Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Royal Lipizzaner Stallions To Perform in Boone January 19
Story by Celeste von Mangan
On Friday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. High Country residents will have the opportunity to step back in time to view an equine ballet performed by Lipizzaner and Andalusian horses. The horses, sometimes known as the Dancing White Stallions, will perform for one night only in the Holmes Center at Appalachian State University.
The Lipizzaner breed faced extermination at the close of World War II, and General George S. Patton is credited with saving them from extinction. The Andalusians, ancestral forebearers of the Lipizzaners, will appear in the show with a special wardrobe and traditional Spanish music.
Lipizzaners and Andalusians are best known for their ability to perform High School dressage. The horses in the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions show will perform four Airs Above the Ground movements:
• Levade—The horse must maintain a haunched position at a 45-degree angle to the ground.
• Mezair—In this series of successive levades, the horse lowers his forefeet to the ground before rising again on his hindquarters, achieving forward motion.
• Courbette—The horse balances on his hind legs and then jumps, keeping the hind legs together while the forelegs are on the ground.
• Capriole—This move was used on the ancient battlefield to strike and kill the enemy. To execute the capriole, the stallion leaps into the air, drawing his forelegs under his chest at the height of elevation prior to kicking out with his hind legs.
Troy Tinker, narrator for the Lipizzaner Stallions, claims to be “happiest when he is traveling the world with his ponies.” Head Rider Redha Gharsa began his career in Algiers, Algeria and has competed nationally and internationally in jumping and dressage competitions.
Tickets for the thirty-seventh anniversary tour of the Lipizzaner Stallions are on sale now at the Holmes Center. Lower level tickets cost $22. 50 for adults, $20.50 for children ages 3 to 12 and senior citizens older than 60 and $17.50 per person for groups of fifteen or more. Upper level tickets cost $19.50 for adults, $17.50 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 60 years and older, and $14.50 per person for groups of fifteen or more.
For more information call 828-262-6603.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday, January 19
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Holmes Convocation Center, Boone
Cost: $22.50 and $19.50 adults/$20.50 and $17.50 seniors and children