing enough. They send a letter to the local newspaper anonymously, and hear of no more attacks so concentrate more on Marmalade's schooling. One afternoon, Jess is riding on a local estate, enjoying jumping. Suddenly, she sees a young man nearby, sharpening a large knife and close are a