Horse Diaries #4: Maestoso Petra

This was a wonderful little book! Maestoso Petra is a Lipizzaner stallion born in Piber, then taken to Vienna to train at the famous Spanish Riding School with other famous Lipizzaners. He bonds with his trainer and rider, and the little girl named Liesl, who brings him special treats. He lives like royalty until World War II breaks out and everything suddenly changes. It's unsafe for both humans and horses alike in Vienna, so they head west, and don't return to Vienna for ten whole years. During the war it's frightening and everything is uncertain, but wonderful American soldiers eventually come to rescue them. Meastoso Petra is briefly reunited with his mother, Mama Petra, which I thought was wonderful. Liesl secretly rides him in the show more reopening of the Winter Riding Hall in front of hundreds of very important people, which I was also very happy about. This was a good book, but I think it could have been better if there had been more time spent explaining Maestoso Petra's training at the Spanish Riding School. He talks about learning all these complicated moves that only Lipizzaners can do, but very little about *how* he learned them. show less

Mildly interesting story of a Lipizzaner stallion "in his own words" . I found it not particularly absorbing - the presentation never caught me. The information - what happened, during and after WWII, to the Lipizzaners and the Spanish Riding School, plus the breeding and training regime for the horses - was interesting. Cute bit about a woman (girl) secretly riding Maestoso Petra when his assigned rider is injured. This is not historical, but amusing. I'm glad I read the book, but have no interest in reading it again.

This is one of the best of the Horse Diaries. Kendall has crafted a fast moving historical account of the plight of the Lipizzaner stallion's and the Spanish Riding School. The familiar story is given a new twist as told by Maestro Petra as he and a young girl flee for their lives. All ages will enjoy this one. A great gift or stocking stuffer.