The Greatest Horse Stories Ever Told: Thirty Unforgettable Horse Tales

Throughout recorded history, the horse has played many roles in human life. He has been man's partner in war, his servant in work, his teammate in sports, his inspiration in art. So it is only natural that literature includes many masterpieces about horses and horsemanship.
The Greatest Horse Stories Ever Told gathers together the best of the equestrian genre. It includes stories and articles by Pulitzer Prize–winners Red Smith, Maxine Kumin, and Jane Smiley, and tales by jockey-turned-mystery novelist Dick Francis and veterinarian-turned-writer James Herriot. Here also are reflections on fox hunting by Steven Budiansky and Anthony Trollope; a profile of Buck Brannaman, the inspiration for The Horse Whisperer; an inspirational piece from Ellie Phayer; and a story about the Spanish Riding School's dancing white horses by Felix Salten (author of Bambi), as well as writing from Tom McGuane, Bill Barich, humorist Cooky McClung, and classic western authors Will James and Zane Grey.
Heartwarming, adventurous, profound, and funny, this anthology is a treasure trove that includes favorite writers and little-known or long-forgotten gems, illuminating our fascination—and captivation—with horses.

ISBN-13: 9781493081547

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Lyons Press

Publication Date: 04-02-2024

Pages: 268

Series: Greatest

Steven D. Price is the author of eighteen books on equestrian subjects, including The Horseman's Illustrated Dictionary, Essential Riding, The Quotable Horse Lover, and The American Quarter Horse. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Practical Horseman, and America's Horse. He lives in New York City and rides horses wherever he can.

Table of Contents

Introduction.............................................ix Mr. T's Heart.............................................1................ Jane Smiley The Lady Who Rides to Hounds...........7................Anthony Trollope Pure Heart..................................................12..............William Nack Nona Garson.............................................27...............Nancy Jaffer A Royal Rip-off at Kingdom Hill............32...............Dick Francis Breakneck Hill...........................................40...............Esther Forbes The Horse Whisperer..............................49...............Paul Trachtman A Vote for Ta Wee...................................61...............Red Smith The Imperial Spanish Riding School.....64...............Felix Salten Sleeping Sickness.....................................69..............Ben Green Tallyho and Tribulation...........................81..............Stephen Budiansky Why Is It that Girls Love Horses?.........89..............Maxine Kumin Mustard-Pot, Matchmaker......................94..............Gilbert Frankau Horses and Horsemen.............................108............Andy Russell All Horse Players Die Broke...................114............Damon Runyon Dreaming...................................................128.............Bill Barich Was There A Horse with Wings?.........136............Beryl Markham On Winning..............................................145............William Steinkraus Buster........................................................149............Tom McGuane All Things Bright and Beautiful............161............James Herriot Tips on Horses.........................................171...........Ring Lardner The Champion...........................................173..........Gene Smith School Horses...........................................183..........Colonel Alois Podhajsky Horsefolk are Different.............................203..........Cooky McClung The Diverting History of John Gilpin.....207..........William Cowper Tip on a Lost Race....................................216..........CArey Winfrey The Ponies are Talking.............................221..........Holly Menino Personals....................................................236...........Melissa Pierson Good Horse Keeping................................242...........Paul Zarzyski Two Sisters................................................251...........Ellie Phayer Acknowledgments....................................254 Show More