Airs Above the Ground


Book Description

A thrilling tale of adventure and deception set in 1950s Austria, from the queen of romantic suspense and author of Madam, Will You Talk? 'This zestful romantic adventure grips, amuses, frightens and delights' Sunday Telegraph Vanessa March's husband Lewis is meant to be on a business trip in Stockholm. So why does he briefly appear in newsreel footage of a fire at a circus in Vienna, with his arm around another woman? Vanessa flies to Austria to find her husband - and inadvertently becomes involved in a mystery surrounding the famous dancing stallions of Austria's Spanish Riding School . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: 'Mary Stewart is magic' New York Times 'I'd rather read her than most other authors' Harriet Evans 'One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century' Independent 'She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing' Elizabeth Buchan Reader reviews of Airs Above the Ground: 'You feel you are there in the story. This made my holiday perfect' 'This book has it all . . . thrilling action in a stunning Austrian setting, I loved it' 'A cracking good story, beautifully written. This is a most satisfying read' 'Mary Stewart specialises in novels which have you alternately holding your breath as to what might happen, or chuckling to yourself. This is one of her best'




The Complete Training of Horse and Rider


Book Description

For over a quarter of a century, Colonel Alois Podhajsky was the Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, home of the famous white Lipizzaner stallions whose remarkable performances have thrilled audiences throughout the world. Now for the first time, Col. Podhajsky has set forth explicitly and in practical, instructive fashion the step-by-step methods of training both horse and rider that are used at the School and that are the applicable foundations of all good horsemanship, for their purpose is to develop the natural abilities of the horse and to make riding a graceful, pleasurable experience.




Maestoso Petra


Book Description

Maestoso Petra, a Lipizzaner stallion, trains to perform in the Spanish Riding School and is hidden away during the German occupation of Austria in World War II. Includes facts about Lipizzaner horses and the world-famous Spanish Riding School.




The Horse Dancer


Book Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars and the forthcoming Someone Else's Shoes, a novel about a lost girl and her horse, the enduring strength of friendship, and how even the smallest choices can change everything When Sarah’s grandfather gives her a beautiful horse named Boo—hoping that one day she’ll follow in his footsteps to join an elite French riding school, away from their gritty London neighborhood—she quietly trains in city’s parks and alleys. But then her grandfather falls ill, and Sarah must juggle horsemanship with school and hospital visits. Natasha, a young lawyer, is reeling after her failed marriage: her professional judgment is being questioned, her new boyfriend is a let-down, and she’s forced to share her house with her charismatic ex-husband. Yet when the willful fourteen-year-old Sarah lands in her path, Natasha decides to take the girl under her wing. But Sarah is keeping a secret—a secret that will change the lives of everyone involved forever.




Airs Above the Ground


Book Description

font size="+1"A thrilling tale of adventure and deception set in 1950s Austria, from the queen of romantic suspense and author of Madam, Will You Talk?/font size font size="+1"'This zestful romantic adventure grips, amuses, frightens and delights' Sunday Telegraph/font size Vanessa March's husband Lewis is meant to be on a business trip in Stockholm. So why does he briefly appear in newsreel footage of a fire at a circus in Vienna, with his arm around another woman? Vanessa flies to Austria to find her husband - and inadvertently becomes involved in a mystery surrounding the famous dancing stallions of Austria's Spanish Riding School . . . Praise for Mary Stewart: 'Mary Stewart is magic' New York Times 'I'd rather read her than most other authors' Harriet Evans 'One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century' Independent 'She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing' Elizabeth Buchan Reader reviews of Airs Above the Ground: 'You feel you are there in the story. This made my holiday perfect' 'This book has it all . . . thrilling action in a stunning Austrian setting, I loved it' 'A cracking good story, beautifully written. This is a most satisfying read' 'Mary Stewart specialises in novels which have you alternately holding your breath as to what might happen, or chuckling to yourself. This is one of her best'




Airs Beneath the Moon


Book Description

When Larkyn Hamley, a young farm girl, rescues a newborn foal, one of the prized winged horses of the Duchy of Oc, the young horse bonds with her, and she is sent to the Academy of the Air to be trained with the horse.




Academic Equitation


Book Description

Originally written and published in 1949, Academic Equitation was considered by dressage experts to be the most important contribution to classical training in the twentieth century. This book was intended as a preparation for international dressage competitions but is far more than this. It discusses the subjects of academic equitation, the riding master and the choice of horse before introducing the reader to the author's systematic program, covering the very early training right up to the most advanced movements. The appendix deals with lungeing, work in hand, long reins and pillar work. General Decarpentry was not only a distinguished scholar of artistic equitation but also equally versed in putting the theories into practice. He deals with the education of the young horse and the complications and details of advanced schooling with the hand of a master. Although he claims that nothing in the book is his—his training system is based on the methods of D'Aure, Baucher and L'Hotte—the General's wisdom and deep knowledge are manifest throughout. It was the General's great wish that traditional teachings on the art of equitation should not be lost to those who wished to study equitation. In this most important work he has succeeded in presenting these teachings in such a way that allows both layman and expert to obtain a deeper insight into this fascinating subject.




Royal Airs


Book Description

Master storyteller Sharon Shinn created the thrilling and enchanting world of Welce in her acclaimed novel Troubled Waters. Return with her to that elemental universe in this tale of secrecy, romance, and a battle for power… Josetta is a princess of one of the Five Families. But she is far from the throne, so she is free to spend her days working in the poorest sections of the city. Rafe Adova lives the life of a career gambler in those slums. He has no real ambition—until the night he helps a girl named Corene, who looks like she’s stumbled into the wrong bar. Josetta is fascinated by the man who has helped her sister. Rafe is unlike anyone she’s encountered—someone seemingly devoid of elemental blessings. Rafe is also drawn to Josetta, but when he is assaulted by foreign mercenaries and they discover the reason behind the attack, Rafe and Josetta realize that the truth could endanger not only their newfound love, but also their very lives…




The Gymnasium of the Horse


Book Description

First published in the late 19th century, this book is truly a work of remarkable coherence, comprehensiveness and depth of understanding. Steinbrecht's reputation as a master in the art of dressage makes The Gymnasium of the Horse a cornerstone of equestrian literature. Originally published in German; this translation from the 10th German edition by Helen K. Gibble, into English. Sections are: Rider's Seat and Aids; Purpose of Dressage; Systematic Training of the Horse; School Movements; Epilogue. Scarce title and long awaited for the many dressage enthusiasts who are familiar with the thoroughness with which Steinbrecht first addressed this topic.




Madam, Will You Talk?


Book Description

"Two young Englishwomen arrive on vacation, expecting a conventional holiday. They are Charity Selborne, a extravagantly lovely war widow, and her amusing, irreverent artist friend, Louise Cray. The enchanting vista of Provence delights them, and Charity is pleased to make her first conquest, a young man of thirteen who is having trouble with his dog. The young man introduces himself and Charity is charmed ... until she senses a terrible maturity behind his grave eyes. From that point on the tension mounts steadily until it reaches breaking point, while the thirsty heat of the Provençal summer, the noise of cicadas, the dust of country roads all contribute to the superb realism of the novel.