Now back in print featuring the original text and illustrations in a gorgeous hardcover edition, the magnificent Lipizzan stallions of Vienna come to life again in this exciting story that is rich in history and horsemanship from a Newbery Medal-winning author.

Our "American Girl" of horses, each novel in the Breyer Horse Collection—based on Breyer Animal Creations' top-selling horse breeds—tells a compelling story that captures the true essence and personality of each horse. And now, for the first time, we have a historical novel. Annie Wedekind takes us back to Europe in World War II—a time and place that tested the courage of the noble Lipizzaner horses. In 1930's Austria, life for Favory Mercurio, a Lipizzaner stallion bearing the crest of the renowned Piber stud, begins with his mother's abandonment. From that moment on, the young horse feels different, as if he has a missing piece— even though, despite his doubters, he has talent enough to be accepted into the famed Spanish Riding School. Slowly, but doggedly, Mercury perseveres through the rigors of his years of training. But then, as the war bears down on Vienna and the school is forced to flee two advancing armies, his beloved trainer and rider, Max, with whom he has formed a true bond, is suddenly gone, and Mercury is abandoned once more. Will he have the chance to become one of the great Lipizzaner stallions, or will he lose the people, horses, and home that he loves?

A baker's son, who dreams of becoming a riding master at Vienna's Spanish Court Riding School, is admitted as an apprentice and achieves his desire under the tutelage of both two-legged and four-legged masters.

Originally published: Chicago: Rand McNally, c1951.

Presents the history, physical characteristics, and the abilities of the Lipizzaner horse. Includes photo diagram.

"Horse Crazy!" is a jam-packed treasure chest of a book that will keep horse-obsessed kids ages eight and up busy for hours on end. It offers practical information about horses, from anatomy and history to the details of training, grooming, and showing. It also has lots of great ideas for horse-related projects, such as writing horse stories and drawing or photographing horses. There are books to read, movies to see, unusual ways to have fun with a horse, tips on how to choose a horse camp, information on horse-loving careers, and much more.